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 The
influence of godly parents can do much to shape the lives of
their children, and it is to be expected that the younger
generation accept religious concepts of their parents. While it
is true that this sometimes results in a blind following,
parents have an obligation to bring up their children "in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord," and should feel no
guilt for so doing. Following the guidance of parents need not
be done blindly; nor is rebellion against the parent's teaching
a sign of true independence and maturity. It sometimes indicates
immaturity, blindly following poorly informed peers.
But
when all this has been said we still must reckon with individual
responsibility. I like the way bro. Ferrel Jenkins put it in a
recent chapel talk: "God has no grandchildren!"
Certain
Jews in Christ's day, and some brethren today, rest their hope
in a sort of physical kinship with God. The Jews said, "We
have Abraham to our father" (Matt. 3:9), and some brethren
say, "My dad was an elder in the church," or, "My
mother was truly a godly woman." I feel like asking,
"Do
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you think they would approve of your present
conduct or attitude?"
The
family relation with God is spiritual, a "knowing"
"indwelling" and "fellowship" that is
established through individual self-denial and trust in Jesus
Christ. Parents can no more do these things for their offspring
than they can love, hate, or feel joy for them. Each one who
comes to God becomes His "child" in the same sense
that he becomes a lively stone built upon the true foundation, a
laborer in God's vineyard, a soldier in His army, a citizen in
His kingdom. These and other like figures depict the functioning
serving relationship of adults, freely giving themselves to God
in Christ.
"He
that believeth and is baptized" limits the
relationship to those who can believe. Infants are safe,
and in no need of forgiveness. "All shall know me"
(Heb. 8:11) further stresses the exercise of intellect and will
that is essential to being a "child" of God. Genuine
Christianity is not inherited. GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN!
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