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We often think having child-like faith equates to naivety or immaturity. On the contrary, Jesus has a unique approach regarding how we should connect with God.
Child-like faith is unrealistic and impossible in a world entirely of deceit. After all, people think children are naturally foolish due to the short years they’ve barely spent on this earth. However, we can’t dismiss such a matter as child-like faith because Jesus has a couple of lessons He wants us to learn, especially from the youngest minds with the sincerest of hearts.
Jesus often emphasized the importance of having child-like faith in His teachings. In the Gospels, there are several instances where Jesus encouraged His disciples and others to approach God with the innocence, trust, and dependency of a child. Here are a few key lessons that Jesus taught about child-like faith:
Trust and Dependence
Jesus taught that true faith involves complete trust and dependence on God, just as a child relies on their parents for provision and care. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about their basic needs but to trust that God will provide for them, just as He provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.
You might have heard of a story of Jesus healing the sick and other miracles her performed in the Bible. The fact that kids are helpless at an early stage will make them trust their parents naturally. And in the way they trust their parents, we can learn a lot from them. Kids are drawn to adults, so they can learn the ropes around life along the way.
Humility in All Instances
Children are humble and accept their limitations without pretense. In Matthew 18:3-4, Jesus tells His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus emphasizes the need for humility and child-like innocence to enter a relationship with God.
Kids naturally depend on their parents for guidance, provision, and care. Similarly, child-like faith acknowledges our dependency on God. It recognizes that we cannot rely solely on our abilities or understanding. This acknowledgment fosters humility by acknowledging our need for God’s wisdom, guidance, and provision.
Curiosity and Teachability
Children are naturally curious about the world around them and willing to learn. In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus rebukes His disciples for hindering children from coming to Him and says, “Let the little children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Jesus encourages His followers to approach Him with a teachable and curious heart.
Children are not afraid to ask questions or admit they don’t know something. They approach learning humbly, understanding that they have much to learn. Likewise, child-like faith nurtures a teachable spirit willing to ask questions. It also helps us seek answers and admit when we don’t have all the answers. It recognizes that we are finite beings seeking to comprehend the infinite, and it humbly invites God to teach us and reveal His truth to us.
Unquestioning Faith
Children often have a simple, unquestioning faith. In Matthew 18:2-3, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus highlights the need for His disciples to have a child-like trust and belief in Him and His teachings.
It’s important to note that unquestioning faith should not be equated with blind faith or a lack of critical thinking. Child-like faith involves a sincere trust in God based on His character and the evidence of His faithfulness in our lives. It does not mean ignoring questions or doubts but approaching them humbly and seeking answers while maintaining an unwavering trust in God.
Forgiveness and Love
Children have a remarkable capacity to forgive and love others unconditionally. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiveness when Peter asks Him how many times he should forgive someone. Jesus responds, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” This teaching emphasizes the need for a forgiving and loving heart, characteristic of child-like innocence.
Furthermore, Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Child-like faith embraces this radical teaching of Jesus. It involves loving even those who have wronged, hurt or opposed us. It means seeking the well-being and salvation of others, even when it is difficult or goes against our natural inclinations. This love reflects Christ’s sacrificial love and demonstrates the transformative power of forgiveness and grace.
Why We Should We Have Child-Like Faith?
Jesus taught that having child-like faith involves trusting God. It also includes humility, a teachable spirit, unquestioning belief, and embodying forgiveness and love. By embracing these qualities, believers can cultivate a deeper and more authentic relationship with God.
Having child-like faith allows us to trust and depend on God, cultivate humility and surrender. They also show us how to maintain curiosity and teachability, trust God without doubt, and love and forgive others. Furthermore, children show us how to experience joy and wonder in our relationship with Him. It helps us develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. It enables us to live in alignment with His will and purposes.
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