Receive the Kingdom like Children: Kingdom Principles
“whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Luke 18:17 NKJV)
Let us take this opportunity on Children’s Day to meditate on this passage, so that we may qualify to enter into God’s kingdom. As I read this verse I looked upon several others versions and found that Jesus wants us to become as simple as children so that we may enter His kingdom. When I was wondering at what it means to become like a little child, I began pondering upon the characters of a child. Then it struck me that I should look again in the Bible on God’s counsel to children.
Here are the verses in which the Bible counsels children and I believe as the above verse says, if we would be willing to become like children in following these simple exhortations of the Word we will enter His kingdom. In these verses we find those characters and values that we need to develop to enter His kingdom. As you take time along with me in reading & meditating on these verses, I pray that the Lord may change us like children.
(All verses are from NKJV, if otherwise denoted)
1. Matthew 18:3,4
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility (letting go of ego; dying to self)
2. Matthew 18:5
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me”
Accepting / Receiving others without any difference
3. Matthew 18:10
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
Not being bothered of despises and having the assurance always that God is always watching over me.
4. 1 Peter 2:2
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”
Desiring & craving for the word of God daily for spiritual nourishment & growth ---> Daily Bible reading & meditation
5. Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it”
Realizing the need to be Trained & giving oneself to be trained & equipped
6. Proverbs 22:15
“Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”
Allowing oneself to be corrected and disciplined
7. Deuteronomy 6:7
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up”
- Realizing the need to be taught by others
- Diligent learning of the Scriptures to know God’s commands & statutes
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8. Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
Obeying parents
9. Proverbs 1:8 (NIV)
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Listening to instructions & teachings
10. Luke 18:15,16
“Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 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.””
Last, but not the least we see in the context of the base text when the disciples rebuked & stopped them, only Jesus had to intervene to make the children to come to Him. Likewise we need to allow God to intervene and act for us when rebuked. We need to depend on God rather than on our strength or position.
May the Lord help us to become like children and receive His kingdom with its principles so that we may enter it.
