Child Like Faith

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."( Matthew 18: 1-6)

A relationship with Jesus calls for child like trust. That does not mean childish faith. That does not give us a free pass to be lazy and remain immature in the faith. The Bible clearly calls us to grow in our faith, to go on to maturity. "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" Peter writes as he closes out his second letter. (2 Pe 3:18) 

What is the greatest danger to child like faith? At the most basic level it is none other than pride.  The same demonic voice that spoke to Eve in the garden still clamors to have a voice in the lives of God's children. " Did God really say?" You're too smart to believe such outlandish Bible "stories"  They must have some deep hidden allegorical meaning. They certainly can't be literal. A literal Noah? a literal David and Goliath? No way! How childish and ignorant! " 

We must be vigilant! Its possible to start out well in the faith,  trusting, serving, and  loving the Lord. Then  life throws a curve ball or two or three. We see things not only in our lives but all around us that make us scratch our head and way" HUH? I don't understand!!"  Often things in life  doesn't " seem" to line up as we think they ought to be. We must be careful that we do not strive to have all the answers. An intense study of the Word of God can turn from a deep love to know God into an investigation. Our need to intellectually process complex issues can quickly become the focus and goal. When the motive is off so will be our heart.  Then comes the temptation; to question and to doubt everything in the Word of God. We lose the child like faith and begin to think we need to be Einstein and have all of life's answers. 

We humans have a great tendency to make things complicated . The simplicity of the Gospel message is profound. There is a paradox for sure. To have child like faith is not easy! But we must come to God with that innocence of a child , looking to our Heavenly Father to do what He says He will do! Live each day with the excitement of a child! Wide -eyed and full of energy to embark upon a new day which God has given. "What are we gonna do today God?"  

Let's begin to live like that! Expectantly waiting for Him to do what He says He will do. In other words, live like we believe what the Bible says is true! Refuse to get bogged down by what we don't understand but rather surrender our need to be intellectually in control.  Let God be God!

We can still study the Bible, grow deeper in understanding ,without forfeiting the simple child like faith of which we are called to have. Its not an either/or matter. We are called to do both! 

My prayer today for myself and for you is that while we continue to learn and grow, we will always stay humble and teachable before the Lord. May we never grow so "theologically full" that we lose our appetite to know Him more, to simply walk with our God, surrendering our need to have it all figured out.  May we never think we can exchange a child like faith for answers to life's hard questions.