Category: Miscellaneous

Throw Away the Grave Clothes and Put On the Grace Clothes (Colossians 3:5-17)

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Colossians, Miscellaneous4 Comments

Have you ever spent a long day working outside in the heat? During the warmer months, I spend at least one day a week working in the yard. After such a day, my clothes are usually a dirty smelly mess, and I have to shower before doing anything else. My clothes are so filthy that I almost feel bad even putting them in the dirty clothes basket alongside other dirty clothes (that aren’t nearly as dirty).

Now imagine what it would feel like to put those clothes back on after getting out of a nice long shower. It would be just…wrong. Why? Because after getting clean, you should put on clean clothes. You should adorn yourself with what is now true of your nature. You’re no longer a dirty sweaty mess, so you shouldn’t wear dirty sweaty clothes. You’re clean. So you should wear clean clothes. Simple enough, right?

This is essentially Paul’s argument in Colossians 3:5-17. Since we have died to our old selves and old ways, we should put off our old clothes. Since we have been cleansed and raised with Christ, we should put on new clothes of righteousness. But how do we do that? What clothes should we remove, and which should we put on? What does that look like in real life? This passage has the answers.

Grave Clothes

First, we must take off our grave clothes, “for we have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God” (3:3). However, Paul uses much stronger language than just “putting off” our old clothes. He says that we are to, “put to death” certain characteristics of our life before Christ (3:5). We are to kill our old habits and ways- sexual immorality, impurity, passion (lust), evil desire, and covetousness (3:5). All of these lead to idolatry because we cannot pursue them and also submit to the Lordship of Christ.

Brothers and sisters, if you are still in sexual sin, you must put it to death. It is a suffocating garment of death that rots the soul and destroys relationships. Do everything you can to put a bullet in the head of sexual temptation and sin!

Continue reading “Throw Away the Grave Clothes and Put On the Grace Clothes (Colossians 3:5-17)” →

Christ, Who is Your Life (Colossians 3:1-4)

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Colossians, Miscellaneous1 Comment

Guest written by Mark Shideler

In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul takes us through a progression of “If, Then, Why?” to teach us how to live our physical life on this earth with spiritual things in mind.

IF…

Paul writes in verse 1, “If then you have been raised with Christ…”

This question is pointing back to what he shared with the Colossians in chapter 2:13 , “…you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses…”

The Bible paints a very bleak picture of our spiritual state without Christ. Although we are born into this world physically alive, we are spiritually dead. We have no ability to come to God or desire to do so. Our sin separates us from God and actually makes us God’s enemy (Romans 5:10).

Modern religion often incorrectly portrays God as a sort of doting grandparent. But God doesn’t just adore us no matter what we do. He is a righteous judge who must punish sin. He is actually angry with our sin and can’t overlook it just because He loves us. However, He displayed His love by providing a way for our sin to be forgiven (even though we didn’t deserve it).

When we could never get to God, God came to us. Jesus Christ died to fulfill the legal transaction necessary to forgive sin – an innocent life dying for a sinful life. When we repent of our sin and place our faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we are forgiven, raised from death to life, and brought into fellowship with our Creator.

Paul didn’t take for granted that this transformation had happened in the life of every person in the church of Colossae. He says “IF” this has happened…

I wonder, would we be shocked at how many spiritually dead people attend church every week? Going to church, doing good things, getting baptized, and even believing in God cannot raise a dead soul to life. Only repentance of sin and faith in the finished work of Christ’s sacrifice can do that. All of us should heed Paul’s admonishment in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith.

