Matthew 18:3, commentary and pictures

Jesus set a little child in the midst of His disciples at Capernaum when they were disputing by the way who should be greatest in His kingdom, still looking for earthly rank after He had told them of His betrayal, death and resurrection. Except a person is converted and becomes as a little child, he will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and even His own followers remain under condemnation until that thorough conversion takes place. Becoming as a little child means humbling oneself in lowliness and meekness, laying aside pride, ambition, rivalry, envy, self-exaltation and strife to be first and for supremacy. It means simple faith and trustful dependence on God as a child on a loving parent, and coming as a willing learner to be taught, led and surrendered wholly to His will. Whoever humbles himself like that child is greatest in the kingdom, for Christ's kingdom is spiritual and greatness is measured not by wealth, position or talent but by purity, likeness to Christ and willing service to all.

Setting and Occasion

The saying was given at Capernaum after Jesus had told the disciples that He would be betrayed and put to death and rise again. By the way the disciples had been disputing who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, wanting earthly rank and display and not understanding that His kingdom is spiritual. Jesus went ahead of them and read their thoughts, then called them and asked about their dispute. He called a little child and set him in their midst as an object lesson of the character of the kingdom He would set up, where greatness in God's sight is spiritual excellence of character bearing Christ's spotless likeness and not earthly splendor, wealth, position, or display.

He answered although grieved by their contending for supremacy, and He gladly repeats the lesson for sincere inquirers without harsh rebuke. His tenderness is seen in taking the child and setting him in the midst of the disciples. That same tender care is the pattern for treating workers entrusted to His cause.

Children are fitting subjects of His kingdom, for they can listen to Him and accept Him as Redeemer more readily than many worldly-wise, hard-hearted adults. Jesus met them at their level, answered their questions, and simplified important lessons for their understanding so that planted truths could later bear fruit unto eternal life. His loving face and words of comfort and love drew them to catch His eye and smile, and He folds little children in His arms as lambs of His fold. He made a child a model disciple and a pattern of the humility by which all must enter, with Himself as the pattern to follow in all things. What the child is, older ones must become, and the child's example taught Peter to recognize his own weakness and Christ's power and to trust and obey in Christ's strength in order to follow his Master.

The little children and little ones do not mean only children in years but believers in Christ. They include those with little experience following Him who need guidance in seeking the things of the kingdom, those little in faith, weak and trembling souls with many defects and objectionable traits who humbly seek to follow His requirements, and those newly come to faith because born again. Believers are also called little children to love one another, with their love showing that they are His disciples. Receiving such a believing little one in Jesus' name is receiving Jesus, while causing such a one to stumble, despising or harming the humble and vulnerable, selfishly neglecting them, holding them in contempt, or judging and condemning them with an unforgiving and exacting spirit brings grave judgment. The disciples' desire for the highest place and their striving for wealth and superiority set a harmful example for new believers, against which the saying warns by making humble lowliness like a child's the measure of greatness.

Meaning of Childlikeness

Becoming as a little child means humility, lowliness, meekness, self-abasement and laying aside pride, ambition, rivalry, envy, jealousy, self-esteem, self-exaltation, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, combativeness, wilfulness, spiritual pride and strife to be first and for supremacy and the highest place, embracing peaceableness, self-control and submission. The lesson was given when the disciples disputed over who would be greatest, and it calls away from self-seeking toward humility rather than taking on their spirit. This humility is joined with courage to defend what is right, and with subduing a hasty spirit to learn meekness and lowliness. Self-sufficiency, rivalry, combativeness, selfishness and wilfulness must give way to a will directed by God.

Becoming as a little child means simple faith, trust and dependence on God as a child depends on a loving parent, believing every word He says and trusting His care, wisdom, love, protection and guidance. It means resting in Him rather than worrying or trying to secure salvation by effort, confiding as a child does in loving parents instead of being overwhelmed by weakness and imperfection, for Jesus helps and strengthens those who trust themselves to Him. It leaves no room for self-sufficiency, which brings ruin, and it helps discern temptation, while greatness comes not from position or self-esteem but from depending on God as a child depends on a father. This is the condition of salvation and the lesson of faith taught through trying circumstances, even facing death and in severe trial, and coming thus not for personal exaltation but to bless others brings grace, power, salvation, blessing, peace and the Holy Spirit.

Becoming as a little child means recognizing weakness, coming as a learner in Christ's school, and being willing to be taught, led, shaped and directed. It means submitting wholly to God and His will and surrendering one's own will, wisdom, plans, preconceived ideas, opinions and ideas of greatness, placing oneself in right relation to God as His child. Such humility and teachability allow Christ to teach and help the understanding receive Scripture's light, whereas searching Scripture to defend settled opinions leads to self-deception and darkness, and learning wisdom from the Divine Teacher replaces reliance on human institutions. Childlike simplicity of spirit and willingness to learn from the heavenly Master must be held without ceasing to act as though learning is complete, for forgetting this leads to pride, rivalry for supremacy and division.

Becoming as a little child means giving up one's own will and way and wisdom, distrusting one's own judgment, ability and success, being little in one's own eyes and depending on Jesus for strength and righteousness. It means laying aside selfishness, suspicion, bitter feelings, hatred, criticism, anger, temper, self-importance and distrust when crossed, choosing Christ's disposition, submitting to His direction and leadership, teaching and shaping, and learning self-control and meekness. It means receiving and obeying God's Word with childlike simplicity, living in purity of love, walking the humble path of duty, love and willing obedience, denying self and consenting to a lowly condition if it is the Master's will. Without yielding will and heart wholly to God He cannot work for the person, while abiding in Christ and growing in grace enables restoring an erring brother in meekness and strengthening fellow believers. Thorough conversion overcomes pride, self-righteousness, self-sufficiency and confidence in success, since pride hinders the Spirit's work and humility prepares all ages, old and young, to receive and practice Christ's words.

Becoming childlike does not mean physically creeping like children on the floor, nor childish understanding, suspicion, criticism, bad temper, self-importance or distrust, since believers are to be mature in understanding. It means freedom from malice, superiority and aristocratic pride, with simplicity, self-forgetfulness, confiding love, naturalness, gentleness, readiness to help, kind words and unselfish acts expressed with dignity and sacred dignity. These qualities, not rank or worldly distinction, are what heaven values and what make a person truly great, enabling older people to reach children's hearts and teach love's healing work. Forgetting this leads to pride, rivalry for supremacy and division, and calls for dying to self, learning in Christ's school and living for others' good.

