WELCOME THE LITTLE ONES
Mark 10:13-16, “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Jesus was in the midst of teaching about the importance of marriage and family when the people brought their little children to Him. This annoyed the disciples who tried to shoo them away. They did not want to be bothered and they did not think Jesus should be bothered either. But Jesus was mightily unhappy with the attitude and action of His disciples, and rebuked them for preventing the children from coming to Him. To Jesus these little ones are precious and right candidates for the kingdom of God. All who desire to be members of God’s family must first humble themselves and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour with childlike faith.
All Christian parents should be keen to bring their children to church so that they might receive a blessing from the Lord. Do not think that infants and toddlers who have yet to reach the age of understanding cannot benefit from the worship service in church. Babies from day one learn through sight and sound. And if they are covenant children, God looks upon them in a special way to work a special work of grace in their young minds and hearts towards their salvation. Such a sanctifying influence is evident as we see many of our children grow up with the fear of God in their hearts, with a zeal to memorise the Scriptures, and a holy desire for the things of the Lord, even their salvation. They learn to sit still at prayer meetings and church services; they pray and worship the Lord themselves. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
It is troubling and sad when Christian parents, blessed with newborns, keep themselves and their children away from church because they have become too busy with their mothering chores or think their little ones cannot benefit from the worship services. By being absent from God’s house, they deprive their children of the very thing they need, and need the most, which is God’s blessing. As can be seen from the account in Mark 10:13-16, the Lord is very eager to bless our little ones, and to guide them into His kingdom.
What a blessing it was for May Ann and May Lynn in their growing-up years to be prayed for by their pastor and grandfather— Timothy Tow—with his hand laid on their little heads. Parents and grandparents should not forget to pray for their children and grandchildren. The church also prays for them, that they might come to a saving knowledge of Christ early in life. The pastor is always glad to see the little ones in church, and is especially happy when they run to him to shake his hand after Service. He prays for the Lord’s blessing to be upon them, even little ones still in the arms of their mothers, like little Hadassah, and tells them that Jesus loves them very much. JK
MORE EARS, LESS MOUTH
James 1:19-21, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Just last week, someone asked me this question concerning the text above: “Traditionally, this verse is used to support teaching us to be swift to hear others, not to speak so quickly, don’t get angry etc. Since, the context of the passage concerns the Word of God, could verse 19 be teaching us to be swift to hear God’s Word, not to be quick to teach God’s Word, and not to be angry with God’s Word when we are confronted with its truth?”
Here’s my answer: Yes, the context definitely speaks of how we should respond to God’s Word, but the wisdom contained therein may also be applied to how we ought to respond to others as well. Hereunder is my exposition of the passage in question:
True Faith is manifested by an obedient reception of God’s Word. The word Logos (Word) appears four times in James chapter one (vv18, 21, 22, 23). God’s Word being central here is described as (1) Truth (v18), (2) Seed (v21), (3) Mirror (v23), and (4) Law (v25).
There is a great need for God’s people to spend more time hearing His Word, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas 1:19). The word “wherefore” links this verse to the previous verse (ie, v18). Since the Lord has adopted us as His sons through His Word of truth, having saved us, how ought we to behave as children of God?
James says that priority ought to be given to the listening of God’s Word. This is taught in the Old Testament especially in the Wisdom Literature of King Solomon. With regard to hearing, we have Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning: And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”; Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise”; Proverbs 19:20, “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end”; and Psalm 62:11, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard.”
With regard to speaking, we have Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise”; Proverbs 13:3, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction”; Proverbs 17:27-28, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: … Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding”; and Proverbs 21:23, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
When the Scripture is being read out loud in church, the congregation should listen attentively and be submissive to the words of Holy Writ; to assume the position of a pupil who listens more rather than a teacher who speaks more. The wisdom expressed in Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 applies, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” “Silence is golden” is good advice. The Rev Dr Timothy Tow has often warned his students, “If you want to teach, you need to know eight times more than your students”. A whole lot of listening and learning must come first before one starts speaking and teaching others.
Quarrels in church are often due to much speaking and very little listening. Disagreements usually arise when opposing parties are not hearing each other out. Those who do a lot of talking do not do the same in listening. We should perk up our ears, and rein in our tongue (Jas 3:6). Instead of speaking angrily, we should speak graciously and gently. The speaker as well as the listener needs to be “slow to wrath.” Proverbs 14:29 says, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Ecclesiates 7:9 states, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (Jas 1:20). James here gave the reason why a man should calm his temper. An angry man speaks on the basis of how he feels. He does not think before he speaks, nor does he listen to what others have to say. His outbursts are often without reason and he becomes very unreasonable. Calvin said that anger prevents a person from hearing God’s Word: “Wrath also, I think, is condemned with regard to the hearing which God demands to be given to him, as though making a tumult it disturbed and impeded him, for God cannot be heard except when the mind is calm and sedate. Hence, he adds, that as long as wrath bears rule there is no place for the righteousness of God. In short, except the heat of contention be banished, we shall never observe towards God that calm silence of which he has just spoken.” Surely “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Ecclesiastes 9:17 says, “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”
What would be James’ advice to that wrathful member? It would be verse 21! “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” The word “lay apart” or “put off” is used elsewhere with reference to taking off of one’s dirty clothes (Acts 7:58). Paul is fond of using this word to refer to the putting away of one’s sins (Rom 13:12, Col 3:8, Eph 4:22, 25). The filth that is spoken of here is moral evil.
Instead of being angry, a man ought to be gentle; instead of being arrogant, he ought to be humble. The historical context of the epistle should not be ignored. James was addressing professing Christians who displayed no spirituality in their lives whatsoever. They are angry with God and His Word when they are rebuked for their sins. True believers would not respond to God’s Word of rebuke or correction angrily but humbly. God gave us His words and His laws to protect us. They are for our own good and we should endeavour to keep them; “and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
The “engrafted word” is powerful unto salvation. The Word of God has already been sown in the hearts of the faithful. If the seed has fallen on good soil, it would bring forth good fruit (Matt 13:3-23). Those who find themselves not manifesting any such Christian grace might not be in possession of the implanted Word in the first place. It is important to note that James considered salvation to come by means of receiving the Word of God and not by doing the works of the flesh. The Good Word comes before good works. JK
