A childhood friend of mine asked me this afternoon a very poignant question: What if Joash rejects Christ when he grows up?
Just last week, during a mother's meeting, we were asked about our hopes and dreams for our kids. Many mentioned good career, great character and even a godly spouse... (Wow! That's far ahead!) I told them that I only have one wish for my children: That is to know God and serve Him wholeheartedly. It doesn't matter if they want to be artists, rock stars, construction workers, missionaries, 谈姐弟恋 or be single for the rest of their lives. As long as they have God, they will make wise choices with God's infinite wisdom, face whatever life can throw at them with joy and peace and find great purpose no matter how long (or short) they live. They'll eventually arrive in heaven, not by their own merit but in the name of Jesus to spend eternity with God.
What if Joash rejects Christ?
As much as I can be faithful in living out the life in Christ for Joash to model, read and explain the bible to Joash daily, pray for and with him, Joash is still an individual. He has his own will and choice. God gave us free will. No one can force him into this life and death decision. He needs to decide for himself whether he wants to be with God or attempt to earn his way to heaven though good deeds which would land him in hell instead as the criteria for heaven is PERFECTION. I would use all my persuasive power to implore him to consider this - If he rejects God and His method of salvation through Jesus, he will get his wish for eternity, as hell has no God. In the absence of God, all that is associated with Him will cease to exist too. Hell has no love as God is love. Hell has nothing good as God is good. There will only be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt 8:12)
And if he still insist on his own ways?
I would let him go just as the father did with the prodigal son. And pray that he'll find his way back in time. I would grieve, not because Joash would have betrayed my trust and the family religion, not because he would have brought shame to me, not because my own life after death would be affected by him since my salvation is already secure in Jesus' book of life. I would grieve FOR his sake. He would never know the wonders and blessings in trusting Jesus. He would never know the thrills in the adventure of faith in God. He would never know the joy and bliss in spending eternity with the rest of the family of God.
Yet, I don't have to wait till my children grow up and reject Christ before I grieve like that. I have parents and close friends who are unbelievers. After many attempts in sharing the good news, their hearts remain like stone. How long do they have before they face the Maker at the final judgement? How many more chances do they have to respond to Christ before it's too late?
I can only pray and grieve. And you know what? God grieves infinitely more than I do for "He is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (Peter 3:9) Afterall, He was the One who sent His only son to suffer and die for us.
Just last week, during a mother's meeting, we were asked about our hopes and dreams for our kids. Many mentioned good career, great character and even a godly spouse... (Wow! That's far ahead!) I told them that I only have one wish for my children: That is to know God and serve Him wholeheartedly. It doesn't matter if they want to be artists, rock stars, construction workers, missionaries, 谈姐弟恋 or be single for the rest of their lives. As long as they have God, they will make wise choices with God's infinite wisdom, face whatever life can throw at them with joy and peace and find great purpose no matter how long (or short) they live. They'll eventually arrive in heaven, not by their own merit but in the name of Jesus to spend eternity with God.
What if Joash rejects Christ?
As much as I can be faithful in living out the life in Christ for Joash to model, read and explain the bible to Joash daily, pray for and with him, Joash is still an individual. He has his own will and choice. God gave us free will. No one can force him into this life and death decision. He needs to decide for himself whether he wants to be with God or attempt to earn his way to heaven though good deeds which would land him in hell instead as the criteria for heaven is PERFECTION. I would use all my persuasive power to implore him to consider this - If he rejects God and His method of salvation through Jesus, he will get his wish for eternity, as hell has no God. In the absence of God, all that is associated with Him will cease to exist too. Hell has no love as God is love. Hell has nothing good as God is good. There will only be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt 8:12)
And if he still insist on his own ways?
I would let him go just as the father did with the prodigal son. And pray that he'll find his way back in time. I would grieve, not because Joash would have betrayed my trust and the family religion, not because he would have brought shame to me, not because my own life after death would be affected by him since my salvation is already secure in Jesus' book of life. I would grieve FOR his sake. He would never know the wonders and blessings in trusting Jesus. He would never know the thrills in the adventure of faith in God. He would never know the joy and bliss in spending eternity with the rest of the family of God.
Yet, I don't have to wait till my children grow up and reject Christ before I grieve like that. I have parents and close friends who are unbelievers. After many attempts in sharing the good news, their hearts remain like stone. How long do they have before they face the Maker at the final judgement? How many more chances do they have to respond to Christ before it's too late?
I can only pray and grieve. And you know what? God grieves infinitely more than I do for "He is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (Peter 3:9) Afterall, He was the One who sent His only son to suffer and die for us.
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