Becoming as a little child means gathering anew the simple faith and trust of childhood rather than outgrowing it, sleeping in perfect peace in confidence that holy angels guard and that prayer is heard and answered. It means sitting at Jesus' feet to learn self-denial and to live by faith in every word of God, in which way the soul finds rest and peace. It means casting all burdens and sorrows on Jesus who alone can give rest to the weary heart and peace to the troubled soul, placing the hand in His hand to be led in safe paths, living by daily faith on the Son of God in trust, obedience and love, coming to Jesus each day and relying on His strength rather than arguing or complaining. It means doing duty bravely yet cheerfully as a happy child of God, preserving childlike trust and cherishing a meek and quiet spirit that reflects sunshine upon others, relying simply and humbly so as not to walk in darkness in trial or decision. This brings rest, peace, happiness in this life and immortal life to come, prepares to resist temptation and endure greater trials, and requires laying aside a wrathful, contentious, harsh, critical and dictating spirit to learn meekness and lowliness with contrite heart, subdued words, trust under severe trial, and the robe of Christ's righteousness without charges against brethren.

Becoming as a little child is coming to Jesus content to receive without deserving, feeling such love can never be repaid, and laying aside all doubt and unbelief. To such all treasures of eternal love are given as a free, everlasting gift, showing God's forgiving mercy to the unworthy and rich blessings poured on those undeserving of the least favor, with mercy appearing more glorious the more unworthy the receiver. It is receiving God's word with a child's trust and believing what God says and every word He speaks, which even preachers must have themselves by sitting at Jesus' feet, drinking the pure water of life so He is in them a spring of everlasting life. It means trusting in the Saviour's merits, accepting His righteousness and believing in His mercy with simple faith, and approaching with simplicity and full trust is the way to ask in Christ's name confident God gives according to His will.

Conversion and Entrance Required

Except for conversion into the likeness of little children there is no entrance into the kingdom of heaven, and even those already following and learning must undergo that change or they remain under condemnation, for only the thoroughly converted will enter. That conversion is from pride, ambition, selfishness, love of supremacy, rivalry and independent judgment to humbling of self as a little child, imbued with a kind loving nature and bound together in close relationship, counseling, exchanging ideas, laying plans and working unitedly. It puts away the iron in the soul and satanic attributes bearing fruit in passion, anger, harshness and arbitrary action, letting that spirit die out of heart and church at whatever cost as cutting off a right arm, and letting love, tenderness and forbearance come in. It is learned and practiced in the whole lesson of the chapter after the example toward humanity seared and marred by the curse, not despising the little ones whose angels behold the Father's face but uplifting the degraded, fallen and outcast and seeking the straying as a shepherd seeks the lost sheep in harmony with the Father's will that none perish, and without this humble compassionate work there is no entrance while a masterly spirit to lord it over the heritage closes heaven's gates. Receiving the kingdom as a little child requires renouncing human wisdom and parting with self-righteousness, putting away all sins and cutting off every cherished indulgence hindering religious life as sacrificing right eye or right hand if it offends, giving up chosen worldly associates and the approbation of men, with efforts and sacrifices proportionate to the infinite value of eternal life on a path no smoother now than then. Becoming like little children in this way means learning simplicity, gentleness and tender love, a character that enables older persons to reach children's hearts and teach love's healing work.

Entrance and greatness in the kingdom require humbling of self like a little child before God, hiding self in Christ, suppressing self and longing for His righteousness, learning from the great Teacher with humility and meekness and trusting wholly in Him to be taught, led, pardoned and strengthened, and without this spirit no one is safe. The lesson was given when the disciples argued who would be greatest because they wanted earthly rank and did not understand the nature of the kingdom, and the child set forth the contrast to pride and love of distinction, showing that those focused on self and rewards have no place there. True greatness does not seek supremacy but is humble dependence shown in loving and serving the weak or those regarded inferior, with meek and lowly character rather than pride of superiority, and it calls even leaders to humble submission rather than seeking authority before learning to obey. Those who eagerly strive to be first without lowly humility will be last with God, for pride of heart causes failure where there could have been success.

The conversion to become as little children must be new, thorough and daily, meek and humble and relying wholly on Christ as Redeemer and sanctified through the truth, dying to self and self-importance with the whole life renewed and shaped after His likeness, putting away wrong and learning humility and meekness at His feet. It joins the soul in clinging faith to Jesus the one helper rather than relying on people, with thorough practical change including care for family, and daily conversion keeps connection with the Vine unto fruitbearing and fitness for heaven. Fathers and mothers must be thus converted daily and reconverted in a daily Christian life bringing light into home practice, making them true and Christlike in words and works, representing truth and heavenly requirements before children, knowing they must give account and taking time to educate children to keep the commandments to save their souls. It is learning the work of regeneration with childlike humility and allowing the Spirit rather than natural inclinations and human defects to shape the heart, a change that must take place before accepting leadership lest personal ideas replace the sacred, and childlike acceptance of God's way in learning as little children is necessary for success wherever one serves.

Becoming as a little child requires thorough repentance going to the bottom, humbling the heart before the Lord, confessing sins thoroughly, clearing away differences with brethren and wrongs done to neighbors, and not feeling that confession lowers dignity or causes loss of confidence, since all are finite and are God's little children. Repentance is contrition of heart for estrangement from God and asking pardon for it, bowing in submission before God as a little child in entire surrender of soul, body and spirit, which He receives and blesses with pardon, cleansing, new light and consistency of life, while without it a person is left for Satan to enter and use to mislead others to loss of both. It requires correcting defects of proud spirit, uncontrolled temper, insubordination, self-will, jealousy and envy, learning self-control and moral power under discipline of the Holy Spirit through changed surroundings, tests, rules and responsibilities, and through strongest persevering effort united with grace and merits putting away the old man with his errors and taking the new man, adopting His life as guide and devoting talents and intellect to service. An impulsive unsubdued uncontrolled soul that wars against reproof and gives way to temper has defaced the image of God and cannot live among pure angels nor be admitted nor gain inheritance, so correction of evil in the nature must begin at once and truth must have sanctifying influence to mold character, with hearts broken before God and self-exalting opinions given up in seeking the Lord with childlike humility.

Accepting true doctrines by itself does not convert or secure entrance, even believing and teaching the Sabbath or the state of the dead, and religious service alone does not show conversion, for conversion requires seeking Jesus for His converting power and becoming as a little child through Christ. Conversion is a change of heart shown by doing His words, for claiming to know Him while not keeping His commandments is false and the truth is not in such a one. The religion of the Bible must guide conduct and daily dealings of every sincere believer, requiring being doers of the Word and not mere professors, for without obedient doing they are like a counterfeit coin without the right ring. It requires heart work putting away envy, evil suspicions, evil speech and thoughts, vanity and love of being exalted, and those who have received light must be converted and become Christians in practice, obeying truth rather than working against and troubling the weak in faith. A person may love and defend truth and do benevolent acts yet still need this change, with impatient tyrannical spirit corrected, linked with receiving the overcomer's crown, and claiming to be converted requires practical obedience to the rules of the chapter proved not by promises but by fruits in the daily walk.

