Childlike or Childish Faith

1 Corinthians 14:20

"Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature."

The metaphor of children is used often in the bible especially when it refers to our attitudes towards spiritual growth and our response to the Kingdom of God. Children represent, in different usage, both positive and negative connotations more often it's about lack of comprehension. In here the apostle Paul exhorts us to be grown ups when it comes to righteousness and understanding, but as innocent as children with regards to sin, malice and mischief. Matthew Henry in his commentary writes "Christians should be like children, void of guile and malice; yet they should not be unskilful as to the word of righteousness, but only as to the arts of mischief." Now, how do we grow in understanding? The apostle Peter recommends us to "crave pure spiritual milk like a newborn" in a sense, that would be the Word as our primary source of spiritual sustenance and growth once "we have tasted that the Lord is good", that is the stepping stone to maturity — to desire the Word of God like food that we both need and want. In another sense though, God desires for us to be like children in terms of trusting, believing and having a sense of awe and wonder towards our Holy Father. It is one of those ideas in tension that the Bible beautifully sustains. Somehow in our daily lives we have lost that sense of awe and wonder, dragged about by our everyday concerns. At the same time, we may have gotten used to the banality of sin and evil in this world and everyday distractions, even good/pleasureable ones, both have its way in occupying our minds that we are rendered incapable of amazement towards the beauty of existence, the daily miracles and provision, the impressiveness of the created order and ultimately the awesomeness of our Heavenly Creator. I pray that (1) we progressively return to innocence when it comes to sin — guile and malice, (2) steadily grow spiritually mature in hearing/understanding and obeying/applying God's Word in our daily walk. And finally, that (3) we may find pockets of 'breath-taking' moments like children in awe of our marvelous Almighty and Eternal Father, through Christ, Amen.

Matthew 18:3

"Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."

~22.11.2013