6 Words That Will Change Your LifeSample

When my daughter, Kailey, was very young, she loved to jump into my outstretched arms with wild abandon. She’d jump from anywhere and everywhere. Whether she was hurling herself from the stairs above me, or from climbing equipment on a playground, there was never the slightest hesitation on her part. She was fearless. Why? Because she had a simple, childlike faith in her daddy’s willingness and ability to catch her. 

That’s the kind of total, trusting confidence Jesus is talking about in Matthew 18 when it comes to the kingdom of heaven.  

It all started when the disciples were wondering what it takes to be to be “the greatest in the kingdom.”  They weren’t asking this question because they wanted to contribute the most they possibly could to the advancement of the kingdom. They were asking because they wanted to know how best to jockey for position and strive for maximum advantage. They were wondering what they needed to do to land a place of prominence and come out as top dog. 

But here’s Jesus, turning their egotistical posturing totally on its head, by responding with a beautiful, yet simple, object lesson. As He draws a little child into the circle of conversation, He says, “whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 

What is Jesus driving at here? That we must come to God with the simple, humble, trusting dependence of a child. We must put our faith and trust in Jesus alone for our salvation. No amount of striving on our part will help us “earn” our way into the kingdom of heaven.  

We must “change our minds” (that’s what the word “repent” means, by the way) about who we are before God and recognize our need for a Savior to rescue us from our sin. Then we must totally and completely trust our heavenly Father to catch us as we fall into His outstretched arms. He is willing, eager and able to save us.    

Hundreds of times in Scripture - both in the Old Testament and in the New, those of us who trust in God are referred to as children of God. Are you experiencing the beauty and simplicity of that kind of father-child relationship with God?  Go through the following list that describes those who trust in the Triune God of the Bible as children of God. One by one, reflect on the implications of each label for your own life: 

• Children of promise 
• Children of the day 
• Children of light 
• Dear children 
• Little children 
• Beloved children