Entrance requires humbly submitting the whole person to God's will and being born again, controlled by mercy and love and changed by beholding grace and glory, with Christ as salvation and covering, an inward work of the Holy Spirit like leaven hidden in meal seen in fruits of a renewed life as a great miracle and example of what God can do for those earnestly submitting. This change comes through receiving grace and the converting sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit and is made evident in a changed life. It requires a new life from above with childlike humility enabling seeing Jesus by faith and revealing Him through meekness and lowliness, preserved by daily watchfulness and prayer, while selfishness, self-seeking and self-exaltation separate the soul from God. A person must learn meekness and lowliness, let the Spirit subdue the will and submit to God's will and ways, since self-centered pride is incompatible with His character and has no place in His kingdom. Becoming as a little child means a subdued softened new heart, receiving the operation of the Spirit, the implanting of a new nature and influences of grace purifying the heart and daily strengthening and renewing in righteousness and true holiness, including willingness to receive counsel and reproof instead of resisting, without which a person is left to self.

Entrance requires a changed heart and childlike simplicity with self laid aside under divine guidance rather than worldly knowledge apart from Christ, becoming teachable, bearing the yoke and accepting reproof, for true understanding of redemption and oneness belongs to the believing soul under divine guidance. Seeking God as a child means humbling the heart rather than boasting in intelligence, since pride prevents submission to God and His laws, and daily conversion brings the mind into the right channel and prepares it for heaven. Childlikeness is simplicity and true humility which must be present in the church or assembling together is entirely vain. Those who serve as critics and debaters must humble hearts before God, for without that childlike spirit they cannot enter. Childlike faith and humility mark genuine conversion, while a hard cold unimpressible spirit may retain outward godliness while lacking the virtue that keeps the mind humble, and humbling and depending on the heavenly Father brings blessing and strength with meek surrender leading to keeping principles, restoration of the image and increased strength.

To enter and receive the seal in the forehead everyone must be converted and become as a little child, searching the Bible on the knees before God with humble teachable heart to know what is required, with Jesus as the only true pattern. However high a minister has stood in favor and however well he knows truth and prophecy, if he neglects to follow given light and refuses to be taught as a little child he will go into darkness and delusions and lead others in the same path to loss of the seal. While many hear mercy's invitation and are tested and proved, only few accept this self-abasement, and only those few are sealed with the seal of the living God and will enter. When childlike humility is present with self and ambition for greatness put away and inner life consecrated by entire surrender in sitting at the feet of Him who is meek and lowly, the name stands registered in heaven's books as approved, but without it the name will not be found on heaven's records and seeking or buying earthly exaltation makes no difference in this life or the life to come.

Greatness in God's Kingdom

Christ's kingdom is spiritual, not an earthly display of splendor, wealth, position or outward authority, and heaven is not a place of social rank, privilege or favored nobility. Greatness in God's sight is inward spiritual excellence of character bearing the likeness of Christ's spotless character, measured by purity of motive, beauty of character and measure of His Spirit, not by wealth, education, position, learning, numbers, talents, knowledge or business ability. Knowing the nature of that kingdom is not enough, for entering it requires a change of heart into harmony with its principles through conversion to become as little children, with simplicity, self-forgetfulness and confiding love. Doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly is unfailing evidence of true religion, and those who humble themselves as a child instead of seeking position are greatest in the kingdom while self-exalting ambition leads to the lowest standing.

Whoever humbles himself like a little child is greatest in the kingdom, giving up seeking to be first and contending for supremacy. True firstness is firstness in goodness, usefulness and honor, shown by esteeming others better than self and being willing as servant of all and least of all to take any place and make any sacrifice and self-denial to be a strength and blessing to others. That greatness is humble dependence on God shown in loving and serving those who are weak or regarded as inferior, thinking least of self and exalting Jesus most with life hid in Christ. Without this humility assembling together is vain, and seeking earthly exaltation and rank makes no difference in the records of heaven, while men in trust wrapped in self-confidence need to be converted again or they cannot become members of the royal family. Childlike humility gives up struggle for highest place and mastery, not treating one's own judgment, influence or knowledge as supreme but showing unselfish love, respect for others and willingness to let them carry out the work God has given them.

Christ purchased each soul with His blood and takes deep interest even in the least and feeblest, counting what is done for them as done for Himself. His angels, who have access to Him and are in constant communion with Him, are glad and willing to minister to the poor and needy who most need help, so His servants must willingly minister to those they suppose inferior to themselves. Conversion brings daily practical care not to despise, harm, neglect or hold in contempt the little ones who believe in Christ, for their angels behold the Father's face and it is the Father's will that none perish. The little children are believers in Christ, including weak and trembling souls with many defects who must be received in His name, labored for with persevering compassion, uplifted from degradation, sought as a shepherd seeks the lost sheep, helped in suffering and restored to God's moral image, while being unforgiving, exacting, judging and condemning discourages them and a masterly spirit that lords it over God's heritage closes heaven's gates.

Coming to God in this childlike way brings the gifts He has prepared through Christ's sacrifice, satisfying deepest needs, making joy full and bringing rest unto the soul with living faith and grace to keep from falling. The way is a lowly path of duty, love, willing obedience and self-denial, following Him who for our sake became poor that through His poverty we might become rich, placing the hand in His hand to be led in safe paths and consenting to a lowly condition if it is the Master's will. The golden gate does not display its glory to earth's self-indulgent ones nor lift to the proud in spirit with possessions and symbols of power, but the everlasting portals open wide at the trembling touch of a little child, giving peace, hope and heaven to those great by humility. Without that change to humble self-denial people cannot understand heaven's sacrifice in giving Christ and have only a meager hope of sharing His inheritance, for pride and self-exaltation do not open heaven's gates while even brief service or humble work in childlike simplicity of faith and love may receive heaven's reward by grace.

Loving God and trusting Him with the faith and confidence of little children makes one accepted as His sons and daughters and heirs to all the inexpressible glory of the eternal world. God, whose glory shines from the heavens and whose hand upholds millions of worlds, is Father, and all who come to Christ's feast with confiding love find a Father in the courts above instead of standing back refusing His invitation. Sonship lost when man yielded to Satan is restored at infinite cost through Christ's suffering, which delivers the human family from the destroyer and restores God's image so that all lost can be regained. Becoming as little children in that restored sonship includes meekness, walking in obedience to His will, and cheerfully and diligently learning the lessons of His providence unto being called home to the heavenly mansions prepared.

