Not Punishment, but Preparation

Hebrews 12:5-13

When you hear the word “discipline,” what comes to mind?

For many of us, it immediately takes us back to our childhood.

Some remember a parent’s stern look or a moment of correction that stung.

Others may remember something far more painful—harsh words, angry punishments, or even abusive treatment.

If that was your experience, I want you to hear me clearly: that is not what this passage is about.

Our Heavenly Father never lashes out in rage.

He never wounds to harm.

He disciplines only in love, never in cruelty.

His discipline is not punishment—Jesus bore all the punishment for our sins at the cross.

Romans 8:1 KJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Instead, His discipline is training, shaping, guiding—like a loving parent who wants to see their child grow strong and mature.

Think of the word that Hebrews 12 uses—“chastening.”

It’s the Greek word paideia, and it refers to the whole process of raising a child—teaching, instructing, correcting, and encouraging.

It’s the steady hand of a Father who knows the path ahead and wants His children ready to walk it well.

And yes, sometimes that training is painful.

No athlete loves the early morning practices, the sore muscles, or the endless drills.

But every athlete knows the pain of training produces the strength to finish the race.

That’s the picture the Spirit paints here.

The Father who has called us to run the race set before us is the same Father who strengthens and prepares us through His discipline.

This passage is not here to make us afraid of God, but to help us see His heart.

It is to remind us that the hardships we face, the struggles that stretch us, and even the corrections that sting us are all part of His loving hand at work.

Tonight, we are going to look at how God’s discipline shapes us, and I want you to see it through the lens of love.

Because when we understand His heart, we can endure His hand.

I. The Perspective We Must Remember

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

A. Discipline Is Not Punishment

This is where we really need to begin.

So many Christians carry around the fear that every hardship is God paying them back.

But that is not how God works with His children.

Punishment looks backward at sin and demands payment.

But all our punishment was laid on Christ at the cross.

He cried, “It is finished,” and it truly was finished.

Romans 8:1 says,

Romans 8:1 KJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

If you belong to Christ, you will never face God’s punishment again.

So when trials come, do not see them as payback for past failures.

Instead, see them as training for future faithfulness.

B. Discipline Is Training for Growth

The word “chastening” here is the Greek word paideia.

It describes the whole process of raising and educating a child—teaching, correcting, guiding, and shaping.

Sometimes that training will involve painful lessons, but it is never pointless.

God is not trying to break you down—He is building you up.

Hebrews warns us not to despise discipline, as though it were unimportant, and not to faint under it, as though it were unbearable.

Both reactions miss the point.

Instead, we are to see discipline as God’s loving investment in our lives.

He knows exactly what training we need to run our race well.

He knows when we need encouragement, when we need correction, and when we need strengthening.

Every hardship we face becomes part of His training program.

C. Discipline Is Always Rooted in Love

Verse 6 says, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

That is the heart of this whole passage.

God’s discipline is never the anger of a judge but the affection of a Father.

Proverbs 3:11–12 reminds us,

Proverbs 3:11–12 KJV

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

When hardship comes, it is not proof that God has abandoned you—it is proof that He loves you.

Revelation 3:19 says,

Revelation 3:19 KJV

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

In other words, discipline is not rejection—it is reception.

It marks you as His own.

J. C. Ryle said, “Afflictions are the school in which God’s children learn more of Christ.”

The school may not always be comfortable, but the Teacher is always good.

And the subject is always Christlikeness.

So do not despise the classroom of affliction, and do not mistake it for condemnation.

It is God’s love in action.

II. The Purpose God Is Pursuing

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Notice with me three purposes for discipline

A. Discipline Confirms Our Sonship

Verse 7 says, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.”

One of the clearest proofs that you are a true child of God is that He disciplines you.

A father does not correct the children down the street—he trains his own.

In the same way, God’s discipline in your life is a mark of belonging.

The absence of discipline would not be a sign of His love—it would be a sign of being outside the family.

So when you face God’s discipline, you can actually take comfort: He is treating you as His child.

Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What is God teaching me as His son or daughter?”

B. Discipline Corrects Our Sin

Sometimes God’s discipline is corrective—it turns us back from dangerous paths.

Psalm 119:67 says,

Psalm 119:67 KJV

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.

David admitted that affliction was the very thing that stopped him from wandering further.

Like a loving father who takes his child by the hand and pulls him back from running into the street, God sometimes uses painful experiences to keep us from greater harm.

When you face hardship, ask, “Lord, is there something in my life You are calling me to change?”

His discipline is never meant to destroy—it is meant to deliver.

C. Discipline Cultivates Our Holiness

Verse 10 gives us the ultimate purpose: “that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

God is not satisfied to simply forgive us and leave us as we are.

He desires to make us like His Son.

Romans 8:29 KJV

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Holiness is not an optional extra in the Christian life—it is the very goal of God’s training.

Just as parents discipline their children to help them grow into maturity, God disciplines us to grow us into Christlikeness.

Value holiness more than comfort.

When you see the choice between being at ease and being like Christ, remember that God always chooses the greater good.

God’s discipline is not about payback, but about preparation.

It proves we are His children.

It corrects us when we wander.

It cultivates holiness in us.

That is the purpose behind every trial that comes into our lives.

