The Value of Every Child

 "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

There are times when the heart of a preacher becomes so burdened that words seem too small to express the grief within. We are living in a generation that speaks loudly about justice, freedom, and human rights, yet far too often remains silent when innocent children become the victims of war.

As Christians, our first loyalty is not to a political party, a nation, or a military alliance. Our first loyalty is to Jesus Christ and His Word. If we claim to be His disciples, then His teachings—not the opinions of politicians or the demands of governments—must guide our conscience.

Jesus never taught His followers to celebrate the death of children. He never instructed His disciples to rejoice when innocent lives were destroyed. Instead, He gathered children into His arms and blessed them. He declared that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

That truth ought to shape the heart of every believer.

One of the great moral battles in America has been the fight against abortion. Millions of Christians have stood faithfully for decades proclaiming that every unborn child is created in the image of God and deserves the right to live. I believe that conviction is rooted in the Scriptures.

But our commitment to the sanctity of life cannot end at the delivery room.

If we rightly mourn the death of an unborn child, we must also mourn the death of a child caught beneath falling bombs. If we grieve for babies in the womb, we must also grieve for children in hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and homes destroyed by war.

The value of a child's life does not change because of nationality.

A Jewish child is precious to God.

A Palestinian child is precious to God.

An Iranian child is precious to God.

A Lebanese child is precious to God.

Every child bears the image of the Creator.

When Christians oppose abortion because children are innocent, yet become indifferent when innocent children die in war, we should pause and examine whether we are applying the same moral standard consistently. The command, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13, KJV), and the biblical call to protect innocent life should shape our hearts wherever innocent lives are at risk. Christians have long differed over how those principles apply in questions of war, but no follower of Christ should become hardened to the suffering of children.

Jesus gave us another command that is often forgotten in times of conflict:

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." — Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

Notice He did not say, "Blessed are those who cheer for war."

He did not say, "Blessed are those who hate their enemies."

He said, "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Later in that same sermon He declared:

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you." — Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

Those words are difficult. They challenge every generation of Christians. They call us to see every human being through the eyes of Christ rather than through the lens of politics, ethnicity, or national allegiance.

That does not mean governments have no responsibility to defend their citizens. Scripture recognizes the role of civil authorities. But even in war, Christians should never lose sight of the dignity of every person made in God's image or cease to ask whether every reasonable effort has been made to protect innocent life.

The church must never allow political loyalty to become greater than loyalty to Christ.

When Christians defend every action of earthly governments without examining those actions in light of Scripture, we risk replacing the Gospel with political allegiance.

The cross must always stand higher than the flag.

Our greatest mission has never been to win wars. It has always been to win souls.

One day every president, every prime minister, every general, every king, and every citizen will stand before the Judge of all the earth. On that day political arguments will disappear, and only truth and righteousness will remain.

Until that day, may the Church be known not for its love of war, but for its love of Christ.

May we defend the unborn.

May we defend the born.

May we pray for peace.

May we weep for every innocent child.

And may we never forget that the same Savior who died for us also died for the children of every nation.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this... To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction..." — James 1:27 (KJV)

May God give His people hearts that reflect the compassion of Jesus Christ.