Painful lessons

I heard testimony the other day from someone who used to be in the mob. He was a drug runner in South America and had several harrowing experiences, in which he was nearly killed on several occasions. This man attributed many of these painful incidents to the Lord chastening him. Sometimes we suffer merely as the result or consequence of our sins, and other times the Lord actually chastens us. The Bible tells us that the Lord chastens those whom He loves in order to help develop us. Our Lord knew what this guy needed to turn him around. He has gone on to become a fulltime Christian servant and is helping people every day. Now he is using his testimony and past mistakes as a tool to reach those who otherwise might not listen. If it were not for the chastening of the Lord, he would still be mired in his sin heading straight for Hell.

We should not be discouraged when we experience the chastening of the Lord; just the opposite, we should be concerned if we do not. The Bible tells us that if we are without chastening, we are akin to illegitimate sons. It goes on say that we have had human fathers who corrected us and we paid them respect and asks the question concerning correction from God, Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live?

I have experienced the chastening of the Lord first hand. I appreciate it very much, for without it I would still be miserable, lonely, and living a life that is straight out of Hell.

Now no chastening seems to be

joyful for the present, but painful;

nevertheless, afterward it yields

the peaceable fruit of righteousness

to those who have been trained by

it.


How well do you know the Bible?

There is one thing that no man can tame. What is it?

James 3:8


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