01/15/2026
Do we think that just because our children are born into a Christian household that they are guaranteed to follow Christ? Sadly, that is not true. Becoming a Christian, or a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, requires us to make a personal choice. We like to look at the Old Testament Covenant that God made with Abraham and likewise claim Jesus Christ for ourselves and our children, but just as with Abraham’s seed, whose covenant required that they not only believe, but that they live a lifetime of action, we Christians must too.
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.”
Genesis 17:7-9 KJV
Many believe that these words are the entire covenant between God, Abraham, and his seed but there is more. We tend to read this far in scripture and then shut our minds off, but God continues on and places additional conditions on this promise. God doesn’t paint Himself into a corner when He makes covenant... His will and nature remains intact and he remains true to who He is.
“And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.”
Genesis 17:12-14 KJV
So even though the promise was available to all of Abraham’s children, his seed could still miss out on it through disobedience to God’s stipulation concerning circumcision. What if I was an 8 day old baby, and a son of Abraham, would I be able to circumcise myself? No, it is left up to the parents to bring their child into compliance. In a Christian household there is a similar obligation placed on the parent, we are to raise our children in the way of Jesus. Not doing this robs that child of an early introduction to Christ, just as not circumcising within the lineage of Abraham cuts a soul off from his people.
Yet even if a child who was circumcised in the time of Abraham had to believe in and serve God, so do we as Christians. Paul clarifies this for us who are now under the New Covenant too. Let’s read his letter to the Romans...
“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”
Romans 9:6-8 ESV
So, what is Paul saying when he writes to the Romans? He is saying that it takes more than circumcision, more than being raised in a Christian household, more than a moment of conversion, it takes remaining in Christ. He is saying that there are those who are the seed of Abraham who have been circumcised and yet are not counted as his children... and he is saying that there are those of us who call themselves Christians who have likewise separated themselves from Christ.
So even though as Christian parents we should teach our children about Jesus Christ, and instill in them the knowledge of the gospel, this is very similar to the circumcision under the Covenant that God made with Abraham. We are meant to impart our faith to our children, but once this is done it requires that they do something more… they must believe and then continue in their faith. In this way our children are like the children of Abraham in that they must become the children of the New Covenant or else they are simply our biological seed and are just as the children of Isaac were… of the flesh. Choosing to believe is a choice that our kids must make for themselves and is one that we can’t make for them.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
Abraham was told to circumcise those in his household who were not his children, and we are also told to deliver the gospel to others, but that is a lesson for another day. As for our children who have been born into our “Christian” households, but do not choose to believe in Christ, they have missed the opportunity that our instruction has afforded them, but not the hope which endures. In Christ the choice doesn’t depend solely on a parent or a missionary, no, it is up to each of us to personally determine if we will believe pick up our cross and follow Jesus. Our salvation in Christ is not secured by linage, but by our personal choice to believe, and it is sustained by faith. We can submit ourselves to spiritual circumcision despite our parent’s having failed to teach us or by being born outside the faith, and yet just as Abraham circumcised those who were not his biological children, there will be others who will bring the gospel message to our offspring who have missed it as children... their eighth day naming is yet to come but is just as valid later in life. Have faith, and maintain your hope that salvation is still available.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for parents who raise their children in the knowledge of you, and your Son Jesus Christ. I thank you Father from those good parents who would adopt orphans, despite their age, and circumcise them in the gospel of Jesus. I pray Holy Father that, once awakened by the gospel that all those who have heard it will come to believe in you through Jesus Christ your son. And, I pray that they will increase in faith and belief throughout their lives. Your grace is sufficient Father and can circumcise every heart that would hear your call and accept you through your Son Jesus Christ. Our eighth day naming might come when we are children, or be received with our final breath, but your grace is truly sufficient. Praised be your name Father and may the name Jesus Christ be in the ears and on the tongue of all children without end. Dry the tears of good parents whose children have strayed and bring joy to the unclaimed children who have been adopted, because our hope in you reigns eternal, and your mercy knows no end. Holy, Holy, Holy, art thou who leaves the flock to search for the one lamb who is lost!
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:4-7 ESV
And thus, hear us even today Abba as we celebrate with all the heavenly host whenever you bring home each lost child by singing out… “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8).
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! AMEN!
Rich Forbes