Are Our Kids Pretending?
“Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." Mark 4:16-17, 20
My sister and I recently went through our mother’s hope chest, a large wooden chest, lined with cedar, that holds sweet mementos and family treasures. We found cards congratulating them on their marriage, then cards celebrating a coming child. Among the things inside were her wedding dress and our father’s military uniform jacket. We pulled out the jacket and held it up. It was a pensive moment, seeing his jacket and remembering all we loved about Dad. Had I put it on, it may have fit me, but it wouldn’t mean I was a member of the U.S. Air Force. The jacket wasn’t mine. I couldn’t wear it and step into active service, because the simple act of putting on my father’s uniform didn’t qualify me to serve. When people do this and try to convince others of heroic service it’s called ‘stolen valor’ and is considered fraudulent and treated as a crime. It perpetuates a lie.
When it comes to faith, it’s much the same. When you stand before God, you cannot ‘wear’ that which belongs to your parents or grandparents. You must have your own. Faith isn’t inherited. It is personally embraced, believed, and followed, individually, and intentionally. It is personal and purposeful for each one who chooses to follow Jesus by their own will and conviction. We can’t consider ourselves a follower of Christ just because a family member was or is. No, we must choose to follow because we are persuaded and convicted in our spirit that Jesus is Lord and Savior and there is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). And God doesn’t see our sons and daughters as believers just because we are. Read that again.
Mark 4 talks about this very thing in regards to faith. The passage in Mark 4 discusses the ‘seed’ or the truth of the gospel as it reaches people’s hearts. Mark uses two distinct words (underlined to highlight) that show the difference between those who casually know about Jesus and those who choose to follow Him.
Mark 4:16 discusses those who receive the word, with joy, yet, their faith doesn’t ‘stick’. It doesn’t take root…why? The word receive is the Greek word lambano it means “to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it (1).” You can receive something, even with joy, and then set it aside. It remains unused, almost unclaimed. You took it, but didn’t do anything with it. You may receive the sweater Grandma knitted for you. You thank the giver, but if you never wear it, did you ever really identify with the gift? Did you make it your own? No, it hangs in the closet, unused, impersonal, ineffective because you didn’t choose to make it your own. You received it, then turned away.
But Mark 4:20 explains a different scene, “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop…” The difference here is that they accept the Word.
The word accept is the Greek word paradechomai and it means “to delight in, receive, take upon oneself”(2), it’s a choice to take on what is offered, to put it on and make it your own. It was made for you, not another, and you embrace the gift.
But if, when Grandma gives you that sweater, you put it on and take delight in accepting the gift; you make it your own. The sweater becomes part of your person and you identify yourself with the gift, demonstrating that you received it, accepted it, and delight in it. That is true acceptance. You allow others to see you in that sweater. They know it is yours. You didn’t swipe it out of someone else’s closet, and you didn’t simply try to put your name on something that belongs to someone else. No, the sweater was made for you and you wear it proudly. That is acceptance.
When we stand before the Throne and answer to God for our choices, for who and what we chose to worship, we cannot rely on the faith of another. We cannot say, “My mother believed in You and so I’m counted worthy.” “My father followed Jesus faithfully, so I’m covered.” No, faith is individual and each one must make the choice for themselves. God extends His gift of salvation to each one. Yes, generations can follow Jesus, but each individual person decides for themselves. It is not inherited or passed along. It’s not assumed that because a parent believes in Jesus, the children are covered.
We must choose for ourselves Who we will serve and then live out our faith with confidence, conviction, and a personal pursuit of holiness allowing the Holy Spirit to move and work in our hearts, teach us, convict us, comfort and sustain us until we stand before the Lord when our life here is through. When God looks on us, He sees Jesus because we accepted Jesus as the substitutionary sacrifice for our sin. We don’t have to pay for our sin- Jesus did. But unless we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are lost.
John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–”
Here are some questions to ponder:
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, or are you resting on someone else’s faith, hoping that it will qualify you for redemption and eternal life?
Did you ‘receive’ faith but you failed to accept it as your own?
Friend, today is the day. Will you choose to surrender your heart to Jesus Christ or will you set Him aside? And will our sons and daughters make their faith their own or will they believe the delusion that they can slide into heaven on the faith of their parents?
How do you accept Jesus as Lord?
Simply pray this prayer, “Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner- I think, say, and do things that are wrong. I am selfish. I am broken. But I believe You died on the cross to pay for my sin. You took the punishment I deserved so I would not have to suffer. You were buried and then rose from the grave, conquering death and sin, once for all. I believe You are my Lord and Savior. You are the One I choose to follow, yield to, and worship. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Give me joy, peace, and eternal life beyond the grave. I pray that You would make me new and allow others to see that I am not who I was, but I am made new in Jesus Christ. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, I would love to hear from you! If you’re unsure and have questions, reach out!
Choosing to put your faith in and follow Jesus is not difficult. Some may say it’s too simple. But that’s the thing…salvation is not based on our doing, it’s based on our believing and surrendering to God so He can do the work in us.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
I am praying for each one of you who reads this. I’m praying for your sons and daughters, too, that those who need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior would come to Him. I’m praying that those who follow Jesus and identify with Him would let it be evident in their lives: their words and their actions.
Don’t grow weary in praying for your sons and daughters. God isn’t finished working. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Are you praying for a prodigal? The same holds true. God is not finished. He has a plan that is beyond our comprehension and perception. Trust Him. Continue praying. He is working all things for our good and His glory. Praise Him!
Pray without ceasing.
G2983 - lambanō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2983/niv/mgnt/0-1/G3858 - paradechomai - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3858/niv/mgnt/0-1/