For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. – Galatians 5:6 NKJV
False belief
Some of us parents take our children to church every Sunday. They are then compelled to attend Sunday School. In our opinion, they are being brought up in the knowledge of Christ. Sadly, all we’ve done is introduce them to religion, rather than faith working through love.
The reality
Church-going is different to Christianity. Some of us parents have gone to church all our lives, but never reflect the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is because we have not come to know Christ, just religion and the law.
The idea of faith working through love means nothing to some Christians, as we solely focus on our works. This often results in a struggle to lead godly lives, because we are living according to religious principles.
Alas, the focus on religion has caused many children to turn away from Christianity in adulthood. Worse still, their children and children’s children also resist the gospel of salvation, choosing to lead rebellious lives.
Thus, a simple error, of introducing our children to religion rather than relationship with Jesus, can lead to generations of faithlessness.
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, so, our focus must always be on Him (Hebrews 12:2).
What next?
It’s never too late to repent from religion and switch to relationship. We must make a change now to save our future generations, from the bondage of religion.
We can adopt simple practices such as openly discussing the teachings of Jesus with our children, and adopting them in our daily living. Religious practices should never be enforced on our children, instead we should constantly pray for them and encourage their faith in Jesus.
Prayer Points
1. Father God, thank you for calling us into a relationship with you through your son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5-6)
2. Holy Spirit give us the wisdom, as parents, to lead our children to Christ rather than religion
3. Holy Spirit, help us to correct the errors we’ve made in the past, that our posterity will be free from the bondage of religion