Faith Like a Child
Matthew 18:2-4
He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:13-15
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
1 John 3:1
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
What is this child-like faith we are supposed to have? Apparently, we adults had it at one time. What happened to it? Do we still have the faith of a child?
Small children trust their parents and believe what they’re told. They have no doubt that Santa Claus is real, and that he rewards good boys and girls. Likewise, they believe in the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy. And if the parents teach them about God, they have an unwavering faith. Children have no difficulty believing there is only one God. They fully accept the virgin birth of Jesus. They believe in the Easter story of crucifixion and resurrection. And they believe in Heaven. Because they are secure in their trust of their parents/grandparents, they believe.
Although their faith is simple, it is complete, sure, and perfect.
Again, what has happened to the child-like faith we adults once had? As we aged and our minds became able to handle more abstract thought and develop an ability to reason, life happened. Our thoughts and ideas were shaped by the people and circumstances around us. Did we lose our child-like faith?
So, how do we recover that faith? I would make a few suggestions. Remember that God is still in control of a chaotic world. We should be secure of our trust in God. Our hope should be strongly placed in Him, and let our daily worries be given to Him who is all powerful. We are the children of God. Maybe that faith can be recovered by returning to the place we acquired it to begin with: the family—church family. Surround yourself with those who strengthen you instead of those who tear you down.
Being child-like in our faith in Christ does not mean that we should not educate ourselves: it is good to study, question for understanding, and discuss. Read the Bible regularly and attend church. Consider joining Sunday School and the weekly Bible Study. Pray “without ceasing”. Teach our children, and let our children teach us. I pray we adults become humble, teachable, trusting again like a child.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
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Hebrews 6:1-12
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Genesis 4:1-16
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2 John 1:1-13
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Luke 1:57-66
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Zechariah 3:1-10
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Revelation 1:17-2:7
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2 Peter 3:1-10
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Isenheim Altarpiece
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Ezra 10:1-17
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