Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17
Have you ever heard children talk politics? It's one of the funniest examples of hearsay...
One day I was talking with a 10-year old about something, and the topic somehow switched into a discussion about political decisions. I was impressed with how this young person seemed so informed on the issues of budget deficits, taxes and the country's direction! He carried a STRONG opinion about how our country should be run and what needed to be done about it in the next election. A 10-Year Old!!! (Maybe he will be a presidential candidate sometime soon!)
Needless to say, it was relatively obvious that this 10-year old had his facts flavored by discussions happening at home or with adults. He hadn't lived long enough to learn it by experience, so it was planted into him from someone else. Someone with strong opinions had impressed those opinions onto this young boy, and now were being transferred by a young man with little experience. One man's opinions became a young boy's facts.
Everyone has opinions. Some are based on information (knowledge) and some are based on experiences. The problem isn't having opinions. The problem is to think our opinions are the only right answer. When we start pushing our opinions as fact, it can create problems or arrogance. We are CERTAINLY welcome to our opinions (those often drive our own decisions), and are even encouraged to express opinions to others (that's how we can learn together), but be careful to remember they are limited in scope and still OUR opinion.
I'm fascinated by this topic lately. I've noticed that many times, people share their opinions and react to the response they receive. If the receiver disagrees and says so, the opinionator may react with anger or argument. If the receiver doesn't respond or stays quiet, the opinionator thinks they are right or feels they have the upper hand. If the receiver walks away, an opinion now becomes a relational divide. Better to recognize that we all share our opinions and to respect them without BELIEVING we are always right in them.
That's where childlike faith comes in ... Jesus challenged all of us to be careful with our opinions, and remember that we are still children when it comes to personal faith. We have MUCH to learn, so don't turn our opinions into others' law. We have limited experience, so be careful how we share our opinions. Remember to approach God as the one who's opinion REALLY matters, and learn to respect His instruction like a child listens to their parent.
Many people have opinions about how to gain eternal life. But the only one that matters is the One who judges us and decides who enters. We can believe and express anything we want, but our opinion will not decide eternity for anyone.
That young boy was a great example of childlike faith --- he listened to the opinion of his authority and believed. Too bad the authority was not always accurate in their opinions. Take courage and remember that our Authority is God Himself, who's opinions are 100% accurate - forever! Believe and trust in His opinions, even above your own. That's childlike faith!
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