We wait as people whose lives are so unselfconsciously transformed by the gospel that we are characterized by self-sacrificing service to brothers and sisters in Christ. These least brothers of Christ are here those who belong to Christ who are most despised, most distressed.

Ultimately, the question is not what the atonement provides, as after all, the atonement provides everything. The question is, How much of the ultimate blessings of the final kingdom are to be expected and enjoyed among us today, and how much is reserved for the Lord’s return?

Scripture presupposes that something is still to come and that is not a reference solely to the historical fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 or something similar. If it is, then you still must come to grips with a passage like I John 2:18. It was certainly written after the fall of the temple in AD 70 where the apostle insists, “Just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so also there now are many antichrists.”

Jesus said these things are characteristic of the period just before the end. Therefore, surely the Lord must be on His way, but the end is nt yet. Nations will fall. There will be wars, and rumors of wars, but the end is not yet. The entire period of distress is characterized by internal pain.

We must teach the objective and historical reality of God’s progressive and purposeful revelation. Through this revelation, God speaks a transcendent message to people in every age. He shapes their minds, hearts and lives so that they can know and serve Him, and speak His truth to others.

Training goes beyond teaching or imparting knowledge.

It includes positive motivation as well as modeling godly behavior before the child. This would sometimes help explain a child who, under the influence of a godly home, chooses to attend to the things of the Lord. Nevertheless in his adult years he tires of the spiritual life and willfully turns to the way of the world.

Simple ones are gullible, scorners are the smart alecks, and fools are the rebels. In a nutshell, here is America’s children and teenage problem. This is not a representation of all youth, but is unfortunately a significant reality.

Our kids are going to learn more from our lifestyle than they’re going to learn from our words. We need to give them a godly example. You do not have to pretend perfection: you are not. They’re going to be watching you to see how you handle your mess-ups. There are so many things they can only learn by example.

Learning to rejoice does not mean there are no tears, or grief. It means that despite all of the vicissitudes of life we will ever face on this side of the new heaven and the new earth, when our confidence is anchored in the living God, we can look to Him even in the midst of tear-bleary eyes and rejoice in Him.

I will follow God’s instructions, continue to pursue the goal, and not listen to those who try to distract me from my God-given direction and goal.