Second And Third Generation Christians

by Micky Galloway

Judges 2:10 says, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel.”

Not many years before, God had sent Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. He had sent the plagues to destroy Egypt and to show that He alone is God. As they departed, God parted the waters of the Red Sea enabling the children of Israel to cross on dry ground and then closed the waters behind them, destroying the Egyptians. During their journey to Mount Sinai, God sweetened the bitter waters of Marah and sent manna and quail to feed the people during the forty years of wandering. God brought water from a rock at Rephidim and he manifested many other miracles to teach them to depend on Him. During the conquest of the land, they captured the city of Jericho, by the walls miraculously falling down after they were encompassed for seven days. On another occasion, God made the sun stand still in order that the Israelites could thoroughly destroy the Canaanites. It is alarming that a generation could so soon forget God’s gracious acts. However, we must remember this was “another generation after them.”

There are problems with second and third generation Christian that sometimes first generation Christians do not face. This is not to suggest that all second or third generation Christians have these problems, nor that first generation Christians never have problems themselves. But generally, about twenty years is quite revealing.

Timothy was a young man who was a second or third generation Christian. He was one of “unfeigned faith … which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice …” (II Timothy 1:5). It was because of the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother, who taught him the scriptures from the time that he was a “babe,” that he became “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:15). Timothy knew the scriptures. There is no substitute for knowing what the text says. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” In Acts 17:11 we learn that the Beroeans were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they examined “the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” I fear that second generation Christians may be lacking the Bible knowledge necessary to fight off the attacks of Satan. Gospel preachers often omit the use of Scripture needed to provide substance to sermons.

I am persuaded that one reason why we may lose our young people to the world is because we are failing to consistently train unto godliness “FROM A BABE.” Some are allowing the world’s standard of morality to shape what they accept as right or wrong. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Peter said, “as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in (the time of) your ignorance: but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living” (I Peter 1:14-15). Instead of learning of lascivious deeds and avoiding them, many Christians are participating in them. Such things include immodest dress (tight-fitting jeans, halter tops, etc.), mixed swimming, petting, pornography, dancing and such like.

Another area of concern is a lack of personal devotion and commitment. We must learn what it means to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). And, “If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27). Further, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37). Half-hearted devotion to the Lord is worthless. Christ must be the center of one’s life and all other things should be worked around one’s service to him. That may mean I cannot attend the ball game or concert, etc.

How do these things translate into our practice? Lack of Bible knowledge will lead to a generation which views the Lord’s church as another denomination. These will take the position that there are saved people in denominational churches. Lack of Bible morality will result in the church being filled with worldly people who justify attending dances, mixed swimming, wearing immodest attire, justify social drinking and those who have been divorced and remarried for no scriptural reason.

Our children today need to hear and give heed to these things. These dangers are ever present. First, there is the danger of one’s faith not being genuinely theirs. It is possible for our children to believe certain things just because Mom and Dad believe them, instead of having individual conviction that must be “learned” of God (John 6:44-45). True faith comes by the individual hearing and believing (Romans 10:17). There are too many who are not converted to Christ or else are in error simply because they choose to carry on the “family religion.”

Second, it’s easy to take faithfulness for granted if one assumes that just because his/her grandparents and parents were faithful, then I too am faithful. Please note the individuality of faithfulness. “… the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20). The Bible clearly teaches that one can fall from grace, no matter how good an environment he was reared in (Galatians 5:4; I Corinthians 10:12).

Third, some never learn true commitment to Christ. They view being a Christian on the basis of having been baptized and attending worship services, but scripture speaks of the church as “subject to Christ” (Ephesians 5:24). “Subject” is a military term meaning “to line-up under” and denotes complete submission and obedience to authority. Loss of commitment will result in dying churches where worship has become a lifeless, boring exercise in religious formality.

Fourth, some fail to personally study God’s Word for themselves. Christians, from the beginning, must “long for the spiritual milk …” (I Peter 2:2), so they may grow in faith. First generation Christians admit their lack of Bible knowledge and will hunger and thirst to obtain it; but, some who are “raised in the church” may think they already “know” all they need to without personal study.

Fifth, parents can become lax and not be diligent in providing the proper spiritual training (Ephesians 6:1-4). Taking my children to worship, as important as that is, is no substitute for providing a godly atmosphere in the home with regular Bible study coupled with a good example. The “do as I say, not as I do” approach does not work in influencing our children to serve God.

We need to examine ourselves by the standard of God’s Word, both parents and children (II Corinthians 13:5), and serve God out of personal conviction, continuing in spiritual growth (II Peter 1:5-10).