It’s not yet evening here on the front and the sun is casting lines across the floor in an early evening warmth. We are coming off several festive weeks filled with parties, food, and gift giving. It was a beautiful time of year but somehow had a way of highlighting our weaknesses. This year, in our service to our Lord, the colorful, twinkling lights of the festival shot rays through the fractures in our framework – some big, others barely noticeable. We know that these fractures are merely reminders of the Lord’s ongoing work in the hearts of the children, and ourselves, but we are also aware of our duty to mend, repair, and strengthen these gaps in our training. What we are so aware of is that we walk a fine line between training disciples in deed and discipling the heart. Our primary goal is not to cultivate good people, but redeemed people; not to encourage morals, but to encourage godliness. As we know, good behavior is not the desired end, although it is a side benefit, but it is a knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that lies front, center, and alone on our vision board. No matter our striving, it is He who has set a standard of perfection that we cannot attain. Therefore, we lose the hold we have on striving for goodness and, instead, pursue the cultivation of a redemptive relationship with Him in the hearts of even our youngest disciple. Out of that relationship, we earnestly pray, will come Christ-driven morality, but we must confess that we find ourselves putting the proverbial cart before the horse. We want so badly for the children to obey as required so we correct, chide, and quote; yet, it has become apparent to us, that we are potentially flirting with dangerous territory by neglecting the primary focus: the condition of the heart. A tender balance must be struck so that the substance of the Gospel would not be corrupted by our form in teaching it. If the only picture we paint is obedience leading to blessing in brilliant, nauseating colors, then we neglect to teach them that the life of a Christian is not founded on blind obedience with abundant blessings at the pinnacle. However, it is a cross-centered, sacrificial, radical surrender that calls us out from the base to the glorious truth. It is a life that starts at Christ and ends at Christ and there is nothing a part from Him. Through the scripture we find the truths of obedience as a glorious out pouring of a heart that loves the Lord that loved them first, because while we were still undeserving sinners, He died for us! If this is not the basis of our teaching of obedience and “goodness” then we seek to raise good, pagan, citizens with no recognition of their depravity and no love for the One who saved them from it. However, it is a cross-centered, sacrificial, radical surrender that calls us out from the base to the glorious truth. It is a life that starts at Christ and ends at Christ and there is nothing a part from Him. All of this is not to say that we do not teach right from wrong, yes and no, or their right from their left. But, we do it all on the bedrock of who Christ is, why He came, what He did, and what we have, as His children, to look forward to.
So, let this letter be a reminder to you and a challenge to us all, that teaching Christ and Him crucified is our calling on this field. As we begin anew each day, let us put this above our doors: Our task, as laid before us, is ultimately in service to our Lord. It is His job to shine light in to the dark places and break through the walls of unbelief. But, Lord, grant us the wisdom to act as reflectors of You casting Your brilliance in to their line of sight. For these painfully short years that we have them running around our feet, Lord, help us to rightly shoulder the burden of not simply making good people but making Christ’s people.
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