Your Childrens Birthright

God has given every child some rights because of birth. Jesus demonstrated this on numerous occasions. Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell of a time when young children were brought to Him so that He would touch them and pray over them. Jesus observed the disciples trying to send them away. What did He do?  "He was much displeased, and saith to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God...And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16)

Jesus often used children as examples of what conversion was to produce. "And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 18:2-3)

God uses children to teach many other vivid lessons. One of the greatest of these is to show the relationship He has with His children. "For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ"(Romans 8:16-17) What a privilege!

These references show that children have a special place in the heart of God. Jesus makes it clear that He is concerned about how little ones are treated. "But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea...See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 18:6,10)

The attention Jesus gave to children can teach us many practical lessons about how He wants children to be raised. God wants our children to have the attention and securities He gives to His adult children. He holds us parents accountable to provide that attention and security.

The rights we are talking about are not like the so called civil law child rights that if granted to the children would encourage their self-destruction. We are taking of children's rights to receive proper care and treatment that will help steer them in the right direction.

The rights we plan to discuss are very simple, and many parents provide them almost instinctively. But there is still value in reminding ourselves again of these basic expectations God has for us. And, since we are fathers, He expects us to take the lead in this.