Become As Little Children

Part 3- God, Our Father

In parts one and two of this series, we have looked at what Jesus meant when He told the disciples they needed to become as little children in Matthew 18. Let’s look at two more ways that we can become like children in God’s eyes. I don’t believe these ways are what Jesus was referring to in Matthew 18. He was simply answering the question that He was asked by His disciples. But let’s look at the idea of becoming like children a little further. How dependent were we on our parents when we were babies, toddlers, young children, and even teenagers and college age? Imagine a newborn baby, who is totally dependent on his/her parents or caregivers for his/her needs. Newborn human babies are probably the most helpless of all creatures. They are completely at the mercy of their parents or caregivers. Toddlers and young children are still solely dependent on their parents to watch after them, teach them things they need to know, discipline them when need be, and give them unconditional love. How about teenagers? Well, they may think they don’t depend on their parents as much, but in reality they actually depend on them as much as ever in a lot of ways. Actually, I’m 52 years old and I still depend on my parents for things such as unconditional love, advice, wisdom, and honesty. I still and will always need my parents. Even more so, we have to depend on God the way we do our earthly parents. He is God, Our Father, hence the name of this post. When we were sick or hurt or needed something as a child, who did we turn to? Momma or Daddy, right? Or Grandma or Grandpa if we were with them at the time? Or whoever our parental figure was when we were children? Whatever the problem, we knew we could take that problem to our parents and they would give us the help we needed. That is, if we were lucky enough to have the kind of parents that all children deserve. In the same way, when we are hurting, struggling, worried, or grieving, whether it be physical pain, mental anguish, or emotional distress, we should be totally dependent on God, our heavenly Father. How do we depend on Him? Through opening His word and letting His precious word soothe our souls, and going to Him in prayer and laying everything at His feet. When worry or negativity creeps into my mind, it is always because I haven’t been in His word or in prayer enough for a few days straight. This is another way that we can become like children, by turning to Him in our time of need before we turn to anything else. Proverbs 3:5-7 is still one of my “go to” verses to remind myself that I need to completely depend on God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” I want to always remember that it is not in me to direct my own steps. (Jeremiah 10:23) Just like I kept a close eye on my children when they were little and first walking, I want to allow God to watch my steps and guide me in my life every day. My babies knew no danger at that age, so I had to watch them all the time. As teenagers and even young adults at times, we don’t see danger the way the older adults in our lives do. We are inexperienced in life at that age. We think we are indestructible, some of us even on into adulthood tend to think this way for one reason or another. Our parents try to warn us about things we shouldn’t get involved in, people we should steer clear of, and places that could be dangerous for us or get us into trouble. Isn’t this what God does for all of us in His word? I want to hold God’s hand, through His word, and let Him guide me, just like I used to hold Rhiannon’s and Jordan’s little hands and guide them across busy streets, and through crowded places like, for example, the Warren County Fair. I would say, “Guys, do not let go of my hand!”. And…… I know they got tired of me giving them the third degree when they were teenagers, “where are you going?”, “who else will be there?”, “what time will you be home?”, “will their parents be there?”, and the list goes on. Luckily, my kids have been much better behaved than I was. They have both been a blessing to Jeff and I. You’ve heard the saying, “You pay for your raising”? I haven’t paid for mine. God is good. He knows what we can handle!! Those of you who knew me many moons ago can chuckle because…. “you know”!! But just like our parents question us, God does the same thing through His word. He warns us over and over about sin and the destruction it will bring to our lives. In Romans 6:23, Paul puts it very plainly, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” How do we know if something we are doing is a sin? We look in His word and it tells us. God gives us example after example of people who allowed sin to either destroy them or cause them great anguish and grief. God gives us these examples to teach us, because He doesn’t want us to ruin our lives like some of the people from the past ruined theirs. I love Psalms 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” This is God’s warning to us through an inspired Psalm of David to stay away from sin and to “delight” in and “meditate” on His word. If we truly intend on being completely dependent on Him, then we need to be in His word daily and in prayer daily. His word will, in turn, cause us to question ourselves. “Should I do this? Should I go here? Should I wear this? How should I handle this situation?” His word convicts, teaches, and chastises us if we allow it to. But we have to be in God’s word for it to convict, teach and chastise us. We also have to be present at bible study and worship services, not only because we are commanded to do so, but also so that we can hear God’s word explained in a way that we can understand. We also have our brothers and sisters in Christ to support us if we are actively attending services. Plus we are able to support them when they need us. I ask myself, am I totally dependent on my Father in heaven? Is He who I turn to first? Do I allow Him to guide me?

