Monday, September 29, 2008
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Humble Yourself Like a Child...
by mrs violet
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18Jesus told us to become humble, to make ourselves like the children. This is not a passive activity but requires thought and action on our part.
But what does it mean?
I have a few thoughts about this, as I have observed my own children in their natural habitats:
1. Children have a thirst for knowledge and are teachable- they don't rely upon what they know, and they always want to know more. They are never afraid to ask questions and seek out answers. They are proactive in searching for knowledge. They don't simply rely on their own understanding. And they are quite happy to ask a friend, a peer or an adult for those answers and most likely all of those as they try to process those answers in meaningful ways.
2. Children are non-threatening- they are usually endearing and happy go lucky little creatures. They are not weighed down by the pressures of this world, because their parents have that all under control. They are carefree and unhindered (or should be) by the pressures of life and the world around them.
3. Are free from love of position and power- It is not being the smartest, the strongest, the prettiest, or the most right with little children. Sure once the world has got in and the adults around them have corrupted them into thinking that these are the important things in life, children from different stations in life would play happily in the sandbox together blissfully unaware of their cultural and societal differences.
4. Children are usually quick to forget and forgive- Sometimes this drives me crazy in my own children. Sometimes I think they are too ready to put up with crappy treatment for the sake of the game and for fun, yet they do. They are quick to forget and forgive more easily, so that they can all get on with the job/game at hand.
5. What you see is what you get with children- they have little time for pretense. As much as their behavior can sometimes drive us wild, at least it is real and raw. There is no hiding, no pretending, no two faces with little children. What you see is what you get!
So what does this mean for us?
1. Are we open and teachable? Or are we stuck in our ways and our thoughts?
Are we selective with who we take advice and teaching from? While we may not agree theologically with everybody we come across, are we open to hearing other points of view and at least walking a while in an other's shoes? Even if we decide those shoes aren't for us? Or are we so set on what we know and think that we can not even possibly entertain the possibility that some body else may teach us something new?2. Are we threatening and rude? Or are we like a child, endearing, pleasant and truthful?
My husband always tells me that you can catch more flies with honey.
I have never met a man so able to speak truth to somebody and remain calm, happy and pleasant while he does it. Truth is essential to the Christian walk, but you can win the battle and loose the war with how you tell that truth!3. Are you in love with power, authority and position? Does it have to be another man who teaches you? Or only a pastor? Are you able to see Jesus in even the youngest Christian around you and hear the truth they are saying even if you have walked with Jesus longer? Do you believe they have to have superior bible knowledge than you do before they can add any value to your spiritual walk? If this is the case then you have missed the purpose of the Body of Christ.
4. Do you bear grudges for a long time or are you quick to move on? If a brother/sister offends you or disagrees with you on an issue of teaching/doctrine, do you bear a grudge, block their site, never read anything they write ever again? Are you a throw the baby out with the bath water person, or are you willing to give your brothers and sisters in the Lord second chances.
5. Are you a what you see is what you get Christian? Or do you live a double life? Sometimes other Christians don't like who I am. Sometimes I don't like what other Christians are, but they are what they are, I am what I am.
Let us try to get on and love and embrace our fellow sojourner on the journey for the sake of the gospel and the body of Christ our Lord.
What are your thoughts on the passage of scripture above?
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Comments (14)
I would add #6, that children trust and love their parents. We should always trust and love God.
@musterion99@xanga - Good point. I would add this also, we should trust and love God, as well as our earthly parents.
I think that it is important to add that children believe what they hear without question. Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, The Boogey Man, etc... are all character's of a child's imagination and they believe that they exist because someone told them they do. They don't try to disprove these character's by using sense and logic. They just believe.
Like so, I think we should have this "faith of a child." All of us question God. Sometime's it can be good because it helps us grow, but sometimes, I think that children believe in God with more of their heart than their parents.
@musterion99@xanga - @ThinkAchieve@xanga - @jmallory@xanga - Such
great additions thanks so much!!!
A friend of mine also suggested that children are not religious but rather are spiritual. I should liked to have added that one as well.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
@ThinkAchieve@xanga - I agree.
4. Do you bear grudges for a long time or are you quick to move on? If a brother/sister offends you or disagrees with you on an issue of teaching/doctrine, do you bear a grudge, block their site, never read anything they write ever again? Are you a throw the baby out with the bath water person, or are you willing to give your brothers and sisters in the Lord second chances.
if someone sinned against God, what would be the necessary step(s) needed to be forgiven? Repentance, correct? Therefore, is someone wrongs another without being accountable then how is that any different than the person who won't repent to God for their sins?
It is amazing how similar this is to the Buddhist ideal. They call for experiencing everything as a child; objectively, without bias or prejudice. (Or at least as close as you can)
I love this concept. :)
Children also know how to find excitement and enjoyment in even things that we regard as commonplace. Mud puddles, pots, and balls of twine can be the source of hours of delight. At least one brilliant Christian thinker (Chesterton) believed that this trait was an important result of the genuine life of faith in God.
Makes you think....
@aModernBeauty@xanga - I am not sure if I have understood your question so forgive me if I have missed it.
Forgiveness has two dimensions.
On a Spiritual level ie from God-
1. It involves our repentance- and that provides healing and reconciliation to the Father through Jesus Christ, it is also a chance for a fresh start and to endeavor to not walk the same path again.
2. Being forgiven- humbles us, shows us unconditional love and teaches us much about the grace and compassion of God.
On a human level
1. Ideally if we were to forgive somebody- then it would be great if they had come to us and said they were sorry for the offense or hurt that they caused us. This enables us to forgive freely and if needs be establish the lines of relationship again.
2. However for us to forgive another without repentance- requires us to understand God's forgiveness towards us. We forgive others because he forgives us... regardless of any actions they have displayed towards us (ie asking for forgiveness or saying sorry).
Our acts of forgiveness towards those who are not sorry or have abused or hurt us have MUCH MORE to do with our own peace and healing from God than they do with establishing relationship again. Some people we should not be in relationship with if they have hurt us and abused us in the past. BUT we need to understand that because of the different elements too forgiveness we don't necessarily have to be either.
Forgiveness towards others lifts the cage of hate and bitterness of our own hearts.... but it may not actually mean the relationship will ever be the same again.
I am sorry if I have gone off on a different tangent.
x
@XfantomcatX@xanga - thanks for the encouragement.
@Pass_the_Aura@xanga - I love that in my kids. I see it diminishing some what in kids in general as they become less content with the common place and yearning for for the bright and sparkly things of the world.
It is certainly a gorgeous thing to admire in a child and emulate in our own lives on every level.
this was soooo good to read. thanks.
I like how you broke that verse down. Thank you for that. I understood that Christ wanted our whole-hearted belief in Him, and you make it easier for a grown-up, semi-jaded mind to apply to its own life!
it is because children are humble enough to live their life truthfully. not like an adult who has all the grown up problems and challenges in life. but always keep in mind that God is with us no matter what and we're living our life for Him.
i think we all grow up.. and it's hard to want to become like a child again because when we were kids, we always wanted to grow up.