As I read 2 John this morning, I’m not really sure why I heard the song playing in my jukebox brain “Momma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys,” but it made me smile. And even though I know a few, honest to goodness, Christian cowboys and cowgirls, the song seemed somewhat fitting for the sentiment that John was trying to project in his letter to the “elect lady.” It rendered a call of concern to momma’s and daddy’s of modern day to hold tightly to your babies and guard the door of the home to what you allow those little minds to see.
John wrote to her in verse 4 “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” That commandment is to love one another, and how very important it is to grow our children up to love each other and serve God. But it seems to be the furthest away from priorities in the modern home, be it a Christian home or otherwise. Everyone is so all fired concerned that their children have the crème de la crème of the world, while failing to protect the crème de la crème they’ve been entrusted with the watch care of.
John’s words had to have encouraged this momma, and I want to encourage mommas and daddy’s out there today, who have their children in church, to keep up the good work! It doesn’t go unnoticed or unrewarded. Read on…
2 John 1:5-8
And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
John warns us that at the door of life there are many, many deceivers, antichrist spirits, who would love nothing more than to take your child away from you and put them into the harm’s way of the world. In John’s day you had to open the door; today it’s in the house already via internet, television and radio. Satan’s avenues into your children’s minds are many, and you’ve got a full time job keeping them safe. Heads up…you won’t be perfect. Life happens. But a great start is bringing your children into the house of the Lord where they’ll hear the word of God and those seeds will be planted inside their little hearts. That way, when Satan does attempt to deceive them, (and he will), they can pull out their sword and shield and stop him in his track! Or their gun lasso if they’re a cowboy or girl.
Tonight’s Wednesday! I’m fired up for a few boy and girls coming my way at Victory Baptist Church. I hope you’ve got plans to get yours in the house of God too!!!!