Continue reading “Christ, Who is Your Life (Colossians 3:1-4)” →

Does the New Testament Really Teach that Jesus is God? (Colossians 1:15-23)

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Colossians, MiscellaneousLeave a comment

This week we continue our Colossians study in 1:15-23. This passage contains some of the clearest descriptions of Jesus’ divine nature in the Bible. Though we don’t know all the details of the Colossian heresy, we do know that the divine nature of the Son was under attack. Paul combats the error with crystal clear declarations about the person and work of the Son of God. Consider what he says,

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:15-23 ESV)

Let’s look at what this passage teaches us about the Son:

  1. The Son is the image of the invisible God (v. 15). THE image! You and I are made in the image of God, but the Son is the image of the invisible God. This is precisely why Jesus says, “if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9).
  2. The Son is the firstborn of all creation (v. 15). “Firstborn” implies a priority in rank. The Son holds the preeminent place in all of creation as the firstborn son did in a family in Israel. In Psalm 89:27, God promises that he will make David “the firstborn,” and describes that position as “the highest of the kings of the earth.” The Son is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 17:14).
  3. The Son created all things, including all physical and spiritual authorities (v. 16). In other words, nothing is above him, because he created everything. “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). The Colossians may have been placing too high of an emphasis on angels, leading either to worship and/or fear.Paul reminds the Colossians: The Son made every spiritual being that exists. Focus on him.
  4. The Son was before everything and holds everything together (v. 17). He existed before everything else, created everything, and now holds everything together. Everything in existence is currently being upheld by the word of his power and will for all of eternity (Heb 1:3).
  5. The Son is the head of the church (v. 18). Not only is the Son the Lord of creation, but he is also the Lord of his people, the church, those he has redeemed and reconciled to himself.
  6. The Son is the firstborn from the dead (v. 18). Jesus, the Son of God, was the first person to rise from the dead unto an eternal body. He is the first fruits of all the bodily resurrections to come. Because of that, he’s not only the firstborn over all creation and life that he created, but he also regained the preeminent place over death as well. ALL is his!
  7. The Son embodies the fullness of God (v. 19). He is not lacking in any divine quality. He is filled with everything God consists of. All that God is, the Son is, for the fullness of God dwells in him in Christ.
  8. The Son has reconciled all things to himself (v. 20). Here is where Christianity stands out from every other religion. Here you have the Lord of all creation giving himself to die a sacrificial death on behalf of the people he created in order to reconcile them back to himself. Why do we need reconciliation? Because we were alienated enemies of God because of our sins, our thoughts and actions are proof (v. 21-22).
  9. The Son has made peace by the blood of His cross (v. 20). The Son has brought reconciliation between us and the Father by shedding his own blood, by bearing the Father’s wrath against sin, and by rising from the dead. He has taken our judgment and offers us his righteousness to be received by faith. Those who trust him are also filled with the Spirit and have their fellowship with God restored.
  10. The Son makes those who trust him holy and blameless before God (v. 22). Jesus has not simply removed the guilt of our sins. He has given us his holiness, his blameless record, his perfection. As such, he presents us as righteous before the Father. Theologians call this the “imputed righteousness of Christ.” As Spurgeon said, “you stand before God as if you were Christ, because he stood before God as if he were you.”

Next Paul reminds the Colossians, and us, that we have been reconciled…IF. IF we believe these truths and stand firmly in them (v. 23). This is not a warning against losing salvation. In fact, I believe God uses these warnings to keep his people from falling away. But the point is clear: those who have been reconciled believe these truths about the Son and stand firm in them. There is no hope for anyone who does not believe them. That’s why false teaching destroys, and that’s why Paul combats it so clearly and convincingly in these verses.

May I ask you, are you believing these truths and standing firm in them?

*Header photo is of P46, an early (175-225 AD) manuscript of Colossians 1:16-20.

Colossians1.15-23Download

25 Ways to Grow in Your Faith in 2025

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Miscellaneous1 Comment

The promise of a new year is the promise of a fresh start. Indeed, God is a God of fresh starts! “His steadfast love never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lam 3:22-23). As the new year dawns, so does another chapter in your faith. Here are twenty-five ways to grow in your faith this coming year. Please note that these are not laws or obligations, but practices and disciplines that help facilitate the strengthening of our faith!

1. Commit to a local church.

It may seem surprising for church to be at the top of the list. But I have placed it here intentionally. The local church is the primary place where we are to grow in our relationship with Jesus. It is the soil where the seed of our faith will be watered, fed, and strengthened through participating in worship, hearing the Word preached, observing the sacraments, and fellowshipping with other believers. Commit to a local church if you want to grow.

