Stay Little

“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” (Mr 10:15 AV)

From time to time, we need to permit ourselves to be as little children regardless of how physically old we are.  Jesus is speaking to the rich man’s rejection of Christ. The rich man depended on his achievements and stature to gain him glory.  The little child is the antithesis of the rich man.  Complete humility and dependence toward one, and on one, infinitely greater than himself.  Why is it that we think there comes a time when we no longer have to be like a little child with God?  Do we really grow up so much that we think we can be less humble and less dependent on an all-powerful God?  Are we ashamed to admit to the LORD how much we really need Him?  What happened along the way?  Did we get too big for God?  Or, are we simply too ashamed to admit we are still that humble and simple child that came to Him years ago for salvation from our wickedness?

We know the word of God encourages us to grow up into the things of the LORD.  Verses such as, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:” (Eph 4:15 AV).  Or, as Peter states, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1Pe 2:2 AV) and, “But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2Pe 3:18 AV).  Yet, our other in other passages of scripture, the believer is referred to as a little child.  In the epistle of 1 John, the beloved Apostle refers to believers as little children none times.  Paul refers to the believers in Galatia as his little children.  And, at the end of His three-year ministry with His disciples, Jesus refers to His twelve as little children in John chapter thirteen.  So, which is it?  Are we supposed to grow up?  Or, are we little children?  The answer is yes.

It is difficult to be an older adult son or son-in-law.  Our fathers and fathers-in-law will always see us as a child no matter how old we are or what we have accomplished.  It can be very annoying and humiliating.  As we age, we become less dependent on our fathers and fathers-in-law.  Although we would never call our fathers by their first names, to use our fathers-in-law's first names is not out of the ordinary.  We seem to outgrow them.  Although we are glad to have their fellowship and affirmation, we have grown into parenthood and grandparenthood ourselves.  That may be true of human relationships.  No so true of our relationship with God.  We can never outgrow Him.  We cannot come close to His level.  We are as far as the east is from the west.  So, to cease being humble and dependent on God as we were the first day we called upon Him is utter foolishness.  We are to grow into Christlikeness.  But we can never grow up into Christ.  We can never be equal with Him.  Ever!  Remain that little child.  It is ok.  He desires to be our benevolent and loving God who takes care of our every need.