Unless you turn and become like children

How to become a child of God?

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To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, it is essential that we repent and become like little children; There are two things in this teaching of Jesus Christ, first we must repent of sin, and second we must become children of God - 1.At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2.Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3.and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4.Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 18:1-4

Why did the Lord say this when the disciples asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" The Bible, which tells us to turn from sin, lists pride and arrogance as the most important sins. This pride and arrogance is often not seen as a sin, yet it drives a person to view themselves as superior to others—essentially portraying themselves as God—and it was precisely this mindset that led the disciples to ask, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" - 17.The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18.Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. - Proverbs 16:17-18

In schools and colleges, there are two types of classes: Theoretical Class and Practical Class, but not all of the subjects taught are demonstrated in the practical classes. Only some important subjects are demonstrated in the practical classes, because they are the most essential subjects for joining the job. Similarly, here the Lord, in His teachings, showed that only if we repent and become like little children can we enter the eternal kingdom of the Lord, by "taking the little children into His arms, laying His hands on them, and blessing them." - 13. Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14.But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15.Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16.And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16

Therefore, the Lord said this to His disciples chosen for the apostolic ministry because if we do not become children of God, we cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven even if we do the apostolic ministry - 15.Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16.But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17.Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it - Luke 18:15-17

By being born of water and the Spirit

The elderly Nicodemus had a question about how he could become a little child, and the Lord explained that the first step in becoming a little child is to be baptized and receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit - 3.Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4.Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5.Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God - John 3:3-5

Furthermore, it is when we pray for the Holy Spirit that we become children of God, which is why Jesus Christ taught that "how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" - If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! - Luke 11:13

Through faith in the Lord

"Faith" is the sign that we are children of God, that is, when we become confident that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient for our lives in this world and the hereafter, we become children of God - 12.But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13.who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God - John 1:12-13

Thus, through faith I become children of God, as Jesus Christ said, "Believe in the light, that you may become children of light." - 35.Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36.While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them - John 12:35-36

"Faith" makes us children of God, but that faith has no specific limit. Here, a person has put faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and has become a child of God, which is why the Lord called him "Son." - 1.So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2.Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you - Matthew 9:1-2

Similarly, here a woman put her faith in the Lord for salvation and became a child of God, which is why the Lord called her "Daughter." - 20.And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21.For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22.But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour - Matthew 9:25-27

When we declare that Jesus Christ alone is good...

This world is one that hates the Lord, and many within it boast about various worldly matters; yet, the Lord declared that when—amidst all this—we confess that Jesus Christ (the Wisdom by whom all things were created) alone is good and righteous, we become children of God - 16.To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17.We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. 18.For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19.The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” - Matthew 11:16-19

When praising Jesus Christ

When Jesus Christ arrived in Jerusalem, a great multitude of people praised and shouted to the Lord - 6.So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7.They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8.And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9.Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” - Matthew  21:6-9

Among the people who praised and shouted to the Lord, many were blind and lame and were healed. When they praised and shouted to the Lord, the Bible gave them the name children, infants, and children - 14.Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15.But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16.and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” - Matthew 21:14-16 

This is exactly what the Psalmist prophesied - 1.O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2.Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger - Psalms 8:1-2

When we love our enemies

No one in this world can say that I have no enemies, nor can one say that there is no one who causes me suffering; indeed, all believers are, in one way or another, opposed and persecuted by many on a daily basis.

But, the Lord says we should pray for those who persecute us, and if we do this, we become children of God -  43.You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44.But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45.that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust - Matthew 5:43-45

The most important thing is that when we pray for others and help them, we should not expect anything from them, We do this not because we are naturally inclined to do good to those who curse or revile us, We do it because the Lord commands us to do it, and it is the Holy Spirit who lives within us who does it, and therefore we should not expect anything in return from men - 32.But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33.And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34.And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35.But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil - Luke 6:32-35


When we dedicate our ministry to the Lord and give thanks

When the disciples returned from their ministry and testified that all the miracles had taken place in the Lord's name, the Lord rejoiced in the Spirit and called them children (little ones) - 17.The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. 18.And he said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19.Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20.Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 21.In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will - Luke 10:17-21  


When loving one another 

Before going to the cross, the Lord addressed His disciples as "children" and gave them the commandment to "love one another"—a "new commandment" that encompasses all other commandments. By living according to this commandment and being filled with love, we truly become children of God - 33.Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34.A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35.By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another - John 13:33-35

Next Chapter: Not even in Israel have I found such faith