Letters    

TO A SON ON HIS 13TH BIRTHDAY

Dear _______                                                                                             November 1, 1984

      You are now 13 years old. You are a young man. Life should now appear to be a far more serious matter. Now, you should assume a more sober attitude, to weigh your actions before you do them, and your words before you utter them. Life is real, life is short, and should be lived in earnest. One day, you, like your parents, will die.

     Now, you will be faced with different and greater temptations. God has designed these to reveal the kind of man you will become. Every sin has eternal consequences, and should, therefore, be resisted for the love of Jesus.

    Your mother and father are very sad that we have nothing at this time to give you as a gift on your birthday. We have given our lives to preach, and to teach the Word of God to as many people as possible in these last days in the history of mankind. Had we become members of the religious community by joining one of the man-made denominations, we would have been able to live as most everyone else, but your father would not have been free to speak for fear of offending people. This is the price of freedom. It has made our life lonely, hard, and at times bitter, but we are free to be and to say what we believe God would have us to be and to say.

     When you embark upon manhood, you will have to decide if you will follow in the steps of your parents, or whether you will follow after money because of the things it can buy; or, people, because of the influence they may have; or, whether you will follow after the blessed will of God because of your love for Him.

     You will now begin to take more notice of the frivolous attitudes of most other boys and girls. Most of them will develop physically, but will stupidly marry because they are attractive to the eyes of each other, or because one is popular, or rich. Such people are but children grown old. The choice of a wife to live with after the ordinance of God, and with whom you will share your life, will affect your happiness in this life, as well as the happiness of your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren ...until time shall be no more. Choose wisely: be directed by the wisdom God reveals in His Word.

    It is not possible for you to be the kind of father, husband, or man you should be until you first become the kind of Christian you should be. Does the blessed Son of God live and reign as King in your thoughts? in your affections? Do you have a place reserved for you in Heaven? How, then, should you help your brother, and sister by service as their guide and example! What kind of a young man should you be before your classmates!

    Eternity is at hand. Any moment of any day we may die. Therefore, there is nothing of greater consequence than to know it is well with your soul. I believe without doubt that you will see open rebellion and revolution in the streets of our land. You may be called upon to sacrifice your life for another person, or, for the truth of God. You may suffer imprisonment, but,

Walls do not a prison make                                         Nor iron bars a cage.

      Be faithful to the Lord: love Him for His great sacrifice for you, and though behind bars you will be the Lord's freeman. No man can take your character, or integrity: the only way for you to lose them is for you to surrender them.

    "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10).

    Do not attempt to be like your father: be a better man than he.

    "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17) because only by the grace of God can any stand "against principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

     May you be found dressed in the lovely robes of the righteousness of Christ when you stand before God who shall judge all the earth in righteousness.

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