Warnings Against Pride

The verse forbids striving for supremacy and forbids setting Peter or any man up as superior to be copied, with the pattern given being a little child set in the midst and the greatest being whoever humbles himself as that child. Entering heaven requires laying aside the temptation to strive for supremacy and the self-seeking spirit that hinders spirituality, for without that conversion and humility there is no entrance. Those contending for status and for the highest place must repent, be converted, humble themselves and turn from pride and self-seeking, dying to self, consecrating the whole person daily, accepting God's leading and discipline, and walking humbly with Him. Such childlike meekness and lowliness rules out treating oneself as superior to others or claiming authority to dominate them, and conversion so understood leads to seeking God wholeheartedly where self takes its proper place and Jesus becomes all in all to the soul.

Those striving for position and seeking to be greatest through ambitious exercising of the spirit to exalt self, foolish self-esteem and self-confidence will be called least in the kingdom and will prove their eternal ruin. Self-exaltation worked by satanic agencies reveals hereditary and cultivated defects that place persons lowest when weighed in the golden scales of the heavenly sanctuary, while true greatness is humbling self as a little child, abiding in Christ, crucified to the world, and agonizing to enter in at the strait gate on the narrow path cast up for the ransomed. No one with unfeeling, ungrateful, selfish, rough, unkind or self-exalting heart can enter or see the kingdom or belong to heaven's family, because such ways have little to do with the Lord and are not pleasing to God. Entrance requires entire reformation and moral transformation through love and grace into meekness, sincerity and childlike simplicity fitting for the society of heaven and the abodes prepared, with repentance not reversed, laying aside trust in own judgment and ability to manage self, ceasing to confirm another in a wrong course and build on a false foundation while blind to danger and true standing, and receiving clear discernment from Christ as light of the world. Without that humbling the soul will be lost and the name will not be found on heaven's records, for childlike simplicity stands set against pride.

Criticism and faultfinding in violation of the verse is expressly the devil's work and is to be met in plain, decided, clear-cut words wherever it begins. He began that work in the heavenly courts by seeking sympathy on the claim he could do wonderful things if not hampered by God's law, by suggesting a change in God's government for the advantage of the heavenly family, by placing his own thoughts in angels' minds and then repeating them as theirs, by covering his tracks while sowing suspicion and distrust of God and of one another, until open rebellion had to be met and the disloyal with the instigator of evil were expelled for the good of the loyal and true. An accusing, bitter spirit shows a person has not humbled himself as a child but is being shaped by Satan's character as Judas was, and good business ability cannot replace thorough conversion and the meekness and humility required to enter. The opposite of humbling before the Lord as a little child is self-sufficiency, dictating to brethren, acting masterfully as though able to read hearts, and claiming the right to praise or censure at pleasure, which shows Satan has the mind and heart under control rather than the Lord working with the man.

The verse stands as the word of the True Witness against being self-sufficient, rich and increased with goods and feeling need of nothing, and against exalting own judgment above light of truth opened through humble, fasting, praying, experienced men and carefully brought out in books and papers. Without childlike conversion and respect for that light, precious time is lost beyond redeeming, seed is sown bearing only briers and thorns, souls are lost that might have been saved, and the despised light will rise up in the Judgment to condemn. Self-confident professed commandment-keepers who dishonor Christ and manifest hatred toward one another with no thread of His love in the heart must humble themselves and become as little children, putting away the self-confidence that caused Peter's fall, or they shall not see the kingdom. Such conversion requires repentance needing not to be repented of, turning from trust in own wisdom, from blindness to dangers and real standing, from confirming others in a wrong course and encouraging resistance to divinely given light, and from being worked by the same wrong spirit, so that with clear discernment from Christ the Light of the world one can truly help others instead of standing weak and condemned before God and grieving His Spirit.

Failure to perfect Christian character comes from remaining unconverted, self-willed and undisciplined in yielding the will, self-control and correct principles, and that unconverted spirit ruins churches and causes most church trials. All professed Christians must be cleansed from self-sufficiency, self-exaltation, and the unsanctified element of inward concealed and outward manifest strife for supremacy and to be first. Self interposed between men and God, superior discernment, wounded dignity, and satisfaction at brethren's deficiencies grieve the Saviour's Spirit and hinder the work, making men who ought to be a blessing a curse that retards instead of advances it, and until this is cleansed from the soul temple the Lord cannot manifest His power and grace. This humility and inward change with heart made right and devoted to pure religion is necessary for influence in God's work to be acceptable, beneficial and faithful rather than harming others and misrepresenting God's character, and without thorough conversion there is no entrance.

Conversion means humbling the heart before God, casting away evil thinking and leaving the negative side of criticism and opposition with opened eyes, for without this humbling no one will enter and greatness is measured by such humility. It means putting away the iron in the soul and satanic attributes bearing fruit in passion, anger, harshness and arbitrary action, letting that dear spirit die out of heart and church at whatever cost even as cutting off a right arm, and letting love, tenderness and forbearance come in. It calls followers away from pride and faultfinding toward humility, requiring overcoming envy, jealousy, strife and wicked feelings toward others, cleansing character from sin through the Lamb's blood instead of criticizing others, giving up faultfinding and seeking a heart right with God so He can use the person for His glory. Those who have listened to and accepted words fostering hostility must also repent, for without that change of sight and spirit there is no entrance.

No one changes from unbelief to truth without becoming humble as a little child, giving up false past experience, breaking it in pieces, and becoming humble and teachable so God may lead. Unbelief gathers over the soul until light cannot be distinguished from darkness and error from truth even when needed light is sent, unless a person places himself in the channel where it can be received by turning from departure from the Word and from delusion joining the soul in so-called holy union with the grossly corrupt. That humility comes only by falling upon the Rock and being broken, where self dies, new habits are formed, and strong inclinations and propensities are overcome, and refusal leaves no assurance of ever recovering from the devil's snare since nothing can be done without Christ amid enemies within and without ready to spring to life. Backslidden members and ministers cherishing irreligion and self-sufficiency must repent and be converted through the softening, subduing baptism of the Holy Spirit, being dead to sin and cured of selfishness and self-exaltation and rising to new life unto God, with faith and repentance as essential conditions of forgiveness and with rebaptism only after this death to sin.

Entering requires laying aside a contentious, self-assertive spirit and receiving meekness and humility before God. That meek childlike spirit is humble and not lifted up, does not fasten on little things disagreeing with its own mind to gender strife, does not move on impulse of the moment but looks at things on every side and considers the wisest course, while lacking it brings confusion and weakens and overthrows the last-days work, and one who will not humble himself will be humbled by God. Conversion changes the proud, self-confident, unteachable spirit that boasts, refuses to be taught and claims to know its course into a subdued spirit meek as a lamb that accepts reproof, feels honored to be corrected, is encouraged rather than discouraged by it, follows given light, breaks before God, confesses with weeping, bears clear testimony, and becomes free and happy. Those relying on self-confidence while rejecting correction and counsel and assuming need of no further teaching have not experienced this conversion and are unfit to belong to the heavenly King's family.

