Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

27 January 2025

Reading From Matthew 18:1-20

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

–Matthew 18:1-5

     There was a rivalry between some of the original disciples of Jesus that we occasionally see documented in several places through the story of the Gospels.  In this passage in Matthew, we find three principles that Jesus communicated through the perspectives of little children.  The Apostle John wrote about us as “little children” and he got that from the Redeemer. 

In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus said that each one of us must “change” and become like little children.  Children view the world from a much simpler, humble and pure perspective than adults.  Jesus is saying that if we simply choose humility, believe and receive Him, we will be born again, a definite change of heart. 

     When unbelievers look at churches, they see a mix of wheat and tares and quite often the tares are what gives churches a bad rap.  In most every local congregation, there are genuine, born again believers who have chosen to reach out to God in faith and trust and experienced His grace and mercy in a life changing way.  The reality of their faith and their change of heart should be reflected in the good spiritual fruit coming from their lives, but salvation is between the individual and Almighty God. 

     He can see through all pretense and charades right into our hearts.  Mankind looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord judges the thoughts and attitudes of the very core of a person’s spiritual being.  You can’t fool Him.  He knows whether we have truly changed and become like little children or not. 

“Lord Jesus, inspire us with Your love to humble ourselves, change and become like little children.  May we come to You believing and receiving You in simple but genuine faith and trust.  Change us by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You for Your blood that was shed for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Cross of Calvary.  We are grateful for Your atoning sacrifice through which we have access to life giving relationship with God the Father.  We honor and glorify and praise Your holy Name for You are worthy to be exalted above all else.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. –James 4:10

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
    perhaps you will be sheltered
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.

–Zephaniah 2:3

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. –Luke 18:14b