LUTHERANS FOR LIFE of IOWA

Let the children come to Me

Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them" (Mark 10:14). Jesus also said, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin" (Luke 17:1-2)

Jesus expressed righteous anger when the disciples were trying to prevent little ones from coming to Jesus. Jesus knows that infants can believe or trust (Luke 18:15) as shown by the way they long to be held by parents rather than by strangers. An infant may inherit God's kingdom (salvation) just as an infant may inherit the parents' blessing and property. Children have to trust and receive the care of others, and only in the same way does the kingdom of God come to us. But, what is the world - what are we doing to prevent children from trusting God? Are we hindering them or causing them to sin?

Do we hinder a child from coming to Jesus through the act of abortion? Can a dead child grow in trust and a personal relationship with Christ? Do we prevent a little one from coming to Jesus through the act of infanticide? Peter Singer, an ethicist and professor at Princeton University has long proclaimed that no newborn should be considered a person until 30 days after birth and that the attending physician should kill some disabled babies on the spot. "Human babies are not born self-aware, or capable of grasping that they exist over time," he wrote in 1979. "They are not persons;" therefore, "the life of a newborn is of less value than the life of a pig, a dog, or a chimpanzee." Where in Scripture does Jesus say that He wants a relationship only with perfect children? Where does God say He cannot make a difference in the world through less than perfect children?

Do we cause children to sin by giving them information they cannot process? K-12 sex education is mandated in some form throughout U.S. schools. Such education is built on the premise that more knowledge is good. (Is it? Gen. 2:15-17) Boys and girls are put in classrooms together to learn about all things sexual. The goal is to make children "comfortable with their sexuality". A great deal of information including use of contraceptives is offered in elementary and middle school. Religious or moral views are not considered "science;" therefore, they are not allowed in the classroom. But, purity instruction is scientifically supported. A child’s brain is not fully developed; therefore, he cannot process all information. Adult brains use the frontal lobe to think through the facts, rationalize, and put the brakes on emotional responses. The frontal lobe is not fully developed until the late teens or even early 20s. It's not lack of information that puts children at risk; it's lack of judgment. This is largely ignored by sex educators, fashions, the media and internet. Children are tempted with sexual images and suggestions away from what is holy, pure, healthy, and good. Pharmaceutical companies and Planned Parenthood stand ready to profit from harmful choices. What do you think? How does all of this benefit children? Are children led to Jesus, or away from Him?

Do we cause children to sin by letting them believe that marriage between two men or two women is perfectly acceptable? Homosexual groups are pressuring schools to teach children that they can choose whichever they want to be: boy or girl. That homo, bi, or transsexual are "diverse" and "normal." Does such teaching lead children to Jesus, The Word - or away from Him?