What does it mean to go before God as a Child?
Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you change and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
There is a secret complicity between the kingdom of God and a child. One day, the twelve apostles were arguing about who was the greatest (Mark 9:33-37). Jesus guessed what they were talking about and said some surprising words that turned their whole outlook upside down and called it into question: “If someone wants to be the first, they will be the last of all and the servant of all.”
He then did something that corresponded to his words. He took a child, placed him in the middle of that gathering of future leaders and said to them, “Whoever welcomes a child like this one in my name, welcomes me.” Jesus identified himself with the child he had just taken into his arms. He affirmed that “a child like this one” represents him best, so that welcoming such a child is equivalent to welcoming him, Christ. Other day, people brought children to Jesus so he could bless them. The disciples were displeased. Jesus got upset and told them to let the children come to him. Then he said, “Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it” (Mark 10:13-16).
God seeks a childlike mildness and meekness, a jubilant childlike heart … and a childlike faith. Faith builds character, and the process starts when you are a child. Without faith, we cannot please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Did you know that from the beginning God’s purpose in creating human beings was to welcome them into His family? This is why God created us” in His image, and likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The apostles John tells us, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
To go before God as a child is to go before God stripped of our sins and doubts, full of wide-eyed inspiration that comes from total love and trust. Adults have a tendency to become cynical with age, while a child has yet to be touched by the concerns of the world. But the older we get, the more “hurdles of doubts and concerns” we tend to place in front of us. Sin separates us from God. It also hinders us from enjoying the love of God. To become like little children, sinners must be born anew. Conversion makes men like little children.
What Qualities Does a Child Have?
A child is innocent.
A child is dependable.
A child believes without complication.
A child has no preconceived notions of the world.
A child loves others without bias.
A child is feeble and humble.
A child is content in the little things.
A child has the faith to move mountains.
A child is awed by majestic splendour.
A child takes to heart God’s Word in all its simplicity.
A child is creative, cheerful and affectionate
A child trusts without reflecting. Children cannot live without trusting those around them. Their trust is not a virtue; it is a vital reality. To encounter God, the best thing we have is our child’s heart that is spontaneously open, that dares simply to ask, that wants to be loved.
As innocence is the essence, so is humility the soil of every grace. True humility is the only way to advancement in the kingdom of Christ. Jesus said "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
Jesus measures the worth of each human being by God's special and separate care of him. . Think of His words:” do not despise one of these little ones "; if one of them be gone astray." He who counts our hairs, much more counts each one of us. He came to seek, Save and restore us.
Remember the things that men esteem glorious were of no account with Christ. He did not measure a man's eminence by the height of the pedestal on which he stood, nor by the stars that shone on his breast; He didn’t had any admiration for purple and gold, for the flash of jewels, for lofty titles, or any of the thousand things that dazzle the eye and impose on the carnal heart. “This is why Jesus said, to the Pharisees, "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:14)
Jesus told these things to the Pharisees, because they were self-righteous men, who regarded God, with their lips not with their heart. People are no different today. The Pharisees were honored and respected everywhere they went, as if they were some type of religious heroes; but the Pharisees didn't honor God with their Heart. This is seen much today in the world. Many people adore and praise their own achievement, while these very imposters trample upon the humble birth of the saviour and finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary.
God is not impressed by superficial manifestations of religious piety. God looks upon the heart. Unfortunately many religious leaders today have religiosity without Spirituality. They have religion without love and truth. The carnal world has their priorities backwards, and many professed 'religious' as well. So many people today are consumed with making more money. 1st Timothy 6:10 tell us that the love of money is the root of ALL evil. Will any of that money matter 100 years from now when you're dead and gone? No! A believer needs to keep Heaven in view at all times, and rise above the fleeting, frail, and temporal things of this earthly life. I admire people who forsake their own comport and privileges, and move to a mission filed to find a simpler life to serve the people and our Lord, where people still have character, backbone, integrity, and child like faith.
