This is amazing, I never really thought about this in such a manner before....
I have this devotional thing, and in it there's a thing called Growing Up. So it talks about stuff of course duh lol, but seriously, here's what it says:
Matthew 18:3 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(KJV)
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(NIV)
According to Jesus, there's something about a childlike attitude that's essential to admission into heaven.
But wait a minute. Does Jesus mean that we should return to our preschools, Play-doh and Pampers? Not likely. No, Jesus is talking about something else. He's not telling us to be childish-we've already been there. He's telling us to become childlike.
Whare are little kids like? For one thing, they're trusting. They trust their parents love them, know what's best for them and will always be there for them. Many grown-ups are cunical-they dont' trust their lives to others. They figure they know what's best for themselves. And too often they figure wrong.
For another thing, children are innocent. But most little kids try to please their parents, and when they do something wrong, they often regret it, say sorry and move on.
Maybe this is the childlike spirit Jesus is talking about. He wants us to be trusting-to believe that our Father in heaven loves us, knows what's best for us and will alwys be there for us.
Jesus wants us to cherish innocence-to do things that are pleasing to the Father. When we fail, he wants us to seek forgiveness and do better next time. Maybe he wants us to act like children in other ways too-children who are quick to love, quick to forgive, quick to laugh and thrilled with the simple things in life.
So, before you leap into this world's great big race to grow up, just stop for a moment. Turn around. Look back. Ask yourself, "Are there any childlike qualities I'm leaving behind?". God gave you some traits he meant you to keep for a lifetime. And some of these traits are exactly what you need to live forever.
Amazing! I mean...there's so much truth there! No matter our age, a child, teen, young adult, middle aged adult, etc. we should keep this in mind!
God bless everyone!
I have this devotional thing, and in it there's a thing called Growing Up. So it talks about stuff of course duh lol, but seriously, here's what it says:
Matthew 18:3 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(KJV)
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(NIV)
According to Jesus, there's something about a childlike attitude that's essential to admission into heaven.
But wait a minute. Does Jesus mean that we should return to our preschools, Play-doh and Pampers? Not likely. No, Jesus is talking about something else. He's not telling us to be childish-we've already been there. He's telling us to become childlike.
Whare are little kids like? For one thing, they're trusting. They trust their parents love them, know what's best for them and will always be there for them. Many grown-ups are cunical-they dont' trust their lives to others. They figure they know what's best for themselves. And too often they figure wrong.
For another thing, children are innocent. But most little kids try to please their parents, and when they do something wrong, they often regret it, say sorry and move on.
Maybe this is the childlike spirit Jesus is talking about. He wants us to be trusting-to believe that our Father in heaven loves us, knows what's best for us and will alwys be there for us.
Jesus wants us to cherish innocence-to do things that are pleasing to the Father. When we fail, he wants us to seek forgiveness and do better next time. Maybe he wants us to act like children in other ways too-children who are quick to love, quick to forgive, quick to laugh and thrilled with the simple things in life.
So, before you leap into this world's great big race to grow up, just stop for a moment. Turn around. Look back. Ask yourself, "Are there any childlike qualities I'm leaving behind?". God gave you some traits he meant you to keep for a lifetime. And some of these traits are exactly what you need to live forever.
Amazing! I mean...there's so much truth there! No matter our age, a child, teen, young adult, middle aged adult, etc. we should keep this in mind!
God bless everyone!
