Many of us have children and grandchildren. They are a blessing. This article is not about them, but rather, it is about spiritual children. Paul considered those who obeyed the Gospel because of his preaching to be his children. He told the Corinthian saints, “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15).
Paul called Timothy his “true son in the faith,” which leads us to believe that he was one of his converts (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2). He used him in his various works for the Lord. He, like any good father, watched out for his wellbeing, telling the Corinthians, “And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do” (1 Corinthians 16:10).
Paul addressed a letter to Titus by saying, “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 1:4). He sent him to Corinth to check on the church. Despite the fact that the Lord opened a door to him in Troas, he told the church of God in Corinth, “I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother, but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).
Paul’s thinking should stimulate your thinking and mine. Those busy planting seed should long for the Lord to bring forth an increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Many of us have been Christians for years. We have had opportunities to tell others that Jesus gave His blood to buy us back from sin. Those who ask about our hope of Heaven should be given the basis for it (1 Peter 1:18-19). So, do you and I have children? Let us preach the Word so the answer is more likely to be yes (Acts 8:4).
