Free Will
Free Will
By 15, my son had completely stopped going to church. He didn’t want to be a “hypocrite.” He always had a reason to leave the house during our weekly Bible study. He said, “Don’t you know you have surfing druggies in our house?”
God loves us so much that He gives us free will. I gave my son free will. God gave me a promise during the foundational years -- “Bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is grown he will not depart from it.” Therefore, as hard as it is to step back, I knew I had done my part. I knew that my son had to find a personal relationship with God on his own.
God is our hope and promise. He is in control and He does perform miracles. We are part of His family and He does love us. Even when we are in serious trouble, we do not need to be afraid, but just trust Him. He is concerned about our daily needs, as well as our problems. He can see the big picture and knows what is best for us. We need to rest in Him, obey Him, and seek His will daily through prayer and reading the scriptures. God looks at our hearts. Our problems can bring us closer to God and heal our hearts, so we can reflect His light and love to others.
Although I took a few steps back during this period, I still maintained contact. I kept certain boundaries in place. I continued to lead by Christian example wherever I could. His father wanted to send our son to an East Coast prep school. I won this debate with his father, and kept him around for a few more crucial years. I obtained a master’s degree during this period. That process set a good example for my son, and extended our kitchen counter study sessions for a few more formative years.
Carry out my instructions;
don't forsake them.
Guard them,
for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.
(Proverbs 4:13)
What do you think?
We have all sinned and deserve God’s judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
What is your response?
What is your response?
