Reared Right-Live Wrong

by an Old Disciple

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”~ Prov. 22:6

Why then didn’t it work?

There are two types of truth found in scripture: (1) Specific, the Ten Commandments; (2) general, as found in the book of Proverbs. As to the latter, you could wring my nose all day and probably not get blood (30:33).

This is true of our main text. Many a parent has followed its teaching but has sadly not seen the result of it. This is not only true in the way of teaching but also in the realm of chastening. Godly corrective chastening has availed nothing, in many cases.

Because of this, many a good parent have gone on an extended guilt trip. In many cases this has gone from days to years. They feel as though they failed as parents because of their grown children’s ungodly lifestyle. These are children who were reared right but who now live wrong!

I ask such grieving parents, “Is this also true of God, our Heavenly Father?” Adam was raised in a perfect environment, no sin in the world, and God almighty was his Father. In Luke’s gospel, he is called, “the son of God,” (3:38). And a companion text in Isa. 1:2, “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.” Do you think God failed in this case? They had exemplary teaching and corrective chastening

I am at present in the book of Jeremiah in my daily devotions. I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me a great truth that goes along with the above two; He was graciously kind enough to reveal it to me. Throughout the book, you will find corrective chastening must be received on the recipient's part. This is true of God and His children or us and ours!

The godly parent administers but the sinning child must receive. If they refuse to learn from it, then it has no good and lasting effect in their life, if not received. In most cases, the opposite happens.

Samson being the perfect example. Take time to meditate on his life, from birth to death.

You can always spot the children who have rejected their godly rearing; they habitually blame their parents for their wretched condition.

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