Judges 3:1,2
“Now these are the nations that the LORD left, to test Israel by them (that is, all the Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it previously).”
This reminds me of the phrase, “God doesn’t have any grandchildren.” What this means is that everyone needs to accept Christ for themselves. Someone’s parents may have been great christians. Another may have grown up in church. That’s not enough. We all have to come to the point of faith. That’s partially what’s going on with the Israelites. Their parents saw God do great acts of deliverance when they entered the promised land. Their grandparents saw the miracles of deliverance from Egypt. Yet, they need to adopt the faith as their own.
Joshua gave this challenge to the nation, “But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Each one must choose to serve God or not. Waiting is a no.
Children are covered under their parents decision until the age of accountability. Catholics have theirs at about thirteen or fourteen years of age. That not a solid mark in God’s eyes. Some reach it sooner others later.
I accepted Christ at 17. Was that my age of accountability? I’m not sure. I thought I was right with God. When I accepted Christ I can’t say I completely understood what I was doing. In my mind the decision was, “If you’re with God come up front.” So I did.
I believe I was saved then. God began to have me bump into all sorts of people. These were good connections. God began to come up in many conversations. The devil tried hard to divert me. About six months later my mom and I discovered christian tv. It provided bible teaching of sorts. About seven months later I met Gordon. He was a seminary student. He invited me to his apartment every Friday night for bible study. We did this for at least a year.
About two years later my mom, brother and myself began to go to Calvary chapel. We were hooked on the bible teaching. We went at least three times a week. These were our new lives. We had done what Joshua challenged. God helped us to commit our lives to Him. In the process He had saved us.
We had learned how loving God is. We didn’t know how involved in life He would become. He is a rich, generous Father. He blessed us so. We grew in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit became ours. He caused us to be His witnesses. We began to tell others about Him.
It’s been a wonderful life. Thank You, Lord.
