BE LIKE A CHILD

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are several places in the Bible wherein we are exhorted to be like others.

1.    Paul encourages us to be like him (1 Cor. 11:1).

 

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

2.    Paul commands us to be like the Christ (Phil. 2:5).

 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

 

B.   It is not uncommon for us to be encouraged to be like the great characters of the Bible.

 

C.   Jesus tells us to be like someone surprising in Matthew 18:3.

 

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

1.    Jesus tells us to “become as little children.”

2.    That is somewhat of a shock to adults. 

a.    We have seen how children behave.

b.    Many times their behavior is not exemplary.

3.    However, there are some things children do, and do well, that adults would be wise to emulate.

 

D.   We are going to look at some of these things under the title:  “Be Like Children.”

 

I.             TRUST

 

A.   Unless there has been a major violation of trust in a child’s life, children are quick to trust those who are in positions of authority:  parents, teachers, caregivers, law enforcement, etc.

1.    They trust that the words they are told are true.

2.    They trust them to take care of them.

3.    They trust in the promises made to them.

4.    Example:  The fire on the first floor of a two-story house and a little 4-year old trapped up top in her room.  She jumped into her father’s arms when he counted to three.

 

B.   Proverbs 3:5

 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

C.   Example:  The centurion’s servant who was sick of the palsy (Matt. 8:7-9).

 

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:  but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me:  and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

 

II.           INNOCENCE

 

A.   Small children have not had their minds poisoned by the corruption and immorality of this world.

1.    Children are without sin and pure.

2.    Often children can say things and do things that are wrong, but they are oblivious to the wickedness attached to those things.

 

B.   The Christian’s task is to remain innocent by not engaging in things that he knows to be evil.

 

C.   Many verses exhort us to be pure individuals.

1.    Matthew 5:8

 

Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God.

 

2.    Psalm 24:3-4

 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath cleans hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

 

D.   Example:  Job (Job 33:9)

 

I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

 

III.         HUMBLE

 

A.   The word “humble” comes from a Latin word meaning:  “to be on the ground, lowly.”

 

B.   Bible meaning of humble:

1.    OT:  depressed in mind

2.    NT:  depressed, humiliated in disposition

 

C.   Children usually understand their position in the world.

1.    They are not in command.

2.    They are subject to those in authority.

3.    They do not run around boasting and bragging about their talents and abilities.

 

D.   The Bible teaches us to be humble individuals (Matt. 18:4).

 

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

E.   Two servants of God who were extremely humble.

1.    John the Baptist (John 3:30)

 

He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

2.    James the brother of the Lord (James 1:1)

 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…

 

IV.         NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS

 

A.   When children get together, they are not concerned about the things adults are concerned about:  race, gender, education, socio-economic status, religion, political party, what part of the country you are from, or what nation you are from. 

 

B.   There is no respect of persons with children. 

 

C.   This characteristic ought to be found in every child of God (James 2:9).

 

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

 

D.   Question:  Aren’t we glad God is not a respecter of persons? (See Rom. 2:11)

 

For there is no respect of persons with God.

 

E.   Jesus is a wonderful example in this area.  He engaged saints and sinners; Jews, Gentiles, and Romans; men, women, and children, rich and poor; and the healthy, crippled, and lepers.

 

F.    All men are just like each one of us:  skin color, a body, a mind, personality, needs, weaknesses, a history, and a precious soul. 

 

V.           QUICK TO GET OVER ANGER

 

A.   Children do get upset with other children and with adults.

 

B.   However, they do not remain angry for a long period of time.  Their anger dissipates very quickly.  Seldom do friendships dissolve among little ones.

 

C.   Paul exhorts us to follow the example of children when it comes to malice in 1 Corinthians 14:20.

 

Brethren, be not children in understanding:  howbeit in malice be children, but in understanding be men.

 

1.    Christian friendships have been lost due to anger.

2.    Churches have split due to anger.

3.    Churches have died due to anger.

4.    Souls have been lost due to anger.

 

D.   The words of Paul found in Ephesians 4:26-27 ought to be practiced by every child of God.

 

Be ye angry, and sin not:  let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil.

 

VI.         FORGIVING

 

A.   In childcare, we saw many children who have been hurt in many different ways by their parents.

1.    Even though they had been hurt, those young people loved their mothers and fathers.

2.    At the drop of a hat, they would have forgiven their parents for any wrong that had been done to them.

 

B.   We, too, need to develop the ability to forgive others.

1.    Ephesians 4:32

 

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

2.    Colossians 3:13

 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any:  even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

 

C.   Again, Jesus is a perfect example of forgiveness.

1.    He was delivered by the Jews to the Romans.

a.    He was beaten severely.

b.    He was crucified.

2.    Yet, His first words from the cross were:  “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

3.    NOTE:  Very few of us have been wronged on the scale that Jesus was wronged that terrible Friday.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Children are small, less educated, and weak, but they have a lot they can teach big, educated, and strong adults.

1.    Trust

2.    Innocence

3.    Humility

4.    No respecter of persons

5.    Quick to get over anger

6.    Forgiving

 

B.   Let’s keep in mind the words of Jesus found in Matthew 18:3.

 

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.