Ok, strange post, I guess, but I believe God has helped me find an answer that glorifies his mercy and does not minimise his justice. I have always struggled with the concept of generational sin; that I might be living the consequences of the sins of my great- grandparents and my great grandchildren living out the consequences of mine. It didn't seem fair to me that God would allow innocent children to suffer from something they had no control over (sound familiar?); but since the Bible stated clearly "God...visits the sins of the fathers to the 3rd and 4th generations", I can't just come up with an answer that sounds good to me, I have to be true to the text and also view the situation through the character of God. Here is the answer I've found. I am open to theological/doctrinal correction........
Ex. 20: 4-5 and Duet 5:9-10 are, I believe the verses most often quoted regarding generational sin.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.....
Ps. 136 is a familiar passage....His mercy endureth FOREVER!!!!
...then I read v. 6 of Ex. 20 and it has that wonderful conjunction ....
6 BUT showing MERCY to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
So, I acknowledge some facts
~ In context, sins being visited to generations is in the context of Idolatry. There were national consequences, as the Children of Israel were in captivity for three and four generations after the kingdom/s were established. Even the kings who 'did what was right in the eyes of the LORD....but they did not tear down the high places." They even went so far as destroying the idols, just not the sacred ground. The influence of idoltry was carried on and generation after generation suffered in captivity for it.
(I wonder if the 'high places' and 'inherited depravity' have any corrleation?)
~ God visits the sin on those who HATE him
~ God show mercy on those who LOVE him.
~God allows consequences for a few generations.
~God show mercy forever!
~What one sows, they will reap.....
Conclusion: I may not be able to break the cycle of generational sin in the sense of my children/decendants not having to bear consequences and deal with the influences of the 'bad seed' sown into their heritage. But I can sow good seed into their heritage; teach them to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I can plead for God's mercy (God NOT giving us what we deserve) to cover their lives; leave the results in the hands of a loving and merciful God. Make sense?
So, hopefully I will be posting pics soon. It has been awhile and I have alot of pictures to go through. Bentley is 6 mo. old now. What a little personality he has! He started crawling and sitting on his own in the same week.....about 5 1/2 months old! It's so fun to watch him really discover the world throught touch and taste~ hah! He loves oatmeal, not crazy about rice. Enjoys bananas and sweetpotatoes. He is tall, now in 9 mo. clothes....but you know how that is, depending on the brand determines the size :). Tony and I are doing fine. I am no longer babsitting and we are working on our business with Prepaid Legal. My mom, grandfather and sister were here in May for my birthday/mothers day. It was my honor to follow Christ in baptism on MothersDay sunday, with my family as witnesses. Wanted to have a baby dedication for Bentley but it did not work out. Nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact! Keep your eyes open for pics......
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