Why the Child-Like Get the Kingdom of Heaven

Matt. 18:3

“And he said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

This may be tough for us to understand. Many children today are not very humble. They can be very whiny and complain about not having everything they want. (Or is that just my kids?)

But one thing about kids: they accept authority.  I was always shocked that whenever I put my kids in a time out spot, they stayed there, not trying to get out.  Whether they admit it or not, kids require authority. They need it. More than anything else that scares them, kids are scared of someone not being there. They need to know that there is constantly someone thinking about them, taking care of them. Perfect, because that is what God is for all of us.

Something happens as we age. We learn to do things for ourselves. Feeding ourselves, dressing ourselves, tying our own shoes. We gain responsibility. We make our own meals, choose our own clothes, buy our own shoes.  (Fun!) We become authority. And we become adamant when our authority is challenged. (Have you ever had to say, “Because I said so”?) Our need for authority over us slowly becomes less and less visible.

Less visible, but not less necessary!

As adults, we start seeing we can do more. And somewhere along the line, we likely reach the point of thinking we can do it all. It is adults, not children, who think they can earn their way to heaven by doing more good than bad. I can do this myself, we think. I don't need God.

But if you tell a young child they are wrong, they will believe you. In his heart, the truth will be fresh. Not like an adult's heart, where years of denial may have hardened their hearts.

So Jesus tells us to change.  How can we go backwards?  By doing what is just as hard.  By letting go.

1. Let go of your need to be right.  Accept that you can be wrong. (I am a sinner.)
2. Let go of your own authority.  Accept that God's way is the best way.  (I cannot save myself.)
3. Let go of any plan you have to follow God on your own terms.  Accept Jesus's sacrifice for you. (Jesus died in my place.)
4. Let go of your old self, desires, and "rights." Accept the Kingdom of God. (I will be welcomed into the presence of the Lord.)

As hard as it is to let go, the reward will be worth it.  Stop working so hard.  The kids aren't!  I have messy rooms in my house to prove it.