Parents have an incredible responsibility when it comes to raising their children. In order to please God, the goal of every parent must be, as much as depends upon them, to make sure their children go to heaven. More than wanting their child to be an accomplished athlete; more than the desire to help their child make good grades in school; more than helping them to become financially successful; Christian parents want their children to go to heaven. I have never had a Christian parent tell me that heaven was not their first priority for their children. And yet, in many homes children are leaving the Lord soon after they leave home. Why? Some parents immediately begin to place blame on others. “My children have been failed by the church,” they exclaim. Does God hold the church accountable for your children’s faithfulness?
The apostle Paul instructed fathers to bring their children up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). That is not a suggestion from God. It is a command. God does not command that which is not possible. The same God that said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:16), also said, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Certainly there are exceptions to this rule (i.e. the prodigal son, Lk. 15:11-32). But the exceptions are very few, and far between, if parents have truly trained their child in the way they should go.
Obviously, to train a child in the way he should go (the nurture and admonition of the Lord) the home’s atmosphere must be spiritual. For this to be possible those providing the training (parents) must first be spiritual.
Is your home spiritual? Yes? In comparison to what? The homes of other families in your neighborhood? The homes of other families in the church? Is your home at least 50 percent more spiritual than other homes in the church family? Congratulations! Your home is the best of the worst and the worst of the best. Faithfulness is not determined by how we compare with others (Mat. 7:21).
What is it about your home that makes it spiritual? Does your family attend church services every Sunday morning and evening? So do many of your neighbors. Are you and your children in Bible class every Sunday morning and Wednesday night? So are many of your neighbors. Is your home free from the immoral behavior of the world? So are the homes of many of your neighbors. What is it about your home that makes it spiritual?
In your neighborhood there are many homes that may be described as good, but, not necessarily spiritual. Would your friends and neighbors describe your home as a spiritual home, or, a good home? Would those with whom you come into regular contact describe you as spiritual? Do people think of your children as spiritual children, or, good children? Would it embarrass your children to be described by their friends as being spiritual? Would your children feel awkward to hear you praise them for being spiritual?
A spiritual home is a Christ-centered home. Everything revolves around pleasing the Lord Whether it be business, pleasure, education, relationships, etc., everything is based upon pleasing God (Col. 3:17). Would your children say this is the case in their home? How often do God and His will enter into the discussions in your home?
In Deut. 6:6-8 we read, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
Does God expect less spiritual instruction today by parents to their children than He did under the Law of Moses? Do parents have less time today to help their children to go to heaven than those under the Old Law? If providing for a family’s physical needs interferes with meeting their spiritual needs, then, too much time is being spent trying to provide for that which is temporary (Mat. 6:19-20).
Would your children say that you are neglectful when it comes to physically feeding them every day? Probably not. Would your children say that you are feeding them spiritually every day? Which is more important (Mat. 4:4)?
Spiritual homes produce spiritual children. Spiritual children remain faithful to the Lord (Prov. 22:6). Is your home spiritual?
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