We can tell from the conduct of people in this world
that they do not have this guidance. But a sanctified child has access
to the knowledge of what God expects, and from that he can make it his
goal in life to act that way. He can set his will to do the right thing. He is sanctified, and divine guidance is what he gains from it. - John W. Ritenbaugh
Verse 14 seems at first like it is a great blessing to our children, and it is. Our children are sanctified through our belief. In plain English... our children are good in God's eyes because we believe in Him. (And note that there is no age limit on this... I believe it carries into adulthood as well.)
But it is not only a blessing. It is also a responsibility. For those who have been taught by a Godly parent (or grandparent) we are given the task of living our lives the right way. There are expectations now.
Recently my daughter and I were discussing a fellow student who is just 16 and smokes and lives in a way that really upsets Bren. I asked her what kind of family this child must have grown up in to have that behavior tolerated and encouraged. I doubt that this young man has been given much Godly guidance in his short life. And not that he can't reach out to God and commit his life. But without those around him encouraging him and guiding him, it will be much more difficult.
So remember that although it's not your parents that get you into Heaven (or send you to Hell) a Godly parent is enough to sanctify you, making you aware of God's blessings and laws... and making you responsible for living your life in a Godly fashion.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Think today about the rules and blessings you parents gave you as you grew up. If you had a Godly parent, how do you think your life would have been different without their guidance. And if you didn't have a Godly parent, how do you think your life would have been different?
