Loving Correction

Loving Correction

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Hebrews 12:6-7

As we continue to consider the privileges of adoption into the family of God, we come to consider the matter of correction. Because correction may involve some unpleasantness, we often do not think of it in terms of it being a privilege. Our natural inclination is to continue in whatever behavior we have begun, without having anyone call us into account. God, Our Father, however, loves us too much to allow us to behave badly without correction. Hence our text for today declares, ‘For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?’ This puts correction within the context of sonship. A parent, in wisdom, sees the consequences of bad behavior. We, as parents, see that there will be disaster ahead, in the life of this child, if that little one continues to throw tantrums and act out. So, with great love, and carefully considered action, we correct the child’s behavior. God will conform us to the Image and Likeness of Christ. That will drastically alter our natural inclinations and the behavior which is the logical outgrowth of those inclinations. To that end, He corrects us in various ways using a variety of means. Even though, as the verses which follow our text indicate, this is not a presently enjoyable experience, it produces in us a good effect in the long term. So today, let us recognize this correction as a privilege of our adoption.  God our Father, would have us, the adopted sons of God, to be more like Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God.

Our most Holy and Wise God,
and our Loving Heavenly Father.
We praise You, that You in love, correct us,
and that You will continue Your work of Grace in us
until we are all that You want us to be.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning