Help My Unbelief

So, it is true of anyone in ministry that one of our objectives is to love others in the most tangible and practical way in order that some may be Won to Christ. For this we labor, that God's name and renown would not only be the desires of our hearts, but also the desires of those we minister to. What happens when such a desire begins to stir up within the hearts of children? I wish I could say that a child asking to be a Christian excites me, but unfortunatlely to my own shame, I confess that I am quite the skeptic. I am at times like the faithless disciples who forbids the children to go to Christ. Of course, I don't tell them that they can't become a Christian, or that they are too young. No, infact, I believe the opposite. I strongly believe that a child who has heard the gospel, can understand that they are little sinners in need of a Great Savior. However, I do at times doubt the authenticity of a child's desire. This is indeed a shame and sin, of which I confess. Over the past few weeks, we have had about 7 girls ages 7 -16 come to us (staff) and told us that they wanted to be Chritians. As a staff team, we are passionate about teaching and living according to the truths of the Scriptures.

Our theology is not only about God's love, but we lovingly tell the children about the wrath of God as well as His expectation for them to live obedient lives. It's only fair, and I do strongly believe that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So, you must understand that we teach the truthfulness of the Scriptures, so when a child ponders the things we talk about and respond in the affirmative, then one would think that it is sincere. But, again, I am a skeptic. These young girls have sat under our teaching for many months, they hear us talk about Jesus everyday and if my objective is to scatter seeds in hopes that it will fall on good soil, then why do I doubt in the power of God? Yes, I emphatically believe that God can and does call little children to Himself.

It is clear in the Scriptures and it is clear in the life of one of my heroes of the faith, John Piper, who became a Christian at 6 years old. So, yes I believe that he can change one child but 7, well that's a bit much, right? Of course not, He is God! The God who channels the kings heart, and bids the children to come unto Him! So, who am I then to question the work of His hands? I do agree that we have to be discerning and use wisdom in leading a child into the faith, but there should be no unbelief in wisdom, only faith in the power of God's initiation. As we pray with the children who after a series of questions as to why they desire to be a Christian, we
then tell them that its not a prayer that saves you, but it's faith in what Christ did on the cross. We say this to help them to know that they cannot just pray a prayer and continue to live their lives contrary to the Scriptures, conversely the way they live their life will be evidence of the sincerity of their prayer. In short, God is the one who knows the hearts of these young ones, not me. Therefore, I want to be faithful in teaching the children the counsel of God and hope that He will impress His truths upon their hearts to the point of true change. And when a wave of children decide that they want to follow Christ, and if ever I am tempted again to doubt the magnificent power of God, I will confess that, "Lord I believe, but help my unbelief!"

Praise God for the 7 little girls who decided that they wanted to invite Christ in their hearts and begin living for Him!!! Please pray that these young girls will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Great Lord and Savior!