Remain Like a Child

In the message "Hold Me" we saw how our Heavenly Father desires for
us to reach up to Him with outstretched arms and how this is perhaps
His greatest joy. We considered the example of a child reaching up
to be held by their parent. This is where our relationship with God
begins and, in many ways, it's where we must remain.

When the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom
of Heaven?" (Matthew 18:1), He responded with a harsh rebuke; "Unless
you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:3). The disciples were arguing about
their eternal "greatness" and Jesus said unless they changed they
would not even enter Heaven! Obviously, following Jesus, listening
to His teachings, and having a general belief is not enough.

Salvation, or as Jesus said, "enter{ing} the Kingdom of Heaven,"
involves a submission which understands our inability to save
ourselves. We can do nothing but present the "filthy rags" (Isaiah
64:6) of our life and receive the mercy and forgiveness of a loving
Father. Salvation is not something we rise up and achieve; rather,
it's a gift for which we must submit and receive. When we understand
this gift, we will be filled with such thankfulness that our only
desire will be to love Him and do ALL to bring Him glory and honor.

Matthew 18:4
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest
in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Becoming like a little child, humbly dependent on Christ, is
necessary for entering the Kingdom; but walking in humility as we
grow is God's desire for our entire life. We are to be "conformed to
the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29). But it was His Son "Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing...He humbled
Himself and became obedient to death" (Philippians 2:6-8). We are
being conformed to His humility.

The great temptation of Spiritual "growth" is in thinking we have all
the answers and thus desiring to establish our own path with its own
set of rules - we become like the know-it-all teenager. When this
occurs, we must immediately, and with great determination, humble
ourselves and put to death the rebellious pride which leads us
astray. We must "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not
on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). We must daily remember
the children we really are...and the children we need to continually become.

We must continue to grow and mature. We must learn more of our
Heavenly Father and His desire for our life, walk in faith and be
obedient to all He has commanded. But we must also remember that as
we grow, we are to walk in humility and always remain like a child.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
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Lorena, TX 76655
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