07/01/2024
*ABOVE ONLY DAILY DEVOTIONAL*
*SUNDAY JANUARY 7TH, 2024*
*CHILDLIKENESS vS CHILDISHNESS*
*Matthew 18:3 (NIV, TPT), 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NKJV)*
*.....unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. *".....unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about Heaven's Kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in. *.....do not be children in understanding, however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.*
The term 'childlike' refers to positive attributes of children and the term 'childish' refers to immature or expressing negative attitudes of children. God wants us to be childlike in learning Christ so we will not be childish by behaving in a spiritually immature way.
The major positive attitude of little children that Jesus referenced in our first text above is that of being very teachable and willing to learn. Our spiritual maturity as believers is greatly tied to the kind of attitude we have toward filling ourselves with the revelation of Christ. Our spiritual maturity is measured by how much our lives are aligned or conformed to Christ, (Eph.4:13-15, Rom.8:29). This is why God wants us to learn Christ (Matt. 11:29, Eph. 4:20). As we focus on learning Christ, the Spirit of God matures us (transforms us into the image of Christ from glory to glory- 2 Corinthians 3:18). For this to happen, the revelation of Christ must dwell in us richly, (Colossians 3:16).
"Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which can save your souls," ( James 1:21, NKJV). Replace every negative desire you have with the desire to humbly receive and fill yourself with the revelation of Christ so it can save and transform your soul, (1 Peter 2:1-2).
*PRAYER:*
Father, please help me to grow in my desire to know Christ. Help me to fill myself more and more with the revelation of Christ.