If you say that you love me

I just came down stairs from tucking my kids into their beds. We had a very good Bible Study this evening. It actually began with an unfortunate tone... with discipline. They were both having a difficult time obeying the words of their mother this evening. Look at me. I make that sound as though it's some kind of disorder... "they were having a difficult time...". The truth is, they were choosing to disobey. Call it what it is, right.

Anyway, after some redirection from their father they finally made it in and out of the shower, and into their beds. Before reading the passage from 1 John tonight I took them on a little reminder of what 1 John has been saying up to this point, and how it related to our evening. And a beautiful thing happened. They got it! They put it together. They applied the scipture to their lives. My seven year old and four year practiced hermeneutics this evening.

We took this journey of questions...

"Who am I?"
"You're our Daddy."
"Good. Who are you?"
"We are your children."
"That's correct. Next question. Do I love you?"
"Yes, we know that you love us, Daddy."
"Very good. Do you love me?"
(nearly in tears) "Yes. We love you and Mommy."
"Okay, now that we understand all of that, I have just one more question. If you know that I am your Dad and you are my kids, and you know that I love you and you love me, then what should you do?"
"Listen, and obey."
"Yes. Listen and obey. The proof that you really do love your Mommy and me is that you obey what we tell you to do."

And I went on to remind them that our family rules are really very simple and not burdonsome. We want them to (1) obey their Mom and Dad, and (2) have fun. Having fun, enjoying one another is the ultimate rule. That's actually Number ONE. But "having fun" cannot happen unless "obedience" is taking place. The moment there is disobedience there is also an absence of fun. And they found that out this evening. They understood it because it came to life for them.

I reminded them that God's rules for us are exactly the same. He wants to enjoy us, and He wants us to enjoy Him. But if He has to spend most of the time doing discipline then our lives with Him become no fun.

He is our God, and we are His kids. If we really know that He loves us, and we love Him... well, then obedience should be no problem for us. Because we ultimately trust that everything He wishes for us is GOOD and promotes life and enjoyment of our lives with Him. If we really know that, then obedience is not a problem.

Obedience is not just something you do to prove that you love your Father. Obedience is the natural result of that love. If there is no obedience, then there is no love. If obedience has to be forced or seems like a duty or obligation... then you have to wonder if the same action is true for love. Is your love also forced? A duty, or obligation to fulfill?

As I prayed with my son and daughter this evening I could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit confirming our study and discussion. It was as powerful as any church service I have ever been in or any sermon I have ever preached. I knew they were growing closer to Jesus. And so was I.

Comments

[michael harris]

Chris u r definitly on the right track because the goal of teaching our children is to make them wise (Prov. 1:2-6; 8:33; 9:9; 13:14; 15:33; 19:20), the essence of which is fearing and loving the Lord. By fearing God, children acquire insight, turn from evil; lead longer and richer lives. Biblical wisdom (hokmah) does not mean having a high IQ; it means being skillful or experienced in godly living. To acquire this wisdom, children r to listen to parental instruction, and to pursue wisdom vigorously. This involves heeding parental discipline and verbal reproof. Prov. 22:6 sums up parental responsibilities: "Train up a child in the way he should go."