At this late time in the twentieth century when the world is so highly developed in both good and had ways, many Christian parents are intensely concerned for their families. Problems arise that were not exactly known or even heard of in the past. Many sincerely desire to know what the answers are and where they may be found.
Thankfully, the true Christian knows where he can get help, or, perhaps we should say, to whom he can turn for that help. "Our sufficiency is of God" (2 Cor. 3:55Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (2 Corinthians 3:5)) is an exceedingly broad statement and very-comforting when we realize that we can get what we need from Him. In this chapter these five words seem to apply especially to the understanding of the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments. In the Bible we can, then, find answers to the problems that every family experiences.
Fathers and mothers are genuinely distressed at the horrible, daily accounts of all kinds of murder, corruption and violence. Even the most sacred family ties no longer exercise any restraint upon men's and women's passions. There are increasing wars in many places in this poor world in which thousands of people are swept into eternity. Numberless families are plunged into sorrow and despair. Terrible weapons already exist which, if used, would destroy whole nations.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
Another one of the enemy's devices is that he tries to divide the family. Parents in particular need to be on guard against this, for the results of division are disastrous. The words of Jesus in Matthew 12:2525And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25) are: "Every... house divided against itself shall not stand." We beseech parents to practice the truth that applies to each one, whether it is to submit or to love. You will find instruction in Ephesians 5 which, if practiced, will safely keep your home; the enemy will be defeated, and happiness and blessing will be your reward.
Sometimes as children grow up they want to be independent and leave their family before they are ready for such a step. Any young person who considers doing this should be extremely cautious and search his own heart as to the motive for leaving and how it will affect others. We recommend the book of Proverbs where you will find the father and mother instructing the son in the first seven chapters while he is at home. Then in chapter eight he has left home, but the voice of wisdom is still crying out to him. In chapter twenty-three, the longing cry of the parent is: "My son, give me thine heart" (vs. 26). The teaching in chapter 4:23 is: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Matthew 6:2121For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21) says: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Where is your heart? Let us each be careful of the object before us.
Parents sometimes fail in that they desire something for their children that they would not think of having for themselves. A respected servant of the Lord once said, "Raise your children for the world and the world will get them; dress your children for the world and the world will take them.”
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he said: "Yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:1515For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15)). Later, in 2 Corinthians 12:1414Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (2 Corinthians 12:14), he writes, "I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." What was he laying up for his children? Was it fame, fortune or wealth? Oh, no, he had left all such earthly things for "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." To him was given the truth as it is in Jesus and he would pass that on to his spiritual children. May we then, as Christian parents, prize and so enjoy the truth that our children, too, will want for themselves those riches and joys that endure throughout all ages.
For those who are wanting answers, we ask you to answer the following questions for yourself.
1. Parents: Do you, with your children around you, read a portion of God's Word daily and also pray?
2. Fathers: Do you bring your children tip in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Do you restrain them without provoking them to anger?
3. Mothers: Do you, during those precious, young years of your child, tell that dear little one of Jesus? Yours is the greatest privilege in this.
4. Children: Do you obey your parents in the Lord? Do you honor your father and mother?
5. Wives: Do you submit yourself unto your own husband as unto the Lord?
6. Husbands: Do you love your wife, even as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it?
In concluding, we will notice two men from the Scriptures, one as a warning and the other as an example for us. The warning is: "The Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I Will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" (1 Sam. 3:11-1311And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. (1 Samuel 3:11‑13)).
The example is this: "The Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hash spoken of him" (Gen. 18:17-1917And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:17‑19)).
Ed.