Chastisement

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
[Hebrew 12:7, NKJV]

One way God demonstrates that we are loved and special to Him, is by correcting us whenever we make mistakes. When a father singles out his child from his peers and sternly corrects him, it is because he has a lot at stake in that child. We also can gauge God's love and presence in our lives by the frequency and type of chastening we are exposed to whenever we veer off from the path of righteousness. If we live in sin and are not reprimanded by heaven, it is most likely we have been given over to a reprobate mind, and God has overlooked us (Romans 1:28).

Continuing in a state where we don't get corrected and our conscience becomes seared with hot iron is very dangerous, as that is operating outside the boundaries of God's love. Knowing therefore that a father who loves his child corrects his child, let us receive with goodwill the corrections of our heavenly father. He prunes us to remove undesirable qualities from our lives. The time of correction is not the time for rebellion and backsliding. It is the time to appreciate the love of God that seeks to make us better people. It is the time to receive the grace to live above the sins that hold us bound. It is the time to grow in the character and beauty of the Holy Spirit.

May we continue to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear loving God, I appreciate all you've done in my life to keep me standing in you. I appreciate your love, forgiveness and mercy. I receive your righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit to live above sin. By your grace I am no longer obliged to the sinful nature of my former self. Thank you Jesus for making me to resemble you.

One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - Aug. 30 2010 - Ezekiel 10-13 (OT), 2 Thessalonians 2 (NT).

God's love and mine...