Jesus is the true vine, the Father is the husbandman, and we are the branches that must abide in Christ if we are to have life and bear fruit. The Father lovingly purges and chastens His children, removing what is impure, excessive, worldly, or harmful so that the fruit of righteousness may grow in our lives. This cleansing is accomplished through the Word of God, because pure words purify the heart, mind, soul, and life of the believer who reads and receives them with faith and a yielded spirit. Therefore, we must not neglect the Scriptures or resist God's correction, but let His Word search us, cleanse us, change us, and make us useful and fruitful for His kingdom.

"For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." David did not hide the sin that rotted his flesh — he confessed it before a holy God who chastens what He loves. The LORD is nigh unto the broken heart, and far from the proud who cover their sin and call themselves covered forever.

Because of sin, you as God's people may experience His fatherly displeasure and be brought to a low condition. Yet, know your God and the truth that you are never, and will never be reduced to hopelessness because God is, and will always remain true to His promise to you in Christ. 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. As you know this more, may this not only take your prayers to praise, but also cause your rejoicing to be connected to confidence. May that confidence and hope then move you forward to get up and get busy with deeper discipleship, a stronger, enduring fight, as well as an enduring witness as you carry the banner of Christ and the church does valiantly through Him!

May we honour and respect those fathers who lovingly corrected us for our profit, and learn to live accountable to the authority in our lives, thus fulfilling the Lord's plans and purposes for our lives.

~~~~~~~ No 20 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 4: 17-19** For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: ......... *1/ Seven descriptions of the people of God where Judgment must begin. 2/ How judgment is know in the house of God. 3/ A comparison.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the theological concept that divine judgment initiates within the community of believers during the present age of grace. By examining 1 Peter 4:17-19 alongside Hebrews 12, it identifies God's corrective discipline and church accountability as evidence of His fatherly love rather than condemnation. The preacher contrasts this internal purification with the ultimate fate of the ungodly, emphasizing that Christ has already absorbed wrath for the redeemed. This perspective encourages believers to view trials and correction as marks of their status as children of God. The message concludes by urging faithful submission to God's sovereign ordering in daily life.

A brief bit of encouragement for the journey from God's Word. Today's Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 3 To support this devotional ministry: https://faithbaptiststerling.com/give/ Music: "Awaken the Dawn" by Stanton Lanierhttps://www.stantonlanier.com CCLI #20109360