Today’s devotion comes from 3 John 1:1-4.
“1The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:1-4.
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We may shake our head in agreement and also think: “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” We may spend quality time with our children at home careful to train them in the way that they should go. We may take them to church. We may send our children to Sunday School and Catechism. We may send them to Christian schools. We may even send them to Christian colleges. These are all good things to do.
We may carefully think: “What shall we do, so that we may cause our children to walk in the truth?”
We naturally focus on ourselves and think in terms of what we should do. Likewise, the Jews asked Jesus: “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.
Later, “the Men of Israel”, when confronted with their collective guilt of crucifying Christ, asked what they should do. “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” Acts 2:37-39.
We spiritually need to first focus on God and think more in terms of what He has promised for our children whom “God will call to Himself” and what He has done for them and what He will do for them. Although we should certainly do all that we can for our children to guide them in the truth, as we are specifically commanded to do and in addition as we can think to do, our hope and platform (spring board) for all action for our children is the promise of God.
In conclusion, the following is a good article by Protestant Reformed Churches’ Professor David J. Engelsma titled “The Covenant of God and Children of Believers” Click here: THE COVENANT OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF BELIEVERS
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 