When we see someone we love fall away; it is easy to idolize them and remember something that is an illusion. It is also easy to compare what someone was in the past to what they are now. As much as we love someone (and I'm thinking of my ex wife here) when they are determined to follow a course of rebellion (and in her case adultery) obviously the relationship is shattered and only with repentance things can change. Given that I haven't heard for a number of years from her that doesn't seem likely.
I don't have any kids but I'm sure there are those out there who have raised them in the fear and admonition of the Lord in loving homes. The presence of angels beholding the Father in heaven is stated in scripture but of course once they grow up things change. We can be encouraged that some who stray far have a Prodigal son moment; but statistically of course that is only a fraction of a percentage. Nonetheless we should not give up in prayer; but we need to keep ourselves from being totally destroyed emotionally. I am still working on that after 10 years from the date of my divorce being finalized.
Our love for God has to be preeminent above all other loyalties; Christ uses the word "hate" ( Luke 14:26). Naturally given the context of so many passages on God's love and His demonstration of ultimate Agape illustrated in 1 John repeatedly as well as many other passages it is hatred compared to unconditional love. Jesus ultimately loved the Father as the example in His life; hence there may be people He didn't heal as indicated because of unbelief in His own hometown. That is the key to the context here; we shouldn't allow our own personal lives to drive a wedge in our ministry but in the same token we have to balance responsibilities with a wife and children; and as Peter did can involve them on our travels.
We must trust God and lean not on our own understanding; and this means not to idolize or be controlled either
When we see someone we love fall away; it is easy to idolize them and remember something that is an illusion. It is also easy to compare what someone was in the past to what they are now. As much as we love someone (and I'm thinking of my ex wife here) when they are determined to follow a course of rebellion (and in her case adultery) obviously the relationship is shattered and only with repentance things can change. Given that I haven't heard for a number of years from her that doesn't seem likely.
I don't have any kids but I'm sure there are those out there who have raised them in the fear and admonition of the Lord in loving homes. The presence of angels beholding the Father in heaven is stated in scripture but of course once they grow up things change. We can be encouraged that some who stray far have a Prodigal son moment; but statistically of course that is only a fraction of a percentage. Nonetheless we should not give up in prayer; but we need to keep ourselves from being totally destroyed emotionally. I am still working on that after 10 years from the date of my divorce being finalized.
Our love for God has to be preeminent above all other loyalties; Christ uses the word "hate" ( Luke 14:26). Naturally given the context of so many passages on God's love and His demonstration of ultimate Agape illustrated in 1 John repeatedly as well as many other passages it is hatred compared to unconditional love. Jesus ultimately loved the Father as the example in His life; hence there may be people He didn't heal as indicated because of unbelief in His own hometown. That is the key to the context here; we shouldn't allow our own personal lives to drive a wedge in our ministry but in the same token we have to balance responsibilities with a wife and children; and as Peter did can involve them on our travels.
We must trust God and lean not on our own understanding; and this means not to idolize or be controlled either
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?