PRECIOUS CHILDREN

There were doubtless many children amongst the Christians who received the epistles of Peter. One of the first things he wrote about was that they all had been redeemed, or bought, by the precious blood of Christ "as of a lamb without blemish and without spot". The believers, on their part, were to love and to value each other in word and in practice. The gift of the Holy Spirit would help them in doing this and to each would be the preciousness. In his second epistle Peter wrote about the precious faith, connected with the precious promises which help all who enjoy these things in an increasing way.

Everyone knows that a precious thing is not only valued for what it is, but also because of its usefulness. Thus in many parts of Scripture we read of children whom God valued because there could serve Him in some way. Even as a babe Moses was ''fair to God", which means that his great work was already foreseen in heaven. One thing that parents think of in faith at household baptisms is that their child may be converted and become useful in time to the Lord. Have you answered to your baptism?

J.C.Evershed