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A Better Country, February 18
Now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is
not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11:16
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When Lot entered Sodom he fully intended to keep himself free from iniquity
and to command his household after him. But he signally failed....
Many are still making a similar mistake.... Their children are surrounded
by temptation, and too often they form associations that are unfavorable to the
development of piety and the formation of a right character. The atmosphere of
lax morality, of unbelief, of indifference to religious things, has a tendency to
counteract the influence of the parents. Examples of rebellion against parental
and divine authority are ever before the youth; many form attachments for
infidels and unbelievers, and cast in their lot with the enemies of God.
In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and
religious influences that will surround us and our families. We may be placed
in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would;
and whenever duty calls us, God will enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we
watch and pray, trusting in the grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly
expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian
character....
Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense
of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible
loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls.
Their lifework is lost; their life is a sad failure. Had they exercised true wisdom,
their children might have had less of worldly prosperity, but they would have
made sure of a title to the immortal inheritance.
The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world....
We must dwell as pilgrims and strangers here if we would gain “a better
country, that is, an heavenly.
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Ibid., 168-170
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