Tuesday, 17th October 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: CHILDLIKENESS AND THE KINGDOM
THEME SCRIPTURE: Verily I say unto you, whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein – Luke 18:17
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- How is it to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?
Sometimes, we find children to be interfering or troubling when serious matters are being considered or discussed. Some parents brought their children to Jesus so He might touch them. Jesus’ disciples were not happy about that idea. Infants don’t have issues. After all, they are fed and clothed every day. Hence, these disciples rebuked the parents purposely to send them away (Luke 18:15). Fortunately, Jesus saw everything, and He was not happy with the disciples’ actions. He therefore called them and told them a secret: “Permit the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
Beloved, according to Jesus, “…for of such is the kingdom of God.”
This means that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are childlike. Remember, childlikeness is not the same as childishness. It does not even mean innocence. Children are uncomplicated, without guile, and ready to trust.
A story is told of a minister who visited a parishioner and his wife. They offered him a glass of homemade spirit made from cherries. He refused at first, but at the insistence of the couple, he took a glass, and he liked it. He liked it so much that he downed a second and a third glass. At the end of the evening, the couple said to the minister, “We see that you really like our spirit. We will be glad to give you a case of it if you will acknowledge the gift in church publicly.” The minister agreed. The next Sunday morning, the minister’s gift was delivered. The minister returned the favor with an acknowledgement in the church’s bulletin the next Sunday. The acknowledgement read, “The minister wants to thank the Smiths for their gift of cherries and the spirit in which they were delivered.”
Both parties tried to be smart; one got hurt, and the other got away.
Surely, those who are childlike are the ones who can lay hold of the kingdom of God. Children, or the childlike, are the ones who trust. It takes trust and confidence in God and what He has said to enter His kingdom. Many people continue to struggle with the fact that sin is so heinous, yet the holy scriptures make it too simple to be forgiven. They wonder, “After many years of sensual living, all I need to do is trust Jesus with my life, and that is all?”
Unless you receive the kingdom of God as a little child, you cannot be part of it.
Children are not complicated, and so must we be in our walk with God. If you tell a child not to eat, especially when you are visiting, hoping that when the time comes, he or she will say, “I will not eat or I am okay,” you will be disappointed. The child may sincerely spill it out that my father says I shouldn’t eat. In our walk with God, those who think they are smarter or wiser than the word of God will go nowhere. Rather, we must learn to be uncomplicated with His word, knowing that what God says “shall be" shall surely be and what He says "is" really is. Only then can we see the glory of God and the power of Christ at work in our lives. Remain blessed.
FURTHER READING – Luke 18:15-17
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- As a new creation in Christ, how childlike are you in your walk with God?
PRAYER
Eternal Father, your kingdom has come and by You, I have become a partaker of the divine nature. I receive your grace today to be childlike in my walk with you. Glory Hallelujah!
1-Year Reading Plan
2 Chronicles 8; Ezekiel 43; John 9; John 10
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