Need for a Babe Spirit

Little children are admirable in numerous aspects, no wonder they often bring smiles to adults and easily catch their attention.  Their are highly vulnerable, and yet live with no cares whatsoever; their trust in their caregivers is immense.  They worry not about tomorrow, even in the gravest of circumstances.  Their minds and hearts are not only open to learn, but they are also eager to learn.  Every moment is a learning moment for little children, whether we as adults recognize it or not.  Hypocrisy is far from them, and they often speak their mind without much thought.

Jesus, in response to His disciples' question on who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, indicated that whoever humbles himself as a child is the greatest.  Matthew 18:3 states, "... I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  The Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children.

A spirit of trust, brokenness and humility is required for a person to respond to God's word in repentance and become born again.  Such spirit is contrary to an argumentative, proud and rebellious spirit that deems the gospel as foolishness.  In fact, 1st Corinthians 1:18 states, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  Thus for us to enter God's Kingdom, we must be like little children.  Also noteworthy, is that for believers to live in the fullness of life in Christ, they need to have a babe spirit.  This means that such a spirit is not only necessary at conversion, but also vital for victorious Christian living. 

In Matthew 11:25, Jesus gave thanks and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."  The things of the Kingdom of God were hidden from wise and learned but revealed to the uneducated and ordinary (Acts 4:13).  Why would God do these?  It is God's pleasure/ will to reveal His Kingdom to those who have a spirit that is open to learning, broken, contrite and that trusts God's infinite wisdom rather than relying on limited human wisdom.  Matthew 11:26 states, "...for this was your [God's] good pleasure."

The scriptures preceding Matthew 11:25 in that chapter lay the context that helps us better understand Christ's desire for us to have a babe spirit.  In the opening scriptures of the chapter, we see Jesus preaching in the towns of Galilee and when John's disciples came to confirm from Jesus whether He was truly the Messiah, Jesus directed John's disciples to what they had heard Him preach and what they saw Him do: the blind received sight, the lame walked, the leprous were cured, the deaf heard and the dead were raised.  Jesus was persuaded that every person who had a babe spirit, open to the Spirit of God, would have a witness in their spirit that whatever they heard Him say and saw Him do was of God.

  The tragedy is that the religious leaders of the time were wise and intelligent- highly learned and with great mastery of the law- but their hearts were hardened and their critical mind corrupted, such that they could not perceive the things of God and respond to Him in faith.  Matthew 11:6 quotes Jesus' words, "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."  Due to Jews and Gentiles' hardness of heart, pride that emanated from being puffed up with knowledge, and other forms of corruption such as hypocrisy, Jesus became a stumbling block to them.  1st Corinthians 1:22-23 states that Jews demanded miraculous signs and Greeks looked for wisdom, thus the gospel of Christ crucified became a stumbling block to both peoples.  Notwithstanding, Christ was, is and will ever be the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Matthew 11:16-19 highlights the rebellious passiveness and stubborn unresponsiveness to God by the people in Jesus' time.  Jews are a type of today's believers while Gentiles are a type of today's non-believers.  It is sad to note that a significant proportion of these two groups of people, exhibit the kind of passiveness and unresponsiveness witnessed by Jesus during His ministry.  These scriptures state, "To what can I compare this generation?  They are like children sitting in market places calling out to others:  'We played the flute for you and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn.'  For John came neither eating nor drinking, but they say 'He has a demon'.  The Son of man came eating and drinking and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'  But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

May God deliver us from the corruption of religion and sin, and give us a babe spirit that is teachable and responsive to Him.  Whatever Jesus describes in Matthew 11:16-19 is an extremely dangerous place to be in, whether as a believer or non-believer.  It is a place where no matter what God does, we cannot recognise it and move in obedience to it because our hearts are hardened.  Such corrupted hearts are plagued with unbelief  like the people of Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum (Matthew 11:20-24).  Jesus denounced these cities because despite the 'most' miracles happening therein, they did not repent.  Jesus promised that on the day of judgement, it will be more bearable for Tyre, Sidon and Sodom than to those who witness God's power and refuse to humble themselves and respond in faith.

