1.1. CORRECTION AS A GODLY PARENTAL TRAIT
The principle of correction is key to establishing and developing our spiritual relationship with God as our father. “God is our father which art in heaven” and we are children of the Most High God; and they who believe in Jesus Christ are given to become “sons of God” and are led by the spirit of God. (Matthew 6:9; Deuteronomy 14:1; Psalm 82:6; John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; Romans 8:14 &16).
As our earthly parents would, it is in God’s nature as our father, to seek to correct and chasten those that are His children. Upon this nature all scripture that is given by inspiration of God” hinges; as they are useful “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works”. (2 Timothy 3:16).
But whereas our earthly fathers chastise us for their own satisfaction, our heavenly father chastens us for our good, that we may partake of His holiness (Hebrews 12:7 &10). Therefore, one who resists or despises the correction or chastening of the Lord, including to accept His instruction or heed his voice cannot claim to trust in the Lord, or to be drawn near to him. (Zephaniah 3:2).
Also, apart from God’s fatherly chastening of His children, it is important to consider when contemplating any action that: It is God that planted our ears so he does hear; that He formed the eye and therefore can see; that he chastises the heathen and therefore he shall correct; that teaches man knowledge and therefore he shall know. “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity”. (Psalm 94:9-10)
1.2. GOD CHASTENS TO REDEEM FROM CONDEMNATION
The lord chastens and corrects those he loves as a father would do the son in whom he delights. The one who God chastens and teaches him in His law is blessed because he is redeemed from the “days of adversity, until he digs the pit for the wicked”. (Psalm 94:12 -13). This is more so the case for believers who are reconciled to him after they believe in the faith of Jesus Christ, because He would scourge every son whom he receives. The lord chastens and corrects those he loves as a father would do the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrew 12:6).
For if we correct ourselves, we do not judge correctly since a man’s ways are always right in his own eyes. Therefore, it is fit that one is tried and chastened of the Lord so that one is not condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). One should thus not despise the chastening of the Lord or grow weary of His correction or faint when He rebukes you. (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5; Revelation 3:19).
2. THE NATURE CHASTENING TRIALS
