Are We Not Children? - by Elizabeth Reynolds
I've talked before on what we can learn from children. Things we see in them that we should aspire to - their innocence, child-like faith, curiosity etc.
But this time, I want to talk about the not-so charming traits that children possess - because their's plenty of them - the tantrums, the selfishness, the diobedience...
Not long ago I finished reading Paul David Tripp’s book “Parenting: 14 Gospel Prinicples That Can Radically Change Your Family”. And in it, there's a wonderful concept that it emphasises in one of the chapters and it comes from Psalm 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
It means that every single moment we are parenting our children, the heavenly Father is also parenting us.
There is a Christian concept that is quite controversial to the world. Something that a lot of people struggle with. And that is, that we are BORN sinful. That new born babies are full of sin. Some people won't accept that - they're innocent, they're new and perfect and clean. Their hearts are pure. But what about for example, self-centredness? When does that begin? You could say it's already there - when they come out of the womb. All the baby is thinking about is themself. I need feeding. I need cuddling. I need sleep. I need my nappy changed. Me me me me! Now you might say - wait a minute, that's fair enough - that's just a baby's NATURE.
Well, it's human nature actually.
Let’s first just clear up what sin IS exactly. Sin is anything that might separate us from God because it is against His will for us. And it's probably against His will because it's harmful in some way - whether it's harmful to others, or harmful to ourselves physically or spiritually.
Let's think about the nature of children. They have an attitude that they're 'entitled'. They are demanding, materialistic, complaining. They act as if they are the centre of the universe - that life should do their bidding. They say hurtful things, whether before or after thinking about it, adn they think they know better than their parents, teachers and other elders. Sin makes them like this. And therefore, sin makes parenting difficult, demanding and exhausting.
But if we think on this little list of traits that children have: demanding, materialistic, complaining, self-centered etc... it doesn't really seem all that different from some other human beings in the world that I can think of... like... perhaps... you and me. Adults.
We're no different really. We may have grown up, matured, make better, wiser choices - but often any good or kind, selfless act, goes against our nature. It's harder to do the right thing than it is to do the wrong thing. It doesn't take much effort to be selfish. It doesn't take much courage to be lazy or thoughtless. It's easier to do wrong - and that reveals to us (can I even go so far as to say that it's proof) that we have and we are born with a sinful nature.
We are a danger to ourselves and need protection. And that's what God gave us when He gave us the law. When you're discipling a child, it's for their benefit. Any parent will know that - Christian or not. So it's not such a huge stretch of the mind to go ahead and say that when God gives His laws, He gives them for our benefit. We can understand that they are to rescue us. But we don't only need the law. We need grace. Because if we accept that we are sinful by nature, we're going to stuff up. We're going to sin. We can't get away from that. If the law was enough to protect and save us, Jesus would never have had to come and die on the cross.
Luckily God is not only just, He is also merciful. He gives us grace. The law can't save us. If it did we'd all be perfect already and never sin. The law only REVEALS our sinfulness. It convicts us of what we've done wrong - what we do wrong... but then what? We're stuck there.
So we desparately need God's resuing, forgiving, transforming, and delivering grace. And not just once. Every single day.
One of the most beautiful things about God's grace is that it welcomes you to fresh starts and new beginnings. This means two things. First, it means it's never too late to receive it. And second, it means you can never ask for it too many times. There's no limit on God's grace. Because we need it at any moment, it's there - any and every moment.
Parents should be able to get a special insight into the heart of God. You give out the law to your kids, but they will disobey the law at some point because it's their nature. It's hard for them to follow. How many times have you had to forgive your children? And for most parents who love their children, it's just - what - you do! You keep on forgiving. There are consequences - but then grace pours out. Because you love them, because they're adorable, because they look so precious when they're asleep... this is how God feels about us. He loves us too much to let us suffer in our own wrong-doings. He wants to pour out the grace. He longs to embrace us and comfort us when we need it the most - when we've messed up. Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the rightous, but sinners."
So remember God's brilliant and perfect parenting plan of making a way for us to be right with Him - forgiven, rescued, transformed, delivered. Loved, embraced and welcomed into a new fresh start - over and over again.
