Daily devotional, May 8, 2024 Genetics
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
Most of our physical features are inherited from our parents. We could either get the hair color of our mom, and then the shape of the eyes of our dad. We could take after the body structure of our father, and then get the complexion of our mom. Sometimes though we get to inherit traits neither of our parents have but our grandparent or great grandparent has. In any case as they say, it all runs in the blood.
But unlike genetics that can be automatically inherited, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation that comes with it can never be inherited by our children by default. Yes, we may bring them to church and teach them things about God, Jesus and the Bible, but it will be up to them if they will nurture a relationship with the Lord.
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
A good example of this is the story of the High Priest Eli, who had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas who inherited priesthood by tradition. However, these two are not like their Father, they are immoral, they misuse the offerings and they do not conduct themselves correctly. Unfortunately, Eli failed to do something about the situation. He only rebuked them instead of disciplining them by letting them suffer the consequences of their actions. As a result, their whole family was punished by the Lord.
"And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day."
1 Samuel 2:34
As parents we have the huge responsibility of raising our children in Christ-likeness. However, we have to accept that we do not have full control over our children in terms of their resolve to follow Jesus, and their decision to have and nurture a personal relationship with Him. We can only bring them up in the knowledge of the Lord, and lead them to Christ by example.
If our children will see us as joyful and content people with a good relationship with the Lord, and putting God in the center of our lives and families, then they may just be inspired to walk the same path.
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
We have to understand that in the end, only our children can decide if they will pursue the gift of eternal life with Jesus. Saved households usually mean that the head of that household pursues to share the Gospel of Salvation to everyone, either by personal sharing or bringing them to someone who can share it to them.
It is never too late nor too early to seriously share the gift of faith to our children. We can encourage them to read the bible and reflect on it. Set a good example by being faithful in doing our quiet time. Teach them how to pray wholeheartedly to the Lord, and how to start bible reading and reflecting. Bring them to church, and then let them join Sunday School or Kids Church. Expose them to godly media content, and talk about the bible and Jesus to them and let it be a normal topic in your household.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
We can never pass on our faith and relationship with the Lord to our children, but we can always influence them and show them a good example of what it is like to live a life with God at its center.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Samuel 2:22-36 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How do you plan to influence your child to build a relationship with the Lord?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing me with children. I pray my Lord, that they too will grow up to have a good relationship with you. Teach me Lord on how to raise them in Christlikeness, because I want to also see them in eternity with you. Amen
