God’s Blessing and God’s Chastening

God’s Blessing and God’s Chastening

“If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today . . . the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” Deut. 28:1-2.

Further in this chapter we see that God gives tremendous promises to those who keep His commandments. However, we see that all the promises pertained to an earthly glory. This was in the old covenant during the ministry of the letter. Nevertheless, this glory was nothing compared to the glory that is the result of the ministry of the Spirit. The first glory which was earthly passes away, but the last glory lasts forever. 2 Cor. 3:7-12.

It is evident that the vast majority of today’s Christians do not differentiate between these two ministries and these two glories. When they are to show that God is with them, we hear them mention earthly glories with which God has blessed them, especially physical healing. They have no sense for anything else.

We see this difference clearly when we read about the rich young man. Matt. 19:16-22. He had kept all God’s laws and had obtained God’s promises. He had become very rich. But when Jesus wanted to lead him on to perfection—to treasures in heaven that remain forever—he did not have a mind for it. Treasures in heaven would have cost him treasures on earth.

Paul had also become rich in many ways and had gained a great reputation in his generation; but when he was offered treasures in heaven, he writes: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” Phil. 3:7-8. Instead of boasting that God was with him because He had given him earthly blessings, he writes: “We . . . rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience . . . .” Rom. 5:2-5.

Here we can see the heavenly glory—It is patience; or in other words, the fruit of the Spirit or the virtues of Christ. Gal. 5:22. We have been chosen to proclaim them. 1 Pet. 2:9. This glory does not pass away.

Something has to happen with my person so I can partake of this glory. I have to be transformed—be born again—and as a child partake of chastening. This was something completely new to Nicodemus. He didn’t understand what it meant to be born of the Spirit, and consequently he could not see God’s kingdom—the heavenly treasures. He only knew of the forgiveness of sins through animal sacrifices, and so he remained a natural man who aspired to an earthly glory.

The majority of today’s Christians fall into the same category. The only difference is they believe in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrifice instead of animal sacrifices. However, they remain the same person who stays away from the base vices through the commandments, yet they long for earthly riches and glory. They are not acquainted with Peter’s message in 1 Peter 2:24: “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

Old things have to die if something new is to arise. Only then can there be a resurrection life. We hear believers speaking about Jesus’ death for us, but very little about our dying with Him. They say you can have an earthly glory without having victory over sin. We see that the unsaved also have an earthly glory according to the Word that He lets it rain on the just and on the unjust. Matt. 5:45. You cannot gain the heavenly glory without having victory over sin, which means that you have to suffer and die with Christ. “Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin . . . .” 1 Pet. 4:1.

We can only be born again by forsaking everything. Then we become true sons and partake of chastening. No chastening seems to be joyful for the present. It feels more like scourging. Therefore we must live by faith. An earthly glory does not prove that we are true sons, but the chastening does. He chastens us so we may partake of His holiness, which gives us the blessed fruit of righteousness. This is a heavenly glory that is everlasting. Heb. 12:5-14.

Without chastening we are illegitimate sons. Through chastening we are conformed to the image of His Son, and in that connection it is written that all things are for our good. Rom. 8:28-29. We experience chastening through tribulation and temptations that are described as fire. This is necessary so we can be transformed; and those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Rom. 8:14. Therefore Paul could glory in his tribulation, for then he had an opportunity to die to his impatient human nature and receive divine nature—God’s holiness—patience. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Jas. 1:2-5. Patience must be a tremendous glory to possess.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith . . . .” 1 Pet. 1:6-7.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice, to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:12-13.

This is the work of the Spirit with us and the way of faith for God’s children—to be heirs and joint heirs with Christ. Rom. 8:17. The chastening of the Spirit is therefore the greatest blessing we can receive.