"When My Father and Mother Forsake Me"
Darkness to Light: Part 15
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Psalm 27:10
Dear reader, I wish to address something that has been weighing heavily on my heart. It is the issue of parents, especially in my childhood church, all but disowning any of their children who would leave their specific denomination. I have heard of so many instances of spiritual abuse when it comes to children leaving the “church.” Especially if those children would claim to have any sort of actual faith in Christ, those are the ones who seem to be attacked all the more.
I realize that, as a parent, it would be very difficult to hear that your child is leaving something that you taught him or her that was a good thing all their lives. In regards to church, especially if they were to completely leave the Christian church altogether. But in many cases in my childhood church, parents who would claim no saving faith in Christ for themselves work endlessly to attack any of their children who do claim a true faith in Christ and wish to leave to go to a church where the gospel is freely preached. All the while, praising it seems, their other children who remain in that “church” unconverted.
Firstly, I would like to address those parents whose children have left the “church” and are claiming faith in Christ. Would you, as a parent, not rejoice that your children are claiming Christ as their own and wish to worship Him more? Maybe that other church doesn't do things like your church does, maybe they don't wear the same clothes that you do. But does that church display the marks of a true church?1
The marks by which the true Church is known are these: If the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if it maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing sin. (Belgic Confession, Article 29)
Is your child growing in the fear and admonition of the Lord? Does your child love Christ? Have you seen the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Have they repented of their sins and put their whole trust in the finished work of Christ? Maybe ask them sometimes what they believe, and listen in love, not with a combative spirit.
Also, parents, do you have faith in Christ? Have you repented of your sins and are resting fully on His finished work on the cross? If your answer is no, then go to Christ immediately! You must; it is a command!2 Do not delay! Also, I would warn you against attacking your children who do have faith in Christ. You are not showing Christ’s love when you say, “We will not attend your future children’s baptisms” or “I will no longer do business with you because you have left the special truth.” These are just a few shameful examples I have heard from friends who have left my childhood church. Dear reader, if this is you, repent!
Secondly, I would like to speak to those who have left my childhood church and have true faith in Christ. Know that though parents, siblings, “friends,” and former church members forsake you, the Lord will uphold you!3 Know that you have a heavenly Father who cares for you45, Christ, our great High Priest, who knows all our infirmities6, and you have brothers and sisters in Christ who are praying for you daily!
Cling to Christ! He will not let you go!
In doubt and temptation I rest, Lord, in thee;
my hand is in thy hand, thou carest for me;
my soul with thy counsel through life thou wilt guide,
and afterward make me in glory abide.In glory thou only my portion shalt be,
on earth for none other I long but for thee;
my flesh and heart falter, but God is my stay,
the strength of my spirit, my portion for aye.My God, I will extol thee
and ever bless thy name;
each day will I give thanks to thee
and all thy praise proclaim.All they that forsake thee must perish and die,
but near to my Savior most blessed am I;
I make thee my refuge, my Lord and my God;
thy grace and thy glory I publish abroad.Psalter 202, Psalm 73
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/marks-true-church-introduction
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 John 3:23
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Psalm 27:10
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mathew 6: 31-34
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/dont-be-anxious-your-heavenly-father-cares-part-2#:~:text=Your%20Heavenly%20Father%20Knows%20What,his%20heart%20as%20a%20child.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15