© The Associated Press FILE - In this April 1, 2013, file photo, children participate in the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
Today, focus is on the place of spring baskets, colored eggs, and candies in acknowledging the resurrection of Christ. Right away, mature Christian believers may discern the sacred principle, “the elder will serve the younger.” To “stair-step” information as we minister to the young is not the same as betrayal, deceit, or lying. For the simple, such concepts as the cross, new creation, rebirth, restoration from death, and eternal life are made more memorable and understandable through devices that address carnal, material, and social needs. Christian parents should be unafraid and unashamed to comfort, nurture, protect, and support their young ones using balance, for in following Jesus Christ their children will be exposed to the fullness of life that includes bereavement, disappointments, loss, persecution, and sorrow. Many sophisticated doctrines and teachings will go over the heads of their little charges. Even so, the children’s discernment (i.e., ability to use their own spirit substance from the makeup of divinity to recognize and respond to the spirit matter residing in events, other persons, practices, promises, the holy writings, etc.) will be heightened and sharpened. Inseparable aspects of the divine makeup will become increasingly “visible” to them including faith, forbearance, forgiveness, grace, gratitude, holiness, hope, joy, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
Going further, mature believers should be willing to give consideration to the divine process and operations for communication, exchange, and interaction between and among the Creator with his created beings and living creatures. A corollary and parallel truth is seen to “first that that is natural, then that that is spiritual,” namely: First that that is visible, then that that is invisible; first that that is openly displayed, then that that is hidden; first that that is simple, then that that is profound.
For both adult and child believers, spiritual development and growth are gradual, and may often require responses that are distinctive, one-of-a-kind, and unique. Sacred knowledge, relationships anchored in love, and perfection do not progress in accordance with fixed cycles, worldly expectations, and time-tables as seen through the patterns of chronological, emotional, intellectual, and mental development. It is not sin or wrong-doing to respond to children in the terms of their emotional and social development, yet, care must be taken with an eye to their preparation for adult accountability and independent decision-making. The wisdom of the Scriptures also counsel, Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged (Colossians 3: 20-21, King James Version, KJV).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1st Corinthians 13: 8-12, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Completing Divine Unfinished Business (04/17/2017); Resurrected With The Lord (04/16/2017); African American Christmas? (12/15/2015); The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015); Beliefs, Customs and Racism? (09/24/2014); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013); Denying GOD by Eating Shrimp? (11/17/2013)
I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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