“Train up a child”
The Bible tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 KJV.) I’m going to comment on this verse, but before I do, let’s just pat each other on the back, and with the happiest of smiles and grins say to each other “We’re doing it!”
What are we doing? We’re giving our kids (and our grandkids) the greatest gift they could ever receive – The Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ. Our kids have been blessed to have saints as parents. Not perfect, but Biblical saints as defined in God’s Holy Word. That means “believers.” That’s who we are! In terms of a one word definition of who we are, “Saints” is the word. We are teaching our kids that there is a God, that He has a plan for each of us, that He loved (and loves) us so much that He died on the cross to pay for our sins, and that He has reserved a place for us in Heaven. Talk about being blessed! We teach them to study their Bibles, to be a critical part of the Body of Christ, the church, and to serve. We watch them grow like tadpoles, and it doesn’t take long! We blink once and they’re going through puberty, then we blink again and they’re serving in critical areas of the church. They’re adults or almost adults, and they’re manning adult positions and doing a fantastic job at it. For some, their children are yet passing through the tadpole stage, but they remember when yours were there, and have watched and noted the growth process, and that’s an encouragement to them. Our kids are blessed, we’re blessed, and it’s a great thing. We’re “training up a child!” God is pleased, we’re pleased, and we have to occasionally pinch ourselves to remind us of how good it all is! God is good! Pat yourself on the back while giving God the glory!
“When he is old, he will not depart from it.” There lies the difficult part of the verse. He might depart, because God demands and allows each person to make his own decision regarding Christ. That we cannot do for them. We do know that “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17) so it stands to logical reasoning that these little ones, being raised on the Word, will come to their own position of faith, but it is not a decision we can make for them. God won’t have that. We need only look to the Parable of the Sower to see that the seed, while perfect, does not always bring forth fruit to perfection. We trust God, we pray for our own, we give them our example, and we point them to The Old Rugged Cross. Then, it’s up to them. The great majority will receive and follow Christ, and the exception proves the rule. We can also comfort ourselves whenever we think the wheels might be falling off the wagon with the definition of “old.” Maybe they’re going through their “wilderness wanderings” as the prodigal did, but will eventually cross the Jordan as older, more mature persons. Of course this is not our ideal, but leaves reason to “hope against hope.” (Rom 4:18.) I don’t have all of the answers, but I trust God and His plan.
Back to “Exhibit A.” “Train up a child!” We’re doing it! They are growing/have grown, and we look and say “What hath God wrought!” (Numbers 23:23). What a thrill! What a satisfaction! What a blessing! Thank God for His matchless grace!
Keep up the good work!
Love and Prayers to you all,
Pastor
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