Taming your inner wild child …

Have you ever had someone visit your home who brought their children with them, only for them to sit idly by while their kids terrorized your home?

That wouldn’t be acceptable with a friend of mine.

He and his wife love kids and invite their friends to bring their children with them when they come to visit. However, upon arrival, my friend and his wife present their visitors with a welcome note they give to all visitors with children. It explains their children are welcome in their home, BUT their are “house rules” which all children must abide by. They are allowed to play in the living room, family room, or a specific bedroom that has several toys and games and room for kids to play. They can play in the back yard only if a parent is outside with them to supervise. And no running or throwing things in their home. Parents are asked to ensure the house rules are observed by their children, and beyond that, they’re all welcome and hope they enjoy themselves fully while there.

I love that idea!

The reason why is because it graciously welcomes people into their home, but explains upfront that the home has standards that are expected from everyone.

The same goes for the kingdom of God. For some reason, many tend to think in God’s kingdom they can be like the parent who allows their children to act like a bull in a china shop when visiting someone else’s home, except this time they are the wild child! They very quickly discover that while God gives us free will, He does not give us free reign. We’re born again into His kingdom, His family, and we’re in His “household.” We continue to think for ourselves, but God still sets the standard. There are behaviors that are not appropriate for us in His family, and He makes that clear from the outset.

For example, look closely at what Paul writes in Ephesians 4:20-32: “But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And ‘don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

That’s just one example of God communicating to His children that our behavior needs to conform to the standard of His household. There are many other passages that help us understand His expectations for us, but they’re easily summed up with Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 4:1, which simply but clearly states: “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”

As you live out your life as God’s child in His kingdom, are you like the child who conforms to the will of the parent’s standard, or more like the wild child who no one wants a visit from?

Scotty