RADIO MESSAGE
Do you want what is best for your
children? Of course you do. You love them. You seek their happiness. You plan
and prepare for their future. But, if you really want that which is beat for
your children you must raise your children in accordance with those principles
laid down in the Word of God. The wise man wrote, "Train up a child in the
way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov.
22:6). The simple lesson of that text is just this - Good training, as a
general rule, has good effects. The text does not promise salvation as the
result of good training. But it does promise that, in the general course of
things, a well-trained child grows into a responsible adult.
If you would train your children well, YOU MUST
TRAIN THEM IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO. NOT IN THE WAY THEY WOULD GO. Our
sons and daughters are born with a decided bias toward evil. If we let them
choose their way, they are sure to choose wrong (Prov. 22:15; 29:15). If we
would be wise, we must not leave a child to the guidance of his own will. TRAIN
YOUR CHILDREN WITH LOVE, PATIENCE AND TENDERNESS. I do not mean that you
should spoil your children. But, I do mean that you should let them know that
you love them. Love is the secret to proper training. Nothing will compensate
for the absence of love and tenderness. Anger and harshness will frighten a
child; but they will not persuade the child that you are right. If your
children see you often out of temper, they will soon cease to respect you. TRAIN
YOUR CHILDREN TO BE INDUSTRIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE IN LIFE. Life is not all
fun and games. Children need to be taught responsibility the earlier the
better. TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN WITH LOVING, BUT FIRM, DISCIPLINE. Determine
to make your child obey you. It may cost you much trouble and cost him many
tears, but it will be best for the child. A loving parent will see to it that
his children are obedient (Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 25:15; 23:13-14; 29:15-17; Heb.
12:5-11). Be firm and earnest in disciplining your children. Do not punish them
rashly, or in anger. Do not use abusive words with them. Such things only
create hostility. Use the paddle. Use it sparingly; but use it firmly. A
loving, but firm use of the rod is essential to the proper training of
children. AGAIN, TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN WITH A PRIMARY CONCERN FOR THEIR SOULS.
If you love your children, think of their souls. In every step you take
regarding them, in every plan you make for them, and in every decision you make
which concerns them, ask yourself one question How will this affect my child's
soul? ONCE MORE, TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN WITH THE FIRM PERSUASION THAT MUCH
DEPENDS ON YOU. You cannot convert your children. You cannot save them. You
cannot train them up to be Christians. And you cannot change their hearts. But
you are the one who molds your child's character. And you do it, for better or
for worses in his earliest years.
When you have done the best you can, you cannot
save your sons and daughters. "SALVATION IS OF THE LORD." We
must teach them well, train them well, and call upon the Lord in their behalf,
seeking the mercy of God for them. We must commit our children into the hands
of God. Having done that, we will rest in submissive faith, trusting the Lord
our God to accomplish his own purpose and grace in Christ Jesus, for the glory
of his own great name.
I offer these thoughts to you who are believing
parents, with the prayer that they may be of help to you, as you endeavor for
the glory of Christ to train up your children in the way they should go.