1 Samuel 2:22

1 Samuel 2:22 says, Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  Eli was very old by this time, but he heard about all the sinful things that his sons were doing.  Just because a person is a faithful follower of Christ does not mean that their children will be.  Verse twenty-three adds, And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.  Samuel asked his sons why they dis such evil things that he had heard about from the people.  If our children are involved in evil things,  we should confront them about it.   Verse twenty-four continues, Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.  Eli said that he hadn't heard a good report about his sons, but instead heard that they led the people of Israel to transgress.  Anytime someone is supposed to be a leader of the church today and they allow anything that is not of God to enter the teachings of the church, they may lead people to sin.  Verse twenty-five states, If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.  Eli told his sons that if a man sinned against another man that a judge could judge them, but he then asked who would judge them if they sinned against God.  There is still no one today who can judge us and make things right between God and us but Jesus Christ, and the only way to forgiveness is to put our faith in Him as our personal Savior and Lord.   Eli's sons would not listen to him, and often our children will not listen to us today.  Still, I believe that we have a responsibility to share the good news of salvation with them whenever we can,even if they don't respond.  Verse twenty-six adds, And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.  While Eli's own sons were perverting their role as priests, Samuel was growing in favor of both the LORD and men.  If our children fail to follow God, He will always have others who will, and we need to support them as they do so.