Such people search for God through religion, good works and pursuit for human knowledge, ignorant of the futility of their pursuit.  Matthew 11:27 states, "... no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."  All who desire to know God ought only draw near to Him in relationship, and He will draw them nigh to Himself (James 4:8).  I must admit that I am increasingly concerned by the reliance on human wisdom and religious activities by believers as the life-line for their Christian living, contrary to God's blue print for victorious Christian living as outlined in scripture.  Unfortunately, believers and religious gatherings that build on such a foundation are like the foolish builder who build his house on sinking sand.  When the winds blow, the rains fall and the storms rise, that house will surely tumble down with a great crash (Matthew 7:24-27). 

Have our hearts become calloused by the deceit of religion, human wisdom, and self-reliance such that we deny God's power and His wisdom that leads us into Truth?  John 6:63 states, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts nothing. ...."  God intended that believers walk in His abundant life and in the fullness of His Spirit.  This is only possible if we become like little children and learn from our Father through the Spirit.  God intended that ministers of the gospel walk in the demonstration of the Spirit and power.  To do so, they must become like little children and be consumed by a desire to decrease so that Christ may increase (John 3:30).

As we obediently follow God's leading, He will lead us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spread everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him (1 Corinthians 2:14).  May God help you and I to unlearn some things so that we can learn God's Truths.  Many believers, including my self, have found themselves in seasons where they feel that they do not know how to pray, or to worship God, or to study the bible.  Such times are characterised by an intense feeling of inadequacy and weakness.  Usually, it is not a good feeling to our human nature, but it surely is a good season to be in as a believer.  It is a season that should excite us because it provides immense opportunities for us to unlearn so that we can learn from God.     

Also, the deception of religion, human wisdom and self-reliance hinders us from entering God's rest.  Matthew 11:28-30 states, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  A babe spirit enables us to be humble enough to acknowledge that our strength fails and that we cannot bear the burdens of life on our own; it enables us to surrender in trust to our Father and learn from Him.  This is the key to entering God's rest.

Many years ago, as a high school student, I volunteered to teach church school during school holidays.  One morning, I was late for the church school service that usually began at 7 a.m. and so I entered the church sanctuary (it was actually a small tent with a capacity of about 150 people that had been erected in my neighbourhood) in a rush, aiming to walk to the front benches and join the children who were praising and worshiping God.  Something divine happened that stopped me on my tracks.  I sensed such intense manifest presence of God that I sat on a bench close to the entrance and began to marvel at what I saw and perceived.  I was speechless and tears rolled freely down my cheeks as I beheld the presence of God in awe. 

These children had started praise and worship session prior to my arrival and so had no adult leading them in the session.  However, they sang in the most sincere of hearts, and God honored their praises with His glorious manifest presence.  They did not have instrumentalists and their vocals were not harmonised; the young boy who led others in worship had no much experience and their was no peculiar physical beauty in the sanctuary to behold.  Notwithstanding, God took delight in inhabiting these children's praises.

This experience helped me understand Psalms 8:2: "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."  It made me seek to understand what true worship really is and understand the power in worship offered in spirit and in truth.  May God help us to be babes- surrendered; humble; broken and contrite; earnestly seeking to know Him who is Truth and to follow Him in obedience as the Spirit of God leads!    
    

A Disciple's Call

  The commencement of Jesus' ministry in Matthew 4:12-17 is followed by a brief account of the calling of the first disciples in Matthew 4:18-22.  A disciple means "follower of Christ" and the word "follow" is severally used in the passages that describe the calling of the twelve (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:27; John 1:43). Unlike the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus was not calling men to attain a religious or political status, but rather, He was simply calling men to Himself.  Even today, He beckons us to Himself with open arms and unconditional love.

Later on in the same book of Matthew, chapter 10 focuses on Jesus sending out the twelve disciples on a ministry assignment.  This chapter is written in the context of Matthew 9:35-38 which states, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

In this section of scripture, Jesus was modeling to the disciples what He would have them do as regards the great commission: teaching the word; proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; healing every disease and sickness; being moved by compassion for the harassed and helpless in society.  A Christian leader must never loose sight of the ultimate goal of his/ her leadership- the great commission!  Our leadership must point people to Christ; it must demonstrate and model out God’s word; and it entails exercising authority over the devil’s schemes and destroying them for the advancement of the God's Kingdom.