Unity Love and Service

Becoming as little children means being bound together in close relationship as God's children, counseling together, exchanging ideas, laying plans, and working unitedly in harmony, blending heart to heart and refusing to draw apart, think or speak evil, accuse, hinder, repress a worker doing good, seek removal from office, or devise plans to separate fellow workers. Such accusation and desire to hinder is the enemy's device and the bitter spirit of accusation, the surest evidence Christ is not dwelling in the heart and that the Spirit is grieved, and it must be met and condemned with strong portions of the Word. Understanding and following the principles of Matthew 18 requires the Spirit of Christ rather than self-centered criticism, resentment and disrespect, and when applied those principles preserve unity and make cooperation in the work possible, including unity as branches in the true vine under Christ with perfect love, compassion, tenderness and deep interest in youth. Entering the kingdom requires this conversion from pride, ambition, selfishness, love of supremacy, rivalry, envy and independent judgment to the humble, peaceable, kind and loving nature of a child, with the heart broken before God and ears, eyes and tongue sanctified and self reformed first.

The childlike spirit calls for gentleness toward others, for harshness and unkindness can wound people and turn them away from Christ, while His followers should encourage and care for them. For ministers this means being reconverted in presenting truth, subduing a hasty spirit, putting away all magisterial, domineering and authoritative manner and criticism of brethren, and weaving patience and kindness into character until complete in Christ, lest beautiful truth be turned away by harsh words and driven reproofs. For men in grave responsibility a softened, subdued childlike heart cures both abruptness and harshness that spoils faithful shepherding and also passing over evils and neglecting to correct them, never cloaking evil or lessening the sense of wrong but calling evil evil and good good while filled with the Spirit of the great Medical Missionary. Truth must therefore be presented as Christ taught it, not fiercely or condemnatorily, with reproof given in a Christlike manner without harsh or abrupt words or corroding influence, for without a heart filled with converting grace no one should present truth, since harshness mars influence and makes the food offered taste of the human dish.

The instruction of the chapter brings relief, courage and hope, joining repeated forgiveness with confessing sin, repenting and walking humbly with God so the repentant find pardon, purification and salvation. Its lesson calls for turning from a wrong course in speech and action to be converted, and receiving reproof and repenting can heal dissension and alienation. Forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit depend on humbling the heart before God and coming with the meekness of a little child.

True conversion makes a person as humble as a little child, softened and subdued, with heart and mind expanded by heavenly love and benevolence, passing from death unto life through love for the brethren. That change is worked by the Holy Spirit received through prayer, purifying the heart and uniting it with the divine nature, and it is shown in Christlike word and deed without coarseness, roughness or discourtesy, in eagerness to share the knowledge of God, and in strength to serve in loving faithfulness. Becoming as little children in this way means melting into the love of Christ through faith that works by love and purifies the soul, bringing joy, tender pitiful courteous brotherly love, pity and prayer for struggling believers, and no tart or discouraging word to any soul, with all overbearing accusing speech overcome.

Becoming as a little child means turning from the natural selfish character to be free from guile, hypocrisy, selfishness, unkindness and malice, learning lowly self-knowledge and humility before God rather than seeking greatness. It means ever learning from Christ and partaking of His meek and lowly spirit in submission and obedience to find rest, rejecting guile and hypocrisy, practicing His virtues of kindness, mercy, justice, charity and love toward fellow believers, forgiving injuries rather than seeking revenge, and being made teachable to receive God's teachings and be changed into His image. Natural defects must thus be changed into Christlike virtues with self and ambition put away, the inner life consecrated by surrender at Christ's feet, words shaped by His love and strength drawn from Him, for claiming truth while acting unpleasantly is sin against God.

Matthew 18 gives practical lessons essential to Christian life on how God's work is to be done by all workers so truth is properly represented in all its lines, requiring keeping self under the control of the great Teacher, studying the Bible with intense interest and practicing its teachings, resulting in less human wisdom and more of God's wisdom. Each person must examine and purify his own thoughts rather than fasten on others' faults, consider the effect of words instead of speaking recklessly, attend faithfully to duty with personal responsibility to Christ, and love God and neighbor as terms of eternal life, for conversion is necessary for God's people to work together with Him. The verse is Christ's direction for the church's duty toward those who fall into error and sin, showing the church is to be thoroughly organized in that responsibility.

Applications for Church and Home

Except for conversion to become like little children no one enters the kingdom of heaven, and this calls all followers including leaders to humble submission instead of seeking authority before learning to obey. Greatness there is not status or authority but humble dependence on God shown in loving and serving the weak and those regarded as inferior, giving up seeking to be first and contending for supremacy. Whoever humbles himself as a little child is greatest, and instead of claiming credit for work done through others' labor he humbles himself, cultivating meekness and humility continually in contrast to self-esteem, self-exaltation and striving for supremacy. To be converted is to sit at Christ's feet to learn, to stop placing self where God should be, to stop measuring abilities against others, exalting own labors, criticizing brethren, trusting in man and flesh, and trying in own strength to merit Christ's righteousness, which is impossible. It is to seek God in prayer for converting grace, to reveal no disposition to exalt self, to trust God with patient dependence, to exalt God alone, who through Jesus Christ alone can put enmity between man and Satan and free man from self-exaltation begun in heaven.

Shepherds, ministers, conference presidents and all in responsibility must humble their hearts before God and become as little children, holding firmly in every trial to Christ's pierced hand, trusting God alone and looking to Him for guidance rather than trusting men or making flesh their strength. They must show Christlike tenderness in voice and words, subdue a hasty spirit, put away all appearance of magisterial, domineering, authoritative manner, cease criticism of brethren, and blend heart to heart in unity, learning to deal with minds and guarding against rash, harsh, schoolmaster-like authority that harms souls and makes truth distasteful. They must reject selfishness and pride, avoid acting as rulers over others, treat one another as brethren rather than making man amenable to man, break bands placed on God's people, and set a safe example, for behaving like spoiled children is contrary to that standard. Unless they humble themselves in this way the Lord will divorce them from His work and they cannot serve acceptably, and learning the Lord's way with childlike humility is required or they will be removed.

Ministers must be reconverted and reformed in presenting truth, weaving patience and kindness into character until complete in Christ, so beautiful truth is not turned away by harsh words and reproofs spoken with drive. Those not prepared to understand the verse, following a standard of their own devising, are not Bible Christians; they must see defective distorted character as reflected in the mirror of God's Word, fall before God in contrition, tear away rags of self-righteousness, and represent Christ by receiving blessings in thankfulness, gratitude and joy rather than complaint, faultfinding and criticism of fellow members of the royal family. They must come as little children in simple faith, not resting in intellectual knowledge of truth and the plan of salvation but knowing its power upon heart and life, seeking Jesus, confessing sins and pleading day and night until pardoned and accepted for Christ's sake, so forgiven much they love much and can point others to a sin-pardoning Redeemer from fullness of heart that feels its sanctifying power. They must tarry as the early disciples did until receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and never enter the pulpit until by faith laying hold of God's strength.

