QUESTION RECEIVED:
How does my family break the cycle of immoral behavior? Should I be concerned about their accepting Christ? If I have trouble or behave in a non-christian manner for a time, can I stop it from affecting them? Do we have to remain in a 'vicious'circle?
MY ANSWER:
Sin is the family of man's problem.
Even counseling, or human analysis of our problems, endorses the true biblical statement in behavior stated in the second commandment, stated below. Sin runs in a bad cycle especially in families. When we elevate anything before God it is sin and it escalates in our lives and family. We see this in abuse and addiction in families. What we do not see is the agony and hopelessness passed on to family members. We can not see the ultimate fate of doomed lives. But it can and will happen if there is not a change.
Exodus 20:4-6 The Second Commandment
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."
No you cannot stop or resolve another person's sin by your own behavior.
When addressing sins and faults people often turn to Scripture and isolate verses.
They try a behavior they cannot maintain.
This leads to healing by legalism. We will fail.
Why? We just cannot do it.
Romans 3:23
English Standard Version (ESV)
"23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Even the "best" Christian will fail if their example is what will effect someone else concerning their salvation.
There is only one way to please God.
Hebrews 11:6
English Standard Version (ESV)
"6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
You have heard it said probably that God does not have any grandchildren.
You must be born again. A person is born into the Kingdom. You can not do that for them.
John 3:3
English Standard Version (ESV)
"3Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
There is only one way to enter the Kingdom. You have to be pardoned, accepted and adopted by the King-who is Jesus Christ.
You are right in pointing them toward the kingdom.
Matthew 6:33
English Standard Version (ESV)
"33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
It is good that you have concern for your family and how your actions will relate to their salvation.
The bad news is that you will be a terrible Savior.
Your family will not be saved or healed through you.
The Good News is that we already have the perfect Son of God, who is and was God in the flesh, who lived a perfect life, who died on the cross to pay for the sins of sinners like me. He took the wrath of God intended for us on the cross. He arose victorious over sin, hell death and the grave as He was Resurrected three days later.
Pray and repent of your sins and know you have been born again.
Be patient with your family. God has been patient with us.
There are not many ways to solve your families greatest problem.
There is one way.
Thanks be to God in His grace and mercy he provided the ultimate and final way to peace with Him through Jesus Christ.
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