Growing Up

Each year at this time, family members travel to a small town in central lower Michigan. It's family reunion time!

It's interesting to watch the children interact - a small microcosm of American society. Some are wild, while others are more reserved. Some are little schemers, trying to get their way. Then they pout when they don't succeed.

In contrast, there are other children who show respect for their elders and are polite in their ways. These gems honor their parents and are polite in their actions.

So what causes the difference? What happened in their upbringing to cause such a noticable divergence? Discipline? Maturity? Rebuke? 

Yes! All of the above.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

My wife recently observed how much like our parents she and I have become. She's right. We learn a lot about life and respect for others, or just the opposite, by observing our parents and mimicking their behavior.

In today's world we see lawlessness becoming more and more prevalent. The percentage of our population professing faith in Jesus is on the decline. Coincidence?  Or cause and effect?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

Could it be that, as the percentage of Christians declines, so does our society?

The proof is in our bigger cities, where criminals commit their crimes and then are released back into society with little or no punishment. Without rebuke, without punishment 'and justice for all, ' we deteriorate as a society. God knows all of this.

"A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." - Proverbs 13:1

The Bible gives us all of the instruction we need as parents to 'raise up our children in the way they should go.' Our problem is that we parents are not obedient to our Father in heaven.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts." - James 4:7-8