And they brought unto him also infants, that
he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16... But Jesus called them unto him, and said,
Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17... Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
"in no wise"? That is a pretty definite statement. So how does a little child receive the
kingdom of God? Let's consider the characteristics of a little child... those traits they possess that make them different.
First let's consider trust. Little children have a tendency to believe what they are told. They
usually accept, without question, what they hear from their teachers. Isn't that what the Lord terms faith
? Isn't that what the Bible consistently says that we must have to receive the kingdom of God? ...Yes, we have
to accept the Word of God as truth, and believe that He will do what He says. Only then can we begin to enter in to His kingdom.
What is it that He said in
Luke 18:42...?
42... And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved
thee.
"...thy FAITH hath saved thee." The kind of faith that a little child has...the absolute trust in
the Father and his truths. The kind of faith that moves mountains gave the man his sight. Will it not also gain us access to the
kingdom of God?
Have you ever considered the fact that little children, before they have been exposed to the
world's garbage, harbor no hate? They don't have prejudices... everyone is equal in their eyes. They have not become cynical
because of what someone has done to them. Their hurts pass quickly, and are soon forgotten...unlike those of us who have been
here long enough to become hardened inside.
Matthew 5:43... Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love
thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44... But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45... That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for
he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
If we are to become as little children, we are going to have to put away our hatreds, our
prejudices and our paltry little differences. Remember ... "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child shall in no wise enter therein". Notice also that He said, in verse 45,
"That ye may the CHILDREN of your Father..." Because that's what he wants
us to be... children...full of faith and trust...bathed in innocence and love... devoid of hatred and prejudice. We think that's hard for us
to achieve. But if we think back, we had it once, and it is imperative that we have it again... as a little child.
Chapel 
As A Little Child...
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