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Light Of Life Ministry

As Jesus started on his way, a young man ran up to him and asked ‘…..What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Mk 10:17
Jesus reminded him of the commandments, at which the young man responded by saying ‘… all these I have kept since I was a boy.’ (Mk 10:20)
Jesus told him that he still lacked one thing which was to live out what he knew. ‘Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mk10:21)
Instead of this young man rejoicing because he had found what he was looking for; the apostle Mark describes his mood otherwise as ‘the man’s face fell. He went away sad….’
Though we might find his reaction odd and unexpected, it was anticipated by Jesus who had realized that this young man did not have faith to inherit eternal life. That is why he had told him ‘one thing you lack…’ (vs 21). In other words Jesus was saying ‘you lack faith.’
Obviously this young man’s parents and perhaps teachers had endeavoured; at a very young age; to teach him the law that he might keep it. But they hadn’t gone to any length to make sure that faith dwelt in his heart. That’s why he had lived all his life in wander and confusion. He was not confident about his eternal inheritance; in other words his eternal life.

On the other hand, there was another young man named Timothy whose heart was indwelt with faith ever since his childhood.
This is what Paul testifies about him saying: ‘ I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.’ (2Tim 1:5).
In other words, Timothy’s mother and grandmother did not only plant in his heart the commandments but also faith in God. Paul confirms this by saying: ‘and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.’(2Tim 3:15).

The ultimate goal wasn’t simply for Timothy to know the commandments, but for him to have the faith and the hope in Him who is able to save.
‘There is only one law giver and judge, the one who is able to save…’ (James 4:12). This is the reason why it was easy for Timothy, as he grew up to become a young man, to follow the Lord with his heart. Later he confirmed his faith in following the Lord Jesus by becoming Paul’s helper and assistant during his mission trips. The contrast between the young rich man and Timothy, is what was implanted in them by their family members.
Nowadays what are parents sowing in their children?
Is it fruitless words, verses and laws or is it faith hope and confidence in the God who gave the law?

Even God himself is concerned for our social and family lives as they both affect our spiritual wellbeing. The best example is that of John the Baptist; were the angel Gabriel told Zechariah, John’s father, this about John’s ministry: ‘Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ (Luke 1:16, 17).
The core of John the Baptist’s ministry was to impact the mind and the heart of his society through:

• Bringing the people back to God.

• Turning the hearts of the fathers to their children.

• Changing the rebellious mind into a righteous one.

The result:
A people that is whole and prepared for the Lord.

The young rich man wasn’t ready to follow the Lord. The reason behind that being; that his parents had not sown in him seeds of faith because they themselves did not have that faith to give. On the other hand, Timothy’s decision to follow Jesus was an easy one, because both his mother and grandmother, out of the faith that they had in their hearts, had sown faith into him.

Our children’s spiritual lives, their relationship with God and their journey of faith must be implanted by the parents who have the responsibility to do so. The role of Sunday school teachers and of pastors is to water those seeds of faith, and the one who gives growth is God. ‘I (Paul) planted the seed; Apollos watered it, but God made it grow’ (1Cor 3:6)

Bringing up children does not only comprise in providing food, clothing, education and entertainment. The young rich man was lavished with all of these by his parents alongside abundant riches. However, all that they had provided for him hindered and prevented him from following the Lord.
As for Paul, he provided Timothy, as his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2), with his true need. This Paul confirms by saying ‘ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance…’
(2Tim 3:10).
The parents’ primary role is to provide a living example to their sons and daughters, of how to live a life of faith in God. Through their faith in God; their children will attain all the promises of spiritual and material blessings. But without a true spiritual life; money, education and parenting will all be a source of misery. This is what Job says: ‘so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.’ (Job 7:3).
Job is the best example of a man who obeyed the spiritual laws without living out a life of faith in God. All the pain that he went through was nothing but a way to teach him faith in God.
It is imperative that parents sow, in their children, the seeds of faith in God who is able to grant them a good and blessed life and a successful and secure future.