Welcome back to “A Word from the Vine.” I’m Pastor Loren Christensen from Danish Countryside Chapel in Exira, Iowa. Today, we’re going to explore what it means to enter the Kingdom of God with a childlike heart.
In Mark 10:15, Jesus says:
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
This verse is a powerful reminder of the qualities that Jesus values—trust, dependence, and humility. To enter the Kingdom of God, we must receive it like a child. But what does that really mean?
Children have an innate ability to trust completely, depend on others, and approach life with humility. These qualities are essential for entering the Kingdom of God. Think about a child who trusts their parent implicitly. When a parent says, “I’ll catch you,” the child jumps without hesitation, fully believing that they will be caught. This is the kind of trust Jesus calls us to have in God. We are to trust Him completely, knowing that He will always be there for us.
How can we as Christians open up our childlike hearts? Here are three ways I think we can.
Trust: Trusting God means believing in His promises and relying on His guidance, even when we don’t understand His plans.
Consider a time when you faced a difficult situation and didn’t know what to do. By trusting in God’s plan and seeking His guidance through prayer, you found peace and direction. This kind of trust is what Jesus calls us to have.
Dependence: Just as children depend on their parents for everything, we are to depend on God for our needs. This means acknowledging our limitations and relying on His strength.
Think about a child who depends on their parents for food, shelter, and love. In the same way, we should depend on God for our spiritual nourishment and support. When we depend on Him, we find that He provides for us in ways we could never imagine.
Humility: Children approach life with humility, recognizing that they don’t have all the answers. We are called to approach God with the same humility, acknowledging our need for His wisdom and guidance.
Reflect on a moment when you had to admit you were wrong and seek forgiveness. This act of humility not only restored your relationship but also brought you closer to God. Humility allows us to grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with Him.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on how we can cultivate these qualities in our own lives. How can we trust God more fully, depend on Him more completely, and approach Him with greater humility?
Thank you for joining me today on “A Word from the Vine.” Let’s strive to receive the Kingdom of God like a child—with trust, dependence, and humility. By doing so, we open ourselves to the fullness of His love and grace, transforming our lives and our relationships with others. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you.
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