Why did Jesus say you must become like a little child?

[skyangel]

John 20
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Blind faith. The same as a small child's faith. Absolute belief within the heart without the aid of physical evidence.

That scripture is not about having blind faith in some invisible character in my opinion. Love for example is an invisible attitude. It has no body of its own. No one can tell you what love physically looks like but people still recognise love because they see it in action though living things. Seeing and believing in God, to me is like seeing and believing in love. I have no faith in any invisible characters. I believe all invisible characters with magical powers are mythical. I do have a lot of faith in LOVE because I physically see the physical evidence of it. The evidence that Love exists is manifest through the people who show love through their attitudes and actions.
There is absolutely no evidence at all that any invisible characters with magical powers exist. The only place they might be seen to exist is in fairy tales and myths and all intelligent people understand that those stories are all made up by humans with great imaginations.

 

[skyangel]

Absolutely Hes always being there, God made us fragile so we would need Him but men build walls around himself to keep God out so He can boast of His sel reliance till the storm comes and washes it all away, suddenly He needs God just like a child.

Then keep trusting Zeus to be there when you need him. You obviously need the psychological or emotional support from an invisible character. I sincerely hope you grow out of your insecurities one day.
I prefer to get emotional support from real visible people whom I can trust and rely on when necessary.

 

[Job]

According to that verse faith IS the substance of things people hope for and IT IS also the evidence of things that they may not have seen but nothing says those "things not seen" are impossible to see or invisible.

That verse doesn't say a lot of things. Adding or changing scripture doesn't make it so.

Therefore, the way I read it YES it IS all about substance and evidence. If you have no substance or nothing substantial to show your faith then your faith is dead according to James 2.

That passage from James is dealing with works vs faith. The verse from Hebrews is not.

For example, anyone can claim to have faith in an invisible character but if the invisible character never reveals himself or shows himself to anyone then that faith is in vain. You might as well place your faith in Santa or the tooth fairy just like a little child and never accept the fact that your own family are Santa and the tooth faith.

So if God doesn't show Himself to others in my presence, I have no faith?

Interesting.

How many times have you seen God?
.

 

[Job]

I have no faith in any invisible characters. I believe all invisible characters with magical powers are mythical.

There is absolutely no evidence at all that any invisible characters with magical powers exist.

If you don't believe in God why are you here?

 

[mjrhealth]

Then keep trusting Zeus to be there when you need him. You obviously need the psychological or emotional support from an invisible character. I sincerely hope you grow out of your insecurities one day.
I prefer to get emotional support from real visible people whom I can trust and rely on when necessary.

Than if you dont trust Jesus who is going to save you????

 

[skyangel]

That verse doesn't say a lot of things. Adding or changing scripture doesn't make it so.


That passage from James is dealing with works vs faith. The verse from Hebrews is not.

It makes no difference since both are referring to the same faith. One simply explains that faith IS the substance and has evidence which you can see. The other explains what that substance and evidence is...ie. it is manifest through works or actions.

So if God doesn't show Himself to others in my presence, I have no faith?

Interesting.

Fairies never showed themselves in anyones presence either, so why did people come to question their existence and how did anyone end up believing they are mythical characters?
It amuses me that many people believe that all Greek gods are mythical but the believers in the Hebrew God still love to cling to their Hebrew myth and refuse to believe that the Hebrew God of the bible is as mythical as all the Greek gods.

How many times have you seen God?
.

IF God IS Love, I literally see God daily. I see God every time I see an act of Love. IF God IS LIGHT. I see God every time I see the sun rise and any Light shines in my eyes.
However, God is not an invisible person who watches over me or anyone else any more than Love or Light is an invisible person who watches over us. Love is an attitude and action which is very visible and manifest through real physical people and animals. Light is an energy which is perfectly visible due to its actions. Without light we would not be able to see anything but on the other hand light itself can also blind people and cause them to not see what is in front of their faces, especially when they are idolizing some invisible magical character.
In my opinion the character God is nothing but a personification of Love and Life itself.