2. Expose yourself to the Word consistently.

The goal is not to check off days in a reading plan, but to regularly expose our hearts to God’s Word in various ways. Take seriously the preaching of the Word on Sunday mornings. Find a Bible-reading plan and stick with it. Read a Psalm a day. Listen to the Bible on audio. Find a time and a place every day to read the Word. Find whatever works for you, and stick with it!

3. Memorize scripture.

Don’t just read God’s Word. Memorize it. Memorize specific verses that standout when you’re reading or follow a specific Bible memorization plan (you can find several online). Use note cards or an app on your phone. Start small; something is better than nothing! Memorizing scripture not only exposes you to God’s Word, it writes His Word on your heart.

4. Give attention to your prayer life.

We all know we should pray and most of us want to pray, but we often become overwhelmed by the prospect of prayer that we end up not praying at all. I have found in my own life that when I don’t give attention to my prayer life, I don’t pray nearly as much. Or at least I don’t pray for the things I should.

Sure, some prayer should be spontaneous, but regular, intentional prayer comes though specific attention and planning. Consider praying for your church on Mondays, your family on Tuesdays, your co-workers on Wednesdays, and so on. Find a schedule that works for you. Keep a list ( I do this digitally), and pray through it regularly!

Continue reading “25 Ways to Grow in Your Faith in 2025” →

Post-Christmas Blues: Why Christmas Leaves Us Longing for More

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Devotionals, Miscellaneous6 Comments

It’s a feeling that comes every year. I felt it yesterday when our timed lights on the Christmas tree cut off for the last time of the Christmas season. We spent an entire month leading up to this day, and just like that, it’s over. I remember feeling the same way as a child. It’s the same feeling I would get when a good friend would have to go home after coming over to play. I call it the post-Christmas blues.

As a child, I felt the blues because there were no more presents or family gatherings, and I had to go back to school. Its certainly not as strong now, but I still feel it. I love Christmas and everything about it. Every year, I am sad to see it go. But why?

I don’t think its the lights, trees, decorations, or festivities. Nor is it the family meetings, delicious goodies, or joy of seeing my kids enjoy Christmas day. All of these things are great, but what is unique about Christmas, especially for followers of Jesus, is a month long opportunity, not to savor the external trinkets of Christmas, but to savor the reason for Christmas: the Savior Himself. And to do so with the people that we love.

As an adult, I’m not as concerned about all the external trappings of Christmas. I am concerned about worshiping Jesus as I ought to, and leading my family to do the same. And Christmas is an incredible opportunity to do just that. But here’s the thing. Every year when Christmas ends, I feel like I didn’t do enough.

I didn’t read enough advent devotionals. I didn’t meditate on the incarnation enough. I didn’t lead enough discussions with my family on the meaning of God sending His Son. I didn’t encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ enough. I didn’t sing the songs of the season with enough of my heart. I didn’t sit back and rest in Jesus enough. I didn’t share the news of His coming with nearly enough people.

The post-Christmas blues, then, are just a symptom of this underlying diagnosis: I am not enough. I will never worship, serve, and glorify God enough. But its at this point that I must remember the whole point of Christmas: that God knows I will never be enough. No one can be. But His Son is! True enough- I haven’t worshipped Jesus as much as I could have this season. But my relationship with God is not based on how much or how well I worship Him. It is based on the perfect life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. And in that I can rest in every season.

A Longing for Heaven

I have learned to embrace the post-Christmas blues. God has set eternity in our hearts, and if we are His people, nothing on earth will satisfy us. That’s a good thing, because we were not created for this world alone.

In heaven, we will get to spend unhindered time with God’s people, with family, and with friends. In heaven, we will get to rest and enjoy all that God has done for us. In heaven, we will get to worship Jesus perfectly. And we will be able to do all of these things without the distractions of this world.

In heaven, the warmth, the light, the joy, will never end. Because we will be with God. That’s what my heart longs for every Christmas. And that’s what remains just out of my grasp every year, so that I will never be fully satisfied until I take hold of it. Until then, I will be content to taste the coming beauty of heaven every Christmas season, and to embrace the blues that come along with it, as it reminds me year after year, the best is yet to come.

