Timothy was a true son to the Apostle Paul. Paul writes: “To Timothy, my true child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” [I Timothy 1:2] This acknowledgement leaves little doubt that Timothy was able to receive his spiritual father’s love and instruction, as well as correction.

Though raising up true sons and daughters in the faith takes investment of time and energy, these sons and daughters will find themselves resting secure in the love shown to them. They learn to trust in the godly character of the spiritual parent ~ even when there could be amounts of time and distance between their fellowship.

Spiritual parents become acquainted with the potential of the spiritual son or daughter and find immense joy in helping to promote their destiny. Jealousies and competitions never exist between the true spiritual parent and child relationship.

When we look at the lives of Solomon and Absalom, we notice that Solomon was patient in waiting to be promoted to position ~ trusting that his time would come, if and when it was right. At the same time, Absalom demanded his post prematurely and went after it at all costs, even to his death. We understand that David, as a parent, most likely desired both of his sons to be raised up to maturity and destiny. However, time and testing proved the character of the each of these sons. What makes one son satisfied in waiting and one not? We only need to look at the heart response to the trials and testings.

The release by the spirit of Elijah is producing seasoned fathers and mothers with hearts to raise up mature sons and daughters ~ and, at the same time, is stirring the hearts of the sons and daughter to respond in tried and tested loyalty. Bob Sorge, in his book on the subject, defines ‘loyalty’ as: “a noble, unswerving allegiance, rooted in faith and love, that binds hearts together in common purpose.” [pg. 15, LOYALTY]

The last two verses of the Old Testament leave us with a hope-filled promise and chilling wake-up call: “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” [Malachi 4:5-6]