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Parents Represent God to Their Children

Parents Represent God to Their Children

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13 NIV84). “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13 NIV84).

Happy the child in whom such words as these awaken love and gratitude and trust; the child to whom the tenderness and justice and long-suffering of father and mother and teacher interpret the love and justice and long-suffering of God; the child who by trust and submission and reverence toward his earthly protectors learns to trust and obey and reverence his God. He who imparts to child or pupil such a gift has endowed him with a treasure more precious than the wealth of all the ages—a treasure as enduring as eternity (Education, p. 245).

By God’s design, parents stand in the role of God to their small children. Parents first act in the role of loving creators. Just as the Father, Son, and Spirit united in love to create human beings in their image (Genesis 1:26, 27), so also human beings are designed by God to come together in the union of marital love and create little beings in their image.

As Adam and Eve entered into Sabbath rest in loving relationship with God immediately after their creation, so also infants upon birth immediately enter into the loving arms of their parents, resting in their tender care, devoted nurturance, and constant protection.

Just as God provided a garden home for Adam and Eve as a place of discovery, learning, and insight, so also godly parents provide homes enriched with resources to nurture, inspire, comfort, challenge, intrigue, thrill, educate, and develop their children in balanced and harmonious ways.

Just as God filled the garden with foods perfectly designed for the health of human beings, so also loving parents provide nutrition designed for their child’s health and wellbeing.

Just as God brought the animals for Adam to name, so also parents provide opportunities for their children to apply themselves; even though the parent could do the activity better, the love of the parent, like God’s love for Adam, rejoices to see their child grow, apply themselves, and develop; and they share the glee, smile, laugh, and joy of their child’s new discoveries and every success.

Just as God provided useful labor for our first parents to develop and advance their skills, abilities, talents, and wisdom, so also godly parents provide age-appropriate, useful labor for their children, because loving parents know that without application, without exertion, without the investment of time and energy, there is no development.

Just as God provided the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil so that Adam and Eve could choose for themselves what they would know—not cognitively but by experience; for instance, would they know/experience love, loyalty, devotion, trust, faithfulness, maturity, reliability, or would they know/experience fear, selfishness, rebellion, guilt, shame, and terror?—so also godly, loving parents know that real love requires freedom and train their children to love and trust, but they also know that when age-appropriate, their children must be set free to choose for themselves what they will know in heart, mind, and character. Will they know good? Will they know Jesus and make Him their heart’s first desire? Will they choose to know God’s methods, or will they know evil; will they choose selfishness and know rebellion and lawlessness, with all its pain, suffering, guilt, shame, and turmoil?

Just as “the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12 NIV84), so also loving parents discipline their children, teaching them right from wrong, healthy from unhealthy, and good from evil. But just as God’s discipline is always in love, never with loss of self-control or out of frustration and impatience, and never abusive, so also godly parents will discipline in love, patiently, thoughtfully, with the discipline specifically designed to be redemptive to their children, leading their children to humble repentance and development of their godlike individuality, maturing them to one day be self-governed individuals who carry the image of their heavenly Father in all that they do.

And just as God said, “Come now, let us reason together,” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV84) and wants His children to develop their individuality, their own ability to reason, think, weigh evidences, and “who by constant use [train] themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14 NIV84), so also godly parents teach their children how to use their God-given faculties to think, weigh evidences, make decisions, and discern the right from the wrong.

And just as Jesus invited His disciples into understanding friendship (John 15:15), so also loving parents do all of this so that one day their children will grow up to be understanding, mature, trustworthy friends of God and thereby be individuals who no longer need to be parented, for they have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and are self-controlled (Galatians 5:23).

Yes, parents stand in the role of God to their children—what an incredible privilege and responsibility, one that we can effectively do only when we know God for ourselves, are surrendered in heart and mind to Him, humbly seek His wisdom, and receive His indwelling presence, power, and peace.

If you are a parent or grandparent, carefully consider your actions, demeanor, and choices when dealing with your children and grandchildren, for you are standing in the place of God in their young lives.

 

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Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia