12 Candles...(Part 4 of 4)

One thing we've learned over the course of these posts on the 12 Candles is that Jesus loves our children. Think back to your own childhood. Depending on how you were raised, you may have even sung songs about Jesus' love for children like "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so..." or "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." Yes, indeed, Jesus loves the little children. In the gospel of Matthew (chapter 19), which we've reflected upon in the previous posts, there is an account of one such instance where Jesus makes His love for children abundantly clear. In this brief account, children are being led to Jesus so that He may lay His hands on them. The disciples try to stop this and Jesus responds by saying,

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:14

Think about that for a moment. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Wow, that's a powerful statement! It brings to mind something I once heard my Pastor say. In a sermon about God's love and mercy my Pastor said (paraphrased), "I bet that the most populous group in heaven are babies and small children." That has always stuck with me and comforted me in my own losses, as it magnifies God's love and mercy extended to our sweet children, who in no way can knowingly reject God. As adults, however, we do have the capacity and free will to reject God's love and mercy. Instead, we ought to have child-like faith and complete dependence on Christ. Take a look at the same account, as written in the gospel of Mark. He goes one step further and records Jesus saying,

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Mark 10:15

What does that mean for you and for me? What is God trying to tell us through this gospel account? Simply put, we must possess a complete dependence and trust in Jesus if we want to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Now the next question may seem silly, but I dare to ask...Is it your desire to enter the kingdom of heaven? For me, the answer is a resounding "Yes! Amen! Hallelujah! You betcha!" Still, I go one step further and change just a couple of words and ask: Will you enter the kingdom of heaven? Think about that question. Will you? What is your answer? Do you have a definite answer? From a biblical standpoint, we can know the answer to this question here and now and be assured of eternity in heaven.

1 John 5:12-13 says,

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

So yes, you can know here and now today if you will enter the kingdom of heaven. I am filled with an inexpressible joy in knowing the saving power of Jesus Christ. I am overwhelmed by God's mercy on me, but a sinner, so undeserving of heaven. It is only by His grace! Will you be joining me? I pray that you will. If you feel the Lord drawing you in, pray and accept Christ for the for very first time, let Him secure your place in heaven, and fix your eyes upon Him and live for Him.

"...The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Romans 10:8-10