The magic message
It’s never too early, or too late for that matter. But, the earlier the better. Some things you as a dad should possibly wait to train or share with your children. This is not one of them! It’s a life-changer for the recipient and for those who will be impacted by them as they use and share it. I’d say by the time they can understand bedtime stories, or at least are able to remember things and express them. Maybe 4-7 years old might be ideal. They are like sponges, and are eager and willing to learn, especially if it comes from dad. So, what is this magic message?
You guessed it! The gospel, the good news. And in case you didn’t know, according to scripture as set out in I Cor. 15.1-5, in ten words, the gospel by which you are saved is:
“Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.”
Share the message
In the following several paragraphs, I will be revealing what you should be sharing with every child in your family. Pray first that the Holy Spirit reveals the truth, first to you, and then to them. He is the only One that can accomplish salvation in any life. This is serious; learn it, believe it, trust it, embrace it, share it. Are you ready?
Our condition:
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Rom. 3.23
The consequences:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord” Rom. 6.23
The remedy:
“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Rom. 5.8
Our response:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” Eph. 2.8,9
Our assurance:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” Jn. 5.24
The eternal results:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” Rev. 3.20
Jesus made it abundantly clear when he said this—“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” Jn. 14.6. All these verses should be a part of your memory bank, and your wife’s and children’s. This is not Bill’s suggestion or an idle exercise, God commanded it in Deuteronomy 6.6-9. He was speaking of the Ten Commandments, but today the gospel message also applies.
Teach and guide
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
God does not leave us another option. You are to be their teacher and guide. If they learn these when young, they will carry them all the days of their lives. They won’t learn it in school and maybe not in certain churches. Home is where this is best taught and discussed. Then, all of you will be armed as warriors for Christ. Paul said—“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” Rom. 1.16.
