One of the closest interpersonal relationships is the relationship between a parent and a child. In fact, there is a strong bond between every parent-child relationship. Whenever we hear of a parent-child relationship that has gone wrong, we tend to question the foundation of the relationship. One cause of the social vices we see recently is lack of parental control over children and this is usually caused by broken homes. When we come to Christ, we become children of God through faith (Galatians 3:26). The children of those who come to faith are not grandchildren of God. They are also the children of God and as such, they need to be taught to act like God’s children. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12) Our position as children of God is based on our faith in God. John 1:12-13 (KJV) states that “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Other versions such as NIV use the phrase “children of God”. Our status as children is not by the will of the flesh but by the will of God. The main reason Nicodemus did not understand why he needed to be born again was that he was looking at the will of the flesh. The question asked by Nicodemus, is still being asked by many people: “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4 NIV) The children of God need to consciously lead their own children to faith. When we know that salvation is not genetically transferred and faith in God is not passed on automatically at birth, we will be more willing to teach our children the word of God. Each person needs to know the Lord, and as parents, guardians etc. we have been mandated to train the children the way to go, when they are old, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Are you raising God’s children? Are you preparing that child to know God personally? Do you teach the child God’s word? Remember, even as God desires that all men be saved (1Tim. 2:4), the devil is also prowling like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t leave the children on their own to find God. They are God’s children too. Lead them to faith and disciple them to know the Lord before the devil snatches them from you.
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