How to Disciple Your Kids: 8 Tips

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Miscellaneous3 Comments

Raising children is no easy task, much less discipling them! It’s one thing to keep them healthy, (relatively) clean, and educate them. Again, no easy task. Trust me, I know, I have three! But to spend 18+ years helping them learn to follow Jesus? The task can seem overwhelming, so much so that we just stop thinking about it. We don’t have a plan, and we more or less end up hoping that they will end up looking like Jesus.

There’s a better way. Though the task is monumental, we are not called to go at it alone. God has given us his Spirit, his Word, and his church to guide us. Furthermore, there are all kinds of helps out there; I am constantly looking for these, and I love to share them. Here’s a helpful blog from a fellow brother in Christ that I recently came across that I had to share. Here are “8 Tips to Help You Disciple Your Kids.”

1. Set realistic expectations.

One of the main problems we have as parents is that we expect way too much of ourselves when it comes to discipling our kids, and when we can’t live up to them, we feel like failures and often quit. Family worship doesn’t have to look like worship with your church family with singing, prayer, and lengthy and in-depth Bible teaching. Gospel conversations don’t always have to end with some profound theological gem from you. We need to be realistic of what our family discipleship will look like. Perhaps that means talking about a Bible story for 15 minutes one night a week at dinner and trying to find one or two times each week to move conversations toward the gospel. Wherever you are, start there and develop rhythms and habits that work and then build on them to get to where you want to be.

2. See family discipleship as a way of life, not a program.

There is nothing at all wrong with having a more organized time of family worship—it is actually a great idea to do that. But we can’t see our role as disciplers as a program; we have to see it more as a way of life as Deut. 6 describes. That means that you want to strive to talk with your kids about Christ naturally as much as possible. Look for themes in shows, movies, and music and talk about how they relate to the gospel. Talk about the character of God, especially as you experience them in your own life. We have natural opportunities to talk about the gospel every day—we just have to look for them.

3. Focus on Jesus.

Our goal should be to always point our kids to Jesus. It is easy to fall into the trap of moralism—focusing on our kids’ behavior and wanting them to act right. But that is not God’s heart for them! God is less concerned with their behavior and more concerned with their hearts. And the way our kids will develop hearts that love Him and want to obey Him is through the gospel transforming them. This is why we always need to point our kids to the gospel and allow that to inform how they live. Their behavior matters—but why they behave the way they do matters far more. Focus on heart change through Christ.

4. Be a guide, not a general.

As parents we often think ourselves as generals—we have the authority to tell our kids what to do and point the direction they are to go. There is certainly a place for this at times, but when it comes to discipling our kids, we are better off seeing ourselves as guides instead. Think of a trail guide who travels with you and beside you. He or she doesn’t stay back at camp and just point the direction or give you a map—he or she goes with you! That is what we need to do with our kids in the journey of discipleship. We aren’t supposed to be the experts with all the answers boldly pointing the way our kids should go; we are to travel with them as guides—guides who have more knowledge, wisdom, and experience of our journey but who are still learning ourselves. Positioning yourself as a guide means you don’t need to have all the answers and that is important because none of us do. But it does give you the freedom to tell your kids that you don’t know something and you want to seek the answer together.

5. Feed your own growth.

The best teaching comes from the overflow of what we are learning. If you are looking for the one way to improve the most as your kids’ discipler, this may be it. Spend more time feeding your growth and growing in your understanding of, and joy in, the gospel. Dive into God’s Word more deeply. Read helpful books that will build your faith. Worship in meaningful ways with others and by yourself. As you grow your confidence will increase and you will also have more to share with your kids.

6. Teach by your example.

It has been said that people will remember more of what we do than what we say. We often focus our discipleship on what we tell our kids—and that certainly matters—but we cannot forget that our kids are learning far more from what they see us do, for better or for worse. As a follower of Christ, you need to be working out your salvation through God’s power (Phil. 2:12-13), but this is even more important as parents. How is the gospel framing how you live each day in the home, in the community, at work, and beyond? Are God’s love, grace, and mercy working their way out of you? Is the fruit of the spirit evident in increasing measure? Are you obeying God with gospel gratitude and joy? Model gospel transformation to your kids.

