Living In The Light

June 25, Spiritual Health At Home

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
—Matthew 18:10 LL 187.1

Religion should be interwoven with all the concerns of life. Parents should patiently and lovingly instruct their children, that they may have a knowledge of Christ and His love, call upon His name, and follow in His footsteps. But instead of this, there is great neglect on the part of parents to rear their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. How carefully should the little ones be trained for the service of the Lord, how faithfully instructed in the lessons of Christ! But unless parents are diligent, interested students of the Bible; unless they learn the practical lessons which Jesus taught, they cannot educate their children in the Word of the Lord. What excuse can the professed followers of Christ offer for neglecting to train their children in such a way that they will for the sake of advancing the work of Christ, bind about their wants in dress, and avoid all extravagance and display? The children should be educated in such a way that they will have sympathy for the aged and afflicted, and lend all the help in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in the missionary work; and from their earliest years, principles of self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God. LL 187.2

Parents have not borne their God-given responsibility; and as a result, many children among us are growing up with no knowledge of God, doing nothing for Him who has purchased them with His own blood. They have not been taught to wear the yoke and lift the burden of Christ, and they ignore all responsibility in the religious life. . . . LL 187.3

This home missionary work, this home field, has been shamefully neglected, and it is time that divine resources and remedies were presented, that this state of evil may be healed. If parents would see a different state of things in their families, let them consecrate themselves wholly to God, and the Lord will devise ways and means whereby a transformation may take place in their households. Let the church awake, let every member take up their individual work, and vindicate the name of the Lord by which they are called.— Review and Herald, February 21, 1893. LL 187.4

Further Reflection: : Pray for God’s blessing on all families and children today. LL 187.5