For physicians of faith the verse means conversion from pride, ambition, selfishness, love of supremacy, rivalry and following independent judgment to humbling self as a little child, being imbued with Christ's kind loving nature, and being bound together in close relationship as God's children, counseling together, exchanging ideas, laying plans and working unitedly in harmony for time and eternity. They are to draw not apart because of different methods of practice but meet for counsel and help one another. For the individual worker in treatment of the sick this means acting as a Christian wherever placed, letting light shine in good works, magnifying Christ in words, making best use of God-lent talents so they constantly increase, not keeping silent on religious subjects nor waiting for great opportunities or to see what others do, but using wherever he is as his field to represent in word and deed the saving power of truth, holding personal responsibility to Christ for every word and act, as attentive and faithful as if hearing the Saviour's voice speak the requirement. Coming to God as little children means asking for grace, power, salvation and the Spirit not for self-advancement but to bless others, putting whole trust in God as stronghold, being instructed to instruct others line upon line without sowing doubt, receiving quietude, simplicity, meekness and humility through seeking His grace, and thus receiving rest, peace and blessing to bless others.

In the home the first work is to see that Christ's Spirit abides there so every member takes the cross and follows where Jesus leads, which requires denying self and being humble, yielding and submissive, for without that childlike disposition no one is in sympathy with Christ or knows Him by experimental knowledge. Keeping a proud, harsh, authoritarian spirit shuts one out of heaven forever, while repenting and humbling as a little child with humble heart-broken coming to the Lord brings God's help, melts and breaks the heart, lets Christ's Spirit take possession, entirely changes words and spirit, ends domineering authority in the home, changes all home life, and leads to faithfully supporting the family under God's blessing. Parents should bring little ones to Christ and treat them gently, for the child is an object lesson in humility.

Becoming childlike means putting aside harshness and arbitrary action, putting self in the place of the child and on a level with the child to be a proper instructor, understanding its trials are greater to it than adult trials are to adults, never bruising it or laying hold suddenly and shaking it, because bruising the child bruises the teacher's own soul more and destroys the child's manhood. It means dealing with human minds as tenderly as Christ dealt with sinners, correcting by taking the child alone and praying and talking with it, showing Christ's will, binding it to the heart with cords of love, seeking and saving the lost, receiving one such little child in Christ's name as receiving Christ, and never offending one of the little ones. This Saviour's simplicity, gentleness and tender love enables older people to reach children's hearts and teach love's healing work, and teachers must correct gently rather than forcefully, for injuring a child also damages the inflicter. Parents must seek conversion themselves and diligently train children for God rather than making idols of them, valuing souls whose character is shaped by what they hear and see at home, showing humble Christlike gentleness called for by the child's simplicity, while indulged children never trained to obey need firm discipline and guidance or they will not be accepted by Jesus or share future life.

In education students and teachers must hear and obey Christ's call and learn His meekness and lowliness rather than seek recognition or the highest place, receiving teaching with childlike dependence rather than self-trust or combative spirit, keeping biblical principles before them. Humility and childlike spirit letting go of self-reliance and holding to Jesus are principles to be taught in schools, lessons for advancing truth as it is in Jesus. The verse holds high holy educating lessons for daily practical life, meaning first reforming self, breaking the heart before God, hearing with sanctified ears and seeing with sanctified eyes and speaking with sanctified tongues, being molded after the divine similitude with Christ formed within. It means unity as branches in the true vine under one head Christ Jesus, showing perfect love, compassion, deeds of tenderness and deep interest in youth as Christ's property, with earnest prayer and careful training in publishing work and every place of responsibility.

Becoming as a little child means eagerly desiring to take Christ's hand to be led in safe paths, cherishing a submissive spirit willing to wear His yoke and learn meekness and lowliness, being enabled to walk wisely in a perfect way and changed into His likeness, overcoming pride, ambition and desire for worldly honor and position natural to the unconverted heart. It means daily dependence on God, not seeking to be first, esteeming others better than self, taking the humble position that evidences being a true child of God, instruction so simple none need err or be in darkness. It means humbling self and submitting willingly to God's training and discipline, walking humbly with God to stay in right relation so the enemy cannot take advantage, submitting to Jesus with simplicity and trust.

Thorough conversion means humbling before God, turning minds from self, living with sympathy and love for others with single purpose and pure motives, so self submerged in Christ acts with humility, simplicity and unselfishness especially in personal effort for those outside Christ. It means surrendering to the Spirit's control rather than seeking mastery, with stubborn resistance removed and mind and will brought under God's authority without taking away freedom. It means yielding self and submitting will to God, which outward sacrifices cannot replace, turning from paths away from God to allow Him to help and strengthen.

To be converted is to walk in humility and lowliness before God, emptied of selfishness, human pride, self-exaltation, self-praise and seeking supremacy, cultivating gentleness, meekness, Christian love, trust in Jesus and belief in all His words. This gives deep living experience in which the soul feels need of Christ's help and own weakness, excludes evil thinking and speaking, strives to practice Christ's character and excel in love for one another, answering His prayer to be one as He is one with the Father; without repentance from self-exaltation the soul is separated from God and will depart from faith. Without this humbling as a child a person mistakes his work, does not realize wants of the cause, exhibits great I and little Jesus so God accepts nothing and does not acknowledge him as child, hinders and weakens the church and helps the enemy lead members to the world; with it ability is devoted to building up the church and gains valuable experience daily where he can be used to God's glory.

The verse means humbling self as a little child, taking Christ's yoke of submission and learning meekness and lowliness to find rest, instead of thinking one knows best, manufacturing a galling yoke, withdrawing from brethren, and criticizing and accusing from imagination of an unsanctified mind. It means chastising self and laying aside pride, selfish unholy spirit, aggrieved disposition and retained defects, giving them no respect as though virtues, learning Christ's lessons and not treating childish defects as virtues. When self-sufficiency is seen as it is under converting power and the Spirit's working, the person becomes teachable as a child and humbles self, which makes him greatest and produces unity shoulder to shoulder in perfect accord, making insurmountable difficulties disappear. Applied to workers in conflict it requires not brooding over past errors but helping one another in love to strengthen each other and prevent future errors. This humbling must be individual from highest to lowest with confession and the Spirit touching the heart to show defects, and when done all see necessity of unity for firm steady forward upward movement; this heart-work of cultivating humble gentle submissive spirit must be done by each, and its absence leads to dissension and strife.

