When God Corrects His Children

A. We are going to look this morning at a message for the Family of God.

1. This text has to do with family business.

2. Every child of God should heed this call.

B. Here are Three Important Questions for the Family

1. How does one get into the family of God?

2. Why does God discipline His family?

3. What delights God about His children?

C. Let’s consider these important questions by looking at our text...

Proverbs 3:11–12 NKJV

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

How Does One Get into the Family of God?

1. We are not naturally God’s children.

a. We are all sinners ()

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

b. We are by nature God’s enemies ()

Romans 5:10 NKJV

10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

2. God’s love meets us where we are ()

Romans 5:8 NKJV

8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

a. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

b. We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.

3. We enter the family of God through being born again. ()

John 3:3–7 NKJV

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

a. We are born again by receiving Christ as our Savior ()

John 1:12 NKJV

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

b. The question is… “Have you been born again?”

Why Does God Discipline His Children?

Proverbs 3:11 NKJV

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;

1. Those in God’s family must expect chastening (or discipline).

2. Being disciplined by God proves we are part of the family of God.

3. “God is a God of order. His family must be under His discipline” (H. A. Ironside)

a. Problems in the lives of His children have a purpose.

b. This purpose is to make us like Jesus ()

Romans 8:28–29 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

4. Correction is evidence that we are in God’s family.

a. Chastening isn’t pleasant but proves we are in the faith. ()

Hebrews 12:10–11 NKJV

10 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. 11 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.

b. We should view God’s correction as an evidence of the Father’s love.

What Delights God About His Children?

Proverbs 3:11 NKJV

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;

Proverbs 3:12 NKJV

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

1. God is delighted with our obedient response to His love.

2. God is delighted when we learn from His correction.

3. God is delighted when His chastening produces holy living.

a. We should never get tired of God’s correction.

b. His goal is to develop obedient children who can be blessed.

4. Have you experienced the chastening of God?

5. How have you responded to God’s correction?

Conclusion:

God’s correction is a family matter.

God corrects us because His family matters.

How will you respond to the work of God in your life today?