Ways To Build A Holy/Healthy Conscience #4
Ways To Build A Holy/Healthy Conscience #4
Some time ago I was sitting in the NICU (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) holding my latest grandson, and I was doing what a lot of grandparents do...hopefully : I talked to him about his heritage and what that meant. I talked about the man for whom he was named, and his great grandmother, and I talked about the following generations. Yes... we talked about important stuff, and I guess you could say this included his inheritance. I want him--even as an infant-- to be taught the most important part of life that will make him a very good man. As a matter of fact, I taught this just prior to his eldest cousin being confirmed in the faith and publicly declaring his faith. It is also important you know that we had this conversation a few short days after I pronounced God's blessing on his life. Knowing this heritage/inheritance stuff is important.
We Christ Followers are also CO- Heirs with Christ. Indeed we share in the inheritance God established "in Christ before the creation of the world." Take a look at Ephesians 1:3-14, and you will see these "riches of the glorious inheritance of the saints." Ephesians 1:18
Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV
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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons and daughters through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
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In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Now, a brief look at this passage will tell you that these are spiritual blessings; however, it is clear that these "spiritual blessings" constitute our "inheritance." (V.14) I have broken this down into an acrostic to make it simple for the preceding generations: C-H-R-I-S-T. Teach your up and coming children that they are ...
C: Chosen before the creation of the world. Chosen To be holy/healthy in God's sight and blameless. (Verse 4) Chosen too be adopted children of God because He loves them, its God's will and it brings God Pleasure. (Verse 5) From a very early age you can teach them of God's love for them because this is God saying "I Pick You."
You might want to bone up on how God does the picking and choosing by doing some meditation on Romans 8:28-29. He does NOT just randomly select the heaven goers and the hell goers. He does so by knowing who will say "yes" and determining "Well okay then. I pick you."He saw that Judas would eventually say "no." But He still gave Judas a 3 year walk around with Jesus, and God let him handle Jesus money during this time to give him a chance.
H. Holy Spirit is involved in this process. So God is active with the child helping you, even though the child does not know this. (Verses 13-14.) Believe it or not the child will grasp these words more than you can imagine. Children may ask you questions about this,but in an age appropriate way, you can share with them an acceptable answer. I am a firm believer that children make very astute theologians.
R. Redemption: (Verse 7) Explain this means forgiveness and the power of God to live "right" in God's sight. Help the child learn this important truth that because God sent Jesus to be their Savior, He will forgive them when they do wrong things. He will save them. Teach them to confess sincerely, and give forgiveness freely. Teach them 1 John 1:9 as a foundation for this gift.
Don't rescue them, however, from the consequences of their choices. Their is great value in a child learning they will indeed "reap what they sow." Teach them that God will also help them make good choices in this journey they are living as a part of redemption... if they let him.
I. Included "In Christ:" (Verses 13-14a)Teach them that, once they "believed," that Christ came IN to them and they came IN to Christ. I cannot tell you how important this is to teach a child just how much they matter to God, and I cannot tell you how important it is to teach them to choose to have God matter to them. This will be life changing because they will have a sense of belonging that can come only from a spiritual life IN Christ.
TLOML and I started this inclusionary process from day one in our children's lives, even before they were born. And we did/do the same in our grands lives. I blessed them before they were born. I blessed them when they were born, and I bless them every single day. I still bless them today.
Why do so? Because it is important that they know, with a certainty, that "Jesus included me. Yes He included me. When the Lord said whosoever, He included me."
S. Sealed with an unshakeable unbreakable guarantee. (Verse 14) The Holy Spirit, who is God, guarantees this inheritance. He guarantees it through God's power. (Acts 1:8) He guarantees it through God's promise. (John 10:28) There is no guarantee better than the Holy Spirit guarantee.
T. Totally prepared for the day when God's greatest mystery is fulfilled. (Verses 9-10)God's great mystery is fulfilled "at just the right time." Everything will be put under the authority of Christ. Some may not believe this or receive this, but your child will. Why? because you have intentionally worked from day one to help your child have a healthy/holy conscience. Your child will have a God conscience.They are heirs/co-heirs with Christ, as are you. They will have the opportunity, not of a life time, but of a mellinia of life times! They will be prepared for becoming what they are already... People with and inheritance and a heritage. This inheritance that belongs to them is "the inheritance of the saints." Pass it on to them before you pass on.
Now Go Be Blessed 2day
Especially 2day
SoJourner
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