Little Children
Little Children
Children have a very special place and grace in the kingdom of God. The actual ages of “little children” and “children” are not defined in scripture. In the Old Testament, God’s treatment of children indicates a special grace based on their inability to know good from evil. In Deuteronomy 1:39, the little ones, the children who 40 years earlier did not know good from evil were allowed to enter the promised land and take possession of it.
In the New Testament, Luke is the only writer to describe Jesus as a little child saying, “And the the child grew and became strong, he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” Later when Jesus was 12 years old, he stayed behind in Jerusalem after the Passover feast. His response three days later when they found him in the temple was, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke reports that he went home to Nazareth with his parents. “And as Jesus grew up, he increased in wisdom and in favor with God and people. The special God’s grace was no longer on him and he was responsible to God.”
Children under the age of 10 are innocent and under the control and influence of their parents, especially Moms. Their ability to know good from evil or to personally accept or reject the gospel is limited by their innocence. Christian parents and the church share an important partnership in the spiritual development of children. Neither can give children spiritual birth but must prepare children for the Spirit’s leading and birthing.
Children learn early to enjoy physical birthday celebrations. Spiritual Birthday celebrations are opportunities to grow children’s understanding of good and evil and their need for spiritual birth. Do not discourage little children from accepting Jesus as their savior if they understand and believe. Children expressing an early faith in Jesus as their savior can confirm their spiritual birth as they annually celebrate their Spiritual Birthday as Teens. Do not discourage little children from accepting Jesus as their Savior if they understand and believe. Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of
God belongs to such as these.”