This question is the title of a great
article by Brian Croft posted at
The Gospel Coalition’s website.
Here are some important highlights from the article:
As parents, we all wrestle with how to answer this question, and I've found there are usually two extremes that need to be avoided. The first is made worse by a lack of discernment shown in many churches when they routinely extend altar calls to 4- or 5-year-olds, ask them to raise their hands if they love Jesus, and then baptize them as converted followers of Christ.
The second is often a reaction against the carelessness of the first. This extreme prevents both parents and also pastors from being willing to affirm a child's conversion until they are adults, independent of their parent's authority and care. While reluctance on both counts is somewhat warranted, I believe a middle ground must be approached in order to discern clear biblical evidence that a child, teenager, or young adult has become a new creature in Christ.
He then outlines five evidences to look for in discerning whether or not your child has come to true saving faith:
- Growing affection and need for Jesus and the gospel.
- Heightened understanding of the truths of Scripture.
- Increased kindness and selflessness toward siblings.
- Greater awareness of and distaste for sin.
- Noticeable desire to obey parents.
Brian Croft presents five questions to consider when looking for the above evidences and evaluating the spiritual condition of a child.
- Does my child appear to truly love Jesus, or is he or she just telling me they do because I said so?
- Does my child independently seek to know God's Word?
- Does my child demonstrate greater understanding of deep spiritual truths?
- Is my child demonstrating spiritual fruit contrary to his personality?
- Is there independent remorse for daily sins?
This article is very helpful and informative. You can read the entire article
here.
For your pinning pleasures:
Photo Credit:
David R. Tribble on
Wikipedia CC BY-SA
