Childlike?

[Akita Suggagaki]

Mark 10:18

"Amen, i say to you. Whoever does not accept the Kindgdom of God like a child cannot enter it."

What is Jesus saying? What is childlike?

I am coming up with:
Trust, simplicity, vulnerability, innocence, spontaneity, joyful, filled with awe.

What does it mean to be childlike that Jesus recommends?

 

[Albion]

What is Jesus saying? What is childlike?

I am coming up with:
Trust, simplicity, vulnerability, innocence, spontaneity, joyful, filled with awe.

That.

 

[brinny]

Thank you for starting this thread. It's an intriguing, and many times, overlooked and misunderstood subject.

Child-like-ness:

To be without "guile" and to be without "ego" AKA "pride".

To be "open" and "transparent" before God.

Simple and Humble (which is the antithesis of "proud").

And to be "joyful" in His presence, just as the children of whom Jesus spoke of, were "joyful" in His presence.

The bottom line is that it is impossible to love God with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, without such a "child-like-ness".

It is only possible to "live" and "breathe" this verse below, if one is "child-like":

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ~Pr 3:5-6

"all thine heart" = a "whole-hearted-ness", nothing held back, or "hidden". It is the antithesis to "double-minded-ness" or "double-hearted-ness". It is WITHOUT "guile". It is a "purity of heart".

This also comes to mind:

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." ~Matt 5:8

This also comes to mind:

 

[devin553344]

Mark 10:18

"Amen, i say to you. Whoever does not accept the Kindgdom of God like a child cannot enter it."

What is Jesus saying? What is childlike?

I am coming up with:
Trust, simplicity, vulnerability, innocence, spontaneity, joyful, filled with awe.

What does it mean to be childlike that Jesus recommends?

It means that we don't know God or his kingdom so we need to be teachable for the most part.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I was think also of

Matthew 10:16
"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefor be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

He doesn't tell us to be naive or too simple beneath our abilities. But to also use our intellectual gifts with innocence.

 

[brinny]

I was think also of

Matthew 10:16
"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefor be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

He doesn't tell us to be naive or too simple beneath our abilities. But to also use our intellectual gifts with innocence.

Excellent point.

Naive' does not equal childlike.

Naive' = a lack of wisdom.

"Child-like-ness" as described in God's Word, is not bereft of wisdom. It is as your verse describes, "wise" and "innocent".

Wisdom is based in the "fear of the Lord". It is impossible to be wise without the "fear of the Lord", for as it is written in this verse, The "fear of the Lord" is the "beginning" of wisdom:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." ~Pr 9:10

Intriguing subject. Thank you for starting this thread.

God bless you.

 

[eleos1954]

Mark 10:18

"Amen, i say to you. Whoever does not accept the Kindgdom of God like a child cannot enter it."

What is Jesus saying? What is childlike?

I am coming up with:
Trust, simplicity, vulnerability, innocence, spontaneity, joyful, filled with awe.

What does it mean to be childlike that Jesus recommends?

The verse you are referring to is actually Mark 10:15

Matt 18:3-4 (Jesus)

Assuredly,I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little (spiritual) children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever (He is speaking to adults) humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (notice they have entered in!).

1 Peter 2:2 (This is written to adults) As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow (spiritually) thereby,

Luke 1:17 He (John) will be a man of rugged spirit and power like Elijah, the prophet of old; and he will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for His arrival. He will soften adult hearts to become like little children's, and will turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.

Romans 8:15 …but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby (as new born hearts or spirits) we cry, Abba, Father.

examples of a mature adult humbling himself before God as a little child

 

[longwait]

Mark 10:18

"Amen, i say to you. Whoever does not accept the Kindgdom of God like a child cannot enter it."

What is Jesus saying? What is childlike?

I am coming up with:
Trust, simplicity, vulnerability, innocence, spontaneity, joyful, filled with awe.

What does it mean to be childlike that Jesus recommends?

I guess it is total and complete faith and trust in God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Still I am not sure. This is a verse that I am wondering about too.

 

[Aabbie James]

What does it mean to be childlike that Jesus recommends?

Saving faith is a childlike trust, and in that sense all sinners must become like little children in order to be saved:

Matthew 18:3-4 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.