Proverbs 20:7 (AMP) The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].

We return once again to this line of thinking to explore yet another opportunity. That is the issue of personal responsibility. Being happy and spiritually secure in the sanctification of Samuel was no guarantee that his sons would follow in his footsteps.

This type of sanctification is an umbrella of separation and protection afforded the children of those who walk with God in integrity. They are only afforded that protection as long as they remain under that umbrella of protection. Once we move out from under it, we are either sanctified unto the Lord ourselves and walk in integrity or we lose that protective covering.

No one cares who your daddy was, be that preacher, teacher, prophet or priest. You cannot remain under that protective covering forever and you are not meant to stay there. Each and every one of us has to choose for ourselves the Lord Jesus Christ. My daddy’s salvation is not mine. I must obtain my own.

What do you answer when anyone asks you about your faith? Do you answer with the name of some administration of faith like Baptist or Methodist or Catholic or non-denominational? That is a quick thoughtless answer and the one they probably mean. Is your faith in Christ or is it in your relationship with men? Being of any particular denomination is no more a guarantee of salvation than being the son of Samuel.

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Notice the psalm says my and not our. Salvation is personal and not congregational.

Proverbs 20:7 (AMP) The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].

Returning once again to the issues of parenting, we still know nothing of Samuel’s parenting skills. We do however have words of wisdom to read and apply to our own circumstances. Our present condition and our present circumstances are more blessed than the sons of Samuel.

This proverb wasn’t available to Samuel as a learning tool. He might have known it in his heart because of his relationship with the Lord but nothing in scriptures indicate that he shared anything spiritual in nature with his sons.

We tend to judge harshly the actions of others that are not afforded the same blessed opportunities that we are today. At that time the spirit was not given as in indwelling presence. Even so, we often find ourselves falling short of our expectations for ourselves because of those same judgmental attitudes.

1 Corinthians 4:2-4 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

One of the most surprising discoveries for me in bible study was a comment by another well-traveled bother. That was when he told me, “Not everyone is introspective.” Until that moment I thought everyone was like me.

I believe that everyone is aware to some degree of their thought processes and emotions. Rarely do humans observe them with detached emotional evaluations. The tendency to be self-critical is as harmful as taking pride in the results. Neither reflect God’s love for you.