Never must we take what is written in the Scriptures as nothing more than the thoughts and words of man. "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16 ). And we had better take a firm hold on that truth, when we read in Hebrews 12:8 , "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."
That is an awesome truth. All the elect children of God will be chastised. He will not fail to correct one of them. In fact, our death is that wonderful work whereby He separates us completely from our sinful flesh and nature. And we will never, never sin again from the moment we die and our souls go to heaven. Then the new man in Christ is separated from the old man of sin, who dwells in our flesh. And when your loved one, who is a believing child of God, is taken from you by death, that loved one is lifted up and not cast down. He goes to glory and not to torment.
If then, the miseries and pains, the losses and death we encounter are not works of chastisement which God exercises, we are not sons and daughters of God. And if we question His love and question whether we are his sons and daughters, and doubt His grace when afflictions come, we must question our sonship and daughtership.
The surgeon will cut deeply into your body. And when you wake up, you will have severe pain. But this is not because he hated you and wanted you to suffer that pain. He did it for your good. Much less is it hatred of God when we are chastised.
In your afflictions and losses call Him your Father, and to no degree question His love for you. Thank Him for all that which He does.
Read: Proverbs 19:13-18
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Ezra 8:21-36 ; Ezra 9
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 21:1-2
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Quote for Reflection:
"We by no means discharge our duty towards God, when we obey him only in appearance; for he is not a mortal man, whom the outward appearance pleases, but he reads what we are inwardly in our hearts. He not only prescribes laws for our feet and hands, but he also requires what is just and right as to the mind and spirit." ~ Calvin’s Commentary
Additional Info
- Date: 9-August
