Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Children and Salvation by L. R. Scarborough

How to Deal with Children
Excerpts from the book, “With Christ After the Lost,” by L. R. Scarborough. 

Proverbs 8:17 (KJV)
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Matthew 19:13-14
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Total Depravity
“Total depravity does not mean that a person is born guilty.  It means that he is born with his tendency to choose evil stronger than his tendency to choose the good and that apart from the power of Christ he will continue to grow worse and worse in disobedience to God.”

Death of a Child
“If a child dies before he comes to the time of accountability to God, what becomes of his soul?  He is covered by the atoning work of Christ and, not being responsible for any conscious act of sin, is saved by Christ’s death.”

Age of Accountability
“When does a child become accountable to God for his soul?  There is no certain age – some are younger than others.  When the child voluntarily chooses sin and is conscious of his wrong, then he becomes an active transgressor and comes under God’s law…Most children have a sense of sin between seven and ten years of age.”

Both a Life and a Soul
“The saving of a child’s soul offers a double opportunity to the worker in that there is also a chance to train and utilize the child’s talents and powers for the service of God.  A life is saved as well as a soul.  Some of our most important and useful leaders and Christian workers come from those saved in youth.” 

Cautious, yet Zealous
“Parents and teachers should be very cautious, and yet zealous, in dealing with children.  They can discourage them for life or they can over persuade them and get them into the church unsaved, without an understanding of the way of life.  Teach them; make the way plain; pray for them; give them favorable opportunity to find Christ.  Do not over persuade, but at the same time give them every opportunity to respond to the pleadings of the Saviour.” 

Difference in Salvation & Church Membership
“Children must not be led to join the church in the hope that it will help them to find Christ.  Regeneration is a necessary prerequisite to church membership.  The church will not save, help save, or keep saved – it is the place for the saved to serve in helping to save others.  Children should be taught and encouraged to join the church when they give evidence that they have fully and understandingly trusted Christ as their Saviour and Lord.” 

Home is Best Place to Win Children to the Lord
“The best place to win children is in their homes, where the parents can teach the Word of God.  Show them Christ by word and life.  Pray with and for them.  The mother should not be alone in this heavenly task.  God says: ‘The father to the children shall make known thy truth’ (Isaiah 38:19).  He should reinforce the mother every step of the way.” 

Sunday School Should be Place of Soul-Winning
“The next most fruitful place of soul-winning among children is in the Sunday School, where teacher, superintendent, and pastor can give them a winning gospel and urge them individually and by classes to accept Christ.  The teacher may have to do some of the work by visits and prayers in the home in conjunction with the parents’ efforts.  Every teacher ought to be a soul-winner…”

ABC’s of Salvation
“The following is a simple but effective method which has proved its value in children’s evangelistic services many times.  Call it ‘The ABC’s of Salvation…’
A         ‘All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
B         ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). 
C         ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’ (Isaiah1:18).” 

Object Lesson
“A good object lesson to illustrate will be helpful.  Let a piece of red paper represent the soul that is ‘red like crimson.’  Let a piece of red glass represent the blood of the Lamb slain to cover our sins.  Look through the red glass at the red paper; the paper will look white.  Thus it is with our souls.  God cannot see our sin when He looks through the blood of Christ.  We can have our sins covered by His blood if we will trust Him.” 

-L. R. Scarborough, excerpts from “With Christ After the Lost,” Broadman Press; 1952 (I think originally published in 1919).  A great, classic, evangelism book to have in the pastor’s, and church, libraries. 
Lee Rutland Scarborough (AD 1870-1945) was the first evangelism professor at, and second president of, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. 
With Christ After the Lost” was reprinted by SWBTS as part of their Centennial Classics in 2008. 

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 17, AD 2017. 






Other articles in lower right margin.