RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE A CHILD

 “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it (Mark 10:15, NLT).” 

This Scripture in the Gospel of Mark highlights the same event as the Gospel of Matthew does in Matthew 19:13-15.  It adds a statement that is very powerful!  Jesus states emphatically that anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.  WOW!   

Stated that way, it becomes crucial that we understand the weightiness of that statement!  To enter the Kingdom of God, we must receive it like a child.  We must receive it humbly.  We must realize that we are powerless to save ourselves, that we are sinners and that we need a Savior in order to enter heaven.  We must surrender control of our lives over to God, and trust Him to save us, just like a child would ask their Daddy to do something for them that they were incapable of doing themselves, and believe that He would and trust Him to do it for them! 

The truth is, that those who believe that they are good people, that they can earn their place in heaven by their good behavior are sadly in error.  Only the merits of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus are sufficient for anyone to be saved. 

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23, NLT)” 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, NLT).” 

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 10:9-10, NLT).” 

PRAYER

“Dear Jesus, I want to have the free gift of eternal life that You offer.  I believe that You are the Son of God, and that You died on the cross for all of my sins, and rose again from the dead.  I surrender control of my life over to You.  I ask You to forgive all of my sins and make me Your child forever.  I declare that You are my Lord and Savior.” 

If you prayed this prayer out loud, you are a child of God and have entered the Kingdom of Heaven!  Congratulations!