Christian Living

MOLDING THE FUTURE

by paul hoffmaster
10/08/17
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It is amazing to see Christians quoting the “news” media more than they do the Scriptures.  So many of the social media are nothing more than a conduit of biased rhetoric.  If something is reported by the national information services, such as TV or newspapers, it becomes faultless truth.  On the other hand, if the Bible states the real Truth, it comes under Christian scrutiny.  A person’s behavior is related to their association.  Being around negative people will tend to influence a pessimistic attitude, just as inter-relating with positive individual will prompt an optimistic viewpoint.  When one looks around our country, it is readily obvious that negativity and pessimism is the dominate factor.

 The Bible teaches that we are to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)  Fueled by carnal instincts, people have reverted to rumors instead of facts.  Many become addicted to daily news reports and become discouraged.  This is not the time for Christians to become an extension of doubt and gloom, but a time to let our salt and light spread throughout the land.  In the world today, people promote their ideology through confrontation.  They believe the louder they talk, the greater their influence; but in reality, loudness brings deafness instead of acceptance from the recipient.

 The next generation will be the determining factor of whether our country will be able to pull itself from the riptide of evil.  The Bible makes it clear that parents have a responsibility to not only love and cherish their children, but to instruct and lead them through teaching and example.  Many parents want to be a friend to their children, instead of being a parent.  Some adults believe that making their children happy through leniency and material possessions will make for a harmonious home.  That scenario may work during the early stages of child development, but many times it leads to rebellion when material continuity and leniency is weaned off for “rules and regulations.”  Parenting is one of the most difficult, and at the same time one of the most demanding, jobs ever undertaken.  Parenting is developing character based on strong morals and ethics.  For years mothers and fathers were tutored by Dr. Benjamin Spock and his books on child rearing.  The best authority on raising children is the Bible.  God’s Word tells parents to “train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6)  But what has happened is the children are training parents how to respond to their every wish.  The survival of America rests with our current adolescent generation.  If the tenderfoots in life are brought up under the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they will be equipped to bring about positive influence on this country.  The potential is there, but it can only be achieved if PARENTS step up to the plate.

 During Jesus’ adolescence, He “became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.” (Luke 2:40)  Jesus had been so excited about learning that at the Feast of Passover He sought out the teachers of the law in the temple.  Jesus listened and asked questions.  In return, the scholars even asked Him questions and were astonished at His answers. (Luke 2:46,47)  In His quest for learning, He was inadvertently separated from His parents for three days.  When his frantic parents finally found Him, they returned to Nazareth where the Bible states that Jesus was “subject” unto them.  He then “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)  His behavior brought a positive reaction from the community.  He was an asset, not a liability, to those with whom He came in contact.  One cannot help but believe that Mary and Joseph played an important role in His up bringing.

 May every parent realize the responsibility they hold in bringing up their children.  If our contemporary parents fail to take up their parenting responsibility, there will be little hope that the next generation will make any difference.