Ezekiel18:1-20
Matthew 25:14-30
We live in a climate of blame. Children blame their parents, parents blame their children. The Israelites had a proverb saying "The fathers eat the sour grapes and the children's teeth are set on edge." In other words the parents act and the children suffer the consequences. Most of us would agree with this. We parents assume a lot of responsibility for how our children turn out. What's not to agree with? We think that if our child is a model student, it reflects on our good parenting. If our child fails in school, uses drugs, becomes a unethical business man, is unable to establish a good marriage and home, or becomes a street person, we wonder where we went wrong and may spend hours wondering what we could or should have done differently. Sometimes we cringe with embarrassment when others tout the laurels of their children.
It is surprising to find that God tells the people that they should not use this maxim. He goes on to tell the people:"If the father 'does what is right and just--does not follow idols, defile his neighbor's wife, oppress anyone, gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked, withholds his hand from doing wrong, and faithfully follows My decrees and keeps My laws, that man is righteous and he will surely live.'" But if the son does not do these thing the son will surely die. Just the opposite is true. If the son is righteous and the father is sinful, the son will live and the father will surely die. We are not talking perfection in either case. We are saying that a man whose heart, soul, mind and strength are toward the Lord will live and the one whose heart, soul, mind, and strength are against the Lord will die. If one starts out evil and turns to the Lord he will be saved. If one starts out righteous but turns to evil, he will die. The Sovereign Lord goes on to say. "I will judge each according to his ways. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,' declares the Sovereign Lord. 'Repent and live.'"
Do not spend your time seeking who is at fault. Every person is responsible for the condition of his/her own heart. Repent of the evil in your own heart, pray for the repentance of your children. Pray that your own heart and the hearts of your children will be fully committed to the Lord. Remember, the prayer of a righteous person avails much.
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