Little Children

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 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. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17

Let the little children come to Jesus! He welcomes them. They are without pretense in their innocent response to His love for them. They are not ashamed to ask him for what they need and want. They are not skeptical of the provision He has made for them. they do not question His love, or His authority. They are eager to please Him, to be where He is and to learn what He teaches. They are proud to acknowledge that they belong to Jesus.

These are the characteristics of those who make up the kingdom of God. Honesty, humility, trust, obedience, faith, fellowship, positive volition to His plan, identification with His person. The exact opposite of the characteristics of the natural adult. Children don't ask "what's expected of me? How can I earn salvation? What will make up for my sins?" They just want to be with Jesus. Children don't try to bargain. They just receive.

These are the characteristics imputed to the believer in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit when we believe on His finished Work. Simple, childlike faith. He made provision. We receive Him. We are then IN HIM for all eternity. Until we come to Him in that manner, we will never comprehend the perfect plan of God, because we are not naturally equipped for it (I Corinthians 2:14). Sin has hardened our hearts and obscured our understanding of Who He is. It is called spiritual blindness, and there is only one cure: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)