“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? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:7-8)
The author of Hebrews encourages his readers to persevere in the midst of troubles and temptations. He reminds them and us that we need endure by faith because the Christian life is a like a long distance race. This can be painful and exhausting. Many will tire and fade.
Now, like the runners in a race, we are advancing towards the goal to win a reward. But the race we are in is not a competition against our fellow believers. The prize of eternal life, peace, and perfection is awarded to all who finish the race. Therefore, pride, selfishness and self-interest have no part in this race, and in fact, will cause many to drop out. As members of the church we have a responsibility to help all our fellow believers to finish the course by encouraging and helping all those who are faltering.
In life we will encounter hardships and pain. These should not make us think the Lord is angry with us or that He is punishing us for sin. After all we are not under the Old Covenant of Law, we have not come to Mount Sinai, where the Jews were afraid to even come close to God lest He strike them down. They knew they were rebellious sinners. They wanted God’s protection and blessings but could not or did not want to obey. We, however, are under the New Covenant of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. Any of the losses, sacrifices, pain, trials, persecution and tribulations we endure in the course of our lives are to be embraced for the Lord is using them to discipline us, to help us continue to run the course and grow into the image and likeness of Christ. The pain is worth it for the prize is assured us. Therefore we can persevere as long as we keep our eyes on the goal.