Lordship of Christ- A Message for the Ages

Greetings. I have a confession to make. You may have noticed that last week’s article was a repeat. The folks in the office covered for me because I forgot to wite my article! Can you believe that? Yep- I did. Bummer. Wait a minute. Give me a break. My wife and I had arrived home sometime in the early hours of Monday morning with MY three grandchildren who live in Mississippi where we had been for Father’s Day. After a busy remainder of Monday and all of Tuesday with 4 grandchildren (no they didn’t grow an extra one- this is the 3 who came home with us and the 1 whom we are raising), having a “blast” by the way, writing an article was no where on my radar screen. I could have written earlier-I know; but I didn’t. All this to say that I am sorry.But I did have a great time with the gandchildren! We did special things, played games, visited Amicalola Falls, ate picnic lunches, read books (YEP!), and worked in the yard (YEP!YEP! and they worked hard and we had fun– and I payed them for their labor!). It was a great week.

The parents of the three from Mississippi joined us Friday night and we drove to Chattanooga to visit MY other grandchildren (it was nice that their parents were there also). We were together as a family for the baptism of My youngest grandchild, Mac. Keep in mind that baptizing a baby does not save the child. Nor is there anything magical in the words or the water. We are saved only through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the debt for our sins and, by living a perfect and righteous life, Jesus has given us a righteousness in which we are now dressed (read Zechariah 3:1-5). This is a wonderful gift of grace which can only be received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). The baptism is a sign of the covenantal relationship that God has established with His people (Genesis 15, 17:1-14). It is a privilege to be raised in a Christian home (Ephesians 6:4). Young children don’t ever forget that! I look forward to the day that you will embrace Jesus and make Him your own personal Savior and Lord.

I got to baptize Mac! It was a wonderful testimony to the beauty of God’s wonderful grace. I was blessed as I carried Mac in my arms up and down the center aisle of the church as the congregation sang “Jesus Loves Me.” All I could think of was “grandchildren are the crown of the aged” (Proverbs 17:6). And I have 8! I know that you are probably saying “the guy has lost his marbles”- 1 (he is raising) + 3 (from Mississippi) + 3 (living in Chattanooga)= 7 not 8. Ah Grasshopper, I have not mentioned the precious child that our gracious Lord called while in the womb. Yes, Claire is with Jesus. This is wonderful truth of Scripture upon which those who trust in Jesus can place their hope (read about this wonderful hope in 2 Samuel 12:15-23). Claire is a young lady because life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16).

But there is something even more important here. With blessing comes responsiblity (Psalm 127 and 128). We must never be so caught up in the blessing that we lose sight of the fact that what we do today will impact the lives of our children, grandchildren, greatchildren, etc. We have a tendency to be so short-sighted (maybe it is our selfishness or self-centeredness) that we are concerned about self. Rather, we are to be investing in the future generation- whether it means training the children in the things of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), which we haven’t done very well; or seeking to impact our culture with godly truth (Matthew 5:13-15), which we haven’t done very well either (i.e. redefinition of the family, another state being “politically correct” in accepting same sex marriage).

As those who love Jesus, we must make a stand for truth NOW against ungodliness because of the implications for the future- God’s children should not have to suffer persecution because of our apathy, our laziness, or our lack of wisdom. We must speak out! Write letters, get involved, discuss, PRAY! Our generation has the responsibility to do all we can to impact the future so that our blessings (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren not material things) can live their lives openly for Jesus! My nightmare is to be sitting in my rocking chair 20 years from now, on my front porch, sipping my Dr Pepper when Emma (my oldest granddaughter who named me Gramps) comes to me and asks, “Gramps, did you do anything to stop this slide in our culture?” WOW! I know what I can say. How about you?

See ya!