08/31/2023 – Becoming Children of God
Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
We tend to think of childhood as a phase of our lives…a steppingstone that lays the foundation to build something great. But the Bible reveals that childhood is a much greater blessing than we realize.
1 John 3: 1 See what great love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God.
The greatest blessing the love of God bestows on us is that in addition to salvation, to forgiveness and justification, even to glorification and everlasting life, we are given the highest honor any being could have: the honor to become children of God. The term describes not only a son or a daughter. Not only a heir, but a child. There can be no greater relationship than having God as a Father and being completely dependent on Him, as little children.
Godly childhood is not a phase, but a goal. We are to become like children- everyone of us- as an essential prerequisite to have entry into the kingdom of God.
The Lord Jesus demonstrates this privilege. He is the eternal Son of God, yet He chose to become a child and live this word in the flesh. He also emphasizes this great truth when He calls a child and sets him amid the disciples. Christ challenges us to this level of humility and submission. Will you accept this challenge and obey this command?