Following Father: But Where Is He Headed?

Following Father:But Where Is He Headed?

“Whether you like it or not, you are leading your children either toward heaven or hell.”

Dr. Black was a successful physician and surgeon, highly respected in his community. He was a devoted husband and father, especially close to his curly-haired young son, Bobby. The boy was never far from his father’s side when the doctor was at home. Sometimes Bobby even went along on rounds when the doctor went to see his patients, much to their delight.

But there was one place to which father and son never went together. Each Sunday morning Bobby went to church with his mother and sister. But the doctor never went with them; he said he had no use for religion.

Bobby enjoyed Sunday school, and he liked his teacher. One Sunday’s lesson was entitled “Our Heavenly Home.” The children really liked it because the teacher asked lots of questions.

“Bobby, when you get to heaven, what will be the first thing you see?” the teacher asked.

Bobby hesitated for a moment, then replied, “I’m not going to heaven.”

The teacher was shocked. “Why Bobby? Surely you want to go to heaven.”

“No, I don’t!” Bobby responded without hesitation. “I’m going with Daddy. My mother and sister are going to heaven, but I’m going with my father. We go everywhere together.” His answer deeply hurt the teacher.

A few days later, while receiving medical treatment from Dr. Black, the teacher related the incident to the physician. At first,the doctor tried to laugh it off as a big joke, but he was plainly shaken. “Yes, that is just like Bobby. He always wants to be with me and go wherever I’m going.”

“And where will you be going, Doctor?” The teacher’s gentle inquiry hit its mark. The respected surgeon could not escape the comment his dear son made in Sunday school.

It bothered him until late one Saturday night when he got down on his knees to confess his sins and ask God to forgive him. As he prayed, he received the Lord Jesus as his own personal Savior and became a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

The next morning, he told his family about his new-found faith, and went with them to Sunday school. Now he was the best companion for Bobby, one whom the boy could follow even to heaven.

Father, how about you? Are you good company for your little son or daughter? Where are you leading them? If your child follows in your footsteps where will you both end up?

Whether you like it or not, you are leading your children either toward heaven or hell, because, according to God’s Word, you yourself are headed for one or the other. Whether you know it or not, you are the greatest influence in their lives. The question is: How are you influencing them?

To be on your way to heaven, the Bible clearly says you must confess your sins to God and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, believing that He died for your sins. “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18 NKJV). Then God may say of you, “I have known him ... that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord” (Gen. 18:19).

If you ignore God’s free offer of salvation, the results are fatal: “The ... unbelieving ... shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). How sad it would be if God had to say of your child, “He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father” (1 Ki. 22:52).

Fathers, wake up and realize that you can be a great influence in your child’s life for his or her eternal good!

Are you headed for heaven, and leading your followers there? We can show you how.

Anonymous