Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
HUMBLY TRUST HIS WORD
One of the characteristics of little children is that they believe what their parents say to them. I know with my daughters I have to be very careful when they ask me questions because whatever answers I give them, they will believe and accept them as the truth. If one asks, "Daddy, how come . . ." then I had better make sure I know "how come" before I say something!
As we get older, the devil challenges our child-like trust in Jesus. As adults, those things we learned in Sunday School and youth Bible classes can begin to seem too "childish" to us. Our "grown up" minds don't appreciate so well the simple gospel of salvation by faith for Christ's sake. We can become proud, thinking that we know better than what God tells us. And so people have wandered away from the simple truths of the good news of Jesus. They have looked for other ways of salvation and happiness--to the destruction of their souls.
God reminds us to be child-like in the way we treat the things He says to us--to accept them as the truth without question! Jesus said to His disciples: "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." There are times to be skeptical--like when you're watching an infomercial on television. But when the Lord says: "You are forgiven. I will take you to heaven to be with me. I will help you through your earthly struggles and sorrows," that is not a time to question or doubt Him. That is the time to believe like little children.
A simple, child-like faith in your Savior is not a sign of weakness. It does not mean you are simple-minded or lacking in intelligence. It means that the Holy Spirit has worked in you, for no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). Continue to stand up for your faith; to be confident in what God says because His word is truth.
