Skip to main content

Out of the Mouth of Babes: What Children Teach Us about Christian Living

Spiritual growth and development is important to the Christian life. If one is to live successfully as a part of the Kingdom of God, continual education and insight is mandatory. The Church has leaders such as pastors, ministers, priests, deacons, and laymen who aid others in their spiritual growth. However, we can often miss one group who can teach many truths about the Kingdom of God; that is, children.

1. Become as Children

In His own words, Jesus stated that we were to model the behavior of children if we want to enter into the Kingdom of God. He stated,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

Jesus' statement has nothing to do with becoming childlike in our understanding and insight, but with our attitude and approach to our journey as members of His Kingdom. Hence, to follow His words, we discover three lessons children teach us about the Kingdom of God.

2. Lesson of Faith

Most children demonstrate trust, reliance, and faith in their parents' love, provision, and protection. They rely on their parents for their food, clothing, shelter, and comfort; trusting that if they make a request, it will be answered. The same holds true for members of the Kingdom of God.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (I John 5:4)

We must learn to have an unwavering faith in Christ. Faith and reliance on Him will protect and strengthen us when difficult situations arise. Our faith will guarantee success in this life and in the life to come.

3. Lesson of Forgiveness

Young children, especially siblings, know how to have disagreements and fights with one another and moments later, they are playing together again. We enter into God's kingdom because of forgiveness offered in Jesus Christ. From this, we are to become people willing to forgive others when we are offended or disagreements arise. Children teach us to learn how to forgive as God for Christ's sake forgave us.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (I Corinthians 14:20

This is why Paul encouraged the Corinthian church to be children in malice. A child's malice is usually short lived. The Christian's malice should also be short lived because god offers grace and help that bitterness and unforgiveness will not rule in his heart or mind.

4. Lesson of Fellowship

Children love to play and be among their peers. It is essential to their social and psychological development. This demonstrates that members of Christ's Kingdom need fellowship and interaction with others who hold to the faith. It is through fellowship we can exhort, encourage, and edify one another, contributing to success in the Kingdom.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

The writer of Hebrews echoed this sentiment when exhorted his readers to not abandon coming together in fellowship, which includes the worship service.

Learning from children is hard for some adults to do. However, the Christian who desires success in the Kingdom of God will do well to learn from them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Committed Christian

Am I Committed? Self-examination is a vital component to the Christian life. Without it, the Christian will not experience personal growth and spiritual maturity. Paul challenged his readers to examine themselves… Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. 2 Cor 13:5 (KJV) Self-examination in the life of the Christian serves a two-fold purpose. The first is to ensure that the individual is walking as a true Christian (characterized by the words “in the faith”). The second purpose is to propel the Christian to a greater expression of Christ’s character and nature in their daily walk. From this, we can see the importance of self-examination. Self-examination always leads to questions. These questions should challenge you to look at yourself in a candid fashion. One important question that should arise through self-evaluation is “Am I Committed?” Commitment keeps you focused during difficult times. It helps bring stability to your life when things around you ar
Post a Comment
Read more

 What Is Your Reason for Living?: Motivated by Love for Christ

What is your reason for living? Is it your spouse, family, job, ministry, friends, or even yourself? For the Christian, the reason for our existence should be Christ. When Christ is not at the center of our being, we will struggle internally to continue to serve Him. We must remember that He gave His life that we would have eternal life. On the shores of the beach, Jesus came to the disciples and ate with them. He asked Peter: “Lovest thou Me more than these? Or, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15)     We must consider this question and our answer presently. Whatever you love will become your reason for living. It will become the “these” in your life. There have been many speculations of what is the subject of “these” in Jesus’ question to Peter. There are two popular viewpoints. First, they represented the fish. Peter and some of the others had returned to their former profession of fishing. Second, they represented the other disciples. Since Peter denied the Lord on the nig
Post a Comment
Read more

The Art of Endurance in the Christian Life

In athletics, there are events that measure success by the speed, strength, and ability. However, there are events, which are a matter of endurance, rather than pure skill or ability. In many of the strongman competitions, certain events not only require skill, but endurance. Not only must the competitor be able to lift or carry the weight, but also they have to do it for a sustained amount of time. Thus, their ability to lift or carry becomes secondary to being able to endure the weight. The same applies to the Christian today. We learn the scriptures and spiritual truth, but many do not know how to endure hardships and challenges. We gain skill, knowledge, and understanding, but in the time of testing do not last. Every Christian has to learn The Art of Endurance as they grow in God's grace and knowledge. Without endurance, the Christian can possess spiritual insight and knowledge, but cannot last long enough to see the fruits of it flourish in life. There are six aspects to the
Post a Comment
Read more