“… Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report: if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
I am certain that one reason I am in the church today is that I, as a ‘preachers kid’, never heard criticism of God’s children at home. In fact I never heard much criticism at all.
As long as the church is made up of people there will be problems. The churches my father pastored were made up of people – thus problems. I was sheltered from most of it. When I did hear of it – it was never from home.
When mother began to say something involving a “saint” in the church; my father would interrupt,”Helen, the children.”
What we respect, our children will respect. What we criticize, they will not respect. If you drive a Ford and “down grade” Chevy’s, your children will grow up to drive Fords.
If we openly criticize policemen, do not be surprised if your children break the law. If you openly question the school teacher’s methods, do not act shocked when the grades go down and the discipline problems go up.
If you talk disparagingly about a saint of God, your children will equate this to all saints of God.
I have known many people in the church down through the years who have had a critical spirit. When they find their children are not trusting of anyone and not serving the Lord, they wonder, ‘Why?’
One sure way to make certain your child will never serve the Lord is to have “roast preacher” for Sunday dinner.
There is enough cynicism in this world without adding to it. Our children will learn soon enough that the Church is made up of people who are not perfect, but let them learn it from others, not us. With all it’s imperfections, it is still the Body of Christ and shall be perfect at His coming.
Let us always point out, rather, that there are no better people than God’s people. That the Ministry is given by God to edify and to build us up. That all authority is ordained of God for our protection. That our God is big enough to take care of his church; to put people into leadership as well as take them out.
Let us never criticize that which we wish our children to respect.
“Love … Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” I Corinthians 13:6-7
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