As a Good Father, God will not ignore your sin. He knows how to correct you when you cave into temptation.
Hebrews 12:10 “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.”
The words chasten or chastise mean “to correct by punishment.”
Have you ever seen a child that clearly needed correction, but the parent did nothing? I’m sure we all have. Did the child appreciate it and begin behaving well? Probably not.
In fact, the parent’s dereliction of duty will cause many more problems for the child as he grows up and faces the realities of life.
I’m thankful that I had parents that taught me boundaries and held me accountable. I experienced many “corrections by punishment” as a child, but far less than I deserved!
When you were born again, God became your Father. As His child, you must learn to obey Him. The quicker you learn to obey your Father, the better off your life will be.
[shareable]The fleeting pleasure of sin is not worth disappointing your Heavenly Father and receiving His parental correction.[/shareable]
There are consequences for disobedience. The Bible calls this “chastening.”
God chastens His children. If you can live in sin, without chastisement, the Bible says that you are not God’s child. Let that sink in for a moment.
Let me repeat it. If you live a life of sin and God does not chasten you, then you are not His child. God’s Word is clear.
Also, it is vital that you learn the difference between God’s chastening and the ordinary trials of life. Trouble will come to all of us until we get to Heaven, but you will know it if God is chastising you. He will make it clear so you can repent and experience His blessings again.
Confessing and forsaking your sin is the path to restoration. Praise God that His forgiveness is readily available.
Frequently, God will be gracious after our initial sin giving us an opportunity for the goodness of God to lead us to repentance. Too often, we take God’s goodness as a license to sin more like a spoiled child.
God will not allow that to continue. If you are His child, He will chastise you for sin. He doesn’t do it out of meanness, but out of love. How else could you hope to overcome your sin and partake of His holiness without His correction and training?
Your Heavenly Father knows how to get your attention. Chastisement can come in any form found in the Bible and affect areas such as money, work, relationships, peace, joy, satisfaction, opportunity, health, tragedy, etc.
It is not fun to be chastised. God has a big paddle, and He knows how to use it.
Remember this truth when temptation comes. The fleeting pleasure of sin is not worth disappointing your Heavenly Father and receiving His parental correction.
[callout]“Heavenly Father, please forgive me of my sin. I’m sorry that you have to chastise me at times. I want to be a child that brings you joy, not sadness. Deliver me from my sinful desires. Help me live in obedience and blessing as I put you first today. Amen.'[/callout]
Today’s Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-11
Read this devotional series from the beginning here.