Gospel-Centered Sanctification: September 2005 Archives
Parents have it rough. I know mine did. And I was the main reason for that. Think about all they have to do. Diapers, cooking, cleaning, spanking, listening to fighting & whining. And that's all before breakfast!
Now, I know what your thinking. "What can C-dog possibly know about parenting? He has no experience. And what in the world does the Gospel have to do w/ parenting" Well, you're right. I have no experience. But then again, how much experience do any of us have rearing our first child? And the Gospel only has everything to do w/ parenting. Just a couple of thoughts.
1) The Gospel gives parents rest from having to have the perfect child.
We've all seen it. We've seen a child throw the temper tantrum in public or do something that's quite foolish. Probably that's been your child. You know the feeling. Your child does something foolish & you want to find the nearest hole in the ground. Alot of times parents want their kids to behave so that their public image will be esteemed. I know the feeling. I don't even have kids yet, but I know I don't want people to think I'm a slacker of a parent or that my child is some little demon.
But the Gospel speaks to that. The Gospel says that my acceptance with God isn't based on my kids behavior or my perfect parenting. Remember, Jesus was treated as if He were the misbehaving child or the slacker parent. He also was & is the Perfect Son, always doing the things that please His Father. So know that your acceptance with the Father is based on Christ's perfect record, and view your child's misbehavior as an opportunity for both of you to grow in the knowledge of Christ's forgiveness and perfection
2) The Gospel gives parents courage to seek forgiveness.
You know what I'm talking about. You've wronged your child before. You've gotten angry or been unjust, or just been lazy and didn't want to deal with his sin problems that flesh themselves out in his behavior. What do you do?
Some parents are under the illusion that their children think they are perfect. They think they need to maintain that. Little do they know that they're children see right through that.
The Gospel gives me courage to ask forgiveness from my own children. You see, I know that if I ask my Father to forgive me, He will b/c of His Son's sacrifice on my behalf. I also know that I don't always have to be right b/c Jesus was always right for me. I can suck up my pride & go to my child whom I've wronged, confess my fault against them & ask their forgiveness.
Parents, if you do this, you'll gain monster loads of respect from your youngin'. We should all be doing this to one another, forgiving & seeking forgivness. This is the kind of power the Gospel gives us!
“We must always keep focused on the gospel because it is in the nature of sanctification that as we grow, we see more and more of our sinfulness. Instead of driving us to discouragement, though, this should drive us to the gospel. It is the gospel believed every day that is the only enduring motivation to pursue progressive sanctification even in those times when we don't seem to see progress. That is why I use the expression ‘gospel-driven sanctification’ and that is why we need to ‘preach the gospel to ourselves every day’” (from “Gospel-Driven Sanctification” by Jerry Bridges).
