“Their children did likewise, and their children’s children - as their fathers did, so they do to this day” (II Kings 17:41).

As I’ve read and re-read this verse, I can’t help but notice that it has the potential to represent both good and bad news for us. What I mean by that is that a father’s life can impact his children in one of two ways. It can either promote or hinder the degree to which his sons and daughters become more Christ-like throughout their lives. I see this principle demonstrated almost weekly. Here’s what I mean by that.

All too frequently I hear a dad or mom say something like this: “My son or daughter has turned their back on the church and on God.” Why did this happen? Friends, although there is no sure and certain guarantee that any child will not turn their back on God, in the overwhelming number of instances when I hear parents express such things, there is at least a slight component of parental spiritual neglect in their history. Now don’t get me wrong. No mother or father should feel their child’s rejection of the things of God is their fault. Yet having said that, who can argue with the simple reality that our children have either been exposed to a healthy Christ-like faith or a watered down surface Christianity? Either way, they were affected by what they were exposed to; would you agree?

These principles are on my mind because of the overwhelming number of babies born to our church families over the past year or so. I see the excitement in the faces of our young mothers and fathers. I see their desire to raise their children to know Jesus Christ as their Savior, while at the same time I know how pressing life becomes and how easy it is to lose the early zeal new parents have to raise their children to be godly. All of us (and I mean all of us), no matter if we still have children in our home or if they are out from under our daily care, bear a responsibility to go to war on our knees for our children. Parents, is prayer your top priority for your children? Further, as a church are we making prayer for our little ones a major focus?

I’ve come to see that adopting a “wartime mentality” for our children is the only way to bring God’s resources to bear in our joint fight against the forces that seek to capture our children’s hearts and minds. Yes, we are at war! To think otherwise is foolish. Think about it in this manner. This past week the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Americans travelling abroad. The threat of violence is increased worldwide against Americans. Is the threat any less for our children? The passage I cited above is a warning we dare not miss for it has eternal implications. Fight with me in prayer for our kids, will you?

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all of our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment… There is no one who calls upon Your name, who rouses himself to take hold of You” (Isaiah 64:6-7).

The message of the Bible is clear and unmistakable. We have done nothing, and can do nothing, to merit the mercy and favor of God. All of our attempts to earn God’s favor in the performance of the flesh are as filthy rags in God’s sight. Hence, a radical understanding of the sinfulness of man calls for a radical plan of salvation; one that originates, is sustained, and is ultimately carried out by God.

This was Jesus’ message to Nicodemus. Listen to a sample of what He said: “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God… God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” There is no way to mistake Jesus’ words. Salvation comes not through the effort of man, but through the gracious gift of God for those who place their faith in Him as their Savior.

This is the message of the gospel; and further, this is the message we are to proclaim as individuals and as a church. How are you doing in this regard? When is the last time you told someone about Jesus? I know of no more effective plan of evangelism than for God’s people to tell others about Jesus and God’s offer of salvation through His name.

Can I encourage you to be more intentional about sensing the opportunities God places before you to speak about Jesus? You don’t have to be a theologian to speak of what Jesus has done in your life. It’s your own personal story of salvation. No one knows it better than you; therefore no one can share it better than you. And the best part is that you don’t have to worry about the results. It’s God that provides new life to those who respond to His call as you tell them about Jesus. Our job is in the telling. His job is in the “saving”.

My guess is that each of us misses at least one opportunity per week to tell someone about what Jesus has done for us. The Apostle Paul put it well when he wrote, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” God calls your efforts to tell others about His Son “beautiful”. Join with me in seeking opportunities to speak of Jesus. He will care for the results as we faithfully bring “good news” to those we come in contact with each week.