7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:7-11 (ESV)

Discipline is natural

Discipline is to be expected. If we are children of God then we should expect discipline, just as good early fathers discipline their children. Correct discipline is not punishment; it is correction. Where there is no discipline, there is no love. Earthly fathers discipline as they see fit – which may or may not be for our good. But God’s discipline is different. Discipline often is a correction for wrongs. It can also be training for a higher purpose.

Discipline is necessary

If you’re heading to Winter Park, CO to go skiing and you get distracted and take a wrong turn, you need to be corrected to get back on the right road. If a child tries to walk across the road alone, they need to be stopped and instructed. When we get off track in our faith, our life, we need to know we’re wrong, admit it, submit to the correction of God and get back on track. There is discipline, however, that is not correction for sin, but trials and suffering (as this Hebrew church was experiencing) to bring about righteousness.

Goal of Discipline

What’s the goal of spiritual discipline? To correct our deviant behavior? Yes. The immediate purpose is to know the righteous way and be instructed in it. Is it to experience God’s love? Yes again. The Father demonstrates love through discipline. Ultimately, the goal of discipline is to share in God’s holiness. Correction for wayward behaviour brings this about. Various trials and suffering do as well. If we ask God the reason for the discipline, “He probably will not tell you why it is your turn, or why it is happening now, or why there is this much pain, or why it lasts this long. But he has told you what you need to know: it is the love of an all-wise Father to a child. Will you trust him?” (desiringgod.com) Are you suffering now, experiencing a severe trial? Re-read this section, along with chapter 11. Consider God, your loving Heavenly Father is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2). Trust Him.