ONE FATHER'S GOOD ADVICE
It seems like all of us have a childhood memory of one or two favorite sayings of our parents.
These are those sayings we heard so many times, we promised ourselves we would never say
them to our children (but, of course, we do). I heard a preacher who said his memory came from
his dad. He said there were two he heard quite often and they both contained truth and wisdom
that he hoped to pass on to his children.
The first of these sayings was heard mostly in his boyhood years. It went something like this:
“It is always right to do right--it is always wrong to do wrong--it is never right to do wrong--it is
never wrong to do right--and that’s right!” To which the boy would reply (under his breath), “I
know, Dad.” He said it was an axiom that was painfully obvious, but admitted that it was one that
many dispute today.
Some say we cannot know absolute right and wrong because there is none. To these folks,
depending on the circumstances, it would right to do right sometimes and right to do wrong
sometimes. The Word of God teachers otherwise; it repeatedly makes reference to a singular,
permanent, absolute body of truth that is to rule every action of our lives for all time (John 8:32;
17:17; Eph. 4:15). Because of this fact, no matter what the situation, a sinful act will always be
just that--a sinful act. Others claim that right and wrong are subjective: any act can be justified if
one’s motives are pure. To these people, it is always right to do right--as you see it. But again, the
Bible’s view of right and wrong is different. The truth is objective and one’s sincerity does not
change truth! Those who honestly believe something that is wrong have still rejected the truth
despite the sincerity of their beliefs (2 Thess. 2:10-12). The preacher said he was thankful his
father had imprinted the truth of this saying in his mind.
The second of those sayings from his dad came later in life and would be said as the son was
leaving the house with friends or to go on a date. It went something like this: “Remember who
you are and what you are.” To which the young man would reply (still somewhat under his
breath), “I know, Dad.” But he said he would to God that more fathers would take the time to
teach this to their children. Our children must have respect for who they are. They have a re- sponsibility to honor their parents and the family name (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2). If they are
Christians, they also need to have respect for what they are--children of God. Their light must
shine (Matt. 5:15-17). The preacher said he was thankful his father taught him this truth also.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Real courage makes both friends and foes.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
These are those sayings we heard so many times, we promised ourselves we would never say
them to our children (but, of course, we do). I heard a preacher who said his memory came from
his dad. He said there were two he heard quite often and they both contained truth and wisdom
that he hoped to pass on to his children.
The first of these sayings was heard mostly in his boyhood years. It went something like this:
“It is always right to do right--it is always wrong to do wrong--it is never right to do wrong--it is
never wrong to do right--and that’s right!” To which the boy would reply (under his breath), “I
know, Dad.” He said it was an axiom that was painfully obvious, but admitted that it was one that
many dispute today.
Some say we cannot know absolute right and wrong because there is none. To these folks,
depending on the circumstances, it would right to do right sometimes and right to do wrong
sometimes. The Word of God teachers otherwise; it repeatedly makes reference to a singular,
permanent, absolute body of truth that is to rule every action of our lives for all time (John 8:32;
17:17; Eph. 4:15). Because of this fact, no matter what the situation, a sinful act will always be
just that--a sinful act. Others claim that right and wrong are subjective: any act can be justified if
one’s motives are pure. To these people, it is always right to do right--as you see it. But again, the
Bible’s view of right and wrong is different. The truth is objective and one’s sincerity does not
change truth! Those who honestly believe something that is wrong have still rejected the truth
despite the sincerity of their beliefs (2 Thess. 2:10-12). The preacher said he was thankful his
father had imprinted the truth of this saying in his mind.
The second of those sayings from his dad came later in life and would be said as the son was
leaving the house with friends or to go on a date. It went something like this: “Remember who
you are and what you are.” To which the young man would reply (still somewhat under his
breath), “I know, Dad.” But he said he would to God that more fathers would take the time to
teach this to their children. Our children must have respect for who they are. They have a re- sponsibility to honor their parents and the family name (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2). If they are
Christians, they also need to have respect for what they are--children of God. Their light must
shine (Matt. 5:15-17). The preacher said he was thankful his father taught him this truth also.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Real courage makes both friends and foes.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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