Welcome, Little Children!
"Even so it is not the will of your Father
who is in heaven that one of these
little ones should perish."
Matthew 18: 14
After their exodus from Egypt, Israel was poised
to enter the Promised Land of Canaan, but fear
of the inhabitants held them back.
Because of disobedience, that entire generation
of Israelites was forbidden from entering Canaan
except
for their children who had “no knowledge
of good and evil” (Deuteronomy 1:39). God didn't
hold the children responsible for their parents’
sinful decision.
The exemption of children from judgment because of
innocence is the pattern continued throughout
history.
Many a parent who has lost a child has wondered
about the child’s eternal destiny.
Even though children are born with a sinful nature,
God’s compassion and mercy toward them ensures
their presence in heaven for eternity. God is not willing
that even one of these little ones should perish in their
innocence.
Christians can take great comfort in knowing babies
and children who are unable to fully understand the
reality of their sinfulness will be welcomed into
God’s
presence for eternity.
"God watches over the scattered dust of
His own children, gathers
it again, and
will suffer nothing of them to perish."
John Calvin
