Bible Reading: Numbers 15; Psalm 51; Isaiah 5; Hebrews 12
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: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Preachers who do what God has called them to do let God's people know that he chastens them when they get out of the way they should go. Have you forgotten that exhortation? Have you forgotten the God is our Father and we are his children through faith in Jesus Christ? The Father loves his children and he will chasten them when they are disobedient to him. We must not despise his chastening and rebuke because it is a sign of genuine faith on our part.
Sometimes a person can sin willfully and get away with it. They receive no rebuke from God nor do they realize what they have done is sin. According to Hebrews, this person is a bastard and does not really belong to God!
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Hebrews 12:7-8)
God deals with his children differently than he deals with other people. Other people are already condemned for their sin and they are simply storing up wrath for the Day of Judgment. God's children are to live in a way that is pleasing to him. Therefore, he will chasten and rebuke us when we are rebellious. It is very clear in Scripture that chastisement is a result of love. It is because God loves you that he chastens you. A godly father learns from the Heavenly Father and chastens his children as well.
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? 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. (Hebrews 12:9-10)
God's chastening is profitable to us and produces holiness in our lives. It is not enjoyable, but it is profitable.
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. (Hebrews 12:11)
God is working toward the end result of holiness and righteousness in our lives. I challenge you to look at chastening and rebuke a little differently. No, it is not fun, but thank God that he loves us enough to chasten us. Have you experienced this lately? If you have it is a blessed assurance that you belong to a loving Heavenly Father.
In Christ,
Rody
