Husbands and wives who have been brought to believe God's Gospel and rest in Christ's righteousness alone as their only hope and cause of salvation have been given a unique responsibility when the Lord graciously entrusts children into their care. King David declared: "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."(Ps.127:3) That being the case, it is puzzling to see parents who claim to believe the Gospel, who claim that Christ is indeed the "Lord our RIGHTEOUSNESS", approach their spiritual responsibility towards those children entrusted into their care with an almost fatalistic attitude. It's as if they fall back on Divine providence, trusting that if it is God's will that their sons and daughters be saved, the Lord will save them. In a sense, that is like tempting God! I know, understand, and believe that God does indeed have an elect people, chosen in Christ their Head before the foundation of the world. I know, understand, and believe that God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ actually came IN TIME as the Surety, Substitute, Redeemer, and Savior of all those given to Him by the Father in the everlasting covenant of grace, actually saving His people from their sins by His obedience unto death. I know, understand, and believe that ONLY THOSE chosen by the Father, redeemed and justified by the Son, and regenerated and converted by the Holy Spirit will be saved, AND NONE OF THEM WILL BE LOST. Knowing all of these great truths DOES NOT RELIEVE me, or any other person from their responsibility to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."(II Tim.4:2) But it also doesn't relieve me as a believing father, nor does it relieve any believing parent from their responsibility to do EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER to keep their children under the GOD APPOINTED MEANS which He has ordained for the salvation of His elect. As justified saints, those who believe God's Gospel, we KNOW that God has appointed the preached Gospel as the GOD APPOINTED MEANS of bringing each of His elect to true faith and true repentance - "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, IT PLEASED GOD BY THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING to save them that believe."(I Cor.1:21) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."(Rom.10:13-17) While it is true that God will save your children if they are His, IT CANNOT and WILL NOT happen if they don't hear the Gospel preached. You don't give children an option when it comes to this critical LIFE OR DEATH issue. I know they won't be happy with your decision to KEEP THEM UNDER THE GOSPEL every time it is preached, because mine weren't either. But if we truly LOVE THEM, we should want what is best for them, especially when it comes to this all important issue of eternal life. They can go far in this life, achieve great things in the world, become famous or infamous, but if they HAVE NOT CHRIST, THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!