No, let me solemnly say that, with all the instruction you may give to your children, you must always be deeply conscious that you are not capable of doing anything in the securing of the child's salvation but that it is God Himself who, from the first to the last, must effect if all. You are simply a pen: God can write with you, but you cannot write anything by yourself. You are a sword: God can slay the child's sin with you, but you cannot slay it of yourself.
Therefore, always be mindful of this, that you must first be taught by God yourself. Then you must ask God to use you to teach, for unless a higher Teacher than you works with you to instruct the child, the child must perish. It is not your instruction that can save the souls of your children; rather it is the blessing of God the Holy Spirit accompanying and blessing your labors.
May God bless and crown your efforts with abundant success! He will surely do so if you are instant in prayer, constant in supplication. Never yet did the earnest teacher or preacher "labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD" (Isaiah 65:23). Often has it been seen that bread cast upon the waters has been found after many days (Ecc. 11:1).
~C.H. Spurgeon, Spiritual Parenting
Making Your Home an Oasis
3 years ago
Great thoughts bythe great and practical man. I have read "Spiritual Parenting" but it is long ago. This is something all parents, but I think expecially home schoolers need to keep a focus on. I have heard that false idea that home school + training + salvation. A works oriented thinking which sadly does not bear out in the children. Salvation is a work of God alone.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book. I'll need to hunt it down. What a true and beautiful quote. It is always, only by His grace...praise be His name.
ReplyDeleteHAve a lovely day,
Jojo
What a great quote!
ReplyDeleteHow encouraging it is to know that it is the LORD Who works that work in their hearts! Oh that HE would do that deeper work in mine on a daily basis and that HE might use me...when I am weak, then I am strong...because of HIM!!
ReplyDeleteI *love* Spurgeon...we fondly think of him as our Pastor from another time.
Love to you!
Camille