The second way that I believe we can use children as an example is in our enthusiasm. Children are so curious and enthusiastic about their surroundings. They have an enthusiasm for learning that is amazing to watch. I used to order a caterpillar to butterfly kit for my classroom in the spring. The kids were so excited about every stage that the caterpillar was going through. They were questioning, analyzing, predicting, etc. For my readers who are teachers…..you know the term……they were using critical thinking skills without even realizing it!! Also, have you ever watched a child when they first learn to sound out words and begin reading? It’s amazing to see that enthusiasm and that light come to their little eyes. Friends, what if we were to have a child-like enthusiasm when it comes to God’s word? Think about how much we would learn and grow!! Here are some synonyms for enthusiasm: fervor, zeal, eagerness, and passion. God loves to see our enthusiasm for His word and His purpose. Romans 12:11 says we are to not be slothful (lazy), but to be fervent (enthusiastic) in spirit, serving the Lord. Titus 2:14 says we are to be people who are zealous (enthusiastic) for good works. And one more, Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever we do, we should do it heartily (enthusiastically) for the Lord. How enthusiastic am I for God’s word? Do I delight in His word? Do I meditate on it? How enthusiastic am I for His purpose? Do I study and analyze His word like my students analyzed the caterpillar to butterfly stages? Am I excited about His word like a child who has first learned to read?

On a side note, as parents and grandparents, we don’t want our kids to make the same mistakes that we did. We don’t want our kids to experience the heartache that we caused ourselves. We want our kids to be “all in” when it comes to their Christianity. We want them to be in heaven on that great and terrible day. This is the ultimate goal for us as Christian parents and grandparents. But if I want my kids and grandkids to be on a path to heaven, then I first have to be on that path. I have to be “all in”. They have to see me giving my all to Him. They have to see me totally depending on Him and putting Him first. I have been far from the perfect parent. I didn’t have Him first all the time. I wasn’t totally dependent on Him and I’m sure my kids saw it. I tried very hard, but I know I fell short often. But friends, it is never too late to change. It is never too late to do better. I truly hope that my children can see that I am trying to do better. I am trying to do better for God and His Son, for His church, for my husband, for my four children, for my grandson, for my future grandchildren, for my parents, for my aunt and uncle, for Jeff’s family, for all of my extended family and my friends. Equally as important, I am trying to do better for my brothers and sisters in Christ. But most of all, I should be trying to do better for the lost. That is my commission from Jesus found in Matthew 28:18-20. He says for me to GO to them. I have to ask myself, am I going to them? In what way am I going to them? We all have our own ways of using our talents to grow Jesus’ kingdom here on earth. There are different ways that we can GO to them. What is your way of going to them?

To end this post, I want to point out something that I found to be humbling while I was studying this subject of becoming as little children. In the book of 1st John (KJV), John, through the inspiration of God, refers to the church as a whole as “little children” nine times. Of course, just like every word of the Bible, God, through John, is also speaking to us today. He talks to us in such a tender and kind way, like a mentor or a father figure. In six of these various verses, He gives us profound fatherly reminders and advice. He says, “little children”, your sins are forgiven, “little children”, you have known the Father, “little children”, abide in Him, “little children” if you do righteousness, then you are righteous, “little children” let us show love with our actions and not just our words, and “little children” you are of God. (1 John 2:12, 2:13, 2:28, 3:7, 3:18, 4:4) In 1 John 2:1-2 he writes, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” John is telling us, the little children, that we should do our very best to keep from sinning, but ultimately, because we are human, we will mess up, make mistakes, and fall short. But….. because we are in Christ, we have Him as our advocate with God. If Jesus is our advocate with the Father, then that means He will have our backs on judgment day if we have obeyed the gospel and remained faithful. He bears our sins before the Father so we don’t have to. Amazing right? Just a question for you to think about, have you obeyed the gospel? Are you in Christ? The plan of salvation is at the bottom of the article with scripture references for you to study. In 1 John 2:18, John warns us, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” The antichrists that John is talking about are false teachers. John is warning us, the little children, to be aware that there are false teachers everywhere. We see these false teachers everywhere we look in our society today. Let’s be sure that what we are being taught is the truth by digging into His word for ourselves. Have you made sure that what you have been taught is the whole truth? And finally, John’s last words to the church in this epistle are in 1 John 5:21, which is the very last verse of 1st John, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” What is an idol for us today? Friends, it is anything that we put ahead of God and His kingdom, the church. It can be anything, from our jobs, to our hobbies, to even our own families. I have to look at myself here for sure. Am I putting God and His kingdom first in my life in all things? 

To end this three part series, here are my questions to challenge myself first and then my readers. Are my motives for everything that I do for God pure? Have I put others ahead of myself? Have I lowered myself as a little child? Am I totally dependent on God as a little child is to a parent? Do I have the enthusiasm of a little child for God’s word and God’s purpose for my life? Ask yourself these questions this week. After diving into 1st John and seeing all the references to us as “little children”, I have a feeling our attitude of humility is very important to our Father. I hope this series has sparked some thoughts and feelings inside you during the last couple of weeks. It certainly has sparked some conviction in me. I know I can do better. I hope everyone has an awesome Lord’s day and a wonderful week ahead! Thank you for reading!

God’s Plan of Salvation

If anyone ever needs help in learning the truth of the gospel, please reach out and I can help you or put you in contact with someone who can. Below is the plan that God has set forth in His word, for mankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. 

• We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 
• Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 
• Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 
• Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 
• Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)
• Then, we remain faithful in our commitment to Christ until death. (Revelation 2:10, 2 Peter 2:20-22)