Biblical Answer

The Legacy of a Good Parent: A Legacy that Lasts Beyond Life

As a Christian, it's natural to wonder if being a good parent is worth it, even if it means giving your life for your child. The Bible teaches us that parenting is a sacred responsibility, and it's not just about raising children to be good people, but also about pointing them to the love of God. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "This is good, and it is pleasing to God our Savior, who will appear on that great day with his mighty angels in flaming fire, commanding and executing the wrath of God on those who do not obey him and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). This passage reminds us that our children's souls are at stake, and it's our duty as parents to teach them the gospel and help them trust Christ for salvation.

While it's true that parents are not sovereign, and we can't guarantee the outcome of our children's lives, we can be confident that our efforts to teach them the gospel and model a life of faith will have a lasting impact. As the Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). This doesn't mean that our children will always turn out as we hope, but it does mean that our influence will be felt long after we're gone. And even if our children don't become Christians, we can still have a profound impact on their lives by living out the gospel in front of them. As the Bible says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:9-11). By living out these values, we can be a positive influence in our children's lives, even if they don't become Christians.

Ultimately, being a good parent is not just about raising successful children, but about pointing them to the love of God. As the Bible says, "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you'" (Jeremiah 31:3). This passage reminds us that God's love for us is not based on our performance or our children's performance, but on His character. As parents, we can rest in this love, knowing that our efforts to teach our children the gospel and model a life of faith will be rewarded, even if our children don't become Christians. And even if we're no longer alive to see the fruit of our labor, we can trust that God will use our efforts to bring glory to Himself, even in the lives of our children. So, yes, being a good parent is worth it, even if it means giving your life for your child. For as the Bible says, "This is what the Lord says: 'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). By trusting in God's sovereignty and living out the gospel in front of our children, we can be confident that our efforts will have a lasting impact, even if our children don't become Christians.