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LorenDP
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Ephesians 6:4
1 star|7 comments|December 10, 2008|393 reads
 
Just read a post on another message board I frequent from a pastor....

His post was as follows:
"I tell my children that my goal is that they grow up to be godly adults. If they happen to be happy along the way, its an added bonus.

Its not my goal though."

I'd be interested to get some of your thoughts on this.....

I disagree with his premise.

I think our children can be both godly and happy.  And that SHOULD be our goal.  If they can't see the joy in serving the Lord.  Then we're not doing something right as parents.

Ephesians 6:4 says something along these lines....about parenting (especially from a fathers perspective....because of how us men get sometimes) and how it should be a nurture and admonition...and not always "Because I said so"..now sometimes "Because I said so" is necessary and the right thing to say...but not always

6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.


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Mike n Laura
 Mike n Laura
December 10, 2008

Loren, I agree with you, God definitely gives us the resources to be full of joy now, regardless of circumstances. In fact, JOY happens to be the 2nd fruit of the Holy Spirit listed by Paul in Gal 5:22-23, right after LOVE (so you know it's important).  However I suspect the pastor who posted that might have been trying to say that our pursuit should be for God's will, rather than what makes us happy. In doing this, we often receive the material things which makes us happy in this life, though not always. (Such as great wife, healthy kids, nice house, land, numerous camels, etc.) Ok maybe not the camels, lol!

 

Fr Vincent
 Fr Vincent
December 10, 2008
In my mind a godly person is by definition a joyful person.  Afterall, if I'm seeking God's path for me it becomes its own reward.  Its when I rebel that I am sad because I am drawing a line between myself and God's will. 

I am also reminded that Jesus said:  "Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will refresh you for my yoke is easy and my burden light".  How can that not bring happiness?
LorenDP
 LorenDP
December 10, 2008
Mike - I'm LOL'ing at the Camels.  Bailey was in the Christmas play Sunday night at Church and had a funny line about camels that made everyone crack up.

Exactly Fr_Vincent.  Exacly my point. 

There is joy in serving the Lord.

Yes, we know that our children have sin natures and that they will rebel against the things of God.  But I believe Ephesians 6:4 places on Fathers the ultimate responsibility of delivering Gods precepts to our children with Love....Love and Joy. 

This verse isn't a "well, you don't want to upset them" kind of verse.  It's a command that we don't provoke our children to wrath.  Because God knows (and I can tell you from personal experience) that if a Father does constantly provoke a child to wrath that the things of God will no longer become a priority in that childs life.  Because they don't see the joy in serving the Lord.  They become burdened down with the legalistic side of religion and miss out on the most important message of the Gospel - Gods sustaining grace.
Mike n Laura
 Mike n Laura
December 10, 2008

Loren, I think us dads have a responsibility to portray joyful living to our children. That is, joy that comes from the proper source, living according to God's will, instead of pursuing our own.  =)

 

LorenDP
 LorenDP
December 10, 2008
I agree with that Mike.

This seems like we're arguing.  LOL.  Your'e too nice to argue, aren't you?
Mike n Laura
 Mike n Laura
December 10, 2008
I always tell my kids, the nicest arguments go something like this:

You're right!!
No, you are!
No, YOU are!
No....YOU ARE!!!!

:-)
LorenDP
 LorenDP
December 10, 2008
For what it's worth - the discussion on the other board has turned quite spirited.

Pretty much it's everyone against me.

Someone just piped in that the Greek for "to provoke" requires an intent.

I just don't think that fits in with the end of the passage....