And calling to him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Be Childlike
I did not say, “Childish.” Jesus does not desire us to be selfish, immature, unfocussed, or needy. Those attributes are childish.
Instead, when Jesus requires us to be “like children,” he further defines childlike as, “humble.”
A child requires help to reach the cupboard, and knows it. A child depends on the powerful and experienced, and knows it. A child needs to trust others’ decisions, and knows it. A child has to be fed, protected, and informed, and knows it.
In relation to the One True Living God, through His Son, Christ Jesus…
A Christian requires help from God to accomplish tasks, and knows it. A Christian depends on THE Powerful and The Experienced and knows it. A Christian needs to trust God’s Word and His Will, and knows it. A Christian has to be fed, protected, and informed by God, and knows it.
It is not time to grow up. It is time to grow down.
Fear not, then be childlike.