As Dear Children

There is little in this world that can bring out the joy in a person’s heart quite like a little child.  The Internet is inundated with videos of babies and toddlers doing sweet and funny things.  I can remember when my daughter was little.  Each day was special.  Whether it was watching her play with toys, or simply enjoying seeing how she reacted to something “new” in her life, those moments were precious.  There really is nothing quite like being a parent to a child. 

            In the Bible, God has used physical children as example of how His spiritual chidren should be.  Take for instance the time that Jesus encountered different children during His earthly ministry.  It is written, “Then were there brought unto him little children that he should put his hands on them, and pray:  and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me:  for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence” (Matt. 19:13-15).  This event shows the love that the Lord has for the young.  Instead of dismissing the children, Jesus welcomed them.  In fact, He taught the adults who were present that the “little children” are great examples of those in “the kingdom of heaven”.  This is no doubt an indicator of the innocency of a child.  Every person goes through a period of time when they are not of age to be held accountable.  This truth was mentioned by the apostle Paul when he wrote to the church at Rome, “For I was alive without the law once:  but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.  For sin, taking occasin by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me” (Rom. 7:9-11).  When he was younger, Paul was “alive without the law”.  During this time, he was innocent.  Later, as he matured, he became guilty.  This changed his spiritual condition from “alive” to “dead”.  “Little children” are not lost “sinners” in God’s sight.  Instead, their innocence is a blessed state.

            Before the events recorded in Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus had already used a “little child” in His teaching.  One day, His disciples came to Jesus asking, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:1)?  Matthew wrote, “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:2-4; cf. Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48).  Adults can learn a lot from children.  Children are trusting, impressionable, and forgiving.  As we age, there may be a tendency to place more importance on self.  By doing such, we can lose our humility.  We should not forget that James wrote, “Draw night to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:  let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:8-10).  Instead of adults teaching children, in this case, children can teach adults.

            While addressing the church in Ephesus, Paul commanded, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph. 5:1-2).  To be a true follower of God, I must be “as dear children”.  I need to understand that I have a spiritual Father.  John wrote, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1).  As such, He is right to expect certain things from me.  He loves me, and He wants the best for me.  I must be willing to trust, follow, and obey Him (Matt. 7:21-23).  Indeed, I need to become like a little child if I want to be with my Father forever.
~ Corey Barnette