7. Connect them deeply into your church.

While God designed parents to be the primary disciplers, He did not intend for us to be the only disciplers. He has given us the church—our local community of faith—to come alongside us, encourage us, and echo what we are teaching in our homes. Just as it is essential for us to be part of the church, our kids need to be as well—for their good now and in the future as well as the church’s vitality. Prioritize involvement in church, not because you have to or should, but because you want to. This is one reason I love The Gospel Project so much—the heart of this resource is not only to help individuals see the gospel story throughout Scripture but also to position parents to have meaningful conversations in the home based on what they are talking about at church. The church and home aren’t to work in isolation of each other—they are to work hand-in-hand in partnership.

8. Pray with them and for them.

Just as you want to have meaningful gospel conversations throughout the day with your kids, you want to pray with them and for them as well. Think about the opportunities you have each day, such as in the car on the way to school and as part of your bedtime routine, and use some of that time to pray together.

*Original post may be found at https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/8-tips-to-help-you-disciple-your-kids/. Written by Brian Dembowczyk.

Continue reading “How to Disciple Your Kids: 8 Tips” →

The Legacy of Walt Disney: A Christian Perspective

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn MiscellaneousLeave a comment

I try to write book reviews on most books that I read. It helps me to process what I’ve read, summarize it succinctly, and either encourage or discourage the reading of the book to others. I finished Bob Thomas’ classic biography of Walt Disney, An American Original, a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been wrestling with how to write a review of it. But I want to take a stab at it, nonetheless!

The Disney brand can be a polarizing subject today. But it is not my intention to defend or attack the brand. I want to consider the focus of the biography, Walt Disney himself, and specifically what he was after. Walt Disney: An American Original is the gold standard of Disney biographies. Bob Thomas was commissioned by the Disney family and company executives to write the biography and was given access to private documents and records of Walt Disney Studios. Thomas was granted assurance that he could write the story of Walt Disney as he saw it, and that’s exactly what he did.

Walt Disney: An American Original reads as if it was a classic Disney story itself. It features a young boy who was born into a simple family and worked hard to achieve his dreams, dreams that no one else was having at the time. Walt’s story includes working morning and evening as a paper boy, driving ambulances in World War I, struggling to become a successful cartoonist, learning the art of animation and experiencing early success, being betrayed and put on the brink of bankruptcy numerous times, and persevering through every imaginable obstacle to ultimately change the entertainment industry. It’s a riveting read, a story that anyone would enjoy.

Aside from being captivated by contours of Walt’s life, one of the things that struck me the most was Walt’s view of fantasy as entertainment. I think that’s what truly set him apart. Sure, he was always on the cutting edge of technology, always pushing himself and his staff to perfection, and always dreaming of what people wanted before they knew they wanted it. But the thread that connects all of it, from cartoons to motion pictures to theme parks- was Walt’s belief that people needed to escape their world of mundanity and experience something truly fantastical, even if it was just for a little while.

Continue reading “The Legacy of Walt Disney: A Christian Perspective” →

Augustine’s Encouragement to American Christians in Election Season: “The City of God” and its Modern Application

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn MiscellaneousLeave a comment

As we find ourselves in the midst of another election season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed (and frustrated) by the flood of discussions, debates, and news cycles. How can we lift our eyes above the waters and find guidance and encouragement? As I have in past election seasons, I am reflecting once again on Augustine’s book, The City of God.

Even though it was written nearly sixteen centuries ago, I believe his profound work still speaks to us today. It explains the realities of the worlds, or the “cities,” in which we live, and offers wisdom on how to navigate the waters of our political landscape with faith and hope. Let me show you how!

Who Was Augustine?

Augustine of Hippo was an early Christian theologian and philosopher. He was born in 354 AD in what is now Algeria and became one of the most influential figures in Christianity. He was, in a sense, one of the first great theologians of the church. It is said that all theological traditions, in some way or another, are indebted to Augustine. He is the fountainhead from which many streams of theology flow. His writings, especially Confessions and The City of God, have shaped Christian thought for centuries.

