"Coming As A Child"
Consider the incredible love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called
“children of God”—and that is not just what we are called, but who we are. —1 John 3:1 J.B. Phillips
Of all the Scriptures the Father has emphasized in our healing ministry, some of the most profound have related to coming to him as a child. No matter how old we get, the Father still refers to us as children. He adopts us as his own, and even if we surrender our lives to God at seventy years of age, we are to come as a child. After all, in our culture we adopt children, not adults, and that’s how it is with God.
Jesus was very clear on his position regarding children and the kingdom of God. Mark 10:13–16 in The Message states,
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them. (Emphasis added.)
Let’s read this again. Stop and imagine the tone, the volume, the eyes, and the facial and body expressions of Jesus as he addresses the disciples.
Once you’ve done this, move to the position of seeing Jesus tenderly turning to the children. Watch him hold each one, touch each one, bless each one. Stop and feel the love that comes from his heart.
Now allow yourself to be one of those little ones that he is gathering to himself. Notice that they’ve done nothing to earn his love. They just are their true selves.
During the ministry of Jesus, he only did what his Father was doing (John 5:19). When we see Jesus, we see the Father (John 14:9). So when Jesus expresses the importance of children and childlikeness, it is because they are dear to the heart of the Father.
TO SHARE THIS POST: We hope you will share this blog post on your own social media sites and direct those you know to our ministry and publication sites. Use the links at the bottom of the page to help us spread this healing message of "loving ourselves the way God does."
BOOKS AND MEDIA: "Loving God, Loving Myself" and our Expanded Edition of "The Missing Commandment: Love Yourself," are available at jerryanddenisebasel.com and Amazon.com.
COUNSELING MINISTRY: If you or anyone you know is in need of finding a safe place for emotional and/or spiritual healing and restoration, please contact us at The Father's Heart Intensive Christian Counseling Ministry. Check out our web site at fathersheart.com or email us directly at fathersheartmin@gmail.com. We are located in the North Georgia Mountains in a retreat-like setting and counsel individuals or couples for periods of two to five-days in length.
