Co-Authors: Klaus Meyer & Jeff Hilles

We are called to study the Bible, but what is the purpose of that effort? Is there a case for remaining as little children in Christ?

Little Children

The apostle Paul told us that the natural mind is an enemy of God (Romans 8:7). If true, will our deep study render our natural mind more of an enemy of Christ?

Matthew 18:3 - Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

When we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved.  That saving faith is given into our hearts by God, and only He could take it away (Rom 10:9-10).  Why then did Jesus say that we must become as little children?  He specifically added that we could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless we did.  Was Jesus saying that we could lose our salvation unless we became as little children? Was He saying that we should not study God’s Word in order to remain childlike?

Little children have infinite faith in their parents, and they will always feel safe in their parents’ arms. Jesus wants us to have that same, infinite faith in our Heavenly Father, so it will guide us even through the most difficult and painful times.

However, as children grow older, they gain knowledge and begin to distance themselves from the authority of their parents. Is this also true of our childlike relationship with God? As we mature in Christ, through His Word, fellowship with other believers, and prayer, are we at greater risk of drifting away from our Heavenly Father?

Maturing in Christ

When we study Scriptures, we often learn about God’s Commandments and how to be a better and wiser Christian. That is commendable, but does knowledge give us more faith in our Heavenly Father, or less … when we need it most?  Sadly, it seems that for some, the more Christian education we have, the more our mind begins to doubt whether God is Who He says He is. Could it be true that Christian deconstruction comes from deeper study?

If we could just teach our mind that God is able to do anything, that He is not subject to the limitations of time, that He loves us and is always truthful, then our mind could stop its doubting.  Rather than being the enemy of our faith, our mind would become our co-worker in Christ. We would have that infinite trust in God strengthened, as young children have in their parents.

We must ultimately find a balance between coming to Christ as little children, and desiring to grow in Christ through the study of His Word. Success in that adventure of sanctification comes from an acceptance and desire to view God as omniscient, omnipotent, and supreme as we learn more about Him and prepare for eternal worship of Him on the other side of the grave. For some, this is admittedly a delicate balance … rejecting our pride and the legalism it creates (thinking we know the mind of God) while not rejecting the solid food of His love letter and instruction manual to mankind.

1 Corinthians 3:2 - I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,

The good thing is that it is possible to remain as little children in our hearts while digging deeper and deeper into His Word with our minds. The path towards that goal is to expand our studies from learning about His requirements, to understanding the depth of His love for us.  “… that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death…” (Philippines 3:10-11).

2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Romans 8:5  For they who are according to the flesh mind the things of flesh, but they who are according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 

Romans 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace 

Luke 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. 

Romans 8:8  So then they who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Romans 10:10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.