A High Calling

January 7

Parents have a high calling from the Lord. They are given the formidable responsibility of training the next generation. If parents are faithful to teach the law and love of Christ to their children, the young ones will grow up in faith. If parents relegate Jesus to an inconsequential place in their children’s lives, they will grow up without knowledge of Him or His salvation.

The Word of God is replete with admonitions to parents regarding their off-spring. Deuteronomy 4:40 says, “Keep God’s decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives to you for all time.” Although this promise was given to His people, the Jews, it is applicable to people of faith today.

Proverbs 20:7 gives a wonderful promise to God’s ancient people but it is also for everyone who complies with it: “The righteous man leads a blameless life, and his children are blessed after him.” The example of righteous living before a child is one of the greatest blessings a parent can give to his impressionable progeny who look to him as their primary role model.

Proverbs 29:15 goes on to admonish parents to discipline their children when they do wrong because to neglect to do so will bring the child and his parents to shame. And the most quoted verse on the topic is that found in Proverbs 29:17, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he’s old, he won’t depart from it.” Even children who try their boundaries will ultimately return to the training they got at their parents’ knee.