III. The Practice We Should Embrace

Look again at verse 7

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Then verses 11-13 tells us…

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

What should we practice?

A. Endure with Faith

God’s Word calls us to endure discipline, not escape it.

Verse 7 says, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons.”

Endurance means trusting God’s heart even when you cannot trace His hand.

It means believing that His discipline is not punishment, but preparation.

James 1:2–4 reminds us that the “trying of your faith worketh patience,” and that patience brings us to maturity.

It says,

James 1:2–4 KJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Trials are the training ground of faith.

Pray, “Father, help me to see this trial as Your training and not as Your anger.”

Keep showing up, keep obeying, keep running the race—even when it hurts.

so Endure with faith that God has a purpose

Secondly we can…

B. Examine with Humility

Verse 9 says, “Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

Discipline calls us to humility, not pride.

It is easy to stiffen our necks and resist what God is doing, but life and blessing are found in submitting to His hand.

Instead of asking, “Why me?” ask, “What is God teaching me through this?”

Open your Bible and invite the Spirit to shine a light on areas where you need correction, growth, or renewed obedience.

Humility turns discipline into growth, while pride turns it into wasted pain.

so Endure with faith that God has a purpose

Secondly, Examine the situation with Humility.

Then thirdly,

C. Encourage with Ministry

Verses 12–13 urge us to “lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet.”

The imagery is of weary runners who are ready to collapse.

God’s discipline is not just about you—it is also about the people around you.

When you endure with faith, you strengthen the faith of others.

When you share how God has met you in hardship, you encourage those who are tempted to quit.

In Job 5:17, Job’s friend Eliphaz the Temanite misunderstood Job’s suffering for chastening and correction…but he had no way of knowing different.

But the truth of what he says is still very biblical…

Job 5:17 KJV

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

That happiness is not giddiness, but a settled peace that can be shared with others.

Look for someone whose hands are drooping and whose knees are weak, and use your testimony to encourage them.

Your endurance can keep someone else from turning out of the way.

The right response to God’s discipline is not despising it or fainting under it.

It is enduring with faith, examining with humility, and encouraging others with your testimony.

This is how we turn hardship into holiness.

IV. The Product God Promises

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

When we allow God’s chasetening and discipleship in our lives to take root we will see some positive results…

A. Peace with God’s Will

Verse 11 begins with honesty: “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous.”

God does not minimize the pain of discipline—it really does hurt.

But He gives us hope: “Nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The first fruit is peace.

When we finally stop fighting against God’s hand, our hearts find rest in His will.

Instead of questioning His love, we begin to trust His wisdom.

Ask God to help you see His hand in your hardship so that you can rest in His plan rather than resist it.

B. Purity in Daily Walk

The second fruit is righteousness.

Discipline produces a cleaner, straighter walk with God.

Like a gardener pruning a vine, God cuts away what is hindering growth so that more fruit can come.

John 15:2 says,

John 15:2 KJV

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Instead of asking, “How do I get out of this trial?” ask, “How can I grow more like Christ through it?”

Holiness is the long-term harvest of God’s training.

With successful discipline comes…

Peace with God’s Will

Purity in our Daily Walk

but also we will see that it is easier to have…

C. Perseverance for Future Trials

Discipline also strengthens us for what lies ahead.

When an athlete trains hard, the soreness of today becomes the strength for tomorrow’s competition.

In the same way, the hardship that feels so heavy today is building endurance for the future.

Romans 5:3–4 says,

Romans 5:3–4 KJV

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Remember that God never wastes pain.

Every trial is building spiritual muscles you will need for the next leg of the race.

Discipline may not feel good in the moment, but God promises it will produce peace, purity, and perseverance.

That is the “afterward” of verse 11—the fruit that only grows in the soil of hardship.

And it is that fruit that prepares us to run the race with endurance, looking unto Jesus.

Conclusion

We have seen that God’s discipline is not punishment, but preparation.

It is the loving hand of a Father who is training His children to run the race with endurance.

And while His discipline may hurt, it is never to harm—it is always to heal and to help.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The Lord’s mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction.”

In other words, even when affliction looks dark, mercy is riding it straight to your heart.

Behind the pain is always the purpose of a loving God.

Think again of the athlete training for a race.

The coach pushes him beyond what he thinks he can bear.

The drills are tiring, the muscles ache, and quitting feels easier than continuing.

But the coach knows something the athlete doesn’t—that today’s pain is tomorrow’s strength.

In the same way, our Father knows that today’s hardships are building tomorrow’s holiness.

He never wastes a moment of training.

John Newton, who knew much of suffering himself, once wrote, “Everything is necessary that He sends; nothing can be necessary that He withholds.”

That is a powerful reminder that if something is in your life today, it has passed through the wise and loving hands of your Father.

And if He has withheld something you desire, it is because He knows you do not need it for the race He has called you to run.

So, Christian, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not faint under it.

Do not see it as rejection, but as reception.

Do not interpret it as wrath, but as love.

Endure it with faith.

Submit to it with humility.

Encourage others through it with your testimony.

And watch for the peaceable fruit of righteousness that God has promised to produce.

Your Father is not punishing you.

He is preparing you.

He is shaping you into the image of Christ.

And one day, when you look back from eternity, you will see that every hardship, every trial, and every tear was part of His loving discipline to get you safely home.