Refuge for a Single Mom
Every Single Mom Needs a Refuge. This is Mine. In the Natural Atleast!* A Blog Dedicated to Struggling & Hurting Moms of Every Walk of Life.
As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Vengeance ~ Expounded
Earlier in the week I commented that if we teach our children vengeance that they will learn vengeance and they will practice vengeance ~ ultimately keeping them from the gates of Heaven.
I`ve been asked to expound on this topic a bit. So here go my thoughts . . .
First of all, let me tell you a bit about my neighbors . . . they are not very nice people. They never have been and I`ve lived here 15 years. When I moved in their children were just little.
I learned very early on that you do not challenge them. If their dog (which should be tied) `makes dirty` on your sidewalk, where you have to walk, or jumps in your car with muddy feet, or eats your groceries out of your car while you`re running them in the house ~ you simply ignore it. You don`t get upset if their children throw rocks at your brand new car either. There were many `rules`! *wink*
I had `prophesied` (if you will) that their children would grow up to be the same kind of adults as their parents. And thus far, they are. They are disrespectful, inconsiderate, etc. ~ They were never taught otherwise!
Our children will grow up to practice exactly what we`ve taught them! Depending on the social circles in which they are involved, and other environmental exposure, they might learn a little better or worse. Initially, though, we teach them basic principles to grow on.
Therefore, if we teach them vengeance (or condone it), they will indeed learn it. If they learn that it is acceptable behavior, they will practice it. This certainly is NOT acceptable behavior. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19
It is truly not our place to seek our own vengeance. The urge to be vengeful is of the flesh. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18
We are to leave vengeance and judgment up to God`s discretion. For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." Hebrews 10:30
He has kept the ultimate list of good and bad. O LORD our God, You answered them; You were a forgiving God to them, And yet an avenger of their evil deeds. Psalm 99:8
4 Comments:
Thanks for expounding. I totally agree that children do live what they learn-good and bad (Exodus 34:7; Duet. 6:4-7) and as you said it is not our place to be vengeful, that is the Lords.
In regards to your statement about keeping children from the gates of heaven, would you say that a parent who owns this lifestyle will, in theory, raise children who do not know Christ?
OR
are you saying the parents works help merit entrance to heaven?
I am just curious regarding your thoughts here.
Thanks for your patience.
Blessings
April
Clearly, salvation is by faith alone, which we have through the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 " 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." Works come as an act of our faith, but are not what grant us salvation. Salvation comes from our faith in the Father.
Of course a parent cannot perform works to help their children into heaven - one cannot bribe God. The children must learn and grow and come to God themselves - it is only through their faith that they will be saved.
I hope it is ok that I am jumping in here ladies...
I just wanted to also say that what a parent teaches their children can in many cases result in children who grow up only knowing what that parent thinks - but God, He is so much more powerful than that! If that child hears the Word of our Father and the Spirit, how should I say, moves in him (for lack of a better term) then of course changes in a life can be made - but kids look to their parents for example. Thank the good Lord for giving us the great commission - to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20) - for by our works of evangelism (works that came about AFTER the faith which gave us salvation) we can help spur them on to Christ! Isn't that an exciting thought!
Rebecca: Thank you for sharing. I just want to be clear that I believe salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone. NOT by works.
I simply wanted to know from the author what she meant by the statement "keeping children from the gates of heaven". That in fact she wasn't attributing what works she could do to "save" her children. We know that God is the author of faith. We cannot save anyone but we can live our lives for HIS glory and pray for their salvation (Duet 6:4-7). I suppose you have answered my question. Thank you.
Blessings.
My ‘works’ will not save anyone - not even my children. Rather, I can supply them with the proper guidance (in this case, not teaching them to be vengeful), the proper tools (the Word) and pray over them. Hopefully, when they mature, they will seek salvation through Jesus Christ and develop their own personal relationship with God.
As Christians, I believe it is our Earthly duty to guide our children in the right direction and minister to them. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 3:15
I think that anything else is a great disservice and could ‘potentially’ hinder their salvation or, generally speaking, ‘keep them from the gates of Heaven’.
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