“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:9-11).
By definition, a parent’s chastisement was not made for a child’s enjoyment (Hebrews 12:11). Because of this, how a chastened child responds to such parental love will determine whether a child becomes bitter or better. Hebrews 12:5-11 give four appropriate responses every child of God should have when his/her loving Father is chastening His beloved offspring.
The first two of what not to do are found in verse five. They are: Do not despise God’s chastisement and Do not faint. (See yesterday’s blog.)
The final two are:
Submit to it (v. 9). Though human fathers are far from the perfection of our heavenly Father, their loving chastisement blessed us with a respect for authority, an essential cornerstone to a productive life on earth. If there are inherent blessings to submitting to your human father, imagine how many rich and wonderful blessings are inherent to submitting to your heavenly Father.
Be trained by it (v. 11). Chastisement will either make you bitter or better. If you do not despise it or quit because of it and if you submit to it, you will be like a well-trained athlete who successfully competes at the highest level. God’s loving chastisement is solely focused upon what is best for you and the spiritual victory you are capable of achieving.
Attitude matters. Your response to God’s chastisement is a vital matter.
