Father of Sin

 John 8:44 (ESV)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies

The Pharisees were the religious sector of the Jewish culture. They were charged with knowing the law and teaching it to the people. The problem with the Pharisees is that they were a bunch of hypocrites. They demanded that everyone else keep the law, but they were somehow immune or above having to keep it themselves. They finally came face to face with someone who would tell it like it is. They looked good on the outside, but inside they were full of sin and unrighteousness. Jesus did not mince words with them. He spoke the truth, and they were convicted and became defensive. They prided themselves on their lineage was traced back to the Patriarch, Abraham. The truth of the matter was they were not living the faith of Abraham. Claiming Abraham was their Father, Jesus denied that claim and revealed to them who their real Father was. Their spiritual lineage was rooted in sin, and their hearts were full of it. They were children of the devil, because sin still lived in their hearts. If they were to believe in the Son, then they could claim to be children of Abraham’s seed. By creation, we all are children of God, but the fall of Adam and Eve brought sin into the human race, and Satan is the Father of sin. Therefore, if we allow sin to abide in our hearts, then the devil is our Father. Jesus tells it like it is, but does not leave us without hope. Believe in the Son, believe in Jesus, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We can be adopted into the family of God, and we can come boldly to the throne of grace, and call Him Abba Father!

The Children of Light

 1 Thess. 5:5,6
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
We are either children of light or darkness. Being a child of darkness implies that we have yet to walk in the light. It is not God’s will that we live in darkness. He desires that all obtain salvation through Christ, who is the light. Those who live in darkness cannot see the thief that comes in the night. Like the drunk who drinks at night, their minds are lucid and cannot think straight. The children of light are sober, watchful, and mindful of the deceptions of Satan. Stay in the light, live in the day so you may be able to detect the enemy of your soul. Put on the armor and pick up the sword of the word to stand against the evil works of today. He has promised that if we stay in the light we will live with Him forever who died for us. Don’t give in to the devil! Jesus is able to keep us until the day of His return if we remain children of light. 

Spirit of Adoption

Roman 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Fear of being lost, fear of the unknown, and fear of death. Set free from the bondage of sin, free from unbelief and being forsaken. As children of God, we have been adopted into the family of God. We are no longer children of darkness, lost in sin and seeking the sinful pleasures of the is world. We no longer are bound and enslaved by Satan’s power. The Holy Spirit has given us the assurance that we no longer belong to this world, but have been made heirs with Christ. The old ways have passed away, and we have been given a new life and a new family. We are not just children of His creation, but we have been adopted, we are a part of His household. Our relationship with God is intimate. We can come boldly to the throne of God and call him Abba! He truly is a Father to the fatherless, and “daddy” to all who love Him.

The Heart of a Child

Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

There are some childish things that we should not put away. The disposition of children raised in environment where they are sheltered and protected is to trust those who care for them. They live life without care for they believe that their parent(s) will feed them, and keep them safe. They run, play and enjoy life without worrying if they will have supper, or have a place to rest their heads at night. It is this simple trust that the child of God has toward his Heavenly Father. He cares not today what tomorrow will bring, if sunshine or rain, he knows that God will provide for today and when the sun rises tomorrow morning. The kingdom of God consist of those who willing abandoned themselves to the providence of God and trust God that all will be well. The heart of a child is to trust.

The Future of our Children

Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

There are many hopes and desires that a parent holds for their children’s future. We want them to have a good life and have successful careers, chose a life partner that will stand by them through all the ups and downs of life. We spend 18 plus years of their lives training them to do what is right and to make choices that are smart. The journey before them, like all of us is unknown, we take each day as it comes. But in the face of the unknown, the one thing that we trust will go with them is their faith and hope in God. That they will not forget what God has done and what God can do. Living each day in the presence of God, listening to His voice and doing His will. The path they journey may be filled with thorns, and unpleasant events, even the lost of loved ones at an early age. We prepare our children for the road they will travel for we have no control of the road before them. May our children “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments”

Passing the Torch

Psalm 78:6,7 “that the generation to come might know them, even the children who should be born, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.

Passing the torch of God’s word and the way of holy living. The desire of every parent who is serving the Lord is to see their children follow God. We raise our children to listen to the voice of God, and to follow His commandments. Worldly influences are always going to be there for every generation. We all see the world differently and work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Culture is always changing and how we simulate our faith within the culture must stand against God’s word. God’s word does not change, and His commandments are not suggestions based on how relative they are to the culture we live in. Sin is still sin. Passing the torch to our children in hopes that they see that God is holy, and Christ is the Savior who died to make us holy. Anything less than this means the torch has been dropped. Let us not forget the works of God. Keep the torch burning.

Train Up A Child

Prov. 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”-

Bring up children in this day is no easy task. Probably the case for every generation that leaves God out of their lives. The culture that we live in no longer values the Biblical teaching of God’s Word. They take only what suits them and their agenda and exploit it for their cause. Discerning what is good and pleasing to God requires that one be guided by the Holy Spirit. Training up a child in the way they should go will take more than taking them to church. It will require consistent holy living by parents who desire their children to follow their footsteps. What is important in our day is for our children to  pick up the cross of Jesus and follow Him. Training a child up to follow God is to train them to see that they are sinners and need a Savior. To give their hearts and lives to Christ, and listen to the voice of God. Their is no greater pleasure for a Christian parent than to see their children live for God and train their children to also be seekers of God. No greater legacy can be left behind than to know that your children followed your footsteps.