“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
Embracing Childlike Faith
In our walk with God, we often present ourselves with doubt and hesitation. However, embracing childlike faith invites us to leave those concerns behind. Jesus beautifully illustrates this in Matthew 18:3, encouraging us to adopt an attitude of wonder and trust similar to that of a child. When we embrace childlike faith, we open our hearts to the joys of belief without the burdens of adult skepticism. It reminds us to trust God wholeheartedly, as a child trusts a loving parent. Let’s learn to lean into our faith without fear and approach God with the simplicity and openness akin to a child.
Matthew 18:3
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
Mark 10:14
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” – Mark 10:14
Luke 18:16
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'” – Luke 18:16
Matthew 21:16
““Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” – Matthew 21:16
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
The Importance of Trust
Trust is a cornerstone of childlike faith. Children have a natural ability to trust, whether in their parents or caregivers, often demonstrating a lack of concern for any inadequacies. They believe that they will be cared for, cherished, and protected. This unwavering trust is what Jesus calls us to embody. When we embrace childlike faith, we cast aside our worries, trusting in God’s plan and His timing. Often, adult concerns can become overwhelming, but when we reaffirm our faith with this childlike trust, we place ourselves in a position to receive God’s blessings. We can learn a lot from children’s ability to remain open and trusting, drawing us closer to the heart of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalm 37:5
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
Isaiah 26:4
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.” – Isaiah 26:4
The Joy of Simplicity
Childlike faith invites us to embrace simplicity, joy, and spontaneity in our relationship with God. Children often see the world through a lens of wonder. They find joy in the smallest things, celebrating life with open hearts. This simplicity of faith encourages us to seek joy in God’s presence. By mirroring the attitude of children, we can connect deeply with the essence of our faith. Simple prayers, heartfelt songs, and playful worship can fill our spirits with the joy of the Lord, allowing us to experience God in new, refreshing ways.
Psalm 147:11
“The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” – Psalm 147:11
Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
Psalm 121:2
“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:2
1 Peter 2:2
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:2
Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.” – Isaiah 54:13
Receiving God’s Love
To experience childlike faith is to receive God’s love wholeheartedly. Just like children, who run to their parents with open arms, we, too, can approach our heavenly Father with eagerness and trust. This love that God extends to us is unconditional and enduring. In recognizing this love, we are reminded that being a child of God means we are worthy of this perfect affection. This assurance frees us to build a more profound relationship with Him, allowing us to bask in His love while we cultivate our faith.
1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Galatians 4:6-7
“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” – Galatians 4:6-7
Ephesians 2:4-5
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5
Faith in Action
When we nurture childlike faith, our actions reflect our beliefs. Children often act out of love, compassion, and sincerity. They are quick to share, forgive, and love others without hesitation. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody these qualities as we live out our faith. Childlike faith drives us to serve, to give, and to love and we should let this living faith shape our actions daily. We have an incredible opportunity to spread joy and kindness in our communities, and that reflects the heart of God. Let our faith spur us on to love others as He has loved us.
James 2:17
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
The Blessing of Childlike Faith
Having childlike faith brings immense blessings into our lives. God recognizes and honors the sincerity in our faith, no matter how small or simple it may appear. Just as children are beloved by their parents, we, too, are loved deeply by God. This faith allows us to experience joy, peace, and contentment in ways that aren’t always found in material things. When we let go and trust God like children, we create space for miracles and blessings to overflow, enriching our lives in ways we cannot imagine. The simplicity of faith can open doors to divine blessings, leading us toward a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
Luke 6:20
“Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 6:20
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on childlike faith, we are reminded of the importance of simplicity, trust, and genuine joy in our relationship with God. It’s incredible how Jesus called us to approach Him with the same openness and trust as a child. In doing so, we gain a deeper understanding of His love and blessings. We can lean on God like children, embracing a faith that encourages us to trust, love, and serve others. This kind of faith grants us peace and fulfills our spiritual needs. So, let’s embrace our childlike nature and treasure this special connection with our heavenly Father.
We can continue this exploration of faith by considering other topics that resonate with us, such as Bible verses about children or Bible verses about innocence. Each of these subjects adds depth to our understanding of childlike faith and reminds us of the beauty in simplicity and trust.