Thought for week ending 16 January 2026

 

John 1:12-13

¹² But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. ¹³ They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

 On reading verse 12, it made me think about what it means to become a child of God and having God as a Father.  I’m sure that God would be the perfect parent that would never get anything wrong in terms of how he treated his children, but what would this look like?  The only experience I could pull from was my own parents in terms of what their qualities were that meant so much to me when I look back.  They taught me what was right to say and do and what was wrong.  They taught me manners.  They made me feel safe. They put a roof over my head and made sure I never went hungry.  If I did something that merited punishment, I was punished appropriately, but after the punishment, that was the matter concluded.  There were so many other qualities, and I hope all who read this will have similar recollections.

 From various folks I’ve bumped into in only the past week, I have heard reports of primary school children assaulting and swearing at teachers and other school staff members.  I have heard tales of high school pupils being absent for extended periods just through choice and when parents have been asked about this behaviour, the response has been ‘if he/she decides to stay in bed, what can I do about it?’  I have also noticed that swearing in front of parents and strangers is just becoming a part of day-to-day conversation.  Changed days indeed!!!  If I had said that I’ve decided not to go to school today, nothing would be said, I would just get a ‘look’ and I knew what that look meant, then I would get ready for school.  At high school, we probably didn’t like all our teachers, but in almost all occasions, they were given respect.  So what has gone wrong?

 We will all have our own views and opinions, but what is in no doubt is the increase of poor parenting continues as the general recognition of the importance of church life decreases.   The balance has changed but it begs the question of what influences have been the catalysts for this change and is there anything that can be done to stop or reverse it.  There will be arguments that it is just down to political and economic issues but is it not possible that it is something much greater, as great as the power that tempted Jesus in the widerness?

 In conclusion, having God as our Father is a gift that comes from God himself and nothing to do with what any person or other organisation can offer.  I’m sure that our Heavenly Father will possess all the positive characteristics expected from any responsible parent and then much more besides, that it is impossible to imagine in this life due to our human limitations, limitations that God does not possess.

Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father, help us become your children.  We thank you for all who have happy memories from their childhood due to the parents they were blessed with and we pray for those who cannot do the same.  We thank you that we have been reborn, born into the spiritual realm by faith.  We thank you for your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen. (with thanks to knowing-jesus.com)