Reveal their true identity

Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Broadly speaking I could summarise that there are two elements required in raising a child to be upright; whether biological or spiritual children. The first is Power and Fear and the second is Love and Faith(encouragement).

It is as though in Africa many parents lean more on the power and fear side while in the Western world, the parents lean more on love and faith(encouragement). Well, it might not be an African versus Western approach but rather an uneducated versus educated approach. Nonetheless, both are necessary for proper training.

However today, in relation to the love and faith tool for training, I would like to share the strategy of revealing their true identity. In fact, that’s why I call it the Love and Faith tool. You have to believe in their ability to do right and be great. Faith in them.

You see the opening verse shows Saint Paul admonishing the Corinthians, warning them severely on what the consequences of evil actions could be but then as a master trainer he lands gently with the love and faith tool for he said in verse 11 “And such were some of you. But you were washed….” Remember verse 8 already mentioned  “You yourselves wrong and defraud …” which meant he could call them thieves. But rather he said, “such were some of you”. That’s to say: “That’s not who you are! You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”

So even when your child does wrong, don’t start calling them derogatory names like “liar, thief, fornicator, etc”. Rather, yes warn them seriously about the consequences of their wrongdoings but profess in faith positive attributes like “you are an honest boy” (isn’t faith the evidence of things not seen). Now this is even more true for one who is Christ. For you are not the one who gives them the desire to be righteous but the Lord Himself (Philippians 2:13). So don’t correct them as one who loves evil and only needs fear to do right but rather also reveal their righteousness in Christ Jesus. E.g. Tell them “You are living beneath who you are” or “You are a child of God”. Let them feel loved and encouraged and not only threatened.

In conclusion, since this Christ-like identity is only for one in Christ, do your part to ensure your child is truly in Christ (not way of force because it is a matter of choice) So that you know you are admonishing and encouraging one who already has the nature of the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:17, Romans 6:18).

Let’s pray that God helps all parents to grow in wisdom in raising children in the fear and love of God.

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