How Do We Spiritually "Suffer Little Children To Come To Christ"?
Posted May 4, 2010
Mike,
During some follow up study... a question was asked... which has prompted me to ask your thoughts about this...
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.How do we suffer little children, and how do we forbid them not?
I have generally applied this outwardly to say... That we should start instructing children as early as possible... Of course being a parent subjects children to law very early. But my question is: wouldn't there be a spiritual application for "children" and wouldn't a spiritual child be one that knows who his/her parent is but not always understand the fullness of that parent?
Pointedly... Wouldn't this apply to the "spiritually immature"?
Your brother in Christ,
M____
Hi M____,
Thanks for your question. You are exactly right in your understanding.
Of course we need to introduce our children to Christ, from the first day of their lives until the day they leave our charge. Nothing will do more to insure a child a godly life than to teach our children about Christ and His Father on a daily basis from their youth. This is the outward application of "suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not".
Here now, is the spiritual application. It is just as you supposed.
1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
With such spiritual babes we are to be patient and "gentle". The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak is the same as saying "suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not". Those who are strong in the faith should "bear the infirmities of the weak" but should never become the weak. Instead the strong should "instruct those who contradict..." for the purpose of helping them to "escape the snare of the Devil".
2Ti 2:24 And the [strong] servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,I hope this gives you some scriptural perspective on how we "suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not".
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike