The Faith of a Child
How much does a person need to know in order to believe in Jesus unto salvation? Can a person be saved who knows very little about Jesus? Some say, "Yes, a person can be saved with only a 'child-like' faith." But what is 'child-like' faith?
Though no passages are found that use the exact terminology, 'child-like faith,' Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17 say the kingdom of God must be received "like a child." And a similar passage in Matthew 18:3 says a person must be converted and become "like a child" to enter the kingdom of heaven. Are these passages talking about the content of a child's faith (of a small amount known by a child), or are they talking about the manner in which a child trusts - the character of faith?
The Luke 18 passage comes immediately after Jesus gives an illustration of two men praying and says that a person relating to God must humble himself ("... he who humbles himself shall be exalted" - Luke 18:14). This same context is contained in Matthew 18, which gives Jesus' response and rebuke of the disciples for their prideful ambition to be over others (Mt 18:1). In verse 4 of Matthew 18, Jesus explains that becoming like a child is to humble oneself. ("Whoever then humbles himself as this child ...")
To 'receive the kingdom like a child,' then, is to have the same kind of humble trust that is natural for children to possess and exhibit. A person must be converted - be changed in one's mind, thoughts, and attitude away from pride, selfish-ambition, and vanity to a humble, trusting, dependent belief in Jesus. 'Receiving the kingdom like a child' is a high standard of complete dependence on God. It is coming to God in humility. Coming to Jesus like a child involves rejecting pride through the realization that one brings nothing (no demands, no worth, no merit) to the relationship with Jesus - one can only receive the blessings and leadership that Jesus gives in the relationship.
The passages about the faith of a child give no support to the claim that one can believe unto salvation without knowledge of things such as the following:
- who Jesus is
- what Jesus did
- a sinner's state before the holy God
- how to be saved
There is nothing in the above mentioned passages that specifies the 'faith of a child' refers to ignorance (having only a small amount of knowledge) or foolishness (having only a small amount of discernment). Coming to God like a child refers to the same attitude of which James speaks:
"... God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Jms 4:6
This humility before Jesus includes believing He is the master of one's life. As commanded in verse 4, it is submitting to His control and to His leadership of one's life: "Submit therefore to God. ..." Jms 4:7.
Humility is the character of faith. It is the manner in which one comes before the infinite and holy God. When one draws near to God and stands before Him 'like a child,' God will draw near to the person and will exalt him.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. ..." Jms 4:8
"Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." Jms 4:10.
