There are certain words that every parent longs to hear:
- It will be my pleasure to drop what I am doing just to help you out.
- What was I thinking? I promise to never hit my brother again.
- I’ll set my alarm extra early from now on to make sure I have time to make my bed.
- My homework is all done. Is there anything I can do for you before I go out to play?
- Thank you for correcting me. It’s helping me grow into a mature adult.
Of course, if your children did say these things you would have to worry that an alien had whisked them away and replaced them with a clone – a clone that had obviously never heard what your child really says. “Do I haaaave to? “He started it.” “That’s not fair.” “You’re mean.” “I want to do it MY way.”
Throughout history, humans have shown a strange propensity for wanting all the reward with none of the work. We want to be thin while eating fat. We recklessly spend money we haven’t made, and we demand respect we haven’t earned.
Worst of all, we carry all those false expectations into our relationship with God. Like spoiled children, we want the faith of Abraham, the promises of Moses and power of Paul without leaving our land, wandering in the wilderness or pining away in prison.
Our Perfect Parent
I John 3 begins with these glorious words. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God. The Almighty, Infinite, Merciful God of the universe is our Father. How cool is that?
And if you are like me, your mind automatically begins to drift towards the incredible privileges that this relationship brings – access to the throne, an inheritance in heaven, grace, forgiveness, power, significance, answered prayer and best of all, God’s firm commitment to making us look more and more like His Son, Jesus.
Unfortunately, we all too quickly forget that maturity doesn’t come in an instant. Deep faith grows over a lifetime of trials, and Christ-like character shines best during sacrifice and suffering.
Hebrews 12:9-11 says:
We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us,
so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?
While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them.
But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.
At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain.
Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained
who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.
Being a child of the Living God is the greatest privilege in the world. He loves you enough to give you extravagant gifts, and He loves you enough to discipline you for godliness.
Do you love Him enough to gratefully accept both from His hands? If so, here are some words He would love to hear.
- It will be my pleasure to drop what I am doing serve someone else.
- What was I thinking? I promise to never do that again.
- I’ll set my alarm extra early from now on to make sure I spend time with you before I start my day.
- My work is all done. Is there anything you want me to do before I go out to play?
- Thank you for correcting me. It’s helping me grow into a mature adult.
Sign up for our Virtual Bible Study, “Contagious Love,” to receive the audio teaching and handout, as well as the homework – or to get more information – Just click the link below:
Click Here for “Contagious Love – A Virtual Bible Study on 1 John”
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