In Luke Chapter 16, Our Lord gave an account of two men, one being rich and the other a beggar. The beggar during his lifetime was laid at the rich man’s gate desiring to be fed with crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.

As happens to both rich and poor, they both died. However, the beggar was taken by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man found himself in hell and tormented in fire. Often when we hear this story, it is used to show what happens at death. It is noteworthy, though; that amidst his torment in the afterlife his main concern was for the eternal well being of five (5) brothers he had left on the earth. How he wished he could have sent a message to them from beyond the grave warning them of the need to avoid hell.

Several things are clear from this account given by the Lord Jesus:

1.The family ties continue beyond the grave. Whether family members are in heaven with the Lord or in hell, they remain concerned about family members who are still alive on the earth

3. The man here showed no interests in the earthly well being of his brothers, whom he left on the earth. He never was concerned about who among them had inherited his estate. His concern was their eternal well being

If family ties survive death, it does mean that those ties are never broken here on the earth. The points above also tell us that our family care should always be among our highest priorities. There is much more to the family connection than the fact that we happen to be born to the same parents.

In the book of Revelation 7, verse 9, John records having seen a great multitude of people, which no man could number, standing before God. These people were said to be from nations, and kindreds, and people and tongues. What that scripture shows is that the multitude of the saved shall come from many nations, many races (peoples), many languages (tongues) and many families (kindreds). In other words, entire families shall be among the saved. Let’s put it another way: Being in heaven, would not rob you of your family identity.

Now let’s be clear on this: The Sadducees came to Jesus and reminded him of the saying of Moses that “if a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother”. They spoke of this woman who outlived brother after brother, altogether marrying seven (7) brothers before she too died. They wanted to know whose wife she would be in the resurrection. The Lord pointed out to them that there would be no such thing as marriage in the resurrection. In other words, among the resurrected there would be no such thing as a husband and wife.

While that is indeed so, we are speaking here of family ties already established here on earth and seeing evidence in the scripture that indicates that those ties are carried beyond the resurrection. In other words, you will know who your family members are.

Choices

So often you hear parents saying that the child has a mind of his/her own and makes his/her own choices.

While that is true, few seem to recognize that people need to learn how to make correct choices and, therefore, parents have a responsibility to teach children how to make correct choices.

Paul in Romans Chapter 7 verses 7 – 25, speaks of his experience under the law. He spoke of knowing what was right to do and of wanting to do the right thing. Here, Paul had the two necessary ingredients to do what was right:
      •    He knew what he should do
      •    He was willing to do the right thing

However, inspite of the above, he related still doing what was wrong. I am sure that almost every person can relate to that. Not every wrong you ever did was by error or because you did not know better. You knew better and at times wanted to do what was right.

Paul then said, “Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].” (Amplified Bible Translation of Romans 7:20)

In the (Romans 6) Paul wrote in verse 16 “Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?” (Amplified Bible Translation)

What the Scripture is saying in the two verses quoted above is that people are slave to sin and find themselves doing things at times, not by choice but rather because they are in bondage (slavery) to those evils. In other words, while in theory everyone can make a choice, people are not always free to make choices.

Parents need therefore to teach children how to avoid the bondages that would influence their future decisions so that they can be free to make the right choice. They should be taught the freedom that God gives through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “Whom the Son of God sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36)

Parents need to have adequate knowledge in spiritual matters and otherwise to assist in the upbringing and continued guidance of their children, else when we say that we have done our best, we may need to re-examine ourselves.
In the testimony referred to above, the Spirit of God led the father in prayer so that his daughter can be set free from a depression that may have enslaved and led into what may have seemed to be choices contrary to God’s will.

In the second testimony referred to at the commencement of this article, a mother relates her observation that her teenage daughter has a number of friends who seem to favor her. They are often seeking her attention.

The mother sees this as an opportunity for her daughter to positively influence her friends for Christ. The mother sees some leadership qualities in her daughter.

Parents who are attentive to their children would very likely be able to discern some of the gifts and talents that are in their children and therefore have the opportunity to offer counsel and guidance to aid in the development of the gift.

We have such a hint in the Scripture from Mary, the mother of the Lord. The Lord had not yet done his first miracle. From the Scripture Mary was invited to the wedding. Jesus her Son was already a man as his disciples were present. The Lord had already begun his Ministry, clearly, as he had begun to call men to follow him. Given that he began his ministry at the age of thirty, he was already a thirty year old man.

The Scripture relates that they had run out of wine. Keep in mind that Jesus had not yet done a single miracle. But Mary his mother knew, more than anybody present, his capabilities. She came to him with the request, Son, they have no wine. From the answer Jesus gave her it seems clear that her purpose for coming to him is that he would work a miracle. “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” What hour was he speaking about? He was referring to his time to perform miracles.

But her knowledge of him clearly went beyond just knowing his capabilities. Notwithstanding his word to her she had expectations of him, for she turned to the servants and gave them instructions “His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it.” (Amplified Translation)

Soon enough he was telling them to fill the waterpots and draw some out and take it to the manager of the feast. He had just performed his first miracle. All else may have been surprised, except his mother, because she knew her Son.