The nature of covenant (II) Godly offspring

As I said last day, my purpose is not to lay a guilt trip on those of us who have failed marriages. No, rather it is to highlight God’s plans, purposes, redemption and resources in this area, and to bring hope and a determination, as much as possible, to make things work. We do need to see the consequences of failure, especially on the children, but, we also need to see His mercy and forgiveness and His redemptive power. I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of divorce on our children, and I don’t believe I am being hypocritical when I say “Please don’t make the same mistakes that I did.” I know though, that in the midst of the difficulties it is hard to feel anything but the frustration, the pain and a sense of betrayal. But research has clearly shown that children of divorce are left with lifelong trauma. In the midst of our pain, it it is easy to overlook this truth, or suppress it (Romans 1:18).

The secular research mentioned above is confirmed (or perhaps the other way round) in Scripture. In Malachi 2:16 we read that God hates divorce, and He tells us why. “He makes us one flesh so that we may have godly offspring!” This is not automatic, the saying “the Apple does not fall far from the tree,” contains truth. But thank God that’s not automatic either. In the coming days, we will be looking at generational influences. But it should be obvious, that a godly upbringing gives a better start to our offspring, than a dysfunctional family unit. Unfortunately, since the fall we are all at some level dysfunctional. If this offends you, please forgive me, but know that there is Scriptural warrant for this. In particular James tells us that in many things we all fail (James 3:2). Note "many things," and "all fail!"

Godliness has to do with living in, and walking in, the truth (3 John 4). And part of what needs to happen, is that we need to learn to live with the tension of knowing that we are flawed, while at same time knowing that we are fully accepted by God. Knowing, that is, that our sins and iniquities are covered by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:9). We also need to be in the ongoing process of being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). If we fail to obtain this balance, we will either we overwhelmed by our faults, or we will minimize and/or deny them. When we do this pride will rise, we will be likely become inflexible and unteachable, and much more likely to pass at least some of these things on to our children and to those we influence.

Father, when I look at little children that come from loving and stable homes, I see how happy they are, how easily they receive loving correction, and then bounce back afterwards. I also see how secure this seems to make them feel. No wonder You tell us that unless we repent and become as a little child, we will not enter the kingdom (Matthew 18:3). We need Your help Lord, I do! Thank You Father that You have already given us the resources we need to do this (2 Peter 1:3). Still we need Your grace and mercy to tap into these resources, and we need You to grant us repentance. Father help us to be determined to settle for nothing less than all that You have for us. And we will give You the praise and the honour and the glory in Jesus Name Amen