What is the goal of parenting? It depends on who you ask. For many, the goal is for their children to have a better life than they had. For some, it is their achievement of success. It may be more that our children are good people. There is nothing wrong with any of those, yet, in my view, there is a more important goal – that they would carry on the legacy of faith in Jesus to their children and grandchildren.
Paul tells Timothy, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15–16, NASB 2020)
Jesus came into the world to save sinners. That is the good news of our faith offered to ourselves, our children, and our world. Faith in Jesus is the greatest legacy we can give our children.
In Paul’s statement, there is also a bit of advice for everyone, especially parents. We’ve all sinned. Paul considered himself the foremost sinner because of his past of persecuting believers. So, lesson one is to remember that we’re all sinners in need of mercy. When our child is rebellious, they are showing their sinful side. They are sinners just like us. Our sin doesn’t mean we can’t address their sin, but we do so with the same mercy God showed us, fostering a spirit of compassion and forgiveness in our parenting, a virtue that is crucial in our journey of faith.
The second lesson is patience. God didn’t give up on Paul when he held the cloaks of those stoning Stephan to death. Imparting faith requires patience, integrity, and the acknowledgment of our failures. I don’t give up on folks trapped in a sinful lifestyle, nor does Jesus. Yes, they are outside God’s will, but their story isn’t over. God isn’t finished with them yet.
But there is also a bit of practical truth we need to remember. Early in our children’s lives, they will adopt and imitate our values, behaviors, and attitudes. They will pick up the good, bad, and ugly parts of us. That includes their beliefs about God, Jesus, and faith. At some point, however, they must decide what they believe. They must recognize their need for Christ and make their own decision. For some, this is relatively seamless. But it seems that others have to heartbreakingly choose the wrong path before they find the right one. There are plenty of examples of both who are now leaders of the faith. Either way, our job is to patiently pray and release them to the mercies of God.
The question for us today is this. What are we really passing on to our children, grandchildren, and beyond?
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