Faith like a Child

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of

heaven?” 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.

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Romans 8:14

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

There’s a little girl that sits in front of us on Sunday mornings. While the congregation is singing,

she often stands on the pew bench, tucked behind her parents and older siblings, stamping her

feet, swaying her body, and dancing her little heart out. It’s the most precious sight and I thought of

her today as we consider what it means to be a child of God.

When Jesus' disciples asked him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, they were focused on

power and position. I don’t think they were expecting Him to say that you must change and become

like a little child to even enter the kingdom! The contrast between the disciples jostling for greatness

and the little children Jesus placed among them is startling. It’s a visual reminder that our salvation

involves a complete change in who we are. No longer seeking power, prestige, and position, we are

now children in the family of God.

Children are incredibly vulnerable. Completely and utterly dependent on the adults around them,

they have no way of advancing their own cause. Good parents know this and willingly provide for

their children. Nurturing them and putting their child’s needs ahead of their own. A child’s

dependency does not mean they have no value - in fact, it makes them all the more precious. The

children of God are no different. We are utterly dependent on God for our life, for our salvation, and

for our future, and He graciously provides all that we need because He loves us.

Children respond to love with obedience. The Bible has much to say to children about listening to

their fathers and mothers. In healthy families, children obey as a response to the love they

experience from their parents. We can only love God because He first loved us. And if we love him,

we will obediently keep his commands. (John 14:15)

Children are always growing and learning. Their little minds are soaking up information about the

world around them, processing it, and developing maturity and understanding. We too must always

be learning - learning who our Father is, learning how He wants us to live as a member of His

household, and preparing ourselves to receive the inheritance God has promised through Jesus. As

C.S. Lewis says, "God wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head.”

Finally, children in healthy families live in security. Little Tayen can dance in the pews because she

lives in the total security of parents who love her. She is in a safe environment to grow and learn. She

has no fear that her needs won’t be met. How much more is this true for the children of God? No

matter what happens in this world, we live in the complete and total security of God’s family. We have

a Father in heaven who knows us, who loves us, and who cares for us - leaving us free to dance with

joy all the days of our life.

What does child-like faith look like for you? What can you learn about faith from the children you

know? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with child-like joy and wonder today.