FREE FROM FEAR Part 28
Jesus made a profound statement that directly affects whether a person lives a life of worry and stress or joy and peace. He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 18:3 Because Adam and Eve launched humanity into the life of independence from God, man’s greatest challenge is leaving that independence to be entirely dependent upon him once again. One day as Jesus was teaching the crowds and his disciples, he said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Mt 23:12 People, as a rule, do not want to be told what to do. How many times have we heard someone say, “Ain’t nobody gonna tell me what to do.” An attitude like this is the spirit of rebellion that started with Adam and Eve.
The greatest challenge of man is his egotistical, prideful mind. Our natural tendency is to want to be first, noticed, and served. In contrast, Jesus said, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
We want to be in control of our own lives and struggle to submit to any leadership. This is why it makes it so difficult for people to step into a life of true freedom from fear. Trusting in self is the life of fear. Trusting in God is a life of peace and rest. There is a part of us that, because of our fallen, independent nature, wants to feel like we have the ability to offer God something that would give him the right to accept us. This is why Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 18:3 In another place, Jesus said, “It is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Mt 19:23-24
It is a great temptation for those who have wealth to put their trust in their wealth and, therefore, live independently from God. Is your trust in God? Are you able to let go of all your own efforts to be right with God? Will you, like a child, come to God and receive the gift of freedom and life that he is offering you? For Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you must be childlike and wholly accept what you do not yet fully comprehend. The life of God is a crazy wonderful life, beyond your wildest imaginations! Are you ready to launch into a more rewarding and fulfilling life than ever before? It’s time to draw near to God with a childlike heart and receive the abundant life that is…
FREE FROM FEAR
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