SONS GET CHASTENED

“But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”  Hebrews 12:8

REFERENCE
Hebrews 12:5-11

Do you remember your growing up years and how daddy was there to instill discipline? Yes, you were spanked sometimes, and at other times, you were told to serve a punishment. The experience was often unpleasant and you didn’t like it. In fact, some of us wondered if our parents (especially mums) gave birth to us, because if they did, they wouldn’t have inflicted so much pain on us, nor denied us certain fun times or family outings, just to reprimand us for a misbehavior. Unbeknownst to us however, our character was being shaped through such experiences which have contributed greatly to the kind of men/women we are today.

The motivation for our parents’ actions was the fact that we are their children, their legacy, their images and their representatives. If they did not play an active role in molding us through correction, discipline and punishment, we may have brought disrepute to their names. God, our Divine Parent is no different. Because we also represent Him and He doesn’t want us to be ‘spoilt’ children, He chastens us. He allows us to go through experiences that help shape our character: temporary lack, keeping you on a job you don’t like, delays, rebuke, correction and sometimes, denial. Sometimes, God uses the instrumentation of the authority figures in your life to call you to order, to correct you and point out an area of your life that you should work on.

Our flesh and ego often resist chastening. We want to be left alone to do what we want, when we want. The bible says that’s a spirit of an illegitimate born; it is as good as not having a father or an authority figure to correct you. It makes you reckless, without control – like an octopus on roller skates. You end up doing things that don’t reflect your Heavenly Father, because you have not subjected yourself to His training.

Is there an authority figure in your life that you are in rebellion against? Are there experiences you are going through right now that tell you God wants to make you better? Is there someone you should repent to? Don’t give up on that job, go through the discipline. Don’t walk out on that marriage, let it work character in you. Don’t tell that person off; learn patience and submission. Remember, every chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness only to those who allow it to ‘train’ them.