I've talked before on what we can learn from children. Things we see in them that we should aspire to - their innocence, child-like faith, curiosity etc.
But this time, I want to talk about the not-so charming traits that children possess - because their's plenty of them - the tantrums, the selfishness, the diobedience...
Not long ago I finished reading Paul David Tripp’s book “Parenting: 14 Gospel Prinicples That Can Radically Change Your Family”. And in it, there's a wonderful concept that it emphasises in one of the chapters and it comes from Psalm 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
It means that every single moment we are parenting our children, the heavenly Father is also parenting us.
There is a Christian concept that is quite controversial to the world. Something that a lot of people struggle with. And that is, that we are BORN sinful. That new born babies are full of sin. Some people won't accept that - they're innocent, they're new and perfect and clean. Their hearts are pure. But what about for example, self-centredness? When does that begin? You could say it's already there - when they come out of the womb. All the baby is thinking about is themself. I need feeding. I need cuddling. I need sleep. I need my nappy changed. Me me me me! Now you might say - wait a minute, that's fair enough - that's just a baby's NATURE.
Well, it's human nature actually.
Let’s first just clear up what sin IS exactly. Sin is anything that might separate us from God because it is against His will for us. And it's probably against His will because it's harmful in some way - whether it's harmful to others, or harmful to ourselves physically or spiritually.
Let's think about the nature of children. They have an attitude that they're 'entitled'. They are demanding, materialistic, complaining. They act as if they are the centre of the universe - that life should do their bidding. They say hurtful things, whether before or after thinking about it, adn they think they know better than their parents, teachers and other elders. Sin makes them like this. And therefore, sin makes parenting difficult, demanding and exhausting.
But if we think on this little list of traits that children have: demanding, materialistic, complaining, self-centered etc... it doesn't really seem all that different from some other human beings in the world that I can think of... like... perhaps... you and me. Adults.
We're no different really. We may have grown up, matured, make better, wiser choices - but often any good or kind, selfless act, goes against our nature. It's harder to do the right thing than it is to do the wrong thing. It doesn't take much effort to be selfish. It doesn't take much courage to be lazy or thoughtless. It's easier to do wrong - and that reveals to us (can I even go so far as to say that it's proof) that we have and we are born with a sinful nature.
We are a danger to ourselves and need protection. And that's what God gave us when He gave us the law. When you're discipling a child, it's for their benefit. Any parent will know that - Christian or not. So it's not such a huge stretch of the mind to go ahead and say that when God gives His laws, He gives them for our benefit. We can understand that they are to rescue us. But we don't only need the law. We need grace. Because if we accept that we are sinful by nature, we're going to stuff up. We're going to sin. We can't get away from that. If the law was enough to protect and save us, Jesus would never have had to come and die on the cross.
Luckily God is not only just, He is also merciful. He gives us grace. The law can't save us. If it did we'd all be perfect already and never sin. The law only REVEALS our sinfulness. It convicts us of what we've done wrong - what we do wrong... but then what? We're stuck there.
So we desparately need God's resuing, forgiving, transforming, and delivering grace. And not just once. Every single day.
One of the most beautiful things about God's grace is that it welcomes you to fresh starts and new beginnings. This means two things. First, it means it's never too late to receive it. And second, it means you can never ask for it too many times. There's no limit on God's grace. Because we need it at any moment, it's there - any and every moment.
Parents should be able to get a special insight into the heart of God. You give out the law to your kids, but they will disobey the law at some point because it's their nature. It's hard for them to follow. How many times have you had to forgive your children? And for most parents who love their children, it's just - what - you do! You keep on forgiving. There are consequences - but then grace pours out. Because you love them, because they're adorable, because they look so precious when they're asleep... this is how God feels about us. He loves us too much to let us suffer in our own wrong-doings. He wants to pour out the grace. He longs to embrace us and comfort us when we need it the most - when we've messed up. Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the rightous, but sinners."
So remember God's brilliant and perfect parenting plan of making a way for us to be right with Him - forgiven, rescued, transformed, delivered. Loved, embraced and welcomed into a new fresh start - over and over again.
