Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 19; 20; Luke 18: 1-22.
Memory Verse: “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18:17 (KJV)
Jesus spoke of the need to develop childlike attitude to enter the kingdom of God. What does this entail? This entails recognising that salvation is a gift from God. It is by the grace of God and not by our works or indebtedness of God to us. Rather we received this as a result of the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins! He bought our sins and paid fully for it with his blood thus giving us a new beginning.
Secondly, a childlike attitude means being humble. Jesus said in Matthew 18:4 (KJV), “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” It entails using your lives to point to Jesus always and not focusing on yourself. Doing otherwise is putting yourself in opposition to God or putting yourself in His position. But He wants you to live in a constant state of dependence upon Him. Thus, God said in James 4:6 (KJV), “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” So God expects each one of us to esteem others better than ourselves (Philipians 2:3).
It also means putting God first in all areas of our lives. Thus, He said we should seek first His kingdom and its righteousness and all our needs would be provided. ( Matthew 6:33) So He expects you to completely trust Him that He is good and will seek your good always as long as you seek Him first.
This implies being completely submissive to God. A child will naturally submit to his parent or teacher expecting the best from him. This is God’s expectation from you as a believer so that He can remould you for His purpose. So you are not to add God to your plans but to let God direct your plans. You should thus ask God everytime what your direction should be. Hence He said in Psalm 32:8 (KJV), “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
In addition to above, you are expected to ask questions just like a little child. Don’t just follow every doctrine but test everything to see they are in line with the word of God and follow that which is written in the scriptures. (Acts 17:11).
When you do all these like a child, you would be exhibiting the attitude of a child in receiving the kingdom of God with the resultant blessing as stated by our Lord Jesus in Luke 18:17 (KJV), “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
Action Point: Examine your attitude towards the kingdom of heaven and work on those that do not line up with those of a child.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero