Become As Little Children
“Truly I say unto you, except you turn and become as little children, you shall in no way enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same shall be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
-Matthew 18:3-4
Becoming as little children is required by these words of Jesus. Yet churches contain those who are full of pride, even arrogance.
The humility of little children describes those who receive birth from Above, and begin to be like Jesus, lowly in heart.
Even Jesus’ death on the cross, and the announcement of it, will not save us – unless we turn and become as little children.
“Turn and become” is pivotal. There is the initial turning to God, broken by the conviction of sin, and the many subsequent turnings that further change us. Pride will still seep back into our lives with the subtlety of a serpent. But, ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Has pride deceived us and driven confession from our life? Increasing humility to confess our sins will bring us assurance that we have become God’s child.
Paul wrote, “Them that sin, rebuke in the sight of all, that the rest may be in fear.”- 1 Timothy 5:20 That was written of elders, and applies to all.
Pride has so strangled humility and confession, that many churches do not expect personal transformation, only coming and giving.
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”- Luke 6:45
Can we discern humility from pride when we hear it?
Disciples have the courage to identify pride, and the lies that come from it. “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah, though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” – Proverbs 16:5
“But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak,
we also believe, and therefore also we speak.” – 2 Corinthians 4:13
6/20/04 # 38