pramsay posted on January 14, 2010 15:25 1843 views

Bible Bites

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My Child is the Best By Far!

Did papa Samuel think to himself: “I’m old and I must soon pass on the torch? I want to pick out strong leaders for Israel. I can see no more capable and gifted men than my two dear sons. Goodness gracious my sons are good! Joel and Abiah (Abijah) are tops in my books. My little boys have become men with so much potential. They’re smart, honest, fair, and I just know everyone will fall in love with them. I’d be so thrilled to see my sons step up to the plate and hit a home run.”

As great a judge and prophet as Samuel was, he had a major blind-spot.  With deep spiritual insight and a love for the Lord, he was the best judge Israel ever had. But when it came to his family his judgment was impaired. He had no blind-spot when it came to the sons of others. He could see the greed, deficiencies and departure in the lives of Eli’s sons, but what about his own?

And it came to pass,

when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges

over Israel…

And his sons walked not in his ways,

but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes and perverted judgment.”

1Samuel 8:1

Parents tend to have blind spots when it comes to their own children. And, understandably so, because there is no one else in the world they love more. But that sure does not mean they’re perfect or equipped to do what we want to see them do. And it sure does not mean we are justified in preferring them above other believers. Love seeketh not her own. 

Parents do no one a favor when they’re always looking for ways to ensure their son or daughter is noticed or chosen to fill a Sunday School vacancy, or for the door-welcoming post or to preach the Gospel or to teach or lead a Bible Study.

Preferential treatment for family members is a natural inclination but it sure is not a spiritual trait.  It ALWAYS causes division and strife. It is always unhealthy.  

“It’s as plain as the nose on your face. My son Billy has a real gift to communicate the Gospel. People say I’m biased. Not at all! He’s just plain good. I love listening to him.” or “I’ve never seen a girl so skilled in the Scriptures and able to connect with kids as my Bertha. She’s an obvious choice for that Sunday School class.”

If you overhear your parents putting in a plug for you or showering you with praise in front of others or even behind your back, do yourself and them a favor – respectfully tell them to quit it. It doesn’t go over very well. It prompts the gag-reflex.  

If you are hoping your dad will be able to pull some strings to get you somewhere in the service of the Lord, then forget it. You are going about it the wrong way entirely. You are heading for disaster and you will be the cause of division. 

I charge thee before God

(sounds pretty solemn and serious!!)

and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels,

that thou observe these things

without preferring one before another,

doing nothing by partiality.”

1Timothy 5:21

Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.

Warmly in Christ

Peter Ramsay

peter@heaven4sure.com

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