1 Peter 5:5
Humility, the quality of being modest or respectful, and
whom is Peter exhorting to perform in this manner, and to whom are they to show
this respect? Anyone who was of a
younger age than the elder that God had placed over them. How our culture has changed, we no
longer teach humility at home, at school, at church, or to our children. What has this non-biblical view of the
world brought about, some of the most arrogant, rude, unkind, boastful youth,
who are bored, who want their own way, and many seem irritated and even
resentful to all authority.
If you are vaguely familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, the love
chapter, you understand these are the opposite of love, the example of a
culture who had a better plan outside of the authority of Scripture. We have come a long way in 69 years, we
have bought into many lies on training our children, and the report card has
revealed that as a culture we did not pass. So we as a society have taken note, we looked back at
history and we examined things from God’s view on rearing children and have
agreed; we sinned. No, that is
just wrong! As a culture, we have
believed some man with a P.H.D. behind his name, a man created by God in the
same manner as us, who said I have a better plan than the Creator, and my plan
will not be harsh, it will give your children freedom to become whatever they
choose. And it has worked well,
they have chosen laziness, not humility, they have chosen disrespect for
authority not respect, they have chosen arrogance, rudeness, unkindness and
being boastful, and resent all authority.
Note: It’s not a new problem, we have had it for over forty years.
Just a note to Christian parents; {you are not in the role
of friend, you are in the role of authority.} A child will often drop a friend if they do not meet their
expectations, and that is why your role as parent is not to be a buddy, it’s
parent, trainer, encourager, and disciplinarian, but showing much wisdom and
love.
Can we as a Christian people change the culture? Sure we can, is it not clear that the
non-Christian culture has changed the way you and I look at the world, yes our
world-view has been changed; we have invited that culture into our homes, into
our churches, and many still believe that we must use the tools and methods of
the world to draw the youth into our churches.
It has taken me sometime to understand these truths, and in
them we find the answer to how we allow a culture to come to this very low
point. First truth; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are
your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” So the first thing that is required is confession;
Dear Father, we did not believe you, we tried doing it our way, we were wrong,
will you forgive our actions and teach us Your ways again on raising our
children to be godly adults, with their life centered in love and respect for
all authority. The second truth
is; “The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have
life and have it abundantly.” Jesus
said that, and it almost seems like they should not be in the same
sentence. That is until the Holy
Spirit shows us this truth, we are not in a battle, it’s a full blown war, a
war that has no rest to remove the wounded, the enemy, the devil, old Satan
himself, and all that comes under his authority has one goal, to steal and kill
and destroy, and so he has put into the hearts of men and women a spirit of
rebellion, a better way to live life, not under the authority of the
Scriptures, not under the control of the Holy Spirit. Yes, it’s a battle that many who claim the name of Christian
have no understanding of, and many are killed and destroyed. Many have seen
their children stolen away into this present darkness, and they turn their
anger, their disappointment, on the child or those who were used by the evil
one. It is time, the hour is late,
we must confess, we are in a battle for our families, and our culture will
follow the success or failure of the Christian family. The bottom line is, do you believe that
Jesus tells the truth? If so,
awake you sleepers!
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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