“Lo, children are an heritage [literally, inheritance] of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Psalm 127:3 KJV). God’s original command to “be friutful, and multiply” (Genesis 1:28), contained not only the authorization for marriage and the family, but the supply and funding for the children, who are our inheritance from Him. When children are not viewed as an inheritance from the LORD, then society’s ills are multiplied. Throughout history children have been sacrificed to pagan deities, and God absolutely abhors it. “Say to the Israelites: Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him” (Leviticus 20:2 NIV).
Jesus represents God’s highest exposition of Himself to us, since He is the Son of God. His declaration is, “Suffer [literally, let] little children [Greek, paidion, young children], and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus represents Himself as an attractive force for little children, who must not be forbidden from coming to Him. The problem is not if children should come to Jesus but how not to prevent them from coming. Our bringing “them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) is like cooperating with gravity to keep us from becoming disattached from the planet. God’s Kingdom refers to Heaven, because it is His undisputed domain since Lucifer was cast out. Yahweh knew Lucifer would betray Him like Jesus knew Judas Iscariot would also. Jesus is the magnet for our children, and we must study how not to interfere with His attractive force with our children.
We no more give ferrous metal the right to choose or reject its attraction to a magnet than we should give our children the opportunity to reject their attraction to Jesus. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me” (John 12:32). Those who value the choice of rejecting Jesus, misuse and misunderstand their understanding and temptation. Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were responsible for feeding the understanding of God’s Word to Timothy. “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” (2Timothy 3:15). The Serpent introduced temptation to Eve, when he twisted and misrepresented God’s Word. “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1).
How young is too young to bring children to Jesus?
First, if they are old enough to follow the Lord, then they are not too young to be brought to Jesus. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1).
Second, if they are old enough to obey the voice of God (the Word of God), then they are not too young to be brought to Jesus. “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23).
Third, mind you, I am not necessarily talking about old enough to take the loyalty oath of baptism or being written down in the church membership rolls, but old enough to have as much relationship to the Lord as can be had without declaring themselves Children of God by virtue of their Physical Birth. “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
Fourth, fear not so much too young of a profession, since all who confess Christ as Lord, must still persevere to the end. “And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mark 13:13).
Fifth, if they are too young to know they must love Jesus more than anything and anyone, including their own life, then they can be taught to follow Jesus, but the Holy Spirit needs to work this into their understanding before they can be confirmed in their faith. “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).
Sixth, if they are too young or unaware of their need to bear the Cross of Responsibility toward the Lord, His Church, and the world, then they need to be taught to follow Jesus until the Spirit can impress their need of responsibility and suffering for the Lord. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
Seventh, if they are too young or unaware of their necessity to forsake everything for Christ, then they still should be taught to follow Jesus, until the Holy Spirit can impress upon them their need of forsaking all for Christ. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).
In conclusion, if this seems too much for anyone, much less Young Children, and if it seems too much human responsibility and not enough of God’s grace, then we may begin to comprehend our need of the Holy Spirit to accomplish anything of Saving, Sanctifying, and Glorifying Grace in our lives. “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” (1Peter 4:18).
Did we really think we were getting into Heaven because we willed ourselves to be and do all that God requires? Perish the thought! “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). It has always been God working, convincing, and inspiring us to obey Him; but, especially in this New Covenant Age, we have been given the “Gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). We were promised long ago an especial Advocate to Inspire, Assist, and Comfort us, the Blessed Paraklete, the Holy Spirit. Young Children need to be taught their Birth Right, as soon as they can receive it, after their parents comprehend it. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).
And, this is only the beginning of our warfare until the Lord Returns for us (Rapture).
Father, teach us to teach our children to come unto Jesus, as soon as we can comprehend our opportunity and responsibility. Grant us a vision of what You will accomplish in these Last Days before it is time for Your Son to return. Overcome the Wicked One, who would keep us in darkness about the Great Harvest You are about to secure. Open our eyes to what You are doing in the Name of Jesus by the moving of Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 