Same Family. Different Spiritually. Why?

 Read 2 Chronicles 22. 

With all his brothers killed, the youngest son of Jehoram took the throne of Judah.  King Ahaziah followed in his father's wicked footsteps.  However, verse 3 places the blame on his mother's training, as she was the daughter of Ahab, the king of Israel.  Ahaziah's reign only lasted one year. 

The LORD will only allow individuals to go so far in their rebellion against Him.  The young king listened to godless counsel, made foolish decisions, and the result was death. 

Then, his mother, Athaliah, slaughtered her own family so she could seize the national power of Judah.  Her heart was so given over to satanic control that she killed her own grandchildren.  But, thanks to the quick work of Ahaziah's sister, the king's baby son, Joash, was protected.  This godly woman, wife of the priest Jehoiada, put her own life at risk in hiding the baby in the Temple.  If Joash had been killed, the royal lineage of David would have ended and ultimately, of course, the family of the Messiah. 

God will deal with Athaliah and unfold His plans for Joash in time. 

Two women, a mother and a daughter, one as wicked as anyone in the Bible; the other acted mercifully toward her nephew.  Here also is a brother and a sister, raised in the same household.  One became a wicked king, while the other served God in the Temple.  How can people in the same family be so different spiritually?  Though the parental training is an important influence, and parents will be held accountable for teaching their children to love and obey God, there is more. 

Many faithful believers were not raised in Christian homes.  Many who were raised in Christian families do not follow Jesus today.  Good or bad, one cannot rely on the faith of their parents.  Nor will it be acceptable to blame bad experiences or bad examples for turning away from the LORD.  Each of us is individually accountable to God. 

The words of the Apostle Paul explain how personal this life-changing decision is: "If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)