Romans 3:23

Teaching Sunday School 4-year-olds (K1 class).
Such a privilege.
Today at the end of class, during coloring time, a girl named Valerie looked anxious and asked me how she might go to heaven.

The Bible truth we have been teaching today was God wants us to choose to obey Him.
We had been talking about what sin is and what pleases God. We sang Nothing But the Blood during praise time.
The Scripture verse was Romans 3:23, and that's what we were coloring about. There's a picture of heaven in it.

"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God."
I told the kids we are too short, we can never reach heaven unless we ask Jesus to save us.

A few minutes into coloring, while I was busy coloring with the other kids, Valerie called me and asked that question. Sensing her urgency and seriousness, I decided to bring her to another table to talk with her a little bit.

Valerie might decide to ask Jesus to be her Savior. I am very cautious about this. I need to confirm if she really wants Jesus.
"So Valerie, you really want to go to heaven to be with Jesus one day?" "Yes."
"Do you know that you are a sinner?" "Yes."
"Do you want to ask Jesus to save you?" "Yes."
I had to ask something that she could answer more than just yes or no.
"Valerie, why do you want to ask Jesus to save you?"
"Because I want to make Jesus happy."

Wow. That's original. If she wants to make Jesus happy, that means she wanted to obey Jesus. That's why she wants to be able to go to heaven to be with Jesus.

After talking some more, we prayed the sinner's prayer together.
I hugged her and assured her that Jesus would never leave her now.
I encouraged her to pray to Jesus everyday, and after she can read, read the Bible everyday because He will always be her Best Friend.
Also I told her to tell her daddy and her mummy about this.
Afterwards we continued coloring happily.
"Jesus is my best friend," she said.
"Yes. Jesus is my best friend, too," I said, glad. "Jesus is always there for me. He will always be there for you, too."

After class I talked to her mum and dad. I told them what happened. I told them that this is only the beginning of a very long road. (It does not mean she has changed to become an angel.) I encouraged them to pray and read the Bible with her every night.

There will be ups and downs in her life. She will have to rededicate herself again and again at every milestones (isn't that just like us?). Valerie, as well as I, have to continue to make her salvation sure.
Philippians 2:12-13
"... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Php 2:12-13
(Not that we are saved by our works, but because we are saved, therefore the fruit of our lives should be consistent with our salvation. The absence of fruit will only mean the absence of the source. No salvation is void of obedience to God. If someone claimed to be saved, but have no qualms disobeying the Savior, she is not really saved in the first place.
James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 2:14)

What a privilege it is to be able to partner with God in His powerful work of bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

What joy it is to have so many children in heaven. Those who become my brothers and sisters in Christ. Our family tie is the blood of Christ, thicker than any blood line on earth.

I praise You, Lord, for such an encouragement you gave me today. For the privilege of watching Your Spirit work in even the littlest and simplest hearts of children.