When the disciples of Jesus turned away little
children from being brought to Him, in Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus
said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come
unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The New King
James Version says, "Let the children come ..."
When we see children in our assemblies, it is
a time of great thanksgiving. Parents and grandparents are loving
their children and wanting them to learn about God and about Jesus
Christ. We want to do everything in our power to encourage and
help them. The congregation that has no children big or little
has a bleak future. Yes, it might be easier on those who clean
the building not to have to sweep up the cheerios and crumbs;
it might be a little quieter. Yes, Mom might be a little more
able to hear the sermon, but it would be very much sadder if the
children were not there! The present welfare and future success
of our children lie, to a very great extent, in our hands. Note:
Let them be born. The Bible says, "Lo,
children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb
is his reward." Psalm 127:3. "Abortion on demand"
is taking the lives of untold hundreds, thousands, and even millions
of unborn children! What a great curse on America! Child killing
is becoming all too familiar in our country.
Let them come into a Christian home. "For
the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving
wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean;
but now are they holy." 1 Corinthians 7:14. This verse certainly
speaks of the great influence for good that your faith and Christian
life can have upon your unbelieving spouse and upon your children.
None are made holy simply because their husband, wife, or parents
are holy. 1 Peter 3:1-7.
Let them come to family Bible study. "Train
up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. "And, ye fathers,
provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4.
Let them come to Bible classes and worship services.
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15. 1 Samuel 1.
Let them come to obedience of the gospel.
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth ..."
Ecclesiastes 12:1. Matthew 18:1-6. "I write unto you,
little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's
sake ..." 1 John 2:12.
Let them come to faithful Christian service.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit,
in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.
Let them come to eternal life. "I rejoiced
greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have
received a commandment from the Father." 2 John 4. Oh,
what a terrible thought that the innocent children whom the Lord
gave to us might, when they reach an age of accountability, be
cast into outer darkness and be lost in a devil's hell for eternity!
How are we doing with our children? They are in
our keeping for just a little while. What we do or fail to do
for them will have an eternal impact upon them. Let the children
come to Jesus! -Rt. 5 Box 1468, Salem, WV 26426.