To chastise means to inflict disciplinary or corrective punishment on; to visit with an affliction for the purpose of moral improvement; to correct, discipline, and criticize. Over many years people decided to identify and punish wrongdoers. It can be argued that getting even, retaliation, and punishing makes us feel better about the situation. Hopefully, we are mature enough to use chastising people to lessen the likelihood of that person doing another wrong. We also hope that if we see someone chastised, we will be less likely to commit a similar act. As early as Exodus 34, we are instructed that God will not free wrongdoers. Proverbs 2 tells us the Lord disciplines those he loves just like a father disciplining his child. During 300 years, the Israelites fell out of grace and were chastised by God for disobedience and poor judgment. Romans 5 reminds us that God will save us by His justification, allow us close to Him in reconciliation, and He saves us forever through the life of Jesus. It is part of the gospel that Jesus chastens those that He loves. Hebrews 12 states, “For whom the Lord loveth He Chastens, and Scourges every son He receives. Hebrews tells us that people who came before Jesus were loved and honored by God but still had to endure hardships and terrible times. The author of Hebrews is trying to clarify that suffering is God’s way of making us stronger and training us to face life, and not always a result of God’s displeasure.Â
“Examples of chastening are found throughout the Bible. The Israelites were continually disobeying God’s commands (Numbers 14:21-23; Judges 2:1-2; 2 Kings 18:12). He was patient with them, He sent prophets to plead with them, and He warned them many times. But when they dug in their heels and embraced idols or evil practices, God chastened them through plagues or enemy attacks (Jeremiah 40:3). He still loved them. In His love, He could not allow them to continue in behavior that would destroy them. There are many examples of personal chastening in the Bible, as well, even upon those in whom the Lord most delighted—Moses (Numbers 27:12), David (1 Chronicles 28:3), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:11), to name a few. Although these men made mistakes and were chastened for them, God did not stop loving or using them. He brought discipline appropriate to the crime but always forgave the truly repentant heart. God always restored the relationship.” (What does it mean to be chastened?, 2022)
We are all human and make human mistakes. We think we know a lot more than what we truly know. If there is any doubt, we tend to make it much larger than it really is. We have all heard someone say that their lives are in ruin and it is too late for them to be forgiven. They have lived and sinned beyond what God could possibly forgive. However, if that person just visited Matthew 6, he would find that God is forgiving. Matthew 6 states, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” It is never too late to repent and be saved. Luke 23 tells the story of Dismas. Dismas was at the lowest point in his miserable life, hanging on the cross next to Jesus and saying to Jesus to remember him when Jesus entered heaven. Dismas showed he believed in Jesus and asked for grace, and he was forgiven and entered heaven with Jesus. This not only changed Dismas for the moment but allowed him eternal life.
“It is healthy to admit that we are unworthy of God’s love because it is true of every human being. We are all sinners who fall short of God’s perfection. God extends His grace to us – not because we are good or have proven our worth, but because He is good and worthy of all praise. For many, the feeling of unworthiness is unsettling. It takes humility to confess how we feel, seek God, and accept His discipline and restoration. Frequently, however, we pivot towards self-justification, self-condemnation, self-numbing, or self-rejection, which only makes matters worse.” (SUM, 2022)
You are in good company if you feel unworthy to go to heaven. A few people who felt unworthy of heaven are a surprising list of Biblical characters. Abraham referred to himself as dust and ashes. Moses felt less than a man to confront the Pharaoh on God’s behalf. King David was a sinner in many ways but was able to reform. John the Baptist was not worthy to carry the shoes of Jesus. Peter was stuck down, knowing his sins, when he met Jesus. Paul did everything he could to persecute the people that followed God. We may be in a period or just coming out of our lives that we are chastised by God. We cannot give up and allow our struggle to win and lose sight of why we are tested. First Corinthians 10 states, “No temptation that is not common to man has overtaken you. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. Still, with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” It is also advisable to keep Philippians 4 in mind that we can do everything through God, who strengthens us.
SUM, J. (2022, 11 5). PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY. Retrieved from Mistakes we make because we feel unworthy of God: https://teachinghumblehearts.com/en/mistakes-make-feel-unworthy-god/#:~:text=It%20is%20healthy%20to%20admit,and%20worthy%20of%20all%20praise.
What does it mean to be chastened? (2022, 1 4). Retrieved from Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/chasten-chastening.html