MONDAY, JULY 31
Hebrews 12: 1-11
Hebrews 12:6

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

BE CHASTISED BY THE LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER

The eleventh sign of born-again believers is they receive God the Father’s loving chastisement. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth…. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons… but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Heb 12:6, 8, 10). Due to man’s sinful nature, no true children of God are exempt from their loving Father’s chastisement although they are born again and in the process of sanctification. God is holy and He commands His children to be holy (1 Pet 1:16), and out of love, He has to chastise His children when they fail to honour Him, to do His will, or to keep His Word. What is God’s purpose? So that they may be "partakers of his holiness."

Thus, we can be sure that those professing Christians and leaders who do not depend on or submit to God and His Word, but do their own will and plans in worldly ways are not God’s children if they are not chastised: "if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." We should not be surprised, envious or stumbled when we are unrepentant professing Christians and leaders still living in sin, worldliness and ungodliness without God’s chastisement! They may even seem to be more prosperous, successful, popular, and increasing in size and number! However, the holy and righteous God "will render to every man according to his deeds… For there is no respect of persons with God" (Rom 2:6, 11). Sooner or later, they will be judged!

Although it is not a happy but painful experience to be chastised, we must not despise God’s chastisement or be discouraged (Heb 12:5), but should "rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live" (Heb 12:9). Moreover, we must be thankful because God deals with us as His beloved children and wants us to be "partakers of his holiness" and to yield the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" (Heb 12:11). Truly, "He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).

THOUGHT: I must thank God for His loving chastisement.
PRAYER: Father, thank Thee for purging and chastising me.