Childlike or Childish?
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:1-6 (New International Version, NIV)
To answer the disciples’ question about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus used a child as an object lesson to show them the answer. There are things we can all learn from little children.
Jesus told them that unless they changed and became like little children, they wouldn’t make it to heaven. Based on that, Jesus went on to teach them to humble themselves like children to be considered the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. The ones who are usually despised and belittled by man are highly esteemed by God.
Little children are humble and must rely on their parents and other adults. Like them, we must lower ourselves, not in degradation, but in humility, knowing we must seek help from God. The humble have a proper perspective, knowing that they are nothing without God but that they are valued by Him. They don’t think too highly or too lowly of themselves but they see themselves as the Word says God sees them. God wants us to be childlike in our faith and in our relationship with Him. Being childlike is good. Little children are loving, trusting, playful, and forgiving- all traits we should desire to have.
On the other hand, we do not want to be childish. Childish people demonstrate the petty nature that children can exhibit: fighting, competing, comparing. Childish people always seek to be the top dog. They belittle others, stepping on them to get ahead. They are jealous when others get praise or promotion. They argue and are full of self-importance and pride.
As we become childlike- we become Christ-like: humble, loving, relying on God and wanting please our heavenly Father. As we change and become who God made us to be, we go from being spiritual babes to adolescents, to young adults, to mature adults in Christ. As we grow, we are to put away childish ways. If we don’t, we can’t grow, and God can’t use us. In putting away childish ways, we won’t seek self-promotion, but we’ll work to promote and bless others. In putting others first, we know God will put us first. The more we humble ourselves and take the lowly position, the more God can promote us.
Childishness seeks self-promotion. Childlikeness relies on God for promotion. If we are childlike, we’ll seek to promote God’s kingdom and other people. What we choose will determine our maturity and our usefulness to God.
