Yes, there are some theological concepts in scripture that require time and effort in order to comprehend.
The vast majority of teaching between Genesis 1 and Revelation 22, however, is stuff that even an older child can comprehend.
Hmmm…. I suppose that’s why the so-called age of accountability — that time when a child grasps the reality of an unseen God and accountability for personal sin — typically occurs when kids are 9-12 years old.
The awakening of awareness involving sin and the need for salvation will vary from child to child based on family teaching, friends’ values and life circumstances.
By the onset of adolescence, however, every soul has stood at the fork in the road where godliness and sin veer apart.
We’ve all fallen after taking the wrong path, so we know what we are to do in seeking to help still-innocent lives prepare for their initial fork in the road.
I strongly encourage you to pray for God’s leading so that you might help a child learn the Word and will of God. As you are used in this way, you’ll help a young life to get pointed down the correct fork rather than have to watch him or her get the Enemy’s pointed fork stuck into the backside of their soul.
The above line of reasoning came to me after I read the ultra-simple, ultra-potent teaching in I Corinthians 6:19-20. The words from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible are so clear and concise.
More importantly, they are so relevant in this day of decaying personal morality.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God. You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
My sin. His price.
Wow. Talk about a wake-up call.
The Apostle Paul is calling us to remember that God is One who redeemed us from bondage and that we are to serve Him, not ourselves.
Imagine a slave purchased from a slavetrader just before being executed. The benevolent man who bought the slave promised to provide for all the redeemed man’s needs and even to shower him with love.
All that former slave had to do was to work faithfully on the redeemer’s to-do list and to honor the others living in his house.
But the former slave eventually begins to ignore the desires of the redeemer.
He not only is a slacker, but he’s also a moocher.
On top of that, the former slave starts griping about this and that and even starts sizing up others in the household according to what he can get from them or do to them, whether financial or sexual.
Even if the former slave isn’t lusting for the flesh or finances of someone in the redeemer’s household but instead for that of those outside the household, the mindset of the former slave is still corrupt and reflects poorly on the redeemer.
The world sees the attitude and behavior of the redeemed slave and presumes that being part of the redeemer’s household has little lasting effect on former slaves.
This, of course, reduces the incentive for people to imitate the redeemer or even to seek rescue by him.
How sad.
And how real this too often is with contemporary Christianity.
Dear friend, never forget that you and I were bought with a price.
I’m not talking pocket change here, but instead the priceless, sinless life of Jesus Christ.
We’re not the boss.
We’re not the owner.
We’re the redeemed slaves.
That means we are to honor God with how we manage our body.
By implication, of course, that means we are to honor God with how we use every facet of our lives.
Our finances.
Our time.
Our thoughts.
Our passions.
It really is a Colossians 3:17 thing, you know.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all for the glory of God.”
Please take a hard look at your life.
I’m talking about pulling open all the closet doors and lifting all the rugs.
As you ask God’s Word and Spirit to illuminate those recesses, remember that every fallen choice hidden there represents a lash from a Roman whip and a swing of the hammer upon the nails.
Oh my……
Dear friend, please live to honor God.
You are not your own.
You were bought with a price.
Believe this.
And teach this to the children in your life.
As you do, they won’t have to deal with as much sin crud hidden in their closets as they go through life.
As always, I love you
Martin
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