random

Every imperfect and normal family wants their kids to turn out right. So, we establish goals for character development and try to create an environment where our kids can mature. Church, school, sports teams, family relationships ... each of these provides a context where our kids can learn to "love your neighbor as yourself."

Unfortunately, our "good" objectives might have absolutely nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we inadvertently end up raising pagans instead of Christians.

Too many times, (Christian) parents have it as their goal to make their kids good and moral. It is as if the entire purpose of their family's spiritual life is to shape their children into law-abiding citizens who stay out of trouble. The only problem with this goal is that it runs in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches. The gospel is not about making bad people moral, but about making dead people alive. If we teach morality without the transforming power of the gospel and the necessity of a life fully surrendered to God's will, we are raising moral pagans.

We end up teaching the wrong thing because we have the wrong objectives.

This sentiment was stirred in me afresh when I read an interview with VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer. He was reflecting on how the "Christian message" he was trying to teach wasn't Christianity at all:

"I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, 'Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so,'or 'Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!' But that isn't Christianity, it's morality...

"And that was such a huge shift for me from the American Christian ideal. We're drinking a cocktail that's a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream and the gospel. And we've intertwined them so completely that we can't tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. It's the Oprah god."

So what is your objective?

Do you teach your kids "be good because the Bible tells you to" or do you teach your kids that they will never be good without Christ's offer of grace? There is a huge difference. One leads to moralism; the other leads to brokenness. One leads to self-righteousness; the other leads to a life that realizes that Christ is everything and that nothing else matters.

I want my kids to be good. We all do. But as our kids grow up, the truth of the gospel can easily get lost somewhere between salvation (where we know we need Jesus) and living life (where we tend to say "I've got this"). My experience is that the vast majority of parents are encouraging moral behavior in their kids so that God will bless their (usually self-centered) pursuits. It's the American dream plus Jesus. And it produces good, moral pagans.

Consider the key objectives you have for your kids. Seriously, take a minute to think about what would deem you a successful parent. If your goals are focused on your kids' behavior, their happiness or their accomplishments but don't include a dependence upon Christ and a submission to His will and work, you might want to make some adjustments.

Because the world has enough pagans. Even plenty of really nice ones. What we need is kids who fully grasp the reality that they have nothing to offer but who intimately know a God who has everything they need.

- See more at: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/44118-how-to-raise-a-pagan-kid-in-a-christian-home#sthash.qgtOimUt.dpuf

The Son’s Anger

“The angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress” (vv. 19–20a).
- Revelation 14:14–20

Scripture has had such an influence on American culture that even non-Christians have used its imagery in their writings. Julia Ward Howe was a Unitarian and, therefore, not a Christian. However, her famous song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” incorporates biblical images and phrases in its lyrics: “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.”

These lyrics were inspired by Revelation 14, which describes the coming of the Son of Man in judgment. Seated on the clouds, the Son of Man sends forth an angel to harvest the wicked and cast them, like sour grapes, into a winepress, where they are crushed and their blood flows forth and reaches a great height (vv. 14–20). Clearly, this Son of Man is no ordinary person. He is actually the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as “Son of Man” is the title that Jesus used for Himself more frequently than any other. This title is based on Daniel 7:13–14, where the Son of Man receives an everlasting reign and dominion from the Creator. Today’s passage indicates that the Son of Man who will rule forever is the same King who will mete out God’s wrath against sin.

Any idea that Jesus is a person who offers love at the expense of righteousness is utterly destroyed by Revelation 14:14–20. The Son of God, no less than His Father, expresses wrath as the outflow of His righteous character. Christ’s anger is something to be feared, which is why we must “kiss the Son, lest he be angry” (Ps. 2:12). We can only be rescued from His eternal judgment if we show Him due honor—if we repent of our sins and worship Him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus came first as the world’s Savior, but He will come again as the world’s Judge (John 3:16–18; 2 Tim. 4:1). On that day, all people will kneel before Him (Isa. 45:22–23; Phil. 2:9–11). For some, it will be a genuflection of honor, worship, and love. Others, however, will remain obstinate, refusing to submit to the King of kings and Lord of lords. These individuals will be struck with a “rod of iron”—the royal scepter—by Christ Himself, and they will bow before Him (Ps. 2:9).
Coram Deo

A day is coming when all people will bow before Christ Jesus. At that point, His reign, which is a reality now, will be made completely visible. On that day, some will rejoice to see the return of the King, and no one will need to tell them to bow. Others will remain firm in their hatred of the universe’s rightful Ruler. Nevertheless, they will be forced to kneel. Jesus is as surely the King now as He will be on that final day, so let us serve Him with gladness today.