Safeguard your investment in your children, part eleven

Previously: Safeguard your investment in your children, part ten

So we have previously seen that obedience is key to safeguarding our investment in our children. Our obedience to the Lord, that is. The church is so steeped in grace -- and grace is a good thing, do not get me wrong -- but it is so steeped in grace that obedience has kind of fallen by the wayside as optional, something to do if it is convenient. If 50% of Christian men are currently involved in [p-rn]ography, then those 50% have treated obedience as an option, haven't they? "I can quit tomorrow and get forgiveness."

Well, yes. The problem is, however, that if any of us are sinning today because we think we can get forgiveness tomorrow, as an excuse to be weak and indulge in sin today, we are treading on very dangerous ground.

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:1-4

This explains one of Jesus' prophecies concerning His second coming:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Matthew 7:21-23

John said we can be sure that we know Jesus by a simple test: do we keep His commandments? Jesus said that the one who loved Him would keep His commandments. For the one who does not keep His commandments, but who says, "I know Jesus!" is a liar, according to John. And not only do they not know Jesus whom they are deceived into thinking they know, but Jesus said that He does not know them, either -- those who practice (make a daily habit of) lawlessness.

What law, I ask myself, is He concerned that we are ignoring? Man's law, or God's law? Surely not man's law, for He said that he who did the will of His Father in heaven will enter the kingdom. So it is surely God's will and His law, which is the expression of His will, with which Jesus is concerned.

The Christian who lives by grace, and for whom obedience is an option, who cherishes secret sins thinking he can always repent tomorrow and be forgiven, is making a daily habit of lawlessness. Isn't he? He is busy building his household on the sand, even if he believes the right doctrine, goes to the right church, and homeschools his children. His children will go into captivity, the Lord says -- and 90% of them are leaving the church for the bondage of the world. And one day Jesus will return, at a day and time of which we are unaware, and repentance tomorrow will no longer be an option.

Repent today! Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, but submit your heart to the Lord in love and obey His voice, and live, you, and your children with you!

***

Update: continued in Safeguard your investment in your children, part twelve