“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Happy Friday, everyone!

There’s been a lot of movement in our culture lately to really emphasize the child’s autonomy, empowering children to make their own choices and to find their own voice.

And I want to be fair here. The intention behind this isn’t necessarily bad. Our children are real people. They’ve got real thoughts, real feelings, and a God-given dignity. Scripture affirms this. Their voices matter.

But I wonder how God’s Word might inform those of us who have children, grandchildren, or kids that we care about who are working to raise them up to be healthy, strong, and contributing to the greater community, and most importantly, wanting them to shine the light of Jesus to those around them.

Well, here are some things that may be surprising. The most important thing in their lives, and in ours, isn’t something that any of us chooses.

I’m talking about eternal life. Eternal life is a gift. We receive it by God’s grace through faith. And even that faith is a gift to us. Think about it this way. We never waited for our children to choose a language from the very first day we talked to them, saying to them and spoke words of love to them. And over time, that language became theirs. Or consider this: a newborn doesn’t decide what to eat. They simply receive what they’re given.

You know, faith is like that. Faith isn’t something we choose. It’s something we receive.

Paul says it plainly: “This is not your own doing. It is the gift of God.” (v.9)

Faith is given.

Paul also says no one can say Jesus is Lord except through the Holy Spirit. Again, this is not. It’s not achieved. It’s just simply given.

Praise be to God! What a gift!

And just as we shower those early conversations with our children with love and encouragement — and yes, discipline too — the Holy Spirit keeps showering Jesus’s love, encouragement, and the discipline that we need into our lives through God’s Word.

That’s how He gives and grows the gift of faith.

“Faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

And so this weekend, first, don’t forget all who have received saving faith in Jesus are children of God no matter your age.

Second, take time to share that gift. Shower others, especially children, with God’s Word, because through it, the Holy Spirit works in hearts so they too can receive the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of eternal life and for the faith to receive it, which is something we could never produce on our own. Thank You for making us Your children and keeping us in that faith. And help us to share Your Word with the children You’ve placed in our lives and with everyone that we meet. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.

Final Thought
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