How do we keep a childlike faith as we mature in our walks with God? This is a question I have contemplated over and over again. What does it look like? Is it possible? Can maturity and childlike simplicity coexist in our hearts and minds as Christians? Yes, I genuinely believe they can.
Before I begin, I am well aware I have never attended seminary or have any collegiate letters behind my name to give me “authority” in writing on biblical topics. Yet, the beauty of being a part of the body of believers is that we all have the same Holy Spirit living within us. I often think of the people Jesus chose as his disciples, including tax collectors and fishermen. So, no matter if you have a Ph.D. or are a housewife like me, I firmly believe we should give testimony to His works in each of our lives. This is simply one of them.
A Danger of Growing Up in the Church
What could possibly be dangerous about growing up within the church? You can read my full testimony here, but growing up in the church was a sweet part of our family and an incredible blessing in my life. Yet, looking back, I see how my pure enjoyment of God was slowly replaced with a spiritual aggression to do what Christian women were supposed to do. Reading the right authors, listening to the correct podcasts, and listening to the right worship music. None of these are wrong practices! In fact, I do believe there should be much wisdom and intentionality in pursuing them. But somewhere along the path, I forgot: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” (Gal. 5:1) I spent so much time trying to please God when the Gospel had already made Him pleased with me.
What is Childlike Faith?
Matthew 18 says: “At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'” Simply put, having faith like a child requires humbly putting aside our will and fully trusting in the sufficiency of the Gospel. It is a possibility that our questions, opinions, overzealousness, and holy aspirations overshadow the beauty and simplicity of the Good News.
A Childlike Faith Desired from the Beginning to End
I love the fact that the Bible gives us such a precious picture of what God desires in the Garden of Eden. This passage from Genesis 3 describes it well: “And they (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?'” In a few sentences, we see God’s heart laid out for all to see. God, the Creator of the world, was seeking humanity. He wanted to be with them. He was not inquiring about what they had to offer. God and man were always meant to have a sweet, fulfilling, and God-glorifying relationship.
Now, take it the whole way to Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Revelation 21:3-4: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 22:3-4: “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Jesus is going to come a second time. And finally, as a body of believers, we will experience the fullness of God. Every Christian. No matter what version of the Bible they read, what denomination of church they attended, or what well-intentioned rules they followed, we will all worship our Lord.
3 Ways to Focus on the Gospel
1. It’s Not About Us:
Yes. Desire holiness. That is biblical. But don’t forget to REST in the free gift of salvation. Bask in the beauty of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Turn off the music and the podcasts. Put down the devotional and memory verses for just a moment, and remember that you are beloved, treasured, and desired by God because of His righteousness imputed upon you. He loves YOU.
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
2. Avoid Foolish Controversies
The enemy loves getting Christians into ditches. Because ditches often breed controversy and confusion. This can be literally anything. Doctrinally, practically, you name it, Satan will use it. Yes, there is a time and place to “…destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God…” (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV). But most of the time, unfortunately, our arguments consist of things of much less importance and take our eyes away from the main thing: the Gospel.
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” -2 Timothy 2:23 ESV)
3. Keep an Eternal Perspective
I think the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” says it best:
“O soul, are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There’s light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.”
Closing Thoughts
Before I close this out. I want to be clear. I am by no means advocating for laziness in our relationship with God or discouraging spiritual disciplines and habits. As I previously said, we would do well to pursue these aspirations with wisdom and fervor. I also fully believe in the biblical concept of progressive sanctification. As we mature in Christ, the Spirit makes and molds us more and more into the image of the Son. And as a result, in time, our lives will naturally look different than what they were as new believers. That being said, I do believe there can be a beautiful balance between spiritual maturity and having a childlike faith. Let’s not add on to what it means to be a Christian. Let’s refrain from piling human expectations and preferences on top of the pure, life-changing message of the Gospel. Because once again:
“For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
Lois Miller
Love, love, love this. So true.
Allison Peachey
Thank you Lois! ❤️