There is another option which many will not want to hear is that they heard the Gospel and have rejected it. No one wants to think that of their kids. It must always be our fault. We think if only they could hear the Gospel like we di that they would react and believe. Maybe they reacted and rejected instead. When I first heard the Gospel I ran like heck. It took me 10 years to come back to it. Some it may take a lifetime and some never will.
It’s upsetting to think that the precious angels we put so much time and love into would reject us and reject the truth. It is the story of the ages. God does not have grandchildren only children.
If they never do accept and follow Christ when we are long gone and overjoyed in the Lord’s presence it is he that will hold the heartache of memories of the lost - we will no longer remember or mourn.
Mel
melsec, unfortunately, you are right on both counts. You raise issues no one wants to think about and that there are some who hear the gospel - perhaps many, many times - and reject it.
There is another hard truth that many don’t want to hear. Many churches in the U.S. (and I’m sure other places) have so corrupted the truth either to the left or to the right while trying to make it contemporary and understandable (i.e. trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit for Him) that they lose its meaning completely. In such cases there is only enough Christianity left to inoculate the young against Christianity. That is to say, young people spend time in a church that is either post-Christian or so pale a version of Christianity as to not be and walk away thinking they know what Christianity is while in fact they never did.
I’ve enjoyed reading the posts from all 3 of you. I was somewhat like cc - raised in strict catholic discipline but when I was 13 yo my folks started requiring an additional hour on Sunday for family Bible reading out loud in a circle one by one. took me another 5 years to make my ‘peace’ with Jesus and another 33 still figuring out what it all means...
Got a scripture to back-up the one below, melsec? I’ve heard it plenty but never straight from the Word.
“If they never do accept and follow Christ when we are long gone and overjoyed in the Lord’s presence it is he that will hold the heartache of memories of the lost - we will no longer remember or mourn.”
I’m trying to hold fast to the one [paraphrased] ‘train them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord and they will not depart.’
I hope and pray for all - esp. my kids and other loved ones - but I see more reasons for doubt than unbridled joy - I think it’s mostly b/c of the current state of US cultures.
I do hope we’ll see every liberal begin repenting soon over the Sanctity of Life and of Marriage - rather than this sick embrace of abortion and sexual perversions.