It was a very personal moment. Our pastor asked the young father to step forward with his daughter, then her mother joined them. Grandparents and great-grandparents joined them behind the pulpit. Three generations of members of one congregation, each full of prayers that the fourth would follow in their footsteps.
It might appear a tribute to a family who believed in God’s commandments, given:
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: (Psalms 78:6-7 KJV)
But there was much more to the story. The pastor mentioned the life the young father had left behind when he accepted Christ as his Savior and the ministry as his calling. The young wife had some teen issues, too. Though not mentioned, so did the grandparents, great-grandparents ad infinitum. Only the correct term for it is sin. Each, in their own way, had ignored God’s call, turning their back on Him for a while.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12 KJV)
These three generations are among those who have both heard and believed:
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)
They join generations of many who have determined to:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)
They have reached freedom:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32 KJV)
They are grateful to the Lord God:
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)
So, why write of both the sin and the forgiveness?
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. (Psalms 102:18 KJV)
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