15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16 But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”
Discipline Should Produce Fruit
The above passage are the words of God to the prophet Ezekiel. God is telling him that the purpose of God’s grace to allow a remnant to escape God’s punishments is to allow them to come to their senses and confess their sins to their captors. In the end the discipline is to assure that God is glorified. God has a purpose for all discipline. He does not punish for naught. When these remnant were sent to another land, it was for the purpose of them coming to their senses and acknowledging that God was right in the punishment. That would result in God being glorified ... both by them and by their captors, That is the purpose of God’s discipline of His children:
Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV Strong's)
5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Godly discipline yields the fruit of righteousness!
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