Like a child

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." - Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17

I always find these verses incredibly convicting. I used to often wonder to myself: How am I supposed to be like a child? I thought that I was supposed to grow up and mature into my salvation?


But it is not these qualities that these verses are talking about, as Christians are all called to grow in maturity in the faith (Ephesians 4:11-16), but they are rather talking about a child's helplessness and lack of power. In this instance, a lack of ability to obtain the benefits of the kingdom for himself.

For all of those who are in Christ Jesus, he has become to us our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30), and in order for these gifts to be ours, we need to realise our utter depravity and inability to save our souls, but for the precious blood of Christ, which cleanses us from our sin and makes us righteous before God.

In vain, many try to obtain the kingdom and their salvation through other means, mainly trying to live a good, moral life, in their own power. But they will never inherit this promise until they, like a child, fall before their Heavenly Father, with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledging ONLY the finished work of Christ and begging for mercy from a God who is both the definition of justice and love.

May we all be like children in our response to the gospel call of Christ.