“Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 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. 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. 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. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:4-14 (KJV)
The LORD’s chastening in the life of one of His children only proves His love for them – that He is making them holy as He is holy, so they are fit for His eternal kingdom!
Who does the LORD specifically say He loves? What does the Father do to those He loves?
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
If you are going through a time of the chastening of your heavenly Father, rejoice that His chastisement upon your life only proves you know Him. Also, be aware of His workings and chastisements and rebukes of others around you who are imperfect just as you are imperfect. Dare not we cast a stone of condemnation their way!
Brother TJ captures some things concerning how we treat others in their suffering and chastisements:
“Jesus be praised! I find it almost comical at this point in my walk with Christ how so many are actually offended by Him. I love how Paul said many times to “not be ashamed of his chains.” Interesting how so many in these last days are ashamed or offended by those servants of Christ who are in “bondage” to the Lord Jesus through various trials, tribulations, struggles, chastisings, etc., at His very hands. Just as Christ’s original apostles couldn’t stay wake with Him in the Garden; and scattered at His imprisonment…even after He forewarned them, etc. You see, the devil has spewed his doctrines, and has beguiled the Church…As Jesus and Paul expressed not to look down, or be ashamed, of such servants; but instead to “share” “encourage” “exhort” “strengthen,” etc., such brethren. Way too many scriptural examples to use for supporting one in need for Christ’s sake. Why else did Paul say that when he was on trial, no one came to his defense? Exactly!” TJ
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