[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during February 2024]
In those areas of the world which have a dominant religion there is a general expectation that children growing up will conform to and adopt the religious practices around them. Often, not doing so can bring difficulties or even persecution. Even in those nations where a plurality of religion is accepted, a parent’s choice of religion will have an influence on choices made by their children.
However, this is not always the case. In the Old Testament we see many examples of children who have not followed their parents’ religious example. Eli, Samuel, even David all had sons who rejected their fathers’ faith. Similarly, the records of the kings of Judah contain many instances where successive kings, for good or for bad, did not behave as their fathers had.
Martin Luther was a Catholic priest in the 16th century at a time when that church was the dominant religious entity in Europe. Luther’s study of various books of the Bible led him to believe that the Catholic church of that day was acting in a way that was not true to the words of Scripture. His teachings led, in due course, to our understanding that a meaningful Christian faith is dependent on the relationship between God and each individual.
Being born into a Christian family is a great blessing but that is not enough. We cannot inherit a place in Heaven, no matter how deserving our parents may have been or what our social status may be. Nicodemus was a high-ranking member of Jewish society, well conversant with the religious laws of the time. He asked Jesus some questions about the kingdom of God.
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again’.
John 3 v3 [NIVUK]
In modern secular society, ‘born again’ has become a term of derision and its spiritual significance is often dismissed. Jesus went on to explain to Nicodemus – and to us – what he meant. The conversation included words that have become so familiar that we risk overlooking their impact. We need to read them slowly:
For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.
John 3 v16 [NIVUK]
The death of Jesus Christ opened the way to establishing a personal relationship with God. Everybody is invited but each person must decide for themselves whether to accept that invitation. This is not a ‘take it or leave it’ invitation, it has eternal consequences. A subsequent verse contains a warning for those who decline it:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3 v18 [NIVUK]
Irrespective of what our relationship with our earthly parents is or has been, there is another relationship which surpasses the best that they could provide:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3 v1 [NIVUK]
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys