Romans 5:20 - Magnifying Grace

Sometimes, it helps to define what something is by what it is not. I hate to ruin anyone's fond memory of  Sunday School songs, but one song in particular provides a contrast to what is meant by "magnifying grace."

The anonymous author of "Oh Be Careful" may have been intended to help educate the consciences of little children, but the song distorts Biblical concepts and how to apply them.

The lyrics go:

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see,
There's a Savior up above
And He's looking down in love,
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.*

With each verse, children were instructed to point to their eyes, ears, etc.
Be careful little ears what you hear...
Be careful little tongue what you say...

God "looking down" was imitated by holding a hand over the eyebrows while gazing at the floor.

Jesus is now enthroned in heaven (Colossians 3:1), but came to earth to physically demonstrate that "he is not far from any one of us." (Acts 17:27, New Living Translation, 2015). And in particular, Jesus "took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them." (Mark 10:16, NLT). He wasn't looking down "from a distance" as Bette Midler once sang. Those pictures of Jesus surrounded by children as He held and blessed them is what we should impress on kids.

Jesus' harshest warning wasn't directed at children. He told His own disciples,
"But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:6, NLT)

How many children repeat words that they wouldn't even know except they've heard them from adults... and then the adults chuckle about it. When do little eyes see evil only because adults are viewing (or doing) what is evil?

It is true that, "Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right." (Proverbs 20:11, NLT) But the warning "be careful," is repeated three times in that short song--compared to one vague phrase of God "looking down in love."

What will God do if little eyes aren't careful what they see? The not-so-subtle warning is merely repeated: "Oh, be careful..." Will God be disappointed? Angry? Hurt?

No one takes sin more seriously than God, but "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." (Romans 5:20, English Standard Version) God's watchful gaze looks for ways to magnify His grace.

O be happy little eyes what you see,
O be happy little eyes what you see,
For the grace of God abounds
In the world all around,
O be happy little eyes what you see.
Amen.

 

 

*This particular version of the song by "Anon." is taken from "Primaries Sing: Songs for first- through third-graders." Prior editions date back to 1959; this edition was the thirteenth printing in 1972. Scripture Press Publications, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois. The "happy little eyes" is my own revision.