Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

God the Father, just as with our earthly fathers, has set forth guidelines for His adopted children. In John 6:28-29, Jesus says that there is a "to do list" of works that all of God's children are commanded to do. The sum of those required works is to believe in Christ. In Romans 12:1, Paul says that it is our "reasonable service" to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God".

As discussed in verse 6, those who God chastens are a particular group, set apart from those He does not chasten. As with the children of any family, there will be those who obey, and make every effort to please the parents. On the other hand, there will be those who are rebellious and at constant variance with the parents. The same is true for the children of God, as will become evident in verse 11. And, as with any family, all the children are chastened, although in different and varying ways. Those in constant rebellion and who resist chastening, will be scourged. Those who make every effort to please, may be allowed to chasten themselves. And of course, there are many degrees between these two extremes.

It is easy to conclude, and understand, that the disobedient are just that in every way, and why they will surely be chastened and scourged. But, it may not be easily understood why the obedient would also be chastened. Even when the most obedient child obeys his parents, they fall short of what would be required of them as a mature adult. Therefore, each time a task is completed to an acceptable level, the task will be expected to completed at a higher level the next time. This is a form of chastening to encourage growth and strength.

I am reminded of the phrase, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief". I am often asked by people how they can be assured they believe enough. My answer is, "You will never believe enough". What really matters, is whether or not you are striving to believe more than you do already. This is a form of self chastening. Never conclude that you have done enough, or that you are doing enough.

If you are striving to grow and draw nearer to God, then you are pleasing Him in the greatest way possible.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Related passages:

Deuteronomy 8:5