A Love That Chastens

February 22, 2016 - “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” (Heb. 12:5-6).

The seeds of “God is love” paints God in color that He is not. Oh yes, God is love (1Jn. 4:9-11) and His love sent Jesus (Jn. 3:16). And it His love in our hearts that gives us hope to carry on (Rm. 5:5). But God is not love only. The love of God is not a free ticket to live like the devil and do what we want with who want and where we want. As the Hebrew writer said His love also brings a chastening or correction.

As parents we correct our children because we love them. When they begin to go in the wrong direction our love does not bridle our tongue or actions, instead we correct and discipline them. The Lord chastens and scourges us in order to keep us from the fires of hell. As Paul said, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).

It is the love of God that corrects us when we go astray. If God did not correct us He would not loves us. The next time you feel chastened by Scripture just remember it is because God loves you!

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