Luke 18:17 "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Child-like faith is spoken of in scripture as a prerequisite for gaining entrance into the kingdom of God. The word "kingdom" evokes images of castles with moats and perhaps an obligatory dragon. It denotes property, assets-- a physical reality that is obtainable. This was part of the difficulty that the Jewish people had with Jesus. They were awaiting a Messiah who would usher in the literal physical kingdom. They wanted a warrior on a stead, not a prophet on a donkey. The use of the word kingdom here has a deeper meaning. It speaks of coming under the kingship of God-- this is about submitting to His authority in a child-like manner. Imagine a father gathering up his child to go and run some errands with a promise of a treat before they return home. The child's mind is not occupied with the details of the trip. Does dad have enough gas in the car? Is he able to do what it is that he is attempting? Does he know where to go? Does he have enough money? I wonder if he knows what he is doing? Our Father knows every detail of the road ahead and He is more than well-equipped to fulfill what He has spoken. Trust Him with child-like faith, come under His kingship and know that He has your best interest at heart. Our obedience is not directly proportionate to the balance in our checkbooks. Many saints of God have suffered need and martyrdom in their service. The teaching of prosperity, at any cost, is shallow. When you stand before God will you say, "God I did what was best for me," or "God I did what was best for Your kingdom."
Patti
Pic from freephoto.com
Child-like faith is spoken of in scripture as a prerequisite for gaining entrance into the kingdom of God. The word "kingdom" evokes images of castles with moats and perhaps an obligatory dragon. It denotes property, assets-- a physical reality that is obtainable. This was part of the difficulty that the Jewish people had with Jesus. They were awaiting a Messiah who would usher in the literal physical kingdom. They wanted a warrior on a stead, not a prophet on a donkey. The use of the word kingdom here has a deeper meaning. It speaks of coming under the kingship of God-- this is about submitting to His authority in a child-like manner. Imagine a father gathering up his child to go and run some errands with a promise of a treat before they return home. The child's mind is not occupied with the details of the trip. Does dad have enough gas in the car? Is he able to do what it is that he is attempting? Does he know where to go? Does he have enough money? I wonder if he knows what he is doing? Our Father knows every detail of the road ahead and He is more than well-equipped to fulfill what He has spoken. Trust Him with child-like faith, come under His kingship and know that He has your best interest at heart. Our obedience is not directly proportionate to the balance in our checkbooks. Many saints of God have suffered need and martyrdom in their service. The teaching of prosperity, at any cost, is shallow. When you stand before God will you say, "God I did what was best for me," or "God I did what was best for Your kingdom."
Patti
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