I have several questions I would like to ask you;
Who are the most active people on Earth?
Who are those who get the most pleasure out of simple things?
Who are the most optimistic people on Earth?
Who are the most persistent human beings on Earth?
What about the most curious ones; the best question askers on the planet Earth?
Who are most observant people you can ever find?
What about the blameless beings on Earth?
Who are the best learners of all times?
Who are those who make the most astonishing associations and original associations?
What about quick to forgive and forget?
Who are the most faithful and honest human beings?
Who are the most trusting, obedient, and easy to correct?
Who are most believing beings?
And the answer is Little Children. I sometimes think about little children and I can’t imagine that I used to be like them. We all have been little children before. We may not remember it how we were when we were very young, but every one somehow knows how little children behave perhaps by observing our own children, nieces, and nephews.
So just like you, I also used to be like those little children as described above. But then I asked myself, ‘what happened?’ As we grow up things change, right? You discover the reality of some things going on in our lives.
Even though we can’t go back to being little children, but we can surely learn from them again. And its every important because in the Bible in the book of Mark chapter 10 verse 15 in Amplified Bible translations, the LORD JESUS said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the Kingdom of GOD like a child will not enter it at all.” In the Passion Bible translations, HE said, “Listen to the truth I speak: Whoever does not open their arms to receive GOD’S Kingdom like a teachable child will never enter it.”
All those questions I have asked describe the attributes and characters that little children have. Some of them resembles CHRIST like characters. It looks like little children have the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT that mentioned in the book of Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 and 23, which in the Amplified Bible version says "But the fruit of the SPIRIT [the result of HIS Presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law."
GOD is The FATHER, and we are HIS children through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE wants everyone to go to HIM with a faith like of little children even though we are HIS Sons and Daughters, meaning that we are grownups and spiritual mature.
Do you remember when we were young, and how we looked to our parents for guidance, provision, protection, correction, and so forth? It’s the same thing when you go to GOD and looking up to HIM as our FATHER. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, it says "But without faith it is impossible to [walk with GOD and] please HIM, for whoever comes [near] to GOD must [necessarily] believe that GOD exists and that HE rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek HIM."
Do you remember when we were young, and how we looked to our parents for guidance, provision, protection, correction, and so forth? It’s the same thing when you go to GOD and looking up to HIM as our FATHER. In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 verse 6, it says "But without faith it is impossible to [walk with GOD and] please HIM, for whoever comes [near] to GOD must [necessarily] believe that GOD exists and that HE rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek HIM."
We have to believe that HE exists, but also HE is a faithful GOD and FATHER. HE loves you and me, and HE cares enough for everything concerning you and me. HE is well able GOD to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in you and me as it says in the book of Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20.
Just as we depended on our parents and guardians when we were children, we need to depend on GOD. We need to trust and rely on HIM for everything. HE is the source of our blessings. Just as we listened and trusted our parents for provision and protection, we need to do the same when it comes to our relationship with GOD. And even though GOD is SPIRIT, HE uses different mechanisms to care, to guide, to protect, and to love you and me. Many times HE will use the people HE has placed in our lives to represent HIM to meet you and me at the point of our needs.
I remember this one time when I was in this foreign land. I was at the bus stop waiting for the bus. It was in the night and very cold, and I was all by myself. I got scared therefore I started praying silently on my mind, “Oh GOD, please I need you. Make the bus come.” As I was praying suddenly I looked on my right, there was this man about the same age of my biological father seating next to me. The minute I greeted him the bus came. I stood up, as I was about to walk to enter the bus, this man said to me, “GOD loves you.” And I looked at him as I was entering the bus and even as the bus was leaving I was still looking at him. It was strange. I didn’t even know him. I mean, that is just one example. I have many other examples, strange examples of how I knew it was GOD communicating with me through other people; the people HE placed in my life, sometimes even strangers as angels in the form of human beings without wings.
When you have been hurt a lot, or have been used, mistreated, betrayed, ignored, and disappointed, it’s not as easy to respond to your circumstances with a faith like a little child, not just to GOD, but to life in general.
When you start seeing the manifestation of symptoms for instance of depression, constant anger, complaining, being offended, want to isolate yourself, shame; and all other symptoms of inner wounds that you need to be healed by GOD, that's when you know you need to activate your child like faith. The LORD JESUS while HE was here on Earth, the Bible records that HE said to some people HE had healed, your faith has healed you. Therefore sometimes in order to have healed souls, hearts, and emotions, and to overcome situations and conditions troubling our lives, we need to respond with a childlike faith so that we can be healed and delivered.
For example, I have been able to overcome unforgiveness when I started practicing the Word of GOD with a childlike faith. I used to hold resentment when people mistreated me, some days I would be angry, some days because of disappointments I would have bitterness feelings, some days I would feel sad, just a mixed of various emotions would take hold of me.
For example, I have been able to overcome unforgiveness when I started practicing the Word of GOD with a childlike faith. I used to hold resentment when people mistreated me, some days I would be angry, some days because of disappointments I would have bitterness feelings, some days I would feel sad, just a mixed of various emotions would take hold of me.
