Such as These

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of children with a wide array of abilities and disabilities.  Teachers tend to take shortcuts with our descriptions of children.  We often lump kids together into categories, such as high ability or gifted learners, so-called "normal" children, those with learning disabilities, some whose extreme behavior affects their learning, and the SPED kids.  SPED stands for special education, meaning those children with significant disabilities that impact their learning.

I've taught kids who are blind, hearing impaired, speech impaired, and with physical limitations that require assistive technology of various kinds.  Every year, it seems that we have at least one child in our program who uses a walker or wheelchair to get around.  I've worked with a few amazing children who have labored to overcome the impact of traumatic brain injuries.  And lately, it seems that every class has more than one child with autism or autistic tendencies.
Yet, even our "normal" children may have to deal with hidden difficulties in their lives.  Children's lives can be shattered in an instant when previously-stable parents separate.  I am concerned about the number of kids who are being raised by grandparents because their parents are unable to care for them appropriately.  I am even more concerned about those whose parents are in and out of jail or rehab because of alcoholism and drug use.  And then, there are the kids who don't get enough of the right kinds of food to eat, or who are always short on sleep because their parents don't know how to take charge of their kids' well-being.

Just as there are so many differences in the children I teach, and so many different kinds of needs, I think that there are many different kinds of Christians.  Dare I say that there are "degrees" of Christianity?

Merriam‑Webster defines a Christian as a person who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Many people carry this a step further, and say that a Christian is someone who trusts in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  Still others say that a new Christian will experience a life-changing conversion, which will lead him or her to trust Jesus to provide for everything needed in daily life.  Many Christians insist that a personal relationship with Jesus is a vital part of Christianity.

So, which is it?  Who is right?  I have to look to the source, God's Word, for the answer.  Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."  Romans 10:9 states, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  According to these verses, belief in Jesus is essential!

I have known many Christians who only trust that Jesus died and rose again for them.  I am convinced that such a simple belief in Jesus is all that's necessary for eternal life.  That's all that brand new Christians have, but it is enough.

However, I also think that it is important for baby Christians to grow in their faith, just as it is important for infants to grow in size and ability.  Babies don't grow and thrive unless they receive the loving care and nutrition they need.  In the same way, new Christians won't grow unless they receive loving nurture from Christian leaders, and the nourishment that is found in God's Word.  As Christians grow, they learn to trust in Jesus for more than eternal life.  Maturing Christians are often able to trust in God for material needs, health, and emotional well-being.  As they grow, Christians get to know Jesus better and better; they understand what it means to have a personal relationship with him. 

But, just as there are several different categories of learners in our schools, ranging from the highest achievers to those with significant disabilities, I think that there are a wide range of Christians with many different needs. 

Some are "high-ability" Christians, who have learned to trust God for many things.  I think of the Apostle Paul, who endured many hardships, but continued in unwavering trust and service to God.  Others are "normal" Christians who participate in regular church activities and study God's Word diligently--at least sometimes.  Yet, even these "high-ability" and "normal" Christians may have challenging times in their lives when they have a hard time trusting and serving God.  I think of King David, who committed adultery with another man's wife, then had her husband moved to the front line in battle where he was sure to be killed.  I think of those Christians who have lost loved ones to cancer or some tragic accident, or even murder, who question God's care for their loved ones who died.

Every church has some people who appear to be behaviorally impaired.  They are the ones who seem to revel in their sin, while the rest of us are inclined to judge them for their lack of good, Christian behavior.

Then, there are Christians who are like failure-to-thrive infants, slow to grow past basic Christianity.  Others may have experienced difficult circumstances in their lives that have suppressed their ability to trust in God for anything beyond forgiveness of sins and eternal life.   These are the Christians in our midst, who, like the SPED kids I teach, need to be treated with extra consideration for their special needs.  

I've known some Christians who remind me of my blind and deaf students, who apparently cannot see or hear things that are obvious to the rest of us.  We all know those speech-impaired Christians who often speak offensively or condescendingly to the people around them, or who are unable to use words to share the Good News of Jesus with their friends and families.  Then, like my students who rely on assistive technology to make their lives more bearable, there are Christians who rely heavily on their Christian friends for assistance with transportation or food or material possessions.  I've met some Christians who, like my hard-working students with traumatic brain injuries, have fought hard to regain trust in Jesus after they've experienced some traumatic loss in their lives.  And, it seems like every church has some members who behave as if they have autism--mostly focused on self, they are unable to talk easily about their faith, they are slow to learn things that other Christians consider to be essential, and they have few social skills.

Just as some children are unable to ever grow and learn normally, there are some Christians who stay at the baby Christian stage for their whole lives.  Just like some children will need special care for their entire lives because of their permanent disabilities, some Christians require significantly more care from the rest of us for their entire lives.  It is tempting to ridicule them and urge them to "just grow up," but that kind of response will not help them, any more than put-downs and name-calling help children with disabilities.

We can't expect new Christians to mature immediately, anymore than we expect our newborn babies to be able to walk and talk during their first few days of life.  Proverbs 22: 6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  In the same way, we need to care for new Christians so that they can grow to be mature Christians.  

When Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these," (Luke 18:16) I think he meant all children, of all abilities and disabilities.  And, I think he meant spiritual children, too, like those immature Christians we once were, and like those new Christians we all know.

Yes, the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.