September 14, 2015
Mark 10:13-16
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
In Friday’s blog, I mentioned Einstein’s comment concerning his understanding of the Christian faith: “I have repeatedly said that in my opinion the idea of a personal God is a childlike one. You may call me an agnostic….” Childlike Faith, in the great scientist’s opinion, was not something to be pursued as an adult.
But Jesus proclaimed in Mark 10:13 through 16 an entirely different view:
Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; and
the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He
was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me,
and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say
to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by
no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on
them, and blessed them.
Childlike Faith was not just encouraged by the Lord. He stated that it is entirely essential for being reconciled to the Father through Childlike trust in Him! Few have had the blessed privilege of seeing Jesus Christ in person while still in this mortal life. An exciting phenomenon is reported as happening regularly in counties dominated by radical Islam, where even to be found possessing a portion of the Bible may cost you your life! Jesus is appearing to people in dreams and visions in these restricted countries, directing them to Himself. Many are coming to faith in the Savior – some reports say millions!
But for most Christians, we have come to our belief through faith – Jesus died to pay for my sins, and lives to apply that salvation when I come unto Him by faith! As it says in Hebrews 11:1 and 6:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen….But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes
to God must believe that He is [exists], and that He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him.
And that Faith must be Childlike enough to believe and act as if God’s Word is true – because it is!
But must we remain in Childlike Faith after becoming believers? Yes and no!
• Yes! Jesus plainly said in John 14:12 (Literal Translation of the Holy Bible):
Indeed, I tell you truly, the one believing into Me, the works which I do,
that one shall do also, and greater than these he will do, because I go to
My Father. And whatever you may ask in My Name, this I will do, that
the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name,
I will do it.
Yet how many see this fulfilled in their daily Christian walk? Someone once said, “Someday, some time, in a primitive society, someone will pick up the Bible, read God’s promises and really believe them, and they will go out and accomplish amazing miracles!” Oh, that we believers would maintain that kind of Childlike Faith as we live out our Christian lives!
• No! Paul plainly wrote in Ephesians 4:14 and 15:
…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about
with every wind of doctrine…but, speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow
up in all things into Him who is the Head — Christ….
The writer of Hebrew in chapter 5:12 laments over the immaturity of his epistle’s recipients:
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to
teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have
come to need milk and not solid food: For…[you are] a babe.
Peter writes in I Peter 2:2 and 3, “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow thereby, if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” And in II Peter 3:18, he closes his epistle with this challenge: “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
So let us keep our Childlike Faith as we grow up to adulthood in Christ. Let us accept His Word as absolutely true and put into daily practice what the Lord has plainly spoken!