Luke 18:15-17
Several years ago I took my family on a trip. We had intended to camp in various campgrounds along the way to minimize expenses. I was amazed at the number of campgrounds which did not allow children, although dogs were welcome. I was also amazed that some cities were so geared to retired people that families with children had trouble finding housing.
While I realize that many children are unruly, part of the problem is that they have never been exposed to people who know how to behave so they can learn. One grand mother forbid her children to bring her grand kids to her house, because she didn’t want them disturbing her. In talking with her daughter learned that she’d avoided spending time with her own children, leaving them with other relatives so she could do what she wanted without interference. I guess it’s not surprising her kids weren’t sure how to teach their children how to behave. It’s shocking to realize that we have become so selfish as a nation.
The same attitude has been absorbed in many churches. As a result, Several large churches have a policy forbidding bringing young children into the church because they might create a disturbance and quench the Spirit. Apparently the Spirit they are dealing with is not as powerful as the Holy Spirit the Bible speaks of, who has all the power of God and would not be hampered by a mere child. Even the disciples were afraid that children would interfere with their program.
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.” (Luke 18:15)
Infants are too small to benefit from hearing Jesus teaching, but the mothers wanted Jesus to touch them. The disciples were probably concerned that the babies would create a distraction, especially if they began to cry, so they forbid them to bring them.
“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:16)
Jesus specifically forbade excluding the little children. Clearly, he was not concerned with any disturbance they might cause. Pastors and evangelists who demand that children not be allowed are in direct opposition to Christ’s command, and their excuse is invalid.
Many groups hold that child cannot be saved until a certain age, often called the age of accountability, is reached. Such a teaching is found nowhere in the bible. Jesus said the kingdom of God is made up of children. He goes on to state that anyone who does not receive salvation as a little child will never be saved. He does not mean that no adults can be saved, but that their faith must be like that of a little child.
A child simply accepts people’s word without question and takes action on it. Those who accept Christ must have that same childlike faith to act on God’s promise. Since that faith comes naturally to a child, it is easier for a child to accept the Lord than for an adult. Unfortunately, it is also easier to convince them to make a profession, so it is critical that we not be aggressive in our presentation, to avoid causing false professions.
One thing that must be remembered is what Jesus said in John 6:44. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” When working with children it is imperative that we allow the Holy Spirit to draw them, rather than using psychological tricks. They cannot be saved unless it is the Holy Spirit who draws them. Probably the best way to be sure of our results is demonstrated in what we see repeatedly in various stories in the book of Acts.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached. The people’s response is described in Acts 2:37. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” The Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” in Acts 2:37. The Philippian jailer asked Paul, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” in Acts 16:30. In every case those who had been moved by the Spirit asked what they needed to do. If the Holy Spirit is working, the child will ask. If you have to approach him, he may not be ready yet.
I suspect that many adults are misled the same way. A major theme in the book of Hebrews is dealing with those who think they have been saved but are not. Our modern invitations contribute to the problem, substituting psychology for the Holy Spirit’s working.
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A sad situation. I like for everybody to be together in church. In Israel, though, didn't they have a court of women in the temple, and I assume the children were there, too. Seems they had some sort of segregation. We always kept our children with us in church and taught them how to behave.
ReplyDeleteI don't like psychological tricks, either. If we life up Jesus, he will draw. Too much "once prayed, always saved", too -- cheap grace.
Those retirement communities are really sad places. I stayed in one with my husband's aunt, once. Many of the elderly people said they moved there to escape being unpaid babysitters for their grandchildren -- seems their kids took advantage of them, and that is not right, either.
I think, too, that these retirement communities do not want children to keep the property taxes low -- if you have no children, you don't need a school. No school means much lower property taxes. So, some of it might be for a reason like this. Some friends of ours just moved to a community like that, and the taxes are unbelievably low -- then I realized it is because they don't need a school, the community is only open to those over 55.
Still...kind of sad, you know?
What I find is that the new born child of God starts out with the "child like" faith and then the church beats it out of them over time.
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