Proverbs 4:1-6

Proverbs 4:1-6 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. ²For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. ³For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. ⁴He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. ⁵Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. ⁶Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee (KJV).

Reflection

In this passage, a father is teaching his children as he was taught - passing on good doctrine, good teachings to his children. Christian parents hand down the sound doctrine we were taught to our youth. Churches and Christian schools also pass on the sound doctrine and teachings of our faith.

As queer Christians, we share a fine Christian heritage. Added to the sound doctrine of our spiritual parents from the ages, is a more inclusive, contemporary, grace-filled understanding of God’s nature, and of salvation. Most of what we were taught is sound doctrine, but God’s grace was not the stunning center piece of our faith. When we mix God’s radical, relentless grace we find all doctrine pointing to God’s lavish grace, to the cross of Calvary.