THE FATHER'S DISCIPLINE

Throughout the Bible, the Lord describes Himself as a Father. Those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior are God's adopted children ... 

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:14-16

The Lord's Prayer begins with an acknowledgment of that intimate relationship ...

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  

And like a loving Father, He disciplines His beloved children for their own good. 

For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12:6 

When we refuse to walk in obedience and resist temptation, our Father's discipline may seem harsh ...

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

We must recognize the difference between 'chastisement' and 'punishment'. God's wrath was poured out on His only begotten Son when He bore our sins on Calvary's cross ... 

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Thus, His hand of correction should not be considered 'punitive'. We should instead see it as a loving grip that will not let us go our own way. 

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

If one professes to know Christ but lives in a continual state of 'unrepentant sin' (feeling no shame or chastisement from the Lord) ... he is not a legitimate child of God.