What Is “The City of God” About?

Augustine wrote The City of God in response to the fall of Rome in 410 AD. For the first time in centuries, Rome was not the superpower of the world, and many people blamed Christians for the collapse of the city, claiming that abandoning the old Roman gods had led to Rome’s downfall. Augustine wrote City of God to defend Christianity and to offer a broader perspective on history and society.

In his book, Augustine contrasts the “city of man” with the “city of God.” Both cities are marked by love. The city of man is characterized by self-love and pride, which leads to conflict and corruption. The city of God, on the other hand, is marked by the love of God and the building of His kingdom. Augustine encourages Christians to live in the city of man as citizens of the city of God until the day that God’s city triumphs. But how do we do that? Here are six ways.

Continue reading “Augustine’s Encouragement to American Christians in Election Season: “The City of God” and its Modern Application” →

Children & Church

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Miscellaneous2 Comments

What if our children saw church,
not as a place where their parents went out of mundane routine, but a place where they delighted to go?

What if our children saw church as the place where their parents expected to meet with God, worship Him, and learn to walk with Him?

What if our children saw church as the place where their parents looked for opportunities to speak to, encourage, and pray for other members?

What if our children saw church as the place where their parents cheerfully gave their money, time, and resources to the mission of God?

What if our children saw the church as the place where their parents were constantly inviting their friends, family, and even strangers to go?

What if our children saw the church as the place where their parents were refreshed and invigorated for the week ahead?

What if our children saw the church as the place that their parents valued so highly that almost nothing came in the way of their attending?

How might all of this affect the child’s, and future adult’s, view of church?
The next generation is watching us, parents! By the grace of God, may we demonstrate through our attitudes and actions the incredible value, beauty, and privilege of being a part of God’s church

Do All Children Go to Heaven? 7 Reasons (from the Bible) I Am Confident They Do

On By Jarrett Ray FletcherIn Miscellaneous6 Comments

On Friday, April 5th at 2:26pm, my three year old nephew, Zade, entered Jesus’ presence. Though I may never know why it happened, I am confident where he is, because I believe the Bible clearly answers the question of where children and infants go when their time on earth is finished. Here are seven reasons why I believe all “little ones” go straight to heaven when they pass:

1. Children are described as belonging to God.

In the book of Ezekiel, God condemns the Israelites for offering up their children as sacrifices to foreign gods. Interestingly enough, God doesn’t call the Israelite’s children their children, but His children(see Ezekiel 16:21). God views little ones as his own possession and will take them to be with himself when their time is complete. They are His children, after all.

2. Children are viewed and treated as innocent by God.

God refers to young children as innocents in Jeremiah 19:4 (ESV). Children obviously inherit a sinful nature from Adam (no one has to teach a two year old to be selfish), so they aren’t totally innocent of sin. But they are innocent in their inability to understand their sin as rebellion against God and their subsequent need for a Savior to reconcile them to God.

Consider Deuteronomy 1:39, where God tells the Israelites who did not trust Him that they will not enter the promised land. Notice what He says about their children, “And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad- they will enter the land.” The children who “do not yet know good from bad” were not punished alongside their parents. They were allowed entrance into the promised land because God in His grace viewed them as innocent. I believe the same applies to the promised land in heaven!

3. Children are recipients of God’s protective compassion.

In Matthew 18, Jesus encourages his followers to avoid despising the “little ones.” In other words, they are not to be forgotten. The disciples were not to be so focused on their future ministry that they saw children as unimportant. Jesus even describes the little ones as having their own angels (v. 10) and states that it is the Father’s will that none of them should perish (v. 14). God’s desire is that we would follow Him in remembering and protecting children. It’s hard to imagine that He would remove His compassion and stop protecting them when their life on earth is done. On the contrary, He welcomes them into an even greater experience of His love and care for them in heaven.

Continue reading “Do All Children Go to Heaven? 7 Reasons (from the Bible) I Am Confident They Do” →