Yesterday we talked about the endurance race that we’re all on from Hebrews 12.1 – 3. Immediately following that is a section on discipline. And competing in any sports event requires discipline.

But the “discipline” of this paragraph of Hebrews is not “training,” as in “train yourself for godliness,” (1 Timothy 4.7). It has more to do with hardship or even punishment. It’s the same word as used in Ephesians 6.4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 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. 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? 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. (Hebrews 12.4 – 10, ESV)

As we think about the Olympics, which just concluded a few days ago, we see a lot of the “punishment” kind of discipline. Those athletes who, for example, lost in the previous Olympics in Tokyo, only to come back successful in Paris. Simone Biles, the world’s greatest gymnast, could barely compete in 2021. Would she come back? She did, with great success. Likewise, Noah Lyles didn’t do as well in Tokyo as he wanted but won the 100-meter dash in Paris. He wanted to win the 200 as well, but “settled for” bronze, this time with a good attitude.

These athletes and others used their hardship to propel them forward in their training – the other kind of discipline – which is how the section in Hebrews 12 closes:

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 12.11, ESV)