As I was preparing for class I was reminded of a youth event I attended when I was in high school. It was called SEMP, which stands for Student Evangelical Mission Project. This giant event was held in Santa Cruz and hundreds of teens from all over came together to learn how to share the Good News with others.
I remember being really excited at the prospect of gaining new tools in sharing my faith. But when it was all said and done I was left wanting. Something was missing.
Years later I put my finger on it: I left that event thinking that I had to change people into Christians by using a special catchy phrase, or kitschy, clever acronym. I was given some tools, but not the whole toolbox.
Yes, we are commanded to share the Good News that sin can be forgiven, we are to share that Jesus died for us, we are to share the hope that can be found in Him... but it's not our job to convict them of their sin. It's not our responsibility to change people's hearts. It's not our job to save them.
John 16:8 makes it very clear that that job belongs to God... and God alone.
John tells us in this verse that the Holy Spirit will convict people of sin (the wrong they are doing) of godliness or righteousness (reminding them of the proper thing they SHOULD be doing) and of judgment (the consequences for them continuing down a destructive path).
This was something I was not told as SEMP. I came away from that event with an unbelievable burden that I had to force, cajole, debate, outwit, out quote, or guilt people into being a Christian. And that is simply not the case.
Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to pray for them. To love them. To speak the truth in love. To tell them what God has done in our lives. Our responsibility in NOT to convict them... that's the Holy Spirit's job, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't need our help.
So, what's the take home for us as parents?
You will hear me say this over and over... God has called you, by virtue of being a parent, to be His example to your children. YOU are the primary spiritual leader in your childrens' lives.
With this in mind, as you interact with your children in the normal ebb and flow of the day I encourage you to be mindful of how you are showing them, by your actions and words, how to be witness for Christ to others.
Your children are constantly watching you and how you relate to others. They are taking notes and applying what they learn from you to their own lives. They look to you for leadership in how to love others, how to pray for others, how to speak the truth in love, and how to tell others what God has done and is doing in your life.
So lead well.
On the journey with you,
Pastor Beau
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