Commentary: Like little children              By RALPH FUDGE Sunday, July 27, 2025 We adults always think of ourselves as grown-up and responsible. But as Christians, we need to realize that God has adopted us as His children. And, as such, we need to acknowledge that fact and learn to act in ways that please our Heavenly Father. Salvation is free for the asking if we repent and seek it, but God does have expectations of us as His ambassadors for Christ. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus reminds us, “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” So, what are little children like? They are trusting, humble, believing, loving, and innocent. We are to be like that by trusting our heavenly Father. We are to love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and worship Him. Yes, little children are trusting. We are to trust God just as little children trust their parents. We’re told in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” The problem with all atheists is that they do not trust or even believe in God. They are pitifully alone in the world, without the great Comforter to call on for help. They must do everything themselves without the aid of the Holy Spirit. Little children are humble and have not yet learned pride and vanity. We, too, are to be humble. Matthew 23:12 says, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Immodesty simply means having too much pride, which is one of the sins God hates the most. The Bible also tells us, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).   Modesty is one of the best, most charming of all human traits you can desire.  Modesty is not as natural as pride, so we must work to suppress pride to cultivate modesty. This involves not thinking of ourselves all the time, but of others more Someone has said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s just thinking about yourself less.” Matthew 18:4 tells us that the humble person is greatest in God’s kingdom. Little children believe what they are told. First of all, we are to believe God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, because anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We are to believe what God tells us and take His Word as absolute truth. Little children love and are lovable. We too should love everyone and learn to be as lovable as possible. Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” And that is Christ, of course. The Great Commandment tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others as ourselves. Little children are innocent. We too are to be innocent if we want to see God. Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” May we all, as Christians, learn to be much more like little children. May we learn these godly lessons from the nature of babes. ___ Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. --- PULLQUOTES --- Quote: May we all, as Christians, learn to be much more like little children.