“FATHER, OUR CHILDREN KEEP”
In speaking to parents of the responsibilities of parenthood in our day, I have known many fathers and mothers to throw up their hands in despair. Those who would rationalize their failures have transferred parental duties to outsiders—teachers, Scout leaders and the like—in the expectation that they will or ought to succeed where parents cannot.
The fact remains that God has placed into the hands of parents a privilege and a duty which only Christians can appreciate.
To pagans (and these may be cultured Americans) children are often little more than biological trophies (or accidents) of marriage. While there exists for them a degree of love which finds expression in providing for their physical needs, there is no sense of spiritual obligation. The outlook for such children is rather bleak.
Christians believe that children are a blessing from the Lord. With the Psalmist they say: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Ps. 127:3, 4, 5).
What then is the duty of Christian parents? Are there scriptural guides which they may follow? Yes, there are certain specific leads of importance.
Concern
Christian parents should be deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of their children. The patriarch Job exhibited concern and exercised a priestly ministry for his own family.
In Job 1:5 we read: “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”
In his day Job offered sacrifices for suspected breaches of the divine Law. Today we have the great eternal Sacrifice to whom we turn for protecting and cleansing power in the lives of those we love.
It is a lack of such concern that is in part responsible for the juvenile delinquency of our time. Adult delinquency spawns the same in its offspring. The tragic thing is that many of today’s parents are themselves victims of neglect by their fathers and mothers who gave scant heed to the things of the Spirit.
Convictions
Christian parenthood entails convictions that find expression in action. There are things to be believed and truths to be imparted.
Moses, speaking to the children of Israel in the sunset days of his life, said: “Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life” (Deut. 32:46, 47a).
The ability of parents to command their children in Christian love and conviction is almost a lost art. We have passed through a generation of pernicious philosophy which has demanded that children be permitted to follow their own inclinations. Child psychologists are belatedly learning (it was in the Bible all the time) that children need to be commanded, guided, and disciplined for their own souls’ good. Many a spanked child has found in that encounter a sense of security and of being loved which has carried its blessings into mature life. To know that a parent cares enough to demand obedience and good behavior is itself sound child psychology.
Teaching
Not only should Christian parents learn the grace of commanding their children when necessary, but they also must acquire the ability of teaching them the things of God. The principle involved in the days of Moses has never been abrogated: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deut. 6:6, 7).
Christian teaching involves example; no amount of lip profession can atone for a life inconsistent with professed belief. But an inescapable part of our obligation to our children is to teach them the truths of God’s Word. And children still thrill to hear stories of adventure, daring and divine deliverance that are found in the Bible.
Such teaching can become a fascinating game and the basis of life-transforming faith under the guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit.
Decisions
There are times when Christian parents must make decisions for their children, even though this idea runs counter to some contemporary teaching.
Children and teen-agers are often confronted with problems that they cannot handle. Because of limited outlook and experience they desperately need the guidance of older and wiser minds. Therefore, at times a strong parental “Yes” or “No” can stem the headstrong impulses of youth as nothing else can.
It is neither fair nor right to leave to immature minds certain decisions which have to do with their immediate and eternal welfare. While the ultimate decision of eternal salvation through faith in Christ is made by no other than the individual himself, God does use the decisions of godly parents in starting children in the right direction.
Joshua, in his final exhortation to the people, urged them to make a clear-cut decision to follow God. But should they waver in their allegiance, he testified that “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Young people need the stabilizing influence of parents who have Christian convictions and the courage to make them stick in their own homes.
Prayer
God has placed in believers’ hands a privilege and a power that will never be fully appreciated or understood this side of eternity.
Through the ages God has attended to the prayers of parents to protect, restrain, and bless their children.
Some of us can thank God for parents whose consistent lives and prayers blessed us during the formative years.
This ministry of prayer for our children is not one to be lightly exercised. It involves importunity—the claiming of God’s promises and faithfulness in our own lives. It may even mean hours of wakefulness on our part, yet the reward is that we may see precious young lives secure in the everlasting arms.
When Christian parents are themselves faithful, they can rest in full assurance of the faithfulness of God for their children.
L. NELSON BELL
