Having A Childlike Faith

…unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:3

"These words of our Lord refer to our initial conversion, but we should continue to turn to God as children, being continuously converted every day of our lives. When God through His sovereignty brings us into new situations, we should immediately make sure that our natural life submits to the spiritual, obeying the orders of the Spirit of God. The response of the natural to the spiritual should be continuous conversion, but this is where we so often refuse to be obedient.  we must “put on the new man…” (Ephesians 4:24). Our natural life must not rule— God must rule in us.  There are areas of self-will in our lives where our pride pours contempt on the throne of God and says, “I won’t submit.” What God sees as stubborn weakness, we call strength. There are whole areas of our lives that have not yet been brought into submission.  Slowly but surely, we can [must] claim the whole territory for the Spirit of God.” - My Utmost For His Highest

Something that I have noticed with children as they grow up.  When they are small … say less than 10 or 12 … they never question their parents, at least most don’t. Small children believe their parents know everything and can do anything.  The children depend upon their parents for everything.  The parents make the rules, provide food, shelter, emotional comfort and clothing.  But then something begins to happen … as the children grow older, they begin to question their parents.  They become more demanding - independent.  They want to make their own rules.  They want to decide what they will eat and when they will eat it.  They see their parents as fallible and not quite so all-knowing.  They consider it to be unfair when a parent denies the child’s “right” to have their own way.  They begin to trust in themselves and resist their parents.  So … when Jesus said be like children … He might well have said ... don’t be like adults and teenagers.

As Christians, we are to have a faith in God like small children have in their parents.  I will use a well-worn verse, once again.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)  “Trust in the Lord and not yourself”.  Why do you suppose that God thought it necessary to include that admonition in His revealed Word? Right – because He knows us and our inclinations.  He created us with a will.  Now think about this.  He gave us our own will, but then asks that we submit that will to His.  Free will says you don’t have to ... and very often we don’t!  We are to follow Jesus’ example.  And if you want to follow Jesus … if you really want to follow Jesus … then you will pick up your cross daily (Matthew 16:24) … which is to say … sacrifice your will in favor of the Father’s will …. Believing that our God is greater than any other.  That you can trust Him even when you don’t understand everything.  To decide that you are not going your own way or the way that everyone else is going.  Can you do that? Yes! Will you do that?  Time will tell.  Personally, I hope so.  You will never experience the new life God intends for you until you do.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone