NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — One of the hardest things for a father who deeply loves his children is to watch as some of them stray far from their Maker and live in rebellion against Him.

One looks for a glimmer of light or something besides empty words to indicate that they do know the LORD God who created this world and redeemed all of us through the death of the Son, Messiah Jesus; but little hope can be seen. They may profess to know with their lips, but their lives offer little evidence that they know the LORD or have any desire to walk in His ways. No, this doesn’t mean they’re criminals or living wild and crazy lives - at least not that I know - but the desire to hear God’s Wordand walk in God’s ways is not evident.

Of course, the gracious working of God’s Spirit is beyond our view and understanding. We know He works through His Word, but we don’t know His timing and can’t actually see Him at work - only the results. “The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice; but you do not know from where He comes, and where He goes; so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit” (John 3:8 LITV).

To attempt to pressure or force my adult children to follow the LORD will do no good. In fact, if they were in some way coerced into attending church services and Bible studies, it could make things worse. They might become secure intheir lack of faith and confident that all is well with their souls when, in fact, it is not. The same is true of seeking a “revival” of sorts through some emotional experience. They could become confident in some decision they made in an emotional or moving moment rather than simply taking hold of Christ and His all-atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world - a sacrifice for sin which is efficacious at all times, regardless of human emotion.

All I can do is remind my children of the truth revealed in God’s Word and pray God’s Spirit continues His gracious working, that He rekindles the ember which is about to go out, that He draws the wandering and straying into His Word and brings them to know and trust Jesus as the Savior of their souls.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by email at rmoll@nwaonline.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 07/11/2012