{"id":537,"date":"2012-03-13T13:30:09","date_gmt":"2012-03-13T17:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/faithkids\/?p=537"},"modified":"2014-07-22T11:08:17","modified_gmt":"2014-07-22T15:08:17","slug":"is-my-child-really-saved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/faithkids\/is-my-child-really-saved\/","title":{"rendered":"Is My Child Really Saved?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the great desires burdening the hearts of Christian parents\u00a0is to see their children come to Christ.\u00a0 That’s certainly the case for my wife and me.\u00a0 We share the gospel with our children in the course of our daily lives multiple times each week, and we pray for their salvation nightly.\u00a0 Our three-year-old son periodically tells us that he believes in Jesus.\u00a0 These professions are usually sandwiched between requests for chocolate milk and comments on the speed of Lightning McQueen.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

So, how do you know if your child is saved?\u00a0 How can you tell if their faith is real?\u00a0 Pastor Brian Croft of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky has addressed this question in a recent post on his blog Practical Shepherding<\/em>.\u00a0 In this helpful post, Croft identifies some qualities that typically mark a genuine profession of faith on the part of a child.\u00a0 Check out some of the things we ought to be looking for.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you discern the conversion of a child?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are commonly 2 extremes as we all wrestle with this question.\u00a0 The first is the careless lack of discernment of many churches who have an alter call for 4-5 year olds, ask them to raise their hand if they love Jesus, then baptize them as converted followers of Jesus.\u00a0 The other extreme often results from the carelessness of the first.<\/span><\/p>\n

This extreme prevents both parents and pastors to be willing to affirm whether or not a child is truly converted until they are adults and are completely independent of their parent\u2019s authority and care.\u00a0 I believe a middle ground must be approached if we truly desire to discern clear biblical evidence that a child, teenager, or young adult has become a new creature in Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

Five Evidences<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Knowing we are not God and cannot see the heart, I believe there are still evidences we can see and know to help us discern a child or teenager\u2019s conversion in a similar way we try to do the same with adults.\u00a0\u00a0 In the spirit of Jonathan Edward\u2019s 5 signs of true conversion,<\/span><\/a> here are 5 evidences that I try to use as a template as both a parent and pastor in wrestling with this issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 A growing affection and need for Jesus and the gospel.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 A heightened understanding of the truths of Scripture.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 An increased kindness and selflessness towards siblings.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 A greater awareness and distaste for sin.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 A noticeable desire to obey parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Age Factor<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In my experience as both a parent and a pastor, I have found that age is not the most important gauge to determine true conversion, but to genuinely look for these evidences in an age appropriate manner.\u00a0 For example, we need to know that a child has a clear understanding of the gospel.\u00a0 However, that will be articulated by a 10 year old differently than it should a 16 year old.\u00a0 A desire to obey parents and a selfless spirit towards siblings will also show up differently in a 10 year old than they will in a 16 year old.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, they must be present in some way and I would strongly discourage any pastor or parent to affirm a child\u2019s conversion without some kind of tangible evidence apart from their verbal profession.\u00a0 On the flip side, I would also caution you from falling into the trap I have in the past in regard to demanding more from a child than can be observed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Discernment\u00a0Required<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is tricky ground I realize.\u00a0 So much as a pastor must be approached on a case by case basis.\u00a0 Many of us will be all around the spectrum, but the one takeaway from this post is be mindful to avoid the extremes that do exist on both sides.\u00a0 Find\u00a0a nice seat in the shade somewhere in the middle as a starting point.\u00a0 Then, be wise, assess honestly, and pray that the merciful God who does regenerate adults, teenagers, and even children would give you much discernment.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So, how do you know if your child is saved? How can you tell if their faith is real? Pastor Brian Croft of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky has addressed this question in a recent post on his blog Practical Shepherding. In this helpful post, Croft identifies some qualities that typically mark a genuine profession of faith on the part of a child. 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