As Christians we occupy a special place in the family of God. We are the children and God is our heavenly Father. With this in mind it is important that we make a sharp distinction between God’s Divine punishment and His Divine chastisement.
A. W. Pink shares the following insights on the difference between the two: “The above distinction should at once rebuke the thoughts which are so generally entertained among Christians. When the believer is smarting under the rod let him not say, God is now punishing me for my sins. That can never be. That is most dishonoring to the blood of Christ. God is correcting thee in love, not smiting in wrath. Nor should the Christian regard the chastening of the Lord as a sort of necessary evil to which he must bow as submissively as possible. No, it proceeds from God’s goodness and faithfulness, and is one of the greatest blessings for which we have to thank Him. Chastisement evidences our Divine son-ship: the father of a family does not concern himself with those on the outside: but those within he guides and disciplines to make them conform to his will. Chastisement is designed for our good, to promote our highest interests. Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!”1
According to Pink, and I totally agree, godly chastisement is a gift and one of the greatest blessings from the Lord. The writer of the book of Hebrews wonderfully shares why Divine chastisement is truly a gift from the Lord. Just listen to the following words from (Hebrews 12:5-11):
“…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.”
“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 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.”
In the above verses I see the following: The Lord chastises those whom He loves, it is for our profit, it allows us to be partakers of His holiness, and chastisement helps us experience the peaceable fruit of righteousness. These are all special blessings that come from being disciplined by God. And isn’t that just like our God – He loves us too much to not chastise us. I have often said that one of the best gifts we can ever give our children is good godly discipline. And when I realize that I am being disciplined by God to teach me valuable lessons and get me back in a position where He can bless me, I can only respond with praise for His chastisement!
I love how A. W. Pink put it above, when he said: “Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!” I hope you agree with me that godly chastisement is a special gift from God that we should be grateful for. Without it we would go astray, continue to disappoint God, and miss out on so many of God’s richest blessings!
1 The Distinction Between God’s Punishment and God’s Discipline | Monergism