…”and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NKJV)
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:17 NKJV)
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them, laying hands on them.” (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)
Which mask will I wear today?
Who am I trying to impress?
What image am I trying to convey to those with whom I am meeting?
One of my favorite things to do is go to the mall and sit and watch people. It is especially interesting to see how people’s body language, facial expressions, and speech changes in different situations and with different people. We all seem to learn how to act differently in different settings in order to gain acceptance or simply to fit in.
Have I forgotten how to simply act natural? To just be me?
One of the greatest characteristics of a child is that they are simply natural. We don’t start out in life concerned about how others see us. We don’t try to adapt to our current situation or crowd in order to fit in. We don’t dress to impress. We are just who we are naturally.
From this natural state of being a child demonstrates faith without even knowing what it is. I didn’t try to figure out whether or not my highchair would hold me. I didn’t work up enough faith to jump into my daddy’s open arms. I just did whatever came naturally with no thought about it. I learned fear and doubt. I learned to care what others thought about me. I learned to think twice before jumping.
When I entered into a personal relationship with Jesus I was reborn. My “old man” (spirit/nature) died and was replaced with a “new man” (spirit/nature). I am a brand new species of being that never before existed. My spirit is a partaker of the Divine nature. Within my spirit is the Mind of Christ. My spirit is already dwelling in heavenly realms in Christ. It comes naturally to my spirit to speak, think, and act like my Daddy (Heavenly Abba Father). The Kingdom of Heaven is the natural habitat of my spirit. Faith is a simply my nature in that environment.
I have discovered that one of the greatest hinderances in my life to living by faith is overthinking things. My mind (soul) is continually in need of renewal. However, my spirit is already one with the One who knows everything. Sometimes I need to just shut off my mind for a minute and let my spirit run free.
Childlike faith, becoming like a child, comes naturally to my reborn spirit. Sometimes I need to be like a child and simply do what comes naturally from my reborn childlike spirit without trying to figure everything out. That’s why I need to be reminded of…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 306: The Faith of a Child: What’s it Look Like? – Part 2 – It’s “Natural”