Child-like Faith

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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 10:13 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.

To 'receive the kingdom like a child,' then, is to have the same kind of trust that is natural for children to possess and exhibit. A person must be converted - change one's mind, thoughts, and attitude 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. In addition to humility, coming to Jesus like a child involves rejecting pride through a 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

    "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."   Jms 4:10.

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 leadership of one's life:   "Submit therefore to God. ..."   Jms 4:7.