 

[skyangel]

If you don't believe in God why are you here?

I said There is absolutely no evidence at all that any invisible characters with magical powers exist.
To me God is merely a personification of existence, not some invisible character with magical powers.
I believe in God as much as I believe in Mother Nature. I believe the characters are mythical but the powers they represent are very real.

 

[skyangel]

Than if you dont trust Jesus who is going to save you????

I don't need saving anymore. I have already been saved from the myths and false doctrines of religion.
Drowning people need saving. People who can swim don't need saving. I learned to "walk on water" so don't worry about me. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and be aware of the false doctrines which are prevalent in all churches including yours.
Many people are drowning in the "water of the word" because they are drinking in false doctrines daily and refuse to believe they are being poisoned. It is always someone elses religion which is wrong but not theirs.
No man including an invisible one named Jesus can save you from anything. Only the TRUTH can set you free.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Accepting the TRUTH that all invisible characters with magical powers are mythical, set me free from worshipping and idolising an invisible character with magical powers. Facing that reality is not easy when you have been brainwashed all your life to believe in that magic man, but it is wonderful to be free from the bondage of organised religion with its rituals and hypocrisy.

It is wiser to believe in the TRUTH than to believe in an invisible man with magic powers.

 

[mjrhealth]

I don't need saving anymore. I have already been saved from the myths and false doctrines of religion.
Drowning people need saving. People who can swim don't need saving. I learned to "walk on water" so don't worry about me. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and be aware of the false doctrines which are prevalent in all churches including yours.
Many people are drowning in the "water of the word" because they are drinking in false doctrines daily and refuse to believe they are being poisoned. It is always someone elses religion which is wrong but not theirs.
No man including an invisible one named Jesus can save you from anything. Only the TRUTH can set you free.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Accepting the TRUTH that all invisible characters with magical powers are mythical, set me free from worshipping and idolising an invisible character with magical powers. Facing that reality is not easy when you have been brainwashed all your life to believe in that magic man, but it is wonderful to be free from the bondage of organised religion with its rituals and hypocrisy.

Whats Jesus got tto do with religon, Jesus never invented religion men did, Jesus is fine without it, in fact if we did away with it teh world would be a better place, but men have no faith in God so they invented religion, in part to controll teh masses , for some its a power thing ,for others its there way of showing the hworld who they are for others its a safety blanket, but God doesnt need it, never dide, but teh enemy got in adn well you can see teh consequences. Without Christ tehre is no salvation and He is no majician, men are more likel;y to get saved without religion than wih it

 

[mjrhealth]

It is wiser to believe in the TRUTH than to believe in an invisible man with magic powers.

Exactly so why donjt you??

 

[Sword]

Whether the OP is misteaching anything or not is a matter of personal opinion. His thoughts are what they are and as far as I can tell he is merely sharing what he thinks.

Sharing what you think is fine. The problem is when you are sharing it as a fact. like you did in your last post. You and the OP and now responcible for misteacheaching. And that is no good to you Him or any others. So if you or op is going to share an opinion then you really should say so. Its a dangerous game to play.

The concept of maturing has everything to do with new beginnings. Growing up is all about leaving the old behind daily and advancing into the new. It is like "dying daily" to the old ways of thinking and being "born again" daily to new ways of thinking.

Indeed it is. and that alone should be enough for you to also agree that misteaching is a huge problem and should not be tolerated. I would tell you a couple of times in church to stop and then remove you if you persisted I know what you are trying to say about being born again daily to new things but its not quite right.

It seems to me that many believers treat the concept of "being born again" as something that happens to them only once in a lifetime much like physical birth is something that happens only once in a lifetime.

You go any scriptures telling us what you think lines up with what God says?

