Correction, today, is something that is frequently suggested but seldom desired and seldom accepted. Interestingly, we all, or at least many of us, would come to the realization of certain mistakes we would have made and various wrong-doings committed. We know, also, that the LORD will forgive once we ask of Him such forgiveness. However, accepting any correction? That can mean many things, including (1) Pain, (2) Discomfort, and (3) casting away Pride.

I want you to consider what is happening all around you. The times and seasons are the evidence and the birth pangs of what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24. We are indeed living in the last days. These are the times when believers are about to witness both the immense blessings of God as we live for Him and declare His Gospel, as well as the persecutions from the world. We will always be loved by Him but we are and will also be hated for His sake. Therefore, we need to be prepared. Today, consider how the LORD is preparing you, and not necessarily punishing you, through Correction. His Correction is not for condemnation; His Correction is for Progression.

“⁵ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: ⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. ⁷ If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? ⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. ¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.“

Hebrews 12: 5-11 (KJV)

#1. Correction is a sign of Sonship

“⁵ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: ⁶ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

Hebrews 12: 5-6 (KJV)

Scripture says, in Romans 8:15-16, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” The scripture also declares that we are “heirs of God” (Galatians 4:7) with Romans 8:17 going on to say, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

The LORD esteems us highly. After all, He gave His life for us. We are now seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), and we are a chosen generation, royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). Interestingly, we love to claim these titles. However, being all these things are a result of a birth right that we receive in becoming sons of God. But to effectively operate and live in such birth rights also require one interesting factor; Preparation. To be royal, holy, peculiar, and to live as one who is seated in heavenly places in Christ takes preparation, which is why God has also given unto us His Holy Spirit.

Therefore, whenever we receive correction, it has to be that at some or many moments in our lives, through our actions, intentions, speech and thoughts, we begin straying from the responsibilities of our sonship. A people who are transformed, royal, chosen, peculiar, and are heirs with Christ, while living in such a world system, must always be prepared and chastened, as we can still become susceptible to distractions and temptations. And, in times such as these, we need more believers who will accept the LORD’s correction and not forsake it and thereby, forsaking Him.

#2. Correction from God is Perfect

Our main passage of Hebrews 12, in verse 9, shows that God’s correction is perfect. What exactly does that mean? God’s correction being perfect means that it is perfect in (1) intention, and (2) execution.

Hebrews 12:9 says “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”

Many times, as parents, we authentically correct our children so that they can do and be better. Sometimes, however, we may “correct” them by punishing them out of anger, as we may need to deflect our feelings of rage or frustration on someone or somewhere. We may also “correct” them out of spite, whether the spite is towards them or the other parent, and out of persuasion, as we probably might not even know what to do.

As parents, we might not know what to do with or how to raise, train and correct our children. After all, it is an important yet difficult task, where we are tasked with preparing the future generation. Yet, even in our ignorance, insecurities, and even messed-up intentions, we are still given reverence at times as parents. Even though we can be sinful and fleshy in our ways, limited, and far from perfect, we still have the ability to offer good correction.

Now, imagine God, who is perfect in every single way. His heart, mind, hands, feet and spirit are all perfect. He is the definition of perfection. Hebrews 12:9 is showing us that we should be in subject to God, who is “the Father of Spirits”. This shows that (1) He is not fleshy and therefore not contaminated by sin, and (2) He is supreme over all, both this realm and the spiritual realm.

Since He is perfect and supreme, yet He is our Father, we can trust His correction. We can trust that He would not give us more than we can bare. Therefore the execution of His correction is perfect. We can also trust that He will correct us for our growth and development. Therefore the intention of His correction is also perfect.

#3. Correction yields Righteousness

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Hebrews 12: 11 (KJV)

The Kingdom of God is about Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Therefore, as a Kingdom citizen and as a child of God, you must live a life of righteousness, as well as peace and of joy. The writer in Hebrews is being honest with us here though. No chastening or correction will appear to be joyous or wonderful. It will always appear to be grievous. It will appear as though God dislikes us, is forsaking us, is discarding us, or is not regarding our feelings or need for comfort. However, this is necessary, as it teaches us to not repeat such actions again, and it also teaches us the impact of Truth verses deception.

Truth is a revealer. It pierces, grips darkness, it shines light on situations, and it shows a situation exactly as it is. There is no darkness, gloom, uncertainty, or confusion in Truth. That is why Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” (St. John 14:6). Correction opens our lives to the Truth and to the work of Truth. The purity of Truth, void of deception, brings forth Righteousness.

We experienced correction when we became believers. The Holy Spirit convicted us of our sins, thereby revealing to us Truth. In becoming sons of God, we also became the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Then there are times when we stray. We may lack love, do not live lives of faith (Hebrews 11:6), lust, gossip, and do things that a royal priesthood shouldn’t do. This is why God gave to us the Holy Spirit. He convicts us of sin, of righteousness and of judgment to come (St. John 16:8). Such convictions must lead us to true repentance, thereby leading us to true Righteousness.

Conclusion

Now, there are those who might be actively resisting the LORD’s correction. You might be unwilling to accept God’s correction as it may be painful, scary, or too discomforting. What we must consider, however, is that it is better to accept His correction now which will breathe righteousness, than to having no other choice but to accept His judgment later on. However, by then it would be too late! He offers to us His correction for our progression so that we don’t have to experience His judgment for our damnation.

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