A Child's Faith
I have noticed over the years that it doesn't matter where one is born, what religion, what politics, what environment, poverty or riches, race, color or creed, it matters not, children are still children. Everywhere one would visit, if there are children, you shall hear laughter, giggling and play and even in places that are harsh and unfriendly, children seem to find a way to be a child. Oh, to reminisce of those days when we were just a little kid.
I was talking with a fellow worker one day, and I made
the comment about how each year that passes, time seems to quicken. Haven't you
noticed this as well? Yes, the older we
get, time seems to fly by faster, but when we were a child, time moved so
slowly. This makes me to ponder about
those who are much older than I. My dad
and mom and others who are 20 years older or more than I am, the clock of time
must seem to spin like a high speed fan!
As a child, we were not concerned with time as we do as adults. All we wanted to do was play and enjoy
life. We had no
pride, no doubts, no pre-conceived ideas or thoughts, because our young, new
minds were void of such reasoning. Our
minds were not cluttered with problems, stress, hate, financial woes, wars,
work, relationships, health issues and on and on we
could go.
Luke 18:16, 17 "......Jesus ......... said,
suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall
not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter
therein."
So what is it about a child that one must be like in
order to enter into the Kingdom of Yahweh?
A young child's mind is just like a sponge, just soaking up all the
information that it can gain, without and lacking any preconceived ideas or
viewpoints. Their minds are fresh and
clean of the influences of others. When
a child is young, they are so believable.
They have yet to acquire an aptitude to doubt. All they have is faith so they lack
doubt. As adults, we have doubts and
lack faith. We are just full of preconceived ideas and viewpoints. Our minds are full of the influences of
others. Our minds are clouded by the
problems of life.
Luke 21:34-36 "And take heed to yourselves,
lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare
shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man. "
No little child has a heart that is overcharged with
surfeiting, drunkenness and with the cares of this life! But as the child grows older, little by
little we begin to be burdened down with the cares of life, instead of just
remaining with a childlike faith, we begin to develop doubts. The scriptures plainly state that those who
engage in a lifestyle of drunkenness shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) But one can also be drunken
off of the things of this ungodly world, false doctrines or even with all of
the problems and issues of life. Our
minds can become clouded and deluded to the point that we can lose focus on
what is important in life. The term "cares"
in our text out of Luke chapter 21 means to be distracted. Once we get all wrapped up and distracted by
our lives, we miss what life is all about!
Kind of like not being able to see the forest because of all the
trees! We tend to get all hung up on the
details of life so much that we lose sight of life for what it is.
Matthew 18:2-4 "And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
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. Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven."
According to Yahshua Messiah,
unless we are converted and become as little children, we will not enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven. To enter into the
Kingdom, we must become as a child. We
must have faith and lack doubt. We must
accept the Truth and the ways of Yahweh without question or debate. Just believe!
We must not get so caught up with life that we forget or even neglect to
simply enjoy it. We must have a simple
trust in Yahweh our mighty one, our provider, our sustainer and the lifter of
our heads. Just have a childlike
faith. Slow life down! Stop and smell the roses! Look beyond the trees and enjoy the view of
the forest! Get your priorities
straight. Ask yourself, what is really
important?
Brethren, family, friends,.....enemies,
I admonish you as I'm being admonished myself, think about these things. Really spend some time pondering upon this
editorial. You must become as a little
child or you will not enter into the Kingdom!
Take the time to observe a very young child and develop a child's faith.
The Old Paths
Restoration Ministry
PO Box 247
Marengo, IN 47140