Faith XXXIV
12/05/09 22:21
Mark 10:14,15 “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Jesus told Nicodemus to enter the kingdom of God he had to be born again. Then we see in Romans 10:8 – 10 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Therefore we enter the kingdom of God through faith.
Jesus said in Mark 10 we receive the kingdom of God like a child. So children have characteristics that adults should apply to faith. There are two keys that I see. The first is the absolute trust in their parents to take care of them. Adults have become responsible and understand that they are to provide and take care of themselves and their family. The onus of responsibility shifts as you mature from your parents to you. You go from dependence to independence. They provided a home, food and clothing for you as a child. As an adult that becomes your responsibility.
A proper sense of responsibility is good but can become a hindrance to faith.
We can’t relax and trust God. We become too hands on, trying to work out how things are going to happen, and worrying about how it will all work out. Worry and anxiety can negate faith. We are working out of our soul not our spirit.
My children never thought about whether they would have a home or food. It was always there for them. When we moved to England they never asked if we had enough money or a source of income. They happily came along, enrolled in school, and went about life much as they had in Canada. They had no idea how little money we actually had, or the fact we weren’t being paid for work or that we were living by faith. They trusted we had everything under control. They were not lying awake at night wondering where the money was going to come from. They never saw the fridge empty. If they needed clothes or shoes they asked and we provided. It wasn’t their responsibility and they didn’t try to assume it.
On one trip through Europe I was trying desperately to plan our course of action. My daughter who was only 11 at the time asked me why I was setting a plan of action. I said it was so we would know what we were doing. She said it was a waste of time, as my plans had never come to pass. Wouldn’t it be better if I just trusted God and followed His leading she said? Ouch! She was so right but I wasn’t receiving the kingdom of God as a child but as an adult. I was trying to work everything out and have some level of control in the situation. But God calls us to do what He asks, to seek first the kingdom of God, and everything else He will take care of. Trust as a child to release faith to work.
Jesus told Nicodemus to enter the kingdom of God he had to be born again. Then we see in Romans 10:8 – 10 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Therefore we enter the kingdom of God through faith.
Jesus said in Mark 10 we receive the kingdom of God like a child. So children have characteristics that adults should apply to faith. There are two keys that I see. The first is the absolute trust in their parents to take care of them. Adults have become responsible and understand that they are to provide and take care of themselves and their family. The onus of responsibility shifts as you mature from your parents to you. You go from dependence to independence. They provided a home, food and clothing for you as a child. As an adult that becomes your responsibility.
A proper sense of responsibility is good but can become a hindrance to faith.
We can’t relax and trust God. We become too hands on, trying to work out how things are going to happen, and worrying about how it will all work out. Worry and anxiety can negate faith. We are working out of our soul not our spirit.
My children never thought about whether they would have a home or food. It was always there for them. When we moved to England they never asked if we had enough money or a source of income. They happily came along, enrolled in school, and went about life much as they had in Canada. They had no idea how little money we actually had, or the fact we weren’t being paid for work or that we were living by faith. They trusted we had everything under control. They were not lying awake at night wondering where the money was going to come from. They never saw the fridge empty. If they needed clothes or shoes they asked and we provided. It wasn’t their responsibility and they didn’t try to assume it.
On one trip through Europe I was trying desperately to plan our course of action. My daughter who was only 11 at the time asked me why I was setting a plan of action. I said it was so we would know what we were doing. She said it was a waste of time, as my plans had never come to pass. Wouldn’t it be better if I just trusted God and followed His leading she said? Ouch! She was so right but I wasn’t receiving the kingdom of God as a child but as an adult. I was trying to work everything out and have some level of control in the situation. But God calls us to do what He asks, to seek first the kingdom of God, and everything else He will take care of. Trust as a child to release faith to work.