“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him” (Heb. 12:5 NKJ).
The word chastening has a lot more going for it than we see at first glance. It is an educational word that describes the Christian discipline and training we go through as we grow up in the faith.
In the original Greek, the word translated in English as chasten is paideuo (pahee-dyoo’-o). From this word we derive our English words pediatrician and pedagogue. Originally a pedagogue was one who simply accompanied a child to school. Later on, the word came to be applied to the instructor, the teacher, or the school master. Thus, paideuo evolved from simple direction to instruction. It came to be identified with the educational process and training of a child.
Whom the Lord loves, He educates or trains. Sometimes people say the Lord is “chastening” them, meaning He is “spanking” them. The only time I spanked my children was when they were rebellious or unruly.
The Lord can and does “spank” His children, but in general His chastening involves the whole educational process. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me…” (Matt. 11:29) is the Lord’s invitation to growth and maturity.
We can make it a lot easier on ourselves by asking the Lord to educate us in holiness, righteousness and faith. As we submit ourselves and our future willingly to Him, He will remove from us all the unchristlike characteristics.
Our submitting to His chastening process keeps the Lord from having to deal with us harshly. Submitting to God is much easier – and much wiser – than having to be rebuked by Him!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.