Receiving the kingdom as a little child requires renouncing human wisdom, self-reliance and self-righteousness, putting away all sins and cutting off every cherished indulgence hindering religious life even as sacrificing offending eye or hand, giving up chosen worldly associates and sacrificing approbation of men, with efforts and sacrifices proportionate to eternal life's infinite value on a path no smoother now than in Christ's day. Anything leading to sin must be surrendered even at great personal cost, worldly attachments subordinated, the Spirit's help welcomed and worked with, ability trusted only as entrusted talents, the world subordinated to religion; departure into worldly policy and dead formal religion shows blindness, while true conversion draws out of self into living connection with Christ as His channel of blessing.

Entering calls for giving up self-exalting opinions and seeking the Lord with childlike humility with hearts broken in repentance and confession before God. It means humbling before God with receptive heart, giving up faultfinding, setting own heart right so He can use the person for His glory and honor His name. It means trusting the Father and His wisdom above human wisdom in simplicity and faith, for without that those in responsibility make grave mistakes and impose own character on God's work instead of reflecting His.

This childlike humble teachable prayerfully dependent spirit enables receiving truth, understanding Scripture, discerning spiritual things beyond human philosophy, and receiving heaven's approval; approaching Scripture humbly, teachably, dependent on God and sincerely desiring His will with self laid aside lets one find its wisdom and learn in Christ's school, while otherwise mind is blinded and heart hardened against truth. Without humbling as learner rather than teacher one will not come to knowledge of truth, is not fitted to teach others, and needs transforming grace to search Scripture, talk less and pray more, for without it truth is resisted and darkness follows. Understanding God's Word requires simplicity and faith of a little child, readiness to learn and ask the Spirit's help, humility before God's greatness, with reason submitting to Scripture rather than supreme. Brethren must search Scripture together with childlike humility rather than preserve apparent differences, meet differences with meekness and love after earnest prayer with sincere desire to know God's will to draw close, sacrifice only selfish dignity, see eye to eye and do Christ's words conscious of heaven's watch, instead of indulging unconsecrated feelings, struggling for supremacy, standing apart and grieving the Spirit. Those trusting own wisdom must give it up and receive Christ's lessons or not receive eternal life, coming teachably to receive light, power and wisdom fitted to needs, setting aside commanding authority to study and obey God's will.

Moses illustrates becoming as a child by willingness to be taught by God, receiving instruction in His will and repeating it as received to become clean and fit for service. Saul once proud and confident in own works came through repentance to confess unworthiness while pleading pardon, which is humbly recognizing unworthiness. Peter came through own weakness to understand more fully recognizing weakness and relying on Christ's power, prepared to trust, obey and follow in His strength to enter the kingdom. Conversion joined to childlike humility is illustrated by one who after recognizing and turning from faults shows a childlike attitude.

Coming to God as little children means asking for grace, power, salvation and the Holy Spirit not for personal uplifting but to bless those around, and those seeking in this right way will not be denied, for the Spirit brings every other blessing, guidance, light and understanding. They will study the Word to know how to take hold of promises and claim them, learn His way to gain and give comfort, put whole trust in Him as stronghold, be instructed to instruct others, be happy, and the enemy will be unable to destroy their peace as they come into right relation and see His salvation. Coming as children means approaching humbly and simply seeking counsel and help rather than relying proudly on human wisdom or own judgment, placing plans before the Lord, continuing in prayer and weighing matters rather than acting from self-confidence or impulse. When self-sufficiency is laid aside God can work and restore, bringing guidance so one need not walk in darkness in trials or decisions, drawing the heart near Him to recognize and resist temptation, while self-sufficiency that leaves no room for dependence brings ruin.

God's people must die to self and cherish humble childlike faith, returning to simplicity by making God their strength, turning from robbing God to become co-laborers with Christ connected as channels catching burning words from His throne to give warning through churches, receiving the watchman's note and sounding it. This forbids praising and flattering finite erring men, trusting them instead of God, urging men into notice, idolizing talent and friendship with the world, quarreling about greatest, dissension and strife. Looking to human standard and backsliding show lack of Christ's mind and conversion, producing blindness, poverty of soul, unconsciousness of littleness, overestimate of capabilities, weakness and faintness.

Those deceived and not understanding the Word must come as little children and learn His ways, and by that coming become a people in whom the Lord can delight. Children's desire to become Christians, seek salvation, overcome temptation and follow Christ is the beginning of that change. Children must recognize sin and need of a Saviour rather than trust own righteousness or works, coming to Jesus for forgiveness and depending on His righteousness not own merits. True conversion with changed heart turning to God is necessary to be saved and enables a parent to teach children to be Christians.

Humbling as a child leaves no place for pride, for the cross lies on the way to the crown, and humble discipleship is expressed in serving Christ and blessing others through active ministry, while contention and envy grieve Him and He ministers through helpers. It requires laying aside cast-iron unyielding rules and coming down from stilts of superiority, with severity changed to love so discouragement and grief are replaced by happiness and sunshine as Jesus' Spirit molds heart, fashions character, elevates soul into humble cheerful loving happy character.

Becoming as little children in meekness and humility means acting with clear conscience in heaven's sight and refusing burdens bound upon conscience, without compromising liberty to gain fellowship. It means humbling before God, confessing fault in criticizing, seeing mistake and correcting as far as possible, willingly taking any position one can fill to serve, remaining faithfully at duty instead of disconnecting when trouble arises, bearing false accusation as a Christian and proving it false by life, refusing to withdraw because dignity is wounded, and by devotion redeeming past failings so as not to dishonor the Redeemer.

Entering requires conversion and childlike laying aside of self-confidence and reliance on own judgment to become teachable as a child willing to learn and be instructed, learning with humility, recognizing weakness and relying on God rather than self-sufficiency, which is necessary for heaven's approval. It means humbling the proud heart so God can lead and use in His work, giving self wholly in self-renunciation rather than held back by pride, stubbornness or evasions, approaching to learn His mind and will as a child depends on parents. Humbling as little children is being teachable, meek, lowly and obedient; Christ at God's right hand seeing all the Father does works in every obedient heart, sees what each can do in that humility, gives work to the meek and prepares them to do it in unity with Himself. Those taking many responsibilities and those reaching maturity must still become as children in meekness to honor God by seeking others' salvation, to use entrusted talents faithfully and share truths winsomely, learning from Him so He can work through them to many hearts.

Having the spirit of a child belongs with taking elevated position as prophets did and being intensely earnest in working God's will, and while kept the Lord makes impressions on hearts. Trusting humbly like a child is part of living and teaching the gospel. Learning from Christ and cultivating meekness with simplicity of children and true loyalty in daily experience makes believers trustful, brave, valiant soldiers living together as His chosen, proving Him by His Word and constantly learning fuller trust as strength.

