Winter 2017

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We should urge our children to come
to Christ without delay, to recognize it
as a temptation from the pit of hell to
put spiritual needs out of mind for the
moment and think about that “some
other time.” It’s one of Satan’s best
tricks. We must warn our children that
it becomes increasingly difficult to
turn to the Lord with passing years, as
sin has a hardening effect and tight-
ens its grip on a life each day that the
truth is spurned.
We should appeal to our children’s
consciences, to allow resistance to
God no space in their hearts. Show
them how it breaks your heart, un-
imaginably, that they would not live
for God and would lose the blessing!
Like Paul, who said in Galatians 4:19,
“My little children, with whom I am
again in labor until Christ be formed
in you!” Tell them, as Paul did, “Now
we really live, if you stand firm in the
Lord” (1 Thes. 3:8). In other words, be
earnest with your children! Urge, ap-
peal, compassionately exhort them to
not halt between two opinions, but
to choose this moment who they will
serve. Let no parent hold back from
urging your children to now make the
right decision to come to Christ, to
bow the knee, to make no delay but
repent today. The way Paul writes in
2 Cor. 5:20, “We beg you on behalf of
Christ, be reconciled to God!” is the
same spirit as we find in the proverb,
“My son, give me your heart, and let
your heart delight in my ways.”
If Paul were to say that to any child,
he or she would know what his “ways”
are - Paul’s ways were clearly and deci-
sively paths of pursuing Christ. So, to
the parent reading this article, I pose
the question: What are your “ways”?
What would your child tell us Dad’s
ways or Mom’s ways are, if we asked
him or her to inform us?
Does your child know more about
your opinions on sports than about
the gospel from you? Does he or she
understand more about your politi-
cal preferences than about the word
of God from you? Are your children
better informed about dad’s opinions
about good investments or the value
of a good education, or a dozen other
things, than on what Paul could call
“my gospel”? It was abundantly clear
to all who knew Paul that this gospel
was what he really loved and stood
for. It should be clear to our children
that this is what you most live
for as well.
If you want your child’s heart to de-
light in the gospel, does yours? No
one can stir a passion for something
he is not seen to be passionate about
himself. Make that delight evident to
him, as your great passion - for if you
are a burning and shining light to
your children, they will have reason to
follow the path of that light.
Dennis Gundersen is pastor of Grace
Bible Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and
his wife Naomi also own and operate
the ministry of Grace & Truth, provid-
ing seminars and re-publications of lit-
erature from past centuries. They have
homeschooled four sons over the last
15 years.
(918) 245-1500
Reprinted with permission.
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