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.
We all agree that every child deserves to be in a loving family where they feel safe and protected. A family where they belong and are accepted, a place where their needs are provided for. The same is true when it comes to us who believe. God is our Father meaning that we belong to His family. That also means that we are brothers and sisters in this family, as one preacher put it, God has no grandchildren, we are all brothers and sisters, children of God.
John 1:12-13 (AMP)
12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— 13 who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].
We belong to a family, we have a father who loves and cares for us and we should operate from that place of safety and reassurance. Every believer is part of this family and not just those from your church or denomination. Sometimes we seem to forget that and we end up treating others not of our church like a step brother or sister. No wonder Jesus would tell us that the world would know we are His disciples if we have love one for another.
Not only are we part of a family, we are also part of a body. Christ is the head of this body and we should learn to work together in unity recognizing that each part has its specific work to accomplish and when we detach from each other then the body becomes dysfunctional.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (AMP)
12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so [a]it is with Christ. 13 For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life].
We are part of a body, part of a family that has a loving father. We belong, we are accepted and loved, just like a child!