The lesson must be read with humble heart softened by penitence and prayer and taken personally for the present time, answering who is greatest after Jesus placed a child in the midst, meaning no one enters without turning to become humble and childlike. The call applies as need to humble the heart and follow the sermon’s precepts, to put away self-esteem and recognize need for Christ, for only with childlike humility and genuine experience can one be entrusted with God's work and enter. It is repentance and childlike humility humbling self to seek Christ's guidance and turn back from wrong course.

Entering requires humble return to allegiance like a child acknowledging God's law and obeying its precepts, which places within reach possibilities for serving Christ and advancing the kingdom. Becoming kind and patient as part of heaven's family, putting away spiritual pride and evil tendencies, repenting and living in meekness, cultivates Christ's meekness and serving with childlike simplicity and loyalty develops trust and courage. Following thus even with brief or humble service in simplicity of faith and love may receive heaven's reward by grace, which greatest and wisest cannot earn and weakest and most humble may receive, while self-exaltation and pride do not open heaven's gates.

Becoming as little children means humbly learning from Christ with self laid aside rather than letting pride or selfishness set self above others, yielding will wholly to God, which is impossible unless heart is given Him. It means humbly submitting to God's will and trusting Jesus with meekness without self-confidence, taking hold of His work with humble dependence on grace, cultivating childlike trust as trait for eternal life. Genuine conversion putting away self-confidence and coming as a child is shown by following Christ and obeying truth, as grace overcomes pride and exemplifies His virtues.

Becoming like a child includes casting self helplessly on Christ rather than insisting on own way or judging others, for another's failures do not excuse disloyalty. It means yielding to be taught and led in His school instead of marking out how He must work, requiring breaking of strong minds and iron wills and emptiness of self so Christ can pour His Spirit in and work in, by and through the person. This keeps one positioned to get God when most needed, to accept without prejudice workers He sends, and to see His salvation, while clinging to stubbornness, accusation and retaliation risks turning from God into crooked paths.

Conversion and becoming like children are necessary to enter, warned to parents and children persisting in selfish unconsecrated spirit that they will not enter, and to two women that they must turn from wrongdoing or remain outside. Hinderers of a struggling soul must themselves be converted, for profession, position or work does not make faithful; vital connection is shown by doing His words not merely hearing or speaking them. The verse rebukes pride lifted up and exalted, calling to humble self, with childlike humility remaining alongside God-given independence.

The word is spoken with pity to a sinner under demonic power whose hopeless, despairing, wicked words are not his own but the possessing spirit's, who has gone far resisting the Spirit, separated from God though God has not separated from him, lost confidence, turned from light to darkness and truth to error, swayed by temptation, clinging to pride, prostrate devoid of strength whom no earthly friend can raise. Yet Jesus draws him by tender love and will heal and save by the Mighty Deliverer with victory if he breaks with the deceiver deluding his soul and trusts in Christ, for trusting Jesus as a child trusts father and mother is the condition on which even one so possessed can be saved.

Without this change one remains self-sufficient, self-confident, estranged from God, and the verse calls for simplicity in cooperating with God rather than glorifying self. Entering requires dying to self, turning from pride in ability and talent, depending on God rather than treating people as objects of confidence or admiration, for departure from simplicity brings weakness and blindness. It means giving up trust in self to become childlike in dependence, relying wholly on Christ, for true success rests not on appearances but on connection with God.

Everyone must individually become as humble as children with self hid in Christ and eye single to God's glory, which protects against Satan who has bribes for every soul and sees every weak point; unless thus humble one will be deceived, make wrong moves and walk in sparks of own kindling in plans appearing right. Through converting power with heart softened and subdued to be receptive, believers lacking strength depend on Christ for grace, salvation and truth, seek what He gives, become established in the Word and share its teachings.

Becoming as little children means changing from unprofitable conversation exalting self, speaking self-praise, holding high estimation of ability and asserting unbecoming independence, to possessing the Spirit's fruits in true humility and childlike simplicity pleasing to God. To be great is to be a child in humility, simplicity of faith and purity of love, no longer talking of self and vindicating self but losing identity in Jesus, letting pride perish, overcoming jealousy, giving up ambition for supremacy, encouraging childlike meekness and trust. All thus becoming find Christ their rock and strong tower to trust implicitly who never fails, and through His love entrance is made more sure.

Becoming as a little child means meek lowly dependence on God for wisdom and obedience, which age does not prevent; self-sufficiency hinders the Spirit while humble contrite spirit is prepared to receive and practice Christ's words. It means coming to Jesus in trust and penitence seeking help and forgiveness as a child of a parent, submitting in simplicity, asking as children ask parents and believing He will give relief, opposed to doubt, questioning and unbelief. This childlike trust takes Him at His word in spiritual conflict, trusting the Redeemer.

Turning to God requires humility of real conversion of soul, body and spirit, shown in returning to Jesus and transformed character, which God helps those cultivating character and training principles to attain so united with Christ they use time to do right. Entering requires conversion with heart filled with converting grace, without which one should not present truth; truth must be presented as Christ taught, not fiercely or condemnatorily, since harshness turns people from rich truths and mars influence. The humbling requires coming down from superiority, making heart pure, contrite, fully consecrated and one with Christ's heart, filling it with Jesus' love, turning attention from self and trials to gratitude and praise, awakening powers to act, with more noble character more childlike spirit.

Those in responsibility must show childlike humility dealing with others with courtesy rather than acting as though office gives power over conscience. Learners must be docile, submissive and dependent sincerely seeking God's will especially in Scripture rather than relying on self as in philosophy. Debaters trained to cavil and resist what disagrees must be converted to become simple, meek, teachable and Christlike, with rugged traits softened by God's power so heart is susceptible to truth and reverent toward Scripture. The verse rebukes self-sufficiency, dictating to brethren, acting masterfully as though reading hearts and claiming right to praise or censure, which shows Satan has mind and heart; as long as a minister humbles as a child God will use him to His glory. Coming as children means approaching with meek dependence seeking help to see and understand rather than trusting human wisdom or placing people under human control.

Entering requires conversion and humility like a child, learning regeneration with childlike humility and letting the Spirit rather than natural inclinations and defects shape the heart. That change must take place before accepting leadership, otherwise personal ideas replace the sacred, and without heart made right and devoted to pure religion influence harms others instead of serving faithfully. This humility is necessary for influence in God's work to be acceptable and beneficial. Through sonship restored at infinite cost the human family can be restored to God's image; every truly converted soul becomes as a little child before God saying I am but a little child but I am God's child, humbling upon accepting salvation brought in Christ. Sonship lost when man made in God's likeness yielded to Satan is regained through Christ by whom all lost can be regained, and His redemption through suffering delivers from the destroyer.