Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Faith Formation through the Family
Yohannan & Achamma Jacob
Long Island MTC, NY
10 Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the
light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling.
In this passage, the Apostle John emphasizes how the lack of love leads to darkness. He reaffirms that claiming to have the love of Christ but hating one’s brother keeps you in darkness. This hate blinds us from the light of Christ. The hate causes us to live in sin and prevents us from sharing the love of Christ, especially to our children. The lack of this light causes us to stumble and fall off the path of Christ. Truly knowing Christ causes you to not just see, but also to live in the light. This light enables us to see, rather than being blinded by the darkness of hate. This light should shine through you in the darkness.
The introduction of the Christ’s light, love and the faith by which we should live is the responsibility of the family and must start at home. From early childhood parents have to nurture children while teaching them the basics of Christ’s light and love. Children are to be disciplined, taught from the Word of God and prayed with along with being prayed for. This behavior will not just be a habit, but a lifestyle that will be carried into their adult lives.
In verse 4 of the same chapter John declares, “Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist”. We as parents do not want to be called liars because of our lack of obedience to his commandments. Our responsibility is to be models for our children. The greatest responsibility of parents is to raise children in the love and light of Christ.
In this passage, the Apostle John emphasizes how the lack of love leads to darkness. He reaffirms that claiming to have the love of Christ but hating one’s brother keeps you in darkness. This hate blinds us from the light of Christ. The hate causes us to live in sin and prevents us from sharing the love of Christ, especially to our children. The lack of this light causes us to stumble and fall off the path of Christ. Truly knowing Christ causes you to not just see, but also to live in the light. This light enables us to see, rather than being blinded by the darkness of hate. This light should shine through you in the darkness.
The introduction of the Christ’s light, love and the faith by which we should live is the responsibility of the family and must start at home. From early childhood parents have to nurture children while teaching them the basics of Christ’s light and love. Children are to be disciplined, taught from the Word of God and prayed with along with being prayed for. This behavior will not just be a habit, but a lifestyle that will be carried into their adult lives.
In verse 4 of the same chapter John declares, “Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist”. We as parents do not want to be called liars because of our lack of obedience to his commandments. Our responsibility is to be models for our children. The greatest responsibility of parents is to raise children in the love and light of Christ.
PRAYER
Father, we thank you for the gift of family and the
responsibility of parents to raise our children in your light. Please provide
us the wisdom and strength to raise our children in the faith. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Before we approach the edge of darkness, let us raise our eyes and hearts to the shining light of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Before we approach the edge of darkness, let us raise our eyes and hearts to the shining light of Jesus Christ our Savior.