As A Child

I follow several blogs.  One is written by the author of "I TALK...GOD LISTENS" Beth Amatelli.  This week she repeated an earlier blog that speaks of coming to Christ as a child.  It does bear repeating, especially the last graph.

Find the child in you today!  Praise him like you did that day you realized you were his child!  Don't let the enemy drain you of your joy and love for him!  He's worth much more than the best of the best!  He set the bar so high that no one could measure up - but all can pass through!

I also follow Abundant Life Now, by author Robert, who also wrote of 2 Births, one physical and one spiritual.

For many it may be helpful to realize the term “born again” has its roots in Judaism. The term was used in reference to a Gentile who was formally converted to Judaism.The Talmud, or oral law, states, “One who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born” (Yevamot 48b).

Nicodemus would have known this.  That explains Christ’s words to him during their discussion regarding salvation:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:10 KJV)

These two articles are so different from each other, and neither has the focus on what it brought to my mind – our youth who made a profession faith, then left the church.

They experienced coming to Christ as all Christians do, as a child.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4 KJV)

Some were soon, perhaps easily, led astray.  I would not want to be the one to lead them away:

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:6 KJV)

Not all of the youth rebel. Some stay, serve and grow in faith and the grace of God is with them.  They are blessings to others!

Of those who leave, some return in early adulthood, seeking the faith of their youth – others grow old with only faded memories of what they felt when they walked down the aisle and joined their soul with God. Those are the ones Beth spoke to:

Find the child in you today! Praise him like you did that day you realized you were his child!

I had one such prodigal tell me, “I wish I had your faith.”  I knew he had made a profession of faith as a youngster, many years ago. I also knew he wanted something different than what the church could offer, so he turned his back and walked away – from the church, from his faith – toward an intellectual understanding that God no longer mattered in his life.

For him, and those who also walked away, I pray they will listen to the child inside, praise God who loves them and return to the faith that brings His promises.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)