To me, the concept is more of a progressive thing which happens daily. Think of the concept of "dying daily" which is mentioned in 1 Cor 15:31. Think of the concept of leaving the old behind and rising in newness of life. That should be a daily part of life if you are continuing to grow and mature daily. The immature "you" ought always be "passing away" as the new mature "you" is "born again" daily. People who do not change are not growing but stagnate in their own set ways. They refuse to consider anything they don't agree with.

Nah I am open to any scripture. I aint open to what people think unless the give scripture. I dont scripture for moost of what you said. I know the scriptures reagaurding growing up into Christ. What I do need is scripture telling me I am born again daily. This is why we can not allow people opinions to run unchecked.

 

[Sword]

Sword, you are right I did make a shambles of the post. I should not have included the other scripture that really had nothing to do with the OP. What I was attempting was to share how we go from babes in need of milk, to mature and in need of meat. (1 Corinthians 13: 11) "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

I am not qualified to teach. I write. I ponder the things of God. I have a passion to know Him more. If I can't write about the Lord, then I do not want to write. I have found I am wrong more often than I am right. Maybe, I do need to be cautious on what I share with others. I still believe Matthew 18:3, “And said, verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” is the Lord saying you must be born again to enter the kingdom. I still believe to be "as a child" is to be born again. But I will go back and restudy the topic throughout scripture.

Dont go back and restudy. go to the place where most Christians refuse to go to. Its called the secret place and close the door where no one can see you. Then it is only You and Him. Thats where you learn that you already have the mind of Christ who knows all things, and Holy Ghost will teach you all thing. You have need of no man to treach you. Its great that you want to write about Jesus keep doing it. But why dont you tell about what He is doing in your life daily. If He is not working daily in your life its because you are not in the place spending time with Him. I know I been on both sides of the fence. Men can point you in a certain direction. after that its up to you. I asled you to read the document. You said you know it all. Come on thanks for humbling your heart this far. Please go read it. as Perrero said The guy leaves no stone unturned. and it has changed the wat Perrero thinks. I promise you it will change every thing for you. Have a look at the guys who are reay out there and really making a difference on the street.
Look up Dan Mohler on you tube. Look at his talk on marriage,love healing.sex,money. dying to self,communuion, testimonys. I cry all the time.

 

[Job]

It makes no difference

It makes no difference to you because you've hardened your heart to the Spirit.

I guess our discussion is over.

The Lord is trying to get your attention...why else would you be here?

 

[mjrhealth]

Then keep trusting Zeus

That waqs really underhanded and deceitful, my brain does not work that fast anymore.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

John 20
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Blind faith. The same as a small child's faith. Absolute belief within the heart without the aid of physical evidence.

Job, the verse is profound. I get your point on blind faith. Which has led me to really pray over what faith means. Jesus said often: your faith has made you whole. And when the man came to him (I am paraphrasing) saying I have people under my command, I am not fit for you to enter my home, just say the word Lord and they will be healed. Jesus commended the mans faith for realizing His authority above all. Yet the disciples struggled with faith often(do you not care that we perish!) Until Pentecost.

Then there is that unusual and frightening question: when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

What does He mean faith?

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Who are those Jesus is referring to? Believers? Can we see and hear without the spirit? Are we not blind and deaf until the Lord opens our eyes and ears? So, I ask, when Jesus refers to a little child saying you must be as one of these...is He not using something tangible (a little child) to teach on new birth (an immature Christian). Is Jesus really saying we must strain and produce faith as this child, blind faith...or is Jesus teaching: you must become a child (humbled) of God?

(Philippians 1: 29) "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

What are all the endearments to Little children which is defined in the concordance as the same children in
"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Immature Christian.

(1 John 2:18) "Little children(an immature Christian), it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."

(Matthew 19: 14) "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." So, does the kingdom of heaven belong to all children. And once those children grow up, then the kingdom of heaven is taken away from some of those children for non-belief? Or did Jesus us the tangible to show "Suffer little children (an immature Christian), and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Why did the disciples want to hinder the little children?