But when I really understood that it was very important for me to forgive myself and others, I was able to let go of even of the things were beyond my control and I just surrendered everything to GOD. And that allowed me to experience GOD'S peace in my heart and my mind. HIS peace calmed me. It took away my resentment and I was able to forgive easily.
We are all human beings, we have to learn and practice to forgive others so we can also be forgiven. As we forgive, we are able to let go of things so that we can move forward in life and we get to learn to trust again.
When we choose to forgive, we are doing ourselves a favor. There is this saying that says, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” Have you ever held some grudges before to people and you came to find out they didn’t even know they have wronged you? And while you were analyzing the entire situation, they were just having fun and moving on with their lives, and cared less how you felt.
Unforgiveness is toxic. It can provoke you to do dumb things. Some people have developed depression through being in a constant unforgiveness.
It’s not healthy for our mental and physical states to hold onto unforgivess. The Bible strongly insist to choose to forgive, because unforgiveness can open doors that can lead our lives out of the Will of GOD, and lead to sin against GOD and one another.
Bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness, all of these are types of poison doors that the devil can use to tempt our lives to do deadly things to hurt one another.
When it comes to relationships we have a choice to hold on to anger, resentment, and thoughts of revenge, or embrace forgiveness and move forward.
There are so many scriptures that insist why we should forgive, and that the mercy we show others is the mercy GOD is going to show you and me. Let’s see a few examples of them.
Matthew chapter 5 verse 7, “Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be treated mercifully.”
Matthew chapter 6 verses 14 and 15, “If you forgive the failures of others, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your FATHER will not forgive your failures.” Another translation says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses.”
James chapter 5 verse 16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Ephesians chapter 4 verses 31 and 32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as GOD through CHRIST has forgiven you.”
If we constantly rely on GOD'S help, it is really possible to let go and overcome negative emotions easily, or to look at your oppressor and say I choose to forgive and let go. And if you can, avoid people who can put you in circumstances that may lead you to unforgiveness. The Bible says in the book of James chapter 4 verse 7, we should resist the devil by submitting and drawing near to GOD.
As long as there are people, relationships, and associations, we can’t escape this subject of forgiveness. It is a very crucial thing to be aware of. If you have been in any kind of relationship before as a parent, sibling, spouse, or other kinds of relationships, then you know why it’s important to forgive. Choose in advance that you are going to forgive even if your flesh may be resisting it.
There are so many scriptures that insist why we should forgive, and that the mercy we show others is the mercy GOD is going to show you and me. Let’s see a few examples of them.
Matthew chapter 5 verse 7, “Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be treated mercifully.”
Matthew chapter 6 verses 14 and 15, “If you forgive the failures of others, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your FATHER will not forgive your failures.” Another translation says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses.”
James chapter 5 verse 16, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Ephesians chapter 4 verses 31 and 32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as GOD through CHRIST has forgiven you.”
If we constantly rely on GOD'S help, it is really possible to let go and overcome negative emotions easily, or to look at your oppressor and say I choose to forgive and let go. And if you can, avoid people who can put you in circumstances that may lead you to unforgiveness. The Bible says in the book of James chapter 4 verse 7, we should resist the devil by submitting and drawing near to GOD.
As long as there are people, relationships, and associations, we can’t escape this subject of forgiveness. It is a very crucial thing to be aware of. If you have been in any kind of relationship before as a parent, sibling, spouse, or other kinds of relationships, then you know why it’s important to forgive. Choose in advance that you are going to forgive even if your flesh may be resisting it.
In the book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 21 to 48, the LORD JESUS taught about how we should handle our relationships. HE said, “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, ‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell. So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering. Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last cent.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble and leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
“It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not make false vows, but you shall fulfill your vows to the LORD [as a religious duty].’ But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by Heaven, for it is the Throne of GOD; or by the Earth, for it is the footstool of HIS feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also [for the LORD repays the offender]. And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your FATHER Who is in Heaven; for HE makes HIS sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose HIM]. For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them GOD'S blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the LORD] do that? You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your Heavenly FATHER is perfect."
“It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’; but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery.
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not make false vows, but you shall fulfill your vows to the LORD [as a religious duty].’ But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by Heaven, for it is the Throne of GOD; or by the Earth, for it is the footstool of HIS feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also [for the LORD repays the offender]. And whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your FATHER Who is in Heaven; for HE makes HIS sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose HIM]. For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them GOD'S blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the LORD] do that? You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your Heavenly FATHER is perfect."
The Bible says in the book of Galatians chapter 5, when we choose to walk in the SPIRIT, and when we are in sync with the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, we align ourselves to do GOD'S Will for our lives with HIS HOLY SPIRIT leading and we get to walk in love, forgive others, love our enemies, to overcome our temptations, and many other things the LORD JESUS has mentioned concerning the issues of our lives.
Therefore if we want to enjoy GOD, life, and each other, we need to apply our childlike faith into every area of our lives and allow GOD to guide our lives by yielding to HIS leading, and practicing HIS Word. We should also trust that because we love GOD and we want to please HIM, because of our faith and our obedience, GOD will turn things to work for our good as it is written in Romans chapter 8 verse 28.
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