February 19

“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”—MATTHEW 18:4

Becoming a Christian takes place in a moment, but being the Christians we are meant to become is a lifetime process, and is the result of a childlike disposition. Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Both physically and spiritually, there has to be a start to life. Physically, we are born of our mothers, and spiritually, we are born of the Spirit of God. Entry into the kingdom of God is only by new birth that is received when recognizing we are born separated from God, and come in humble repentance to Christ. We cannot live a life we haven’t first received, and we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless we are born again of the Spirit of God.

The first thing that needs to change is our attitude towards ourselves. As self-sufficient as we may deem ourselves to be, we have to come to the realization that dependence upon ourselves disqualifies us from God’s purpose for us. We cannot live apart from God and expect to receive all that He has to give us. Neither can we be preoccupied with status, finances, appearances, nor our own way of doing things. Paul says in Colossians 2:6, “As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so continue to live in him…” We receive Christ as Lord in humility and dependence, childlike qualities that need to be ongoing in our lives. 

When a child is born, he or she is dependent upon their parents for everything they need. Humility in a child is expressed by their awareness of a lack of self-sufficiency, which results in complete dependency. It never enters a young child’s mind to doubt the ability of their parents to provide for them because a child trusts. It’s that kind of dependence on resources outside of one’s self that is the first principle of spiritual growth. 

Greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is the complete reversal of greatness in the world. Greatness in the world is marked by independence, strength and self-assurance, but in the Kingdom of Heaven, it is marked by childlike qualities of utter dependence, humility and trust in God. When we become like children, living in complete dependence, trust and love for Christ, it then becomes His strength, His guidance and wisdom that unfolds in our lives, and our whole perspective changes. We discover newness of life, blessed with all the divine resources of Christ, and that is absolutely liberating! 

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for providing for me, and I ask that you keep me dependent upon You every day of my life. 

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I fully trusting of Christ and dependent upon Him?