“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
–Proverbs 19:18
The dictionary tells us that chasten means:
1 – to correct by punishment or suffering: discipline
2a: to prune (something, such as a work or style of art) of excess, pretense, or falsity refine
b: to cause to be more humble or restrained: subdue
And so it is that God Almighty gives each man a choice: to undergo chastening by a loving God or to forego such correction and to eventually to submit to God’s judgment.
One can either learn by being chastened by God, as a father lovingly teaches his children OR one can skip the teachings of God’s chastening and eventually submit to God’s judgment.
As God promised David concerning David’s son, Solomon:
“I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.”
–1Samuel 7:14-15
As with those who have learned hard lessons from being chastened, at times one wishes one could learn such lessons WITHOUT the chastisement.
But–man being man–this is simply not possible. IF one does not chasten himself OR learn from the chastening of God, then one will fall under God’s perfect judgment.
To be chastened by God is to received mercy instead of judgment from God.
God’s offer of chastening and rebuke is a gracious one–and the chastening is not so very hard. As Jesus Christ Himself once said
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
–Matthew 11:29-30
However, most do not see it that way.
Most run from chastening and so will be judged by the God they so desperately hope 1- does not exist; or, 2- who thinks and acts as a man and who will surely “cut them a break.”
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
–Revelation 3:19
DOES the reader resist the idea of being chastened by a righteous, holy and merciful God?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
MORE
- Grace and Mercy Abound
- The Mercy of the Lord
- Sincerely Seek the Mercy of the LORD: Do Not Wait, Do Not Delay
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: October 17, 2018.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Filed under: Biblical Teachings, END TIMES PREPARATION, chasten, chastening by God is the mercy of God, chastening or judgment?, end times choice: chastening or judgment, man's choice: chastening or judgment?