"Yesterday, on the flight here from Washington, Rosalynn and I were thrilled when one of his sons came to tell us that the greatest gift he received from his father was his faith in Jesus Christ."
The words are those of former President Jimmy Carter. His subject: his friend and one-time political rival, former President Gerald Ford. He spoke them during the final memorial service for Mr. Ford, in Grand Rapids, on January 3.
Of course, nobody but God can really “give” you a faith in Jesus Christ. Such a faith only comes to those who open their wills to Christ. "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit" (First Corinthians 12:3).
Faith can't be given to us. Or forced on us. It can only be received when someone lovingly offers it to us.
President Ford's son was gratefully saying was that his father had shared his faith in Christ with his children. Ford had made faith in Christ real to them by his own faith and by showing that Christ was his highest priority in life.
Jerry and Betty Ford seemed to understand the two responsibilities of all parents:
- To prepare children to function as adults in the world.
- To introduce children to the God revealed to all in Jesus Christ.
Often, parents say, "We're not going to force religion on our children. We'll let them decide on their own when they're old enough."
Imagine applying the same "logic" to other, less vital, areas of life. Parents might say, "We're not going to force healthy living on our children. We'll let them decide whether they want to avoid sugary candies or get regular physical check-ups when they're old enough."
Or, “We’re not going to send our kids to school. When they get to be older, they can decide for themselves whether they need an education.”
Without early exposure to Jesus Christ from caring guardians, children might never know that God loves them. That God cares about what happens every moment of their lives. That God is no cosmic Santa Claus; He loves the naughty and the nice and calls all of them to turn away from sin and death and to turn to Christ and the new and everlasting life He gives to all with faith in Him. They might not know that, as Jesus tells us, no one can come to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)
By “early exposure to Jesus Christ,” I don’t mean that parents should force their children to go to church as a grim obligation.
Nor am I advocating parents dumping their kids at the church door for Sunday School.
I am saying that children need to to see their parents living their own faith. They need to hear their parents apologize to God and to their families when they’ve done wrong. They need to experience Christ’s forgiveness through their parents. They need to know that their parents will be gracious and fair in handing out discipline. They need their parents to pray with them (and for them) and to read the Bible with them.
If you’re a parent, follow the example of Gerald and Betty Ford. Resolve that in 2007, you and your family will be involved with a local church. Resolve that you will share Christ with your children. It will be the best gift you can give to your kids!
[Mark Daniels is pastor of Friendship Lutheran Church, 1300 White Oak Road, Amelia, with laidback worship at 5:30PM on Saturdays and a blend of traditional and contemporary worship at 10:00AM on Sundays. Childcare is available at the Sunday worship.]
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