This passage forms part of a larger section which encourages faith and perseverance, 10:19-29. Specifically, it deals with God the Father's disciplining of his children.

v4. The writer points out to his readers that the troubles they are presently undergoing are not to the point of death, as was the case for many of the great ones of faith, particularly Christ. The readers, therefore, have no grounds to be discouraged. Rather, they should see their present troubles as an expression of God's Fatherly love, purifying, strengthening, and straightening them. Their troubles will serve to shape them toward their future service in eternity.

v5-8. The writer quotes Proverbs 3:11ff and directs his readers to its teaching. A true son will always be treated differently to an illegitimate one. The training and discipline will be harder for a child of God, for such prepares us for our service in eternity. Our writer has already made this point regarding Jesus. Even Christ, God's one and only son, "learned obedience by the things which he suffered."

v9-10. The idea that pain (disciplining) serves to teach the disciple, is further developed. We willingly accept the discipline of our earthly father and respect him for it. We do this, even though his discipline is imperfect. Our heavenly Father will similarly discipline those whom he loves, yet he will do so in perfection. He disciplines us so we may be holy as he is holy. As we individually seek to apply the Word of God to our lives, by grace through faith, in interaction with our environment, so we are shaped for eternity - we are sanctified. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." By grace through faith we are shaped toward holiness.

v11. Finally, our writer points out that the child of God who accepts life's troubles as discipline and training from the hand of a loving God, ceases to feel resentful, but rather becomes open to God's word and thus open to his moulding hand, open to the cultivation of righteousness. "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn of thy statutes", Psalm 119:67.

"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
 

Believers have never found it easy to deal with pain. The question constantly on our lips is, "if God is a loving God, why does he allow this trouble to come upon me?" Why is there pain?

The problem becomes more acute when we are affected by an Abundant Life theology (health and happiness in Christ). This is the "believe in Jesus and all your troubles will be washed away" line. There is no promise in the scriptures which teaches that believers are somehow protected from life's troubles. Neither is there a promise that believers will be showered with life's pleasures. God uses the troubles of life to shape us toward eternity. Affliction serves to sanctify us; troubles prepare us for our rule with Christ in eternity. As we seek to apply Biblical truth within the troubles of this age, we are changed, moulded and prepared. The writer to the Hebrews says; we are "disciplined".

So life shapes us, particularly when it is unpleasant. The believer who recognizes the molding hand of God in affliction, becomes open to the will of God, rather than bitter, resentful and morose. Such discipline serves "for our good, that we may share in His holiness", v10. So therefore, brothers and sisters, "endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined,... then you are illegitimate children and not true sons", v7-8

So, the point of our passage is simple enough. At this very moment we find ourselves struggling against sin and the infernal interference of dark powers. Circumstances from without are constantly pressing in on us. Yet, we have not suffered to the point of "shedding blood." Our suffering cannot be compared to Christ's. And we understand that this "disciplining" serves a positive end, "it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it", v11. Troubles aid the realization of our sanctification.

1. Affliction in the Christian life serves to train and discipline the believer. Discuss the notion that such disciplining is the chastisement of God toward the eradication of sin in the life of a believer.

2. What other purpose could affliction have in the life of a Christian if not for Divine flagellation?

3. Would it be right for a Christian to see all affliction in the terms of training and disciplining?

4. Discuss the notion that God is directly involved when he "disciplines us for our good."