"All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Putting this verse in context we read where Paul instructed his young spiritual son Timothy that in the last days evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived. He then tells him he is to continue in the sacred writings he was taught from childhood by his mother and grandmother. Then he gives him assurance the scriptures are able to provide him with the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The definition of salvation is deliverance from the power and effects of sin. What parent would not want that for their children?
As parents and grandparents I pray we will all truly look to God’s Word and His ways over our own in training our children and forming their values. More importantly, teaching them God and His Word needs to have first place in all our lives to be truly successful eternally, which is far more important than anything this world has to offer. The world and all that is in it is very temporary. God help us to wake up and live that out before our families before it is too late. Heed the words spoken to Timothy by Paul and be encouraged by reading Isaiah 55. Then impart the truth of God’s Word to the ones we love most, so they may be adequate, equipped for every good work that will acquire eternal rewards from God Himself. What could be more successful than that?
Perhaps it is time to ask ourselves what we are emphasizing in our children’s childhoods? It seems everything but the sacred writings of God. The scriptures are inspired by God, not man’s limited intelligence. It is far superior to man’s wisdom. We have a promise it will train our children to do what is right, and to equip them for every good work. Meditate on that for a moment. Then evaluate how much time you spend teaching your children the Word of God.
The majority of our society teaches their children to pursue sports and worldly academics. Success is defined to our children by the lives we live before them. If we spend most of our time seeking to make money and own more stuff, so will your children. If sports is emphasized as a major part of your life, then it will be a major part of theirs. But what is the long term effect of being a great athlete? Money and fame for the few who make it to the big leagues, but it is temporal and short lived. If our children haven’t been taught to look beyond themselves and for the welfare of other people, they aren’t prepared to handle that so-called success. They usually end up in headlines being known for very destructive, immoral lives, because they are consumed with narcissism, believing life is all about them. Happiness will not be an achieved virtue with all their efforts.
I encourage you to take the time to read the whole chapter of Isaiah 55. There is much to learn as parents, and to teach our children. Isaiah 55:8-11 tells us:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth , so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts, for as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
What an amazing promise for us parents and grandparents if we teach our children God’s Word as Timothy was at a young age by his mother and grandmother! It takes commitment and prioritizing our lives. But don’t we desire to prepare our children for eternity more than the short span of life on this earth? Don’t we want to train our children in God’s way of righteousness that benefits all mankind? More than anything else, don’t we want them to be adequately trained to perform every good work throughout their life where they will have true joy, peace, and contentment only found in godly character. Don’t we desire our children to gain godly wisdom, and know how to apply it to their daily lives, versus futile knowledge, and how to parrot other people’s thoughts rather than think for themselves? May God arouse His people to wake up and to redeem the time we have left to instill Words inspired by our Creator in our children and grandchildren’s lives that they may be adequately equipped to perform His will for their lives. Then may they receive their eternal reward when they stand before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. May we be reminded we will be accountable to God for what we have imparted in their lives.
In His love.
³Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
May we teach our children to never take the gifts of His creation for granted, and to see the love of their heavenly Father as we are immersed in the beauty and wonder of it all around us!