I've talked before on what we can learn from children. Things we see in them that we should aspire to - their innocence, child-like faith, curiosity etc.
But this time, I want to talk about the not-so charming traits that children possess - because their's plenty of them - the tantrums, the selfishness, the diobedience...
Not long ago I finished reading Paul David Tripp’s book “Parenting: 14 Gospel Prinicples That Can Radically Change Your Family”. And in it, there's a wonderful concept that it emphasises in one of the chapters and it comes from Psalm 103:13
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
It means that every single moment we are parenting our children, the heavenly Father is also parenting us.
There is a Christian concept that is quite controversial to the world. Something that a lot of people struggle with. And that is, that we are BORN sinful. That new born babies are full of sin. Some people won't accept that - they're innocent, they're new and perfect and clean. Their hearts are pure. But what about for example, self-centredness? When does that begin? You could say it's already there - when they come out of the womb. All the baby is thinking about is themself. I need feeding. I need cuddling. I need sleep. I need my nappy changed. Me me me me! Now you might say - wait a minute, that's fair enough - that's just a baby's NATURE.
Well, it's human nature actually.
Let’s first just clear up what sin IS exactly. Sin is anything that might separate us from God because it is against His will for us. And it's probably against His will because it's harmful in some way - whether it's harmful to others, or harmful to ourselves physically or spiritually.
Let's think about the nature of children. They have an attitude that they're 'entitled'. They are demanding, materialistic, complaining. They act as if they are the centre of the universe - that life should do their bidding. They say hurtful things, whether before or after thinking about it, adn they think they know better than their parents, teachers and other elders. Sin makes them like this. And therefore, sin makes parenting difficult, demanding and exhausting.
But if we think on this little list of traits that children have: demanding, materialistic, complaining, self-centered etc... it doesn't really seem all that different from some other human beings in the world that I can think of... like... perhaps... you and me. Adults.
We're no different really. We may have grown up, matured, make better, wiser choices - but often any good or kind, selfless act, goes against our nature. It's harder to do the right thing than it is to do the wrong thing. It doesn't take much effort to be selfish. It doesn't take much courage to be lazy or thoughtless. It's easier to do wrong - and that reveals to us (can I even go so far as to say that it's proof) that we have and we are born with a sinful nature.
We are a danger to ourselves and need protection. And that's what God gave us when He gave us the law. When you're discipling a child, it's for their benefit. Any parent will know that - Christian or not. So it's not such a huge stretch of the mind to go ahead and say that when God gives His laws, He gives them for our benefit. We can understand that they are to rescue us. But we don't only need the law. We need grace. Because if we accept that we are sinful by nature, we're going to stuff up. We're going to sin. We can't get away from that. If the law was enough to protect and save us, Jesus would never have had to come and die on the cross.
Luckily God is not only just, He is also merciful. He gives us grace. The law can't save us. If it did we'd all be perfect already and never sin. The law only REVEALS our sinfulness. It convicts us of what we've done wrong - what we do wrong... but then what? We're stuck there.
So we desparately need God's resuing, forgiving, transforming, and delivering grace. And not just once. Every single day.
One of the most beautiful things about God's grace is that it welcomes you to fresh starts and new beginnings. This means two things. First, it means it's never too late to receive it. And second, it means you can never ask for it too many times. There's no limit on God's grace. Because we need it at any moment, it's there - any and every moment.
Parents should be able to get a special insight into the heart of God. You give out the law to your kids, but they will disobey the law at some point because it's their nature. It's hard for them to follow. How many times have you had to forgive your children? And for most parents who love their children, it's just - what - you do! You keep on forgiving. There are consequences - but then grace pours out. Because you love them, because they're adorable, because they look so precious when they're asleep... this is how God feels about us. He loves us too much to let us suffer in our own wrong-doings. He wants to pour out the grace. He longs to embrace us and comfort us when we need it the most - when we've messed up. Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the rightous, but sinners."
So remember God's brilliant and perfect parenting plan of making a way for us to be right with Him - forgiven, rescued, transformed, delivered. Loved, embraced and welcomed into a new fresh start - over and over again.