The Cruciality of a Christian Home

It is not all that uncommon to hear people these days say something like, "We're not going to raise our kids in any particular religion; we're just going to let them decide for themselves."  That's ludicrous; children will naturally choose the faith, or lack thereof, of their parents.  I guarantee that, without intervening circumstances, if the parents are not concerned with faith, then their children will not be either.  While I do not see such a laissez faire attitude prevailing among many evangelical Christians I know, it is true for some, especially for those who are only nominally Christian.  But perhaps it is true for some genuinely converted Christian parents, who thereby demonstrate immaturity and a lack of a biblical worldview.  Regardless, I hope this post will be a solemn reminder and wake-up call for all Christian parents not to forsake their Christian responsibility when it comes to their children.

All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.  Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger.  Judges 2:10-12 (NASB)

The Israelites lacked a true knowledge of God and His historic work.  They were not alive to see such things as the Passover, the exodus, the miracles in the wilderness, or the LORD'S hand win them great victories to bring them into the Promised Land.  So how could they know Him?  It would have been up to the parents to tell and teach their children the knowledge of God, His work and His ways.  This is, in fact, a command in the Law:

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.  Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NASB)

 The Bible gives a promise to dutiful parents:

Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (NASB)

Many have often incorrectly used this verse to say, "Well, we raised our kid(s) right; they're not walking with the Lord now, but when they get older, they'll come back."  That is not what that verse says.  It says that even when he is old he will not depart from it, meaning he is faithful all his days; the child reared rightly will never depart from them, let alone depart and then come back to something he obviously never had.

God commands His people to raise their children in the discipline and fear of the Lord (Deut. 6:6-9; Eph. 6:4).  He knows it is crucial to begin teaching them the gospel early, for their sin nature also sets to work early--from the womb!

Let me give some disclaimers right now.  I am speaking in generalities, not specifics.  I am not--and certainly not God's word is not--saying that all children who are raised in a Christian home to know, love, fear, obey, and serve God will without fail be saved or live impeccably.  Without a doubt some parents did all they could in earnest to raise their children to worship Jesus and better parents could not be found, yet their children forsook God.  Likewise, some parents were lousy and didn't even really raise their kids, let alone in the righteous reverence for Christ, but by His gracious intervention God saved them.  Salvation is the sovereign, gracious prerogative of God.

Being raised in a Christian home does not therefore guarantee salvation, nor do I believe that children of believers are de facto among the elect (as do some of my brethren).  But, speaking in human terms (to steal Paul's phrase), it substantially increases the likelihood that they will be saved.  One thing is for sure: if they are not taught the gospel, they cannot be saved; if they are not taught about God, they cannot know Him, for "there is none who seeks for God" (Rom. 3:11; cf. Ps. 14:2-3; 53:2-3).  Parents, I implore you, and God's word commands you, raise your children to love and worship Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Do it for their good, the good of Christendom, and the glory of God.

If you are not yet parents, pray for wisdom, purpose in your heart, and plan practical ways to do it right.

What about those whose children are already grown?  Perhaps you have grandchildren or even great-grandchildren.  You did not raise your children rightly and they forsook God.  Is it too late?  Let me ask you this: are they still alive?  As long as they have life and breath, it is not too late.  What should you do?

First, do not beat yourself up and bear unnecessary guilt brought on by that evil accuser of the brethren.  Remember this: even if we are disobedient, God is faithful and grace is real.  If you failed in your responsibilities as a Christian parent with your children, that is a failure expunged by Christ's blood, enveloped in God's gracious, redemptive forgiveness.  If you have confessed and repented, it is cleansed (1 John 1:9), removed as far as east from west (Ps. 103:12).

Second, remember and believe it is not too late.  Throw yourself on the mercy of God.  Beg and plead persistently before His throne for their souls.  Make the most of every opportunity (Eph 5:16) and try to redeem the lost time by witnessing to them and teaching them when you have the chance.  Don't ever forget that salvation is the sovereign, gracious prerogative of God, nor that He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (Ex. 34:6); that He does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:23, 32); that He desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4); and that He is patient, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Third, it is not too late for you to have a godly influence on your grandchildren, whether they are currently living or as yet unborn.  Do all you can in their lives to provide a godly influence and change the course of your family history back to the paths of righteousness.