Dr. Stephen Phinney & Epoch Times
“Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:48)
Our Lord calls us to share life in meekness and humility; one that is not proud and haughty, ambitious of worldly honor, and envious of the superior state of others or put off by the lowly: whoever receives one who responds like a child into his personal space and heart, offers the purest form of the Gospel.
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Mark 10:15)
Children have an innate ability to accept the least among all of us. They accept the simplicity of the Gospel, give to others, and step up to serve the needy without hesitation. Maybe children are our role models for evangelism. Could it be they are the purest of examples of compassion without restrictions? Why would Jesus tell us that we cannot enter the Kingdom of God unless we are like these little ones?
Children have been blessed with an instant response by laying aside all pride and prejudice, but their parents’ fears often hamper this instinct. Worse yet, the Lord’s enemy works relentlessly to steal the innocence of the children. When the innocence is gone, so are the instincts of a child. When children are forced to grow up TOO fast, they quickly inherit the instincts of adults, which is to question the motives of the lowly. Instead of giving and expecting nothing in return, they shift to the motives of most adults – give to get.
When I observe the methods of Satan in capturing the hearts of our children through transgender issues, human trafficking, and other horrid attempts of destroying the innocence of the minds of our children, I get sick to my stomach. Look around at the endless depravity that our children are faced with today. It is enough to anger the Lord, let alone cause grief and weeping for those who still care.
I care about children. I always have and will remain burdened for the propagation fronting our innocent children – throughout the world. My challenge is to pray for the children. Another method Jesus reminds me of is to observe their innocents as often as I can. It warms my heart and provokes me to shift into a mode of protection.
Epoch Times and IM Media produced a little video to remind you and others of such observations. Enjoy the innocence of our children.
