TO BE LIKE A CHILD

[thepreacher]

TO BE LIKE A CHILD

Is it meant to have the intelligence or the attitude of a child?

I see a lot of people not comparing scripture with scripture in this example.

They will take Mat 19:14 (13-15) and maybe assume it means the gospel is simple because a child is simple minded. So the gospel must be simple enough for them to understand.

Of coarse this being an assumption is questioned by many others and rightly so. Jesus said the kingdom is open to those who are like a child, but in what respect would a person have to be like a child?

1st Scripture

Mat 19:14 But1161 Jesus2424 said,2036 Suffer863 little children,3813 and2532 forbid2967 them846 not,3361 to come2064 unto4314 me:3165 for1063 of such5108 is2076 the3588 kingdom932 of heaven.3772

The "of such" in Strong's means: to denote character. So how is the child acting? What are they doing that Jesus is saying we should emulate?

Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as (like) a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Luk 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as (like) a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Again the word "as" means like a little child. Of coarse this doesn't mean for us to be as or like a rebellious child. That should be common sense. Why should it mean that the gospel is simple because a child might be simple minded? I don't think so but let us look further into the scriptures for a better understanding.

What we are looking for are scriptures showing and inherent characteristic or something intrinsic in a child or adult that is the essential nature or of enough worthy value needed to enter the kingdom of God.

There I did it, a bunch of big words that just means what is the attitude we need to inherit the kingdom of God? Because that is what Jesus Christ is saying. We need the correct attitude in order to have salvation.

Now where do we find this attitude? Do we think up something? Ask everyone or read books on the bible and make up our minds sometime later. Or maybe look further in the scriptures?

A NO PRIDE ZONE!

AND! What do we find, but the scriptures mate as it says in Isa 34:16. In Matthew it says HUMBLE yourself as (like) a child.

Still nothing about the gospel being simple!

Being humble like a child to receive the kingdom of God! Not thinking you know better.

Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Mat 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

As a child would look trustingly in humility to their father for guidance and safety!

Psa 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Psa 123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.

Psa 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Or as a servant of God

Luk 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

Luk 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Luk 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

BECOME TEACHABLE AS A CHILD IN ORDER TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psa 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

[thepreacher]

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

For me this is the answer; He will cause us to be what He wants us to be, it

[thepreacher]

Yes.

Just as the Lord rejoiced and declared to Peter flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee and through David declared, Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning.

truster,

Thank you for your reply.

Just to let you know my belief on this part of free will, foreknowledge and predestination.

As long as you have the humble attitude Jesus Christ said you need to enter the kingdom with, I won't even really concern myself with where you think you got it. I am just happy you have it!

There is however a question, not to argue but of how you understand the wording in

Mat 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself

[Guest lnj]

When Jesus spoke the Words of Mark 9 v 37:" Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.",

it was directly addressing the" Who is the Greatest?" question from the disciples.

To render service even to those whom the world regards as insignificant in the name of Christ and for His sake, is actually to render the service to Him.

[thepreacher]

Yes.

Just as the Lord rejoiced and declared to Peter flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee and through David declared, Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning.

truster,

Thank you for your reply.

Just to let you know my belief on this part of free will, foreknowledge and predestination.

As long as you have the humble attitude Jesus Christ said you need to enter the kingdom with, I won't even really concern myself with where you think you got it. I am just happy you have it!

There is however a question, not to argue but of how you understand the wording in

Mat 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself

[Guest lnj]

Children possess an innocence that doesn't question, is not hardened, is accepting and ready to forgive. This is what Jesus wants from you and I. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these(qualities).

[thepreacher]

Children possess an innocence that doesn't question, is not hardened, is accepting and ready to forgive. This is what Jesus wants from you and I. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these(qualities).

Inj,

Very good thoughts. I am in complete agreement.

Well, at least until they are teenagers??? But! That is good in one way, because they are usually still home for us to help them through those tuff times.

My one son after growing up said 'and everything you told me was true'. That made it all worth it.

[Guest lnj]

Yes, funny, I appreciate my Dad more now since I've had kids and have experienced myself, what I put him through!!

[ColleenLovesMischief]

child minded to me means having the fast faith of a child. A child totally tursts those he/she loves. That is how we are to be with God. The God said it that settles it I believe it thing.

[systemstrike_7]

From my experience. Children really aren't humble at all. They are really quite vain. Everything is about them. They feel sorry because they got punished. They want ice cream. They want to stay up later. At that age, it is all about them. And they don't understand that they are not the center of the universe.