Onward Christian Soldiers

Matthew 19:14 (CSB)
Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

When the parents brought their children to Jesus to have a blessing the disciples rebuked the parents for bothering Jesus, but the disciples actions angered Jesus.  Jesus knew the hearts of these little children and welcomed them with open arms.  He knew they had trust in Him and in His word.

Matthew 18:3-6 (CSB)
“Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child – this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.  “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away – it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Jesus is very clear, in the above scripture, about people who turn little children away from Him and the attitude that people should adopt themselves, to be allowed entry into the kingdom of heaven.  He wants people with a humble heart, not a proud heart.  Jesus was also very clear when He said that whoever welcomes a little child in His name also welcomes Him.  This scripture not only tells us a great deal about how we should live our lives, but also what our attitude should be towards children.  We should do everything we can to raise our children in the way of our Lord Jesus Christ and not hinder their relationship with God, and we should have a humble and thankful heart ourselves.

Proverbs 22:6 (CSB)
Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:4 (CSB)
Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

We are to lead our children by example, to be involved in the teaching of God’s ways to our children.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (CSB)
These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.  Repeat them to your children.  Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

God knew even in Moses’ time that His chosen people would be influenced by their surroundings and pagan practices, so He wanted parents to put His commandments in their hearts and to always tell their children about them at all times.

In our present world, with the antichrist spirit in people even more noticeable now than ever before, we as believers in Jesus Christ have a duty to raise our children in the ways of God.  We and our children must put our trust in God and follow His commands at all times, so that we will be allowed entry into the kingdom of God.