I Timothy 1:5 "the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
As your Dad or Mom…
I can share with you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions, but I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you nice clothes, but I cannot make you lovely inside.
I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend, but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you to respect, but I cannot force you to honor.
I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
I can teach you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you about the facts of life, but I cannot build your reputation.
I can tell you about drinking and drugs, but I cannot say no for you.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I cannot achieve them for you.
I can let you work, but I cannot make you responsible.
I can teach you to obey, but I cannot answer for your actions.
I can teach you kindness, but I cannot force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.
I can love you as my child, but I cannot place you in God’s family.
I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Him your Savior.
I can show you faith, but I cannot make you trust in Christ.
I can teach you about prayer, but I cannot make you pray.
I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you Eternal Life.
I can, and will, love you…forever.
When we have done our best to give instruction in the lives of our kids or in our workplace and it is time to let them go and make independent choices, I love the simple assurance of Paul to his disciple Timothy as he goes out into a world of false teaching and confusion. Paul’s instruction to Timothy simply says that the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. We teach, model, instruct, correct and send. Remember the most important thing is love and pray that the Holy Spirit will move to reveal truth.