Is it first faith and then salvation? or is it first salvation (baptism of the spirit) and then faith? Because if it is blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed means blessed because they produced enough faith to get them in the narrow gate, Then would not that mean God choses us by some quality we possess? Or is it: they are blessed because they have the Spirit. Are we blessed in all the B-attitudes because we are "poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness' sake" or are we blessed because those have been given new life and the spirit of God? I am sorry. I don't mean to be difficult and realize that is a lot of questions. If you'll pick one to focus on, any one, I will be grateful.

 

[Job]

So, I ask, when Jesus refers to a little child saying you must be as one of these...is He not using something tangible (a little child) to teach on new birth (an immature Christian). Is Jesus really saying we must strain and produce faith as this child, blind faith...or is Jesus teaching: you must become a child (humbled) of God?

Again, this is just my opinion but I believe the Lord is speaking of blind faith. A blind trust that only exists between a parent and a child. A small child trusts that their father is going to keep them safe. Knows without question that their father is going to see to their needs. Food, shelter, clothing. Trusts beyond a shadow of a doubt that any problems they may run into, they can go to their father and he will make things right.

Small children possess an innocence that can be found no where else in the human race. They have the ability to accept without question. Their hearts are pure and untouched by the corruption that plagues man. It never occurs to them that someone could be dishonest with them. Their faith is blind and innocent. Their trust is genuine.

As I said, this is simply an opinion. Some will agree, others will not. That's fine because nothing's set in stone. This is the first time I've ever pondered this passage. I've read it a dozen times or more and always believed the little child comment referred to faith. I believe a tremendous amount of faith is gonna be required to enter the kingdom. A faith that can only be found in the heart of a child.
.

 

[bbyrd009]

What I do need is scripture telling me I am born again daily.

13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

 

[skyangel]

Whats Jesus got tto do with religon, Jesus never invented religion men did, Jesus is fine without it, in fact if we did away with it teh world would be a better place, but men have no faith in God so they invented religion, in part to controll teh masses , for some its a power thing ,for others its there way of showing the hworld who they are for others its a safety blanket, but God doesnt need it, never dide, but teh enemy got in adn well you can see teh consequences. Without Christ tehre is no salvation and He is no majician, men are more likel;y to get saved without religion than wih it

 

[skyangel]

Whats Jesus got tto do with religon, Jesus never invented religion men did, Jesus is fine without it, in fact if we did away with it teh world would be a better place, but men have no faith in God so they invented religion, in part to controll teh masses , for some its a power thing ,for others its there way of showing the hworld who they are for others its a safety blanket, but God doesnt need it, never dide, but teh enemy got in adn well you can see teh consequences. Without Christ tehre is no salvation and He is no majician, men are more likel;y to get saved without religion than wih it

The religious have turned the character Jesus into an idol and they idolize him as God. That's what he has to do with religion. Some have a graven idol of the man in their churches, some wear crosses around their necks and others worship the man as if he were some kind of invisible friend and talk to him like a child does to their invisible friends.

I agree the world would be better off without all the organised religion but many seem to need something to control them or something to blame for their actions and religion seems to give them what they want.
You are blaming some enemy but mankind is his own worst enemy. No invisible devil (bad characters with supernatrual powers) exist and no invisible gods ( good characters with supernatural powers) exist. The good and evil within mankind is what superstitious people have personified as gods and devils and that superstitious tradition has been passed down through humanity for centuries.
The word Christ is just another label which refers to the invisible character named Jesus who is a mythical character. There is plenty of salvation without any mythical characters. Salvation from lies and deceit is found in the Truth. Nothing but the TRUTH can set people free from deceptions including their self deceptions which convince them that some invisible man with supernatural powers actually exists.

 

[skyangel]

Exactly so why donjt you??

I do. Thats why I am here.... to share the TRUTH with those who want to know it.