© 2019 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Chastisement isn’t fun, but it’s guaranteed to all Christians.

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” (Hebrews 12:6-8)

If all Christians are chastised, it means they all sin.  That’s why God chastises them!

Some believe a saved person can lose salvation by sinning.  But Paul clearly teaches that God won’t give up on those He’s truly saved.  He successfully completes the saving and sanctifying work He has begun in them.  He will chastise His loved ones.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6)

Scripture says to examine ourselves to verify that we’re truly saved.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Will this examination reveal perfection?  No.  If this were the case, chastisement would be unnecessary.  What the true believer will discover is that the Lord reveals sin needing correction.  This results in God’s chastisement of the Christian.  God’s Holy Spirit will cause the believer’s heart to grieve, repent, and seek forgiveness and cleansing.  This shows God is dealing with that person “as with sons!”  I thank the Lord for such mercy!  To such a grieving Christian, the apostle John gives the following encouragement.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

The apostle Paul rejoices over this, fearing not even continuing life, with its continuing opportunity for sin.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Have you asked the crucified and risen Son of God to save you from your sins?

If so, He’ll never let you become comfortable with sin!

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