by : Pastor Chris
As a Christian, have a childlike response to the Word; the kind described for us by Jesus in our theme verse. God expects us to respond to the things of the Kingdom like little children, "trusting, lowly, loving and forgiving."
When He says for us to be trusting, He wasn’t in any way suggesting that we be gullible. Rather, He meant for us to have confidence and faith towards God; accepting that He’s everything He says He is. To be gullible means that one is easily persuaded; and children are not easily persuaded, though trusting. They trust your character and believe whatever you say. It’s this kind of childlike faith God expects us to have towards Him through His Word.
The Bible tells us "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Galatians 3:6). Like a child, he trusted and followed the Lord, even though he didn’t know where God was leading him: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8).
Another attribute of children we’re admonished to emulate is their lowliness. Children are humble. They’re not high-minded; they are just themselves. Jesus said the one who humbles himself as a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Also, children are loving and forgiving. They hardly recall offences. No wonder the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
Children don’t know how to keep malice; they’re quick to forgive. So be like children; be quick to pass over an offence. Don’t hold grudges. Some people are easily pained over issues, and hold on to the wrongs done to them continuously. Don’t be that way; the Bible says love takes no record of wrongs.
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your love that’s in my spirit, which I express lavishly to everyone around me today. You’ve taught me how to live in your Kingdom and be effective in my day-to-day walk of faith by trusting you wholeheartedly and maintaining a humble and forgiving spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
f u r t h e r s t u d y: Proverbs 16:19; Colossians 3:13
2 Year Reading Plan : Ephesians 6:21-24; Isaiah 58
...Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all]. Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-4 AMP).
As a Christian, have a childlike response to the Word; the kind described for us by Jesus in our theme verse. God expects us to respond to the things of the Kingdom like little children, "trusting, lowly, loving and forgiving."When He says for us to be trusting, He wasn’t in any way suggesting that we be gullible. Rather, He meant for us to have confidence and faith towards God; accepting that He’s everything He says He is. To be gullible means that one is easily persuaded; and children are not easily persuaded, though trusting. They trust your character and believe whatever you say. It’s this kind of childlike faith God expects us to have towards Him through His Word.
The Bible tells us "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Galatians 3:6). Like a child, he trusted and followed the Lord, even though he didn’t know where God was leading him: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8).
Another attribute of children we’re admonished to emulate is their lowliness. Children are humble. They’re not high-minded; they are just themselves. Jesus said the one who humbles himself as a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Also, children are loving and forgiving. They hardly recall offences. No wonder the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
Children don’t know how to keep malice; they’re quick to forgive. So be like children; be quick to pass over an offence. Don’t hold grudges. Some people are easily pained over issues, and hold on to the wrongs done to them continuously. Don’t be that way; the Bible says love takes no record of wrongs.
Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for your love that’s in my spirit, which I express lavishly to everyone around me today. You’ve taught me how to live in your Kingdom and be effective in my day-to-day walk of faith by trusting you wholeheartedly and maintaining a humble and forgiving spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
f u r t h e r s t u d y: Proverbs 16:19; Colossians 3:13
Daily Scripture Reading
1 Year Reading Plan : R omans 9:30-10:1-2;Psalms 782 Year Reading Plan : Ephesians 6:21-24; Isaiah 58
