by Pastor Mark Cowart
We are seeing signs of what the scriptures refer to as “the last days”. In order to take your place in the end times battle between the kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of darkness, Jesus said you must “become as a little child” (Matthew 18:3). What did He mean by that? You must get back to a childlike faith in the midst of this cynical world.
Let’s explore this passage. He didn’t mean to become like the religious leaders that Jesus encountered during the time He walked as a man. He confronted them in no uncertain terms many times for their hardness of heart and lack of Christlike compassion and love. He cited their show of piety to cover their lawbreaking. Likely many people could see this, but the Lord called it out publicly.
In contrast, most of us are drawn to little children and refreshed by their presence. Why is that? I believe there are three main characteristics to be noted:
- innocence
- purity
- trust
And yet, we know that many little ones are hurt by people as they grow up. Most of us have wounds to varying degrees that were inflicted in childhood. Most of the time, loving parents do not intend to harm their kids, but they’ve been hurt and can unintentionally pass it on. At the other end of the abuse spectrum, some youngsters have been subjected to truly evil treatment that has scarred them severely. I’ve often seen that “hurt people hurt people”, and “healed people help heal people”.
Our gentle, loving Father longs to meet us where we are and to lead us to healing. Only a childlike faith can receive this. Conventional therapies will not generally result in complete freedom and restoration. That is why we, the Body of Christ, the people of God, must learn, promote, and support methods of ministering the healing grace of the Father to people in need of healing.
Jesus said if you receive a childlike one in His name, you receive Him. That is the requirement to be His representative! In spite of the betrayals and traumas in our lives, we must receive His healing and be restored to a state of trusting, innocent wonder. We must fully realize our adoption as children of God in order to walk out our Kingdom assignments in this time on Earth.
You may be wondering how you can recover your childhood lost. If you will open your heart to God with a childlike faith, you can trust Him to lead you to your healing.
REFLECT
1) Can you remember hurts from your childhood?
2) Have you received the healing Jesus made available to you by His death and resurrection?
3) Do you desire to be completely restored to walk by the Spirit in childlike wonder?
4) Do you believe God is able to lead you to the healing you need?
PRAY
– Thank God for daily sending you benefits.
– Be still, and know that He is God. Worship Him.
– Ask God for eyes to see and ears to hear what you need to receive.
– Praise Him for the healing and freedom He is leading you into, so that your childlike innocence, purity, and trust are restored!
DIVE DEEPER
• Matthew 18:1-5
• Luke 12:1
• Matthew 23:27
• Isaiah 29:13
• Matthew 12:34
• Romans 8:15
• Luke 4:18
• Hebrews 11:6
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