WHAT IS CHILDLIKE FAITH? – Iris O

What is Childlike Faith?

by Iris O

In this hour, I am challenging myself to return to the simplicity of childlike faith. This seems in juxtaposition to the definition of spiritual maturity. But we forget Whose children we are, and consequently the appropriateness of our simple dependency and faith. We can never outgrow or mature above our Father Yahweh. It is His delight to bring us into responsible sonship, even coming alongside shoulder to shoulder for His works and glory; yet remaining childlike is key. Being childlike can be distilled into the simplest definition, and that is the belief that our Father is pure Love. Jesus is Love incarnate. He is our example.

When Jesus began His ministry at about thirty years of age, we know He was in a position of maturity. Yet He said He could only do what He saw the Father doing. John 5:19 “Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” NKJV

This is mature, childlike faith. He was the Son of God, in His full maturity, equal to the Father, yet He did nothing of Himself. He fully emulated and trusted His Father. We must never lose this dependence upon our Father, through His Son. For truly childlike faith is found in being the branch grafted into the Vine, John 15:5.

So the independence and strength of this world are not the same as the strength of the Kingdom of God. We are forever dependent, but therefore we also carry the essence of the strength of the Father. This, I would postulate, is what mature, childlike faith is.

I also think there is great value in the beauty of the raw, emotional simplicity of personally communing with Yahweh in all our distresses and joys. In this place of intimacy with Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, we can be free to express the vulnerability of our humanity. In this place, we may use our honest words, and our tears, freely. In this place we can cry out for comfort and help. In these precious private moments, the Lord cradles us and enfolds us in His care and in His assured love. He has no agenda other than for us to fully know His love and care. But the beautiful result of these encounters is also expressed by our growth. They answer our cries for finding a path to greater fullness as sons, “ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! “ Romans 7:24-25. NKJV

Lastly but most importantly, in order to be childlike with the Father we must know Him. He sent His son as His express image so that we may do just that. “ Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. “ Hebrews 1:3 NKJV

I recommend meditating on the beautiful scripture of Isaiah 9:6, which describes our King and Saviour, Jesus. There you will find breathtaking truths;

“ For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given,

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. “ NKJV