|
MEMORY
VERSE: So then every one of us shall
give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).
Just Parents Are a Blessing
Proverbs 20:7 The just man
walketh in his integrity—the saved
person walks righteously. He is a good example. His
children are blessed after him. The blessing is their
father's goodness, and not that they are given credit
for their father's goodness. The example of a godly
parent blesses the child by giving him opportunity
to know the right way. He is protected from many evils
and encouraged to choose God's way.
Because
children of saved parents have a greater blessing
than many others in having greater opportunity to
know the Gospel, they will be held more accountable
(John 9:39-41). This blessing of opportunity is of
great value. A godly mother's prayers will influence
one to say yes to God but do not make it impossible
for him to say no. Nor do they cause God to accept
him on any different basis than any other person.
Psalm 103:17-18 The mercy
of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
—eternal, it never fails. Who receives it? Them
that fear him—the saved. His
righteousness is unto children's children.
Saved parents open the view of children and grandchildren
to God's ways. But God's righteousness is only given
to such as keep his covenant, not
hear it only. To those that remember his commandments
to do them.
Law From the Beginning
Ezekiel 18:19-20, 30-31 The
soul that sinneth, it shall die. This is
God's law from the beginning. God told the first man
and woman that disobedience would result in death—spiritual
death. Any person with sin in the heart is not saved,
whoever he is. The son shall not bear the
iniquity of the father, nor his righteousness. God
will judge every one according to his ways, not some
other one's. So, if any is thinking to be saved because
his parents were, let him hear the Words of the Lord
God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all
your transgressions—turn from sin to
Christ. Teach the children that their decision is
necessary. Otherwise, iniquity will be their ruin.
Galatians 3:22 The scripture
hath concluded all under sin—put all
people in one class—sinners. (See Romans 3:23.)
All have the same need, so the same remedy must be
applied to all. The remedy is the promise by faith
of Jesus Christ. This promise is that of salvation
from sin which is given us by Jesus Christ and obtained
by faith. This salvation is given to them that believe.
Wrong Brings Reward
Colossians 3:25 He that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong which he hath done.
Each act brings its own reward to the one who did
it. And there is no respect of persons—no difference
made because of who one is. God has one standard for
all, and any other would be respecting persons. The
son of a godly preacher and the son of a wicked saloon
keeper must each meet the same conditions, and God
will save one as quickly as the other.
Romans 14:12 Every one of us shall
give account of himself to God. The
Auditor will check everyone's books. No one will be
excused. No one will give an account for us. Of himself.
Our parents, our pastor, or the one whom we blame
for our problems will not give account for us. It
is our lives, and our lives only, by which we will
be judged. To give a good account, we must be saved
by being washed by faith in the blood of Jesus. Each
must decide for himself to be washed or not.
All Must Believe and Repent
Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. This
is no promise to save children because the parents
believe. Look closely at this incident. Verses
32-34 say that Paul and Silas spoke
... the word of the Lord to the jailor
and to all that were in his house. And all his
were baptized. Then the jailor rejoiced, believing
in God with all his house. We see that the jailor's
family gathered and (1) heard the Gospel, (2) were
baptized, and (3) were believers. They were saved
the same as the jailor was–by repentance and
faith and the work of God in their hearts. What Paul
and Silas meant was that the invitation is extended
to all the world on the same terms.
Acts 2:38-39 The promise is unto you, and
to your children, and to all ... afar off. What
promise? The promise found in verse 38. Peter did
not mean nor did God suggest, by any means, that children
of those afar off would receive the Holy Spirit on
any other terms than any who heard Peter that Day
of Pentecost. They would not be assured of receiving
the Holy Spirit because their parents have done so.
Christ says to all, "Come" and "him
that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
JUST A THOUGHT
The home should be a haven of rest or a retreat,
but many are battlefields.
Click
here for a printer-friendly version of this lesson
(pdf).
Click
here to return to God's Pattern for a Christian
Home (all lessons).
Click here to return
to Sunday school lessons for adults.
|
