We’ve been talking about Philippians 4:13 off and on at our house. Today I noticed that in addition to helping them to remember that God will help them do right, this verse also causes me to think about my actions in asking them to obey.
Will God help them do anything their parents ask them to do? What if their parents ask them to do something beyond their ability? What if they selfishly ask them to obey for selfish reasons? What if they ask their children to sin?
The answers aren’t important to me right now. I know God’s grace is sufficient, but these thoughts are sobering to me. I want to make sure that when I ask my children to obey, I’m asking for the right reasons. It’s a big responsibility, to be entrusted with children, who are helpless and weak. No wonder Jesus said what he did about children.
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 18:1-6
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