If you’re a Christian who believes in election and perseverance of the saints, then you also believe that the Lord will discipline you when you fall into sin and/or when you stay there too long; and that it is through discipline that He makes you holy:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
In the following 14 minute video, pastor Tim Conway answers questions that help professing believers discern whether their affliction is discipline from the Lord or whether it is his wrath against their sin and unbelief because they are not born again.
Below the following scripture verse, are other Bible verses that speak of the Lord’s discipline and who receives it:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
whom: Deu_8:5; Psa_32:1-5, Psa_73:14-15, Psa_89:30-34, Psa_119:71, Psa_119:75; Pro_3:12, Pro_13:24; Isa_27:9; Jer_10:24; Jam_1:12, Jam_5:11; Rev_3:19
and scourgeth: Heb_12:7-8; 2Sa_7:14)
The above references are from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, a free Esword commentary. It is one of the optional commentaries that comes with the free e-sword Bible software as esword.net which is also available at the iphone app store for around $2.