From being Childlike to being a Mature Person in God

Jesus called us to be childlike in our faith and that’s the way we accept the kingdom of God. But we are also called to manage our faith by becoming mature.

Jesus spoke about this, repeatedly, in two of the Gospels, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” [Mark 10:15].  And in saying “Truly", or, “verily”, Jesus accentuated or stressed the important truth that was to follow.  He was about to underline and assert something of moment and importance, which He would have the disciples attend to. “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God; the Gospel and the mysteries of it: as a little child” referred to implicit trust and the willingness to embrace whatever Father was asking of him or her. It entailed laying aside all doubt, prejudice, and pride, attending thereunto with humility and meekness. Otherwise, “he or she shall not enter therein.”

This is crucial to understand - we need a childlike, sincere faith, based on the truth of what Father-God is saying. A quality that is of great importance to the Lord. We must continually have the willingness to receive God’s truths with a receptive, humble heart and with an open, trusting mind. Bear in mind, that the word paedion in Greek refers to “a young child”, just as Jesus said elsewhere, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 19:14]. There is a distinct connection with love, trust, and humility attached to its use by Jesus.

On the other hand, we are called to manage the kingdom we have received as fully grown, being able to use discernment, understanding, knowledge, wisdom and revelation. It is exactly why Isaiah wrote, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6]. The ‘child’ is also called ‘the everlasting Father’. How wonderful!

And Paul, in his most well-known treatise, wrote,  “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.” 

[1 Corinthians 13:11].  The Greek word here for “childish” is nepios, and includes to be “childish, untaught, unskilled and simple-minded.”

The writer of Hebrews also wrote along similar lines, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits.” [Hebrews 5:12 – 6:3].  We see this juxtaposed childlikeness and maturity in Christ - or are they?

They are not mutually exclusive! We need to receive the word from Holy Spirit with willingness of heart, and if we have any doubts, we should exercise our ability to search the scripture to ensure what we hear is of God. Therein lies our practical keys - Listen, Hear, Receive and Obey like a child as we yield ourselves to become mature in God, having our minds and hearts transformed in order to know and exercise the mind and will of God with authority in love.

And that calls for spiritual maturity!

Blessings

Ben

Our thanks to Ben for this month's Blog contribution