Luke 18:17 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

As came out in yesterday’s message, God delights to give us His kingdom, (Luke 12:32) but Jesus says very clearly here that we must receive it as little children or we’ll never enter in. It is very worthwhile to consider just how a child receives things. We tend to let our “adult” minds get in the way of any number of God’s blessings. It is when we think we know better that we close the door. A child will receive or not depending on whether the thing seems desirable to them, not on the basis of whether they are worthy, or it is logical, or anything else. The fact is, none of us are worthy of the kingdom of God, but in His love and grace He has opened the door through the cross of His Son, and that’s all we need to know. Actually, it’s extremely illogical that the Creator would love His creation so much, but that doesn’t stop His love. If God delights to give us His kingdom, then we should gratefully delight to receive it!

I run into this issue all the time, in myself and others. I do know that as a good Father, God doesn’t spoil us, but I am to expect good of Him and not evil, fulfillment and not disappointment. I was talking just yesterday with a man who is convinced Christianity is the best religion, yet he can’t bring himself to believe Jesus was really God and really rose from the dead. He’s letting his “adult” mind get in the way of his salvation! There’s another friend to whom I’ve been witnessing for many years, but he’s made a god of “science,” as he perceives science, and can’t bring himself to accept that the physical universe was created by an immaterial Being, who also happens to love us enough to die for us. He admires and envies my faith, but can’t bring himself to receive it as a gift. These are the sort of people Jesus was talking about, and it breaks His heart even more than it breaks mine. I am to pray for them, and never give up speaking God’s love and grace to them.

Father, I really don’t understand the mystery of free will. I know that You love us all and want us all to come to salvation, yet so few accept Your offer. I ask Your overflowing grace and mercy on us all, and that You would make me more effective as an instrument of Your truth to cut away the lies that bind people and keep them from coming to You. May I never be limited by looking at my own wisdom, strength and ability, but be totally available to You for You to do through me what I could never do, in bringing these people to salvation for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!