How God Corrects You When You Sin
Have you ever wondered how God corrects you when you sin? It’s really a faith-building experience and NOT a ‘bad’ thing like you may think.
How often we see something that happens in terms of being ‘unfortunate’ or ‘bad’ instead of seeing that it might actually be God’s merciful discipline!
I want to show you that when God corrects you, it really isn’t a ‘bad’ thing when we accept what He is doing in our life.
God isn’t a harsh judge but a loving father.
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
There are 4 Points in this Verse
- Do NOT despise the Lord’s correction!
- Do NOT be discouraged when God rebukes you!
- The Lord shows His love when He corrects you!
- You KNOW you are Saved when God ‘corrects’ you!
People often say, “I apologize” when they have done something wrong instead of truly repenting to God and asking your forgiveness when they have said or done something hurtful. The problem is that sometimes they haven’t really repented.
There is an excellent devotional over on 1 Minute Bible Love Notes that Gail Purath wrote which clearly shows the 6 Characteristics of Sincere Repentance. She clarifies any confusion you might have about what true repentance is!
It is easy to breeze through something so deep as repentance because time is of essence.
Recently, I ‘made’ time and looked up each of the verses and thoughtfully considered them. Doing a study like this is easy on the internet because you can click through the highlighted verse and open it in Bible Gateway or Bible Hub.
I took Hebrews 12:6 and illustrated it in my Bible using Prismacolor pencil crayons and Micron Pens. Doing this helps me to internalize a verse as I ‘draw’ closer to Jesus.
The Cloud of Witnesses
There are those who have gone on before and are witnesses to the fact that our Salvation is REAL! (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.… (Hebrews 12:1-2)
There is nothing at all in the Scriptures that lets us know for sure that the Saints (like my father) who have gone to Heaven before us can look down and watch our race through life.
I’d honestly like to think they can!
They have finished their race (Hebrews 12:1-2) and if they can see down on us they see through totally spiritual eyes.
Think of it like they are sitting on the bleachers on the sidelines as we do our sprint through life. Think of it like they are cheering you on to finish well. I want God to say, “Well, done my faithful servant” like I am sure He said to my Dad!
I hope you take heart from that and hang in there with Jesus!
God Corrects by the Chastening of the LORD
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. Hebrews 12:11
When God corrects us it is NOT a joyful thing if you take it seriously. It is painful but afterward brings the ‘peaceful fruit of righteousness’ because through it God trains us to be more like Him.
Many years ago, I had an issue with my husband and although I don’t remember what it was about, I remember what happened to me afterward. I fell hard going down the stairs and immediately knew it was because of my own actions. THAT was discipline from the Lord, warning and correcting (chastening) me. It was because of my sin!
Renewing Your Spiritual Vitality
God wants us to walk in His strength and not our own.
Once we have been corrected by God, He does NOT want us to be depressed with our hands hanging down and our knees all weak and feeble.
He wants us to walk straight ahead with Jesus, no longer lame, healed from whatever has dislocated us spiritually.
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:12-15
Have you ever experienced how God corrects you? What verse or insight can you add?
Resources:
These are resources that have blessed me over and over!!
If you are struggling with worry, you might find this helpful as well as these 12 Scripture Memory Cards.
Will you take this challenge to learn how to pray fervently?
What will make it hardest to spend 10 minutes in prayer each day?
Get your Prayer Printable Pack! Learn more here . . .
Such good insights, Judith.
You statement: “The Lord shows His love when He corrects you!” is so important for us to understand.
Amen and amen, Judith. I’m so glad he strengthen my hands which hang down more than they should! 🙂
Angie, mine too! How would we do life without Jesus?! Thanks for stopping over. Have a great day!