How is it that we gain the peaceable fruit of righteousness? Not many of us will enjoy the answer but it comes from our Lord’s chastening hand.
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Hebrews 12:11
Taking a Closer Look
I really appreciate this verse because our Lord takes careful consideration in letting us know that he understands. That “…no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous…” It is so true. It hurts and at times it hurts rather deeply, depending on how our Lord chose to chasten you.
I am so blessed by the an incredible promise that I have found to be true, “nevertheless afterward it yeildeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness…” but make careful note at how the verse ends that shows you to whom this chastening will be affective and that is, “…unto them which are exercised thereby.”
Be a Learner
You have to be a willing disciple, a learner if you will, of our Lord’s word to fully understand just what our God is doing in your life. Many times we can go through times of chastening thinking, “woe is me,” and develop a victim mentality where you think others are out to get you rather than taking responsibility for your own actions.
I have seen this behavior and it only leads to isolation and eventual destruction of your effectiveness in Jesus Christ. The enemy takes tremendous pleasure in helping to make you feel like the victim. The enemy will stroke your self-righteousness and making you feel like you are the only one standing for truth.
Beware, especially if you encouraged to pull away from other brother and sisters in Christ who uphold God’s word and makes you uncomfortable. It is not them you are rejecting but rather God’s chastening hand.
Lift up Christ Above All
Servants of God who are governed by God’s word and uphold his word as the highest standard over personal experience, are God’s mercy in your life to point you to himself.
Who is Christ? He is the word made flesh.
We are so blessed to have the written word that we can reference to, his Spirit to confirm his word. But our Lord goes on further to provide us his very presence in our lives, his Spirit to indwell us bringing glory and honor to our beloved Lord confirming his word in us.
Intercede
When our Lord, through his chastening hand, provides the peaceable fruit of righteousness, it is not so you continue life as usual but rather to deepen your love for the Saviour. To give you a desire to allow Jesus Christ to rule and reign in your very being.
It gives you the incredible opportunity to intercede on behalf of others. If they have wronged you to behave as our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” (see Luke 23:24) and as our Lord leads seek ways to to be a blessing to them.
How have you dealt with the chasting hand of their Lord in your life?