Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
A Child’s View
There are moments when life seems simple. They are moments when everything comes into focus at once and makes sense. I wish those moments could last forever. Of course, someday they will.
For now, in this life, we are consigned to a complicated world. Sometimes even trying to reconcile the Word of God with itself can seem complicated. How are we to understand the Old Testament? How do we understand the New Testament? How do we even begin to get our minds around the concept of Creation or God himself?
Fortunately, we do not have to understand. In Mark 14: 10 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” In Matthew 18: 3 Jesus says, “…unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Faith is actually pretty simple. While life on earth might seem complicated, all who receive him, who believe in his name, have the right to become children of God.
Application: Rejoice in your inner child, and believe.
Food for Thought: How would you describe a child’s view?
I do think children tend to be more trusting and dependent. I always had to be on my toes with my youngest son when he was a small child. He would jump from high places assuming I would catch him even if I was unaware he was jumping. The freedom was unhindered. That is a great way to respond to our Heavenly Father – with such trust, dependence and freedom.
Rich,
Interesting insight! Your example makes me think about how I trust God and how I might trust Him more.
Children often don’t have a filter on their comments. On an age of political correctness, I often find this aspect to be refreshing and enjoyable.
Hi Rob,
Great comment! You are right about kids. I love their freshness!
Often time you hear people say “we are all God’s children”. The unregenerate would like to come in the “back door” so to speak. Declaring you are one of God’s children does not make it so. God gives the “right” to become one of his children by one’s acceptance of Christ and acceptance that starts with child-like faith. Sounds like you have to meet some qualifications to be one of His!
Hi Keith,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I have always been intrigued by the question of qualifications that you raise. Luther is reported to have said that the Gospel is like a drunken man riding a horse. One minute he is falling off on the side of Grace, the next he is sliding off the other side called Law. Then I go to Romans 14: 4 where Paul writes, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” Finally I imagine myself at the foot of the cross listening to Jesus pray “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34) asking God to forgive those who are killing him. Given the price Jesus paid for the ability to buy us back from sin, and his inclination to forgive, I have to wonder if we will all be surprised at who we find at the great wedding feast when the Lord has come for His bride.
I would describe a child’s view to be just like mine but a little shorter.
Thought you would like this one Jeff.
I did! 🙂