July 9 Daily Devotional

Being as Little Children

Frans Bakker

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:3

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1–4

Devotional

The disciples argued among themselves, dividing the places in the kingdom of God. They squabbled over who would be the greatest in the kingdom and hold the most important positions. But Christ said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” They had to enter the kingdom as little children.

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children.” Children are heirs. But the reverse must also be true: “Heirs are children.” The heirs, the inheritors of God’s kingdom, are to become as little children. They are to display the characteristics of a child. Children are dependent and affectionate, and the Lord indicates that the disciples should likewise be dependent on Him and show true affection towards Him.

God’s children have nothing in and of themselves. They are dependent on the Lord for even their very life. As children, they are also to be affectionate. They are to cleave to the Lord, for they cannot live outside of God’s favorable presence. Children of God, it is your calling to live close to the King of the kingdom. The closer you are to the One who promises you His kingdom, the more assured you are in the promise. And never forget that your salvation and your right to inherit the kingdom are only because of the King’s payment with His own blood. Christ shed His blood on the cursed cross and cried for a place with His God. But the Father turned His back on Him. Because Jesus had been made sin He had to suffer the pangs of hell. His own Father cast Him out, so that He could merit a place for the fatherless. He was cast out of earthly Canaan, and God, His Father, cast Him out of heavenly Canaan. In that way He would merit salvation for those who had become as little children.

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.