Must be child-like to enter God's Kingdom?

[IwishIknew]

I do love children - they are adorable, love-able, innocent - however to be frank - children are also annoying, terrible team players, selfish, highly prone to covet, prone to anger, have very little patience, complain at a moment’s notice, can’t hold their tongues. In fact, if my co-workers were child-like (like those I see in my kids’ kindergarten classes), I would quit and find another business asap. Yet, Christ didn’t say - you must be good, productive Team-Players to enter the Kingdom of God as modern culture teaches (see The Lego Movie, for kicks). So obviously these qualities were not what Christ was referring to. What unique qualities of children was he referring to if not good team-membership that are necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?

 

[Sarcelle]

I do love children - they are adorable, love-able, innocent - however to be frank - children are also annoying, terrible team players, selfish, highly prone to covet, prone to anger, have very little patience, complain at a moment’s notice, can’t hold their tongues. In fact, if my co-workers were child-like (like those I see in my kids’ kindergarten classes), I would quit and find another business asap. Yet, Christ didn’t say - you must be good, productive Team-Players to enter the Kingdom of God as modern culture teaches (see The Lego Movie, for kicks). So obviously these qualities were not what Christ was referring to. What unique qualities of children was he referring to if not good team-membership that are necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?

Their complete and total dependence on their parents.

We must exhibit our complete and total dependence and trust on God.

 

[TheLeastofThese]

Their complete and total dependence on their parents.

We must exhibit our complete and total dependence and trust on God.

AWESOME answer!

I would also say their ability to believe. It seems to me like we lose a lot of that as we grow up. We are no longer wide-eyed with awe for the most part. Children believe almost anything an adult tells them. That’s how we need to believe in God. With that child-like sense of awe and wonder.

 

[ClearWater]

I do love children - they are adorable, love-able, innocent - however to be frank - children are also annoying, terrible team players, selfish, highly prone to covet, prone to anger, have very little patience, complain at a moment’s notice, can’t hold their tongues. In fact, if my co-workers were child-like (like those I see in my kids’ kindergarten classes), I would quit and find another business asap. Yet, Christ didn’t say - you must be good, productive Team-Players to enter the Kingdom of God as modern culture teaches (see The Lego Movie, for kicks). So obviously these qualities were not what Christ was referring to. What unique qualities of children was he referring to if not good team-membership that are necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?

Children trust completely, are innocent. A young child doesn’t care if you are rich, poor, ugly, fat. He accepts you unconditionally.

They are sure of their parents’ love, never even think to doubt it. Children, babies, are basically the personification of love. It’s mainly later that we learn to lie and all the rest. Babies are what they are. If they are happy, they are happy. If they are sad, equally, you know it. They have not learned any deception, are true.

Children haven’t been hurt yet, so are very open and loving. It’s mainly later when people are wounded that we change, learn to be very distrustful and cautious, forget how to really love and be open.

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Child-like not childish. We must trust totally in our loving God, not throw fits, demand our own way, and treat each other badly or selfishly.

 

[ready]

To enter the kingdom of heaven as a child means to enter as a humble, sincere, simple, trusting and dependent soul who has had 100% confidence in God the Father to meet all of his/her needs. God bless you.

 

[CRATUS]

I do love children - they are adorable, love-able, innocent - however to be frank - children are also annoying, terrible team players, selfish, highly prone to covet, prone to anger, have very little patience, complain at a moment’s notice, can’t hold their tongues. In fact, if my co-workers were child-like (like those I see in my kids’ kindergarten classes), I would quit and find another business asap. Yet, Christ didn’t say - you must be good, productive Team-Players to enter the Kingdom of God as modern culture teaches (see The Lego Movie, for kicks). So obviously these qualities were not what Christ was referring to. What unique qualities of children was he referring to if not good team-membership that are necessary to enter the Kingdom of God?

There are very good childlike characteristics. Childish is what is wrong. Childish is annoying, impatience, whining, impulsive. I think it is important to God that were are cooperative and respectful.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

All of these answers are so good.

I used to use “Disney psychology” on my kids. We went to Disneyland in 2000, and since then we got the music books and we would play piano and sing songs from them daily – along with hymns and other songs.

Mary Poppins, like “Spoonful of Sugar,” I think exemplifies the process of using child-like imagination to take a mundane task, be completely obedient, do a great job, and have a great attitude at the same time.

We even refer to nature like the Robin feathering his nest – very Christlike parable-ish lesson in my opinion.

Mary Poppins - A Spoonful Of Sugar (from “Mary Poppins”)

For me and my family, Mary Poppins is acting in persona Christi here, and with style! :harp:

The first few lyrics exemplify “kingdom thinking” like I think Jesus could be suggesting:

In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game

And every task you undertake
Becomes a piece of cake
A lark! A spree!
It’s very clear to see

How about this comparison, between:

Col 3:22
Slaves and Masters. Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord.

and Mary Poppins:
A robin feathering his nest
Has very little time to rest
While gathering his
Bits of twine and twig

Though quite intent in his pursuit
He has a merry tune to toot
He knows a song
Will move the job along

Note that Mary Poppins even offers a process (use music) to accomplish it.