Regulated Chastisement

"I will correct thee in measure" (Jer_30:11)

To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign: it would prove that the LORD had said, "He is given unto idols, let him alone." God grant that such may never be our portion! Uninterrupted prosperity is a thing to cause fear and trembling. As many as God tenderly loves He rebukes and chastens: those for whom He has no esteem He allows to fatten themselves without fear, like bullocks for the slaughter. It is in love that our heavenly Father uses the rod upon His children.

Yet see, the correction is "in measure": He gives us love without measure but chastisement "in measure." As under the old law no Israelite could receive more than the "forty stripes save one," which ensured careful counting and limited suffering; so is it with each afflicted member of the household of faith- every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine. LORD, if Thou standest by to measure the bitter drops into my cup, it is for me cheerfully to take that cup from Thy hand and drink according to Thy directions, saying, "Thy will be done."

Whereby shall I know?

I thank Thee, O Father, . . . because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25. In spiritual relationships we do not grow step by step, we are either there or we are not. God does not cleanse us more and more from sin, but when we are in the light, walking in the light, we are cleansed from all sin. It is a question of obedience, and instantly the relationship is perfected. Turn away for one second out of obedience, and darkness and death are at work at once.

All God’s revelations are sealed until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. The only way you can get to know is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. Obey God in the thing He shows you, and instantly the next thing is opened up. We read tomes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when one five minutes of drastic obedience would make things as clear as a sunbeam. ‘I suppose I shall understand these things some day!’ You can understand them now. It is not study that does it, but obedience. The tiniest fragment of obedience, and heaven opens and the profoundest truths of God are yours straight away. God will never reveal more truth about Himself until you have obeyed what you know already. Beware of becoming “wise and prudent.”

Keep My Commandments

John 14:15.
 If you love me, keep my commandments.

Christians often limit their obedience to "churchly" things. Those who are willing to be obedient in matters of ritual and worship, but consider that Christ's commands can be excluded from some parts of their lives, are all too numerous.

Consider, then, that obedience to Christ is nowhere restricted in Scripture. There is absolutely no thought that you can obey him in part of your life, but not in all. Why?

• First, because all authority is His. All legitimate authority on earth is derived from him.
• Second, because faith without works—isn't.

So the authority is there. Christ has spent three years with these men; why does he mention this now? He is comforting his disciples with regard to the fact that he is about to be crucified. So let us consider obedience in the light of Christian comfort:

These men are in anxious tears over his imminent departure. They don't understand everything, but they know he is leaving, and they are saddened. They offer their tears as proof of this. But if obedience is better than sacrifice (and it is), then it is certainly better than feelings. Obedience is a way of loving and worshiping Christ.
 
More than that, obedience is the path for the puzzled Christian. These men don't quite understand what Christ will be going through. They are saddened, but they are also puzzled. When puzzled, and you don't know what's best, obey the command you know is right. The Lord will honor that.

Do you see that obedience is the natural fruit of the love of God? We love him because of the great love he showed us in going to the Cross for our sins. Knowing who He is, knowing the authority he has and the love he has for us, the natural reaction should be to do what he wants us to do—to obey.

"I delight to do your will," said Jesus. It is essential to his relationship to the Father that he delights to do his will. It is not a relationship of force and submission, but of love.

Every morning my wife brings her grouchy husband a cup of coffee. This is not written in the marriage vows; nor have I ever demanded it. It is an act of love; she knows how much I cherish that first cup in the morning. She delivers it with a smile.

It is a small example. Surely our love for Him should be much greater; surely its fruit should be obedience.