We must be taught this. Fortunately small children are very responsive to God’s love. No child has ever had to be taught how to sin, but they do need to be taught how not to sin. We all were born into this world with an inherently evil heart because of Adam’s sin. This is why we need to come into an early relationship with Jesus Christ as Saviour. The S c rip tu re s are to occupy our thoughts continually. Its authority should be brought to bear upon all situations of life. It should motivate every action and direction of our ex istence. How important that we al low it to control our lives! So, even though we live in the New Testa ment era, let us inscribe upon the hearts of our children the Word of God, giving evidence of it in our own life. C hapter F ourteen OPLE ARE NATURALLY CONCERNED about what’s going to happen tomorrow. The world is filled with fear. The believer who studies his Bible and prophecy has no concern except for the lost. This is why we should live a godly life in the midst of our generation. What about our testimonies be fore our children? We looked last time at the importance of Deute ronomy 6:6-9. These are definite in structions concerning the home of those who believed and reverenced the Lord in Israel. The Word of God certainly was to occupy the hearts and minds of those in the home. Its authority was to be brought to bear upon all situations of life. The par ents’ responsibility was to teach these things to their children. It was largely the task of the Hebrew father. The Word of God had first to control his life. Too many dads today have abdicated their place of impor tance. No one can give another something he hasn’t obtained him self. As a father, you should direct
through the various avenues of the church. The sixth chapter of Ephesians sets the pattern for the Christian home. We’re to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (v. 4). A Christian home is not neces sarily one where everybody is in agreement with each other on every subject. It won’t mean that there’s no trouble or difficulty. A home isn’t Christian simply because it’s neatly arranged and beautifully furnished. Mere profession won’t make any dif ference. There are very real factors that make a home Christian. In Deuteronomy 6:4-12 we see a beautiful picture of the ideal Old Testament home. It has many prin ciples which we should follow as well. The heart of the matter is, “And thou shalt teach them (the statutes of God) diligently unto thy chil dren.” The purpose of God was to show forth His praises through the people of Israel. This nation was His 19:5, 16). This is why their homes were different from those surround ing nations. When a nation’s homes are morally and ethically impure, it will soon decay. This is quite a warning for us. While we would not place the Christian under the law, nevertheless there is much to learn as we see God’s will. Paul reminds us of this (Rom. 15:4). The Old Testament was written for our edi fication and spiritual enrichment. You cannot change a principle given by Jehovah. Deuteronomy 6 is an ex position of laws which are valuable and valid for our use. It’s not enough merely professing to love God. He desires reality and truth in the in ward parts. It should be marked by deeds, not simply words. Love for God is to pervade the whole realm of man’s living. The Word of God was to be the center of all home life among the people of Israel. None of us were born with a built-in love for God. 20
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