All Children Belong To The Lord
On July 25, 2000, I held our firstborn as a newborn baby. I remember the variety of emotions and thoughts that raced through my mind. They ranged from being grateful to God to wondering if he really knew what he was doing by giving us a child to raise.
In those early moments, I felt very inadequate while also recognizing that this new responsibility was to be taken seriously. Looking back, one of the things I wish I had done earlier was to learn what God’s Word says about children (watch the latest message to learn how the Holy Spirit guides parenting, marriages, and family relationships).
God’s Word reveals his heart for children.
There aren’t many scriptures specifically directed to children, but one catches my attention:
“Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do” (Ephesians 6:1).
Your children belong to the Lord.
Children should obey their parents not because they belong to their parents but because they belong to the Lord. Children are entrusted to parents who have been given a high responsibility to teach them that they belong to the Lord.
Paul instructs parents not to provoke their children to anger by their treatment. Instead, they should raise them with “the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
In other words, parents should not make it difficult for their children to honor and obey the instruction that comes from the Lord.
God defends all children.
The Gospel of Matthew tells a story about the disciples coming to Jesus and asking him who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The disciples probably thought Jesus would point to a powerful leader who could influence many people, but Jesus’ answer was surprisingly convicting.
Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them and said,
“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).
Jesus uses a child to help us understand how to be great in his kingdom. Turn from our sins, become like a child, and be humble like a child (here’s how to choose humility like Jesus).
But then he said something I had to read a few times to make sure I didn’t miss the significance. Jesus said,
“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:5-6).
Jesus reveals how important it is to guard and protect all children.
This is why abortion should grieve us. This is why we should not look the other way when children are abandoned, abused, or trafficked. I can’t imagine how much these things grieve God’s heart because these children belong to him.
Jesus gives a stern warning not to cause anyone who may be vulnerable to fall into sin.
May we have the same heart for children that God has. May we guard and protect all children the way Jesus taught.
And remember that when we welcome a little child on his behalf, we are welcoming Jesus.