Children vs. Adults

Scripture:

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Mark 10:15)

Observation:

Jesus is telling us the way to get into heaven. Jesus does this a lot in the 4 gospels. Here Jesus tells us that you must receive the kingdom of God like a child or else you won't enter. To say it more plainly, unless you receive the kingdom of God like a child, instead of entering heaven you will enter hell. Pretty scary thought. Any time Jesus tells us how to enter the kingdom, I think a loud siren should go off! Jesus' warning here does not conflict with the doctrine of being saved by grace through faith. By His grace, it is God who gives us this child like faith that Jesus is talking about. Reading this got me thinking about the difference between children and adults. I noticed that childlike qualities align more with what God is looking for in His followers.

Children vs. adults

1. Children are totally dependent on others, adults strive to be totally independent.

2. Children are quick to believe, adults are very skeptical.

3. Children are humble, adults are proud.

4. Children are weak, adults are strong.

5. Children are very trusting of others, adults only trust themselves.

6. Children are quick to follow, adults want to lead.

7. Children are teachable, adults are stubborn.

8. Children are correctable when they sin, adults justify themselves.

9. Children are honest, adults lie a lot.

Matthew Henry's Commentary says:

Little children depend upon their parents' wisdom and care, are carried in their arms, go where they send them, and take what they provide for them; and thus must we receive the kingdom of God, with a humble resignation of ourselves to Jesus Christ, and an easy dependence upon him, both for strength and righteousness, for tuition, provision, and a portion.

Application:

At 32 years old, I am a "child of God". No matter how old I become, I will always be a "child of God". No matter how much I mature, I will never be considered an "adult of God". Gods kingdom is different from the world. The world says that the older you become the more independent you must be. God says the older you become the more dependent you must be on Him. When I enter the kingdom of heaven some day, I will enter as an absolute child, totally dependent on the grace of God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for adopting me into your family. Thank you for making me your child. Thank you for the free gift of salvation. Help me to become less and less, while you become more and more. In Jesus name, Amen.