Like a Child
MATTHEW 18:2-3 AMP
He called a little child and set him before them, and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self–your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Unless we become like a child, then we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. One thing about children is that they are loyal. Children are faithful to their parents and the family. That is a trait that every believer must have. Sometimes we try to replace loyalty with sacrifice. We think because we went to church on Sunday and we gave our tithes and offerings then we can do what we want the rest of the week. Our loyalty is based on our convenience and God does not like this.
Hosea 6:6 (AMP)
6 For I desire and delight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
God is faithful and loyal to us and He expects the same of us. The Bible says that He remains faithful even when we are not because He cannot deny Himself.
You and I can only be and remain loyal if we truly believe that God is a good father who has our best at heart. The test of our faith comes when we are pressed from all directions and we think of compromising. Do we stand still like Jesus and remain loyal saying not my will but thine be done or will we deny like Peter did in his moment of weakness?
Another thing you will notice is that Children befriend other children; they are social and genuine in their connections. Every time we have moved into a new neighbourhood, it is our children who have connected first with the other children forcing us to get to know the parents of the children they are playing with. Are we loyal to God and our brothers and sisters in the body or do we look for opportunities to discredit each other?
How strong are our connections in the body? Do we connect genuinely like children?
John 13:35 (AMP)
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.
