Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
There are no shortcuts to spiritual formation. It takes time, effort, patience, and a lot of grace to shape the hearts of our children toward living a life that that is surrendered to God and for the glory of Jesus.
We live in an instant gratification world. Technology advancements have discipled us toward a lack of patience and to expect instant results. And with that has also come the expectation to find satisfaction with little to no effort. This is not only unhealthy, but it is usually not practical.
As Christians who look to the Bible as our source of truth and instruction, we see God’s design for the family: Parents are to impress the hearts of their children with a love of God. They are to pass down the knowledge and understanding of who He is, what He has done, and what He promises He will do. We are to teach them about Jesus and the salvation that is offered to us through Him alone. As they respond to the gospel through faith and repentance, we are to disciple and help them as the Holy Spirit does His sanctifying of work of forming them into the image of Christ. As parents we play a pivotal role in this process with our children. All of it takes time.
The task of discipleship is a daily endeavor. Paul writes to the Colossians about the process of putting to death one’s old self, and putting on the new self, “which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This is a process. It involves leaving old sinful practices and behaviors behind. Instead, we are to put on “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” We are to bear with one another and forgive one another. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:12-14) This is what it looks like to be formed in the image of Christ, to become imitators of Him and have our hearts transformed to be more like His.
Parents, this is important work that we must take an active and consistent leadership role within the lives of our children. They need our instruction, our direction, our correction, and our rebuke. They also need our encouragement, affirmation, and celebration. This does not happen through a one-time conversation, through church attendance, or through hopeful thinking. It is a daily discipline that will help to form them into the image of Christ. It takes time, effort, patience, and a lot of grace. It is one of the most important things you will ever do. So, let’s commit ourselves to the daily task of making disciples of our children in our homes helping to form them into the image of Christ.
