I have spent the past couple days on counseling the unsaved person who thinks they are saved. I know this hits painfully close to home for some of you. You have children you have raised in Christian homes, in the church and Awana or Pioneer club. You sent them to Christian school or you maybe even home schooled them and somewhere along the way you began to question if all that you poured into them actually stuck.
What began as a little niggle in your mind has over time become a roar of concern as you see them make one worldly choice and decision after the next. Their language and music, clothing and friends all speak of ungodliness. When you confront them their words assure you that they really meant it when they got saved, and that there is really nothing wrong with what they do. Somehow, your concern is twisted around and becomes "judging" and you wind up defending your words and actions before the conversation is over!
This is common place stuff in many of our Christian homes these days. We have got to know how to address our kids who "prayed the prayer" or walked an aisle, or recommitted their lives to Christ at youth camp one summer. We have got to know what our role is in the lives of our kids who profess but don't live it. The age of the child does matter. Parents still have time with younger ones to influence and mold their hearts and wills and orient them toward Christ.
It is the older ones, the high school and over age that I will address here. It is sad that so many homes have become battle grounds for the sake of Christ and salvation. Parents, can I remind you of some truth? You are not responsible for their decision regarding Christ. Your job as Mom and Dad is to present the truth to them about the gospel of Jesus Christ accurately and you are responsible to live the truth of the gospel as well.
God is the one who decides who will be saved. Not you, not me, not your pastor or youth leader, and not even your child. Ephesians 1 makes that crystal clear.
...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, Ephesians 1:4-5 (NASB)
If God chose them, they will come. No one can resist His calling on their life, you can be comforted in that truth. Does that absolve us of our responsibility to evangelize them? NO, by no means is that the intention of Paul. The question is just what means will it take to get their attention? Do not be so prideful to think that you must be the one who eventually really leads them to Christ. If God intends to save them, He will do so before they take their last breath.
What do we do when they have heard it all before, the kid seem to have all the right answers, but their life is opposite of how we know they are to live? We will have to save that for tomorrow because it is too long to cover today.