Christian leaders inspire, mobilize, motivate and direct people to Christ and His purposes.  Matthew 10 can be summarised as follows:

 

God calls then prepares and qualifies.  The disciples (vs 1) were first His followers before they were apostles (vs 2).  1st Corinthian 1:26-29 states, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”  If you have been feeling weak and insufficient for the calling of God upon your life, you are actually right, you are!  God called us in our state of weakness so that no one may boast before Him!

Please note that in verse 1a, Christ called the disciples to Himself.  Our first and foremost calling as leaders is to God.  He is calling us to Himself.  Not to good paying jobs; high positions of leadership; successful entrepreneurship etc.  These material blessings are good but can never compare to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.  God is calling us to Himself!  He is enough!  He is all we need for life and godliness!  What an honor it is to be called to God!!  Worldly leaders (Boards of Directors, Senior managers, Army commanders) call us to duty but God calls us to Himself.  God’s kingdom is not of this world and so are God's principles different from worldly principles.

For example, when Paul was called as a teacher and apostle of the gospel, his response was to go into the Arabian desert to seek God, rather than Him proceeding to Jerusalem where the other apostles were (Galatians 1:15-17).  Paul prioritized knowing God and this was a sure way to start his ministry.  There is a surpassing worth in knowing Christ.  Phil 3:8, 10 states, “I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. …I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

Believers that are to serve Christ in their leadership must first be with Him.  Kenya does not have a shortage of leaders.  However, there is short supply of leaders who know God; who understand the power of his resurrection; who gladly share in the sufferings of Christ; and are dead in the flesh.  John 12:16 states, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. …”

Matthew 1b states, “… and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."  God desires that Christian leaders walk not merely with positional power but more importantly, that they walk in their God-given spiritual authority and power.  Spiritual power was so important that Jesus instructed the disciples, despite having been with Him for three years of active ministry where they earned invaluable experience and sharpened their gifts, to wait in Jerusalem for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:18-19 states, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations ….”  Also, Mark 16:17 states “And these signs will accompany those who believe.  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; …; they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.” 

Christian leaders who have a growing, intimate relationship with God exhibit spiritual authority and power.  Just like Moses in the desert, they speak the oracles of God.  Their words are not merely eloquent words of wisdom, but are in demonstration of the Spirit and power.  Psalms chapter 91 is written for those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Numerous promises are given about such believers.  In verse 13 of that Psalm, a promise is given regarding their spiritual authority and power: "… You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”

Such leaders are not afraid to speak from God’s heart and swim against the grain of the majority.  The righteous are as bold as a lion- Prov 28:1.  They understand who their master truly is- their Heavenly Father, and thus they need not walk in the fear of men.

In verse 2 of Matthew 10, the names of the twelve disciples are listed.  This happens in two other gospel books in the New Testament.  Why did Matthew list the names of the apostles to whom Jesus had called, given authority and instructed?  Individually, they mattered to God.  Individually, we matter to our Father.  God is not an unjust Master who wants his servants to produce fruit and pays no thought to their well being.  God loves you and cares for you, no wonder He first calls you to Himself.  Our relationship with God as believers is not that of “master-servant” but rather of “father-son” and of “friends”. 

Some believers are afraid to surrender to God.  They say to themselves, "I don't want to surrender and then God sends me to Somalia!"  Such thoughts are informed by the "master-servant" mentality.  John 15:15 states, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”  God calls us, empowers us and sends us out into His harvest field in love.  Isaiah 49:16 states, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; …”  Your name is ever before Him.

Christ gave instructions to His disciples prior to releasing them to the harvest field.  Matthew 10:5 states, “… and commanded them saying ….”  According to David Guzik, the word which is used in the Greek for Jesus commanding his men, or giving them orders is "paragellein" and has four special usages:
•    It is the regular word of military command. . . .
•    It is the word used of calling one's friends to one's help. . . .
•    It is the word which is used of a teaching giving rules and precepts to his students. . . .
•    It is the word which is regularly used for an imperial command."

God is calling us to a higher place of influence for His Kingdom’s advancement. We must lead by His rules and not by worldly rules.  2nd Timothy 2:5 says, “…, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.”  Many worldly principles has permeated our lives as believers and corrupted our hearts.  These worldly principles to a significant extent influence our judgments, values and approaches in various aspects of our lives, including ministry.  God desires that we carry out His mandate by His principles.

The following is a summary of Jesus' instructions:

a)    To whom am I sending you? The disciples, in this particular assignment, were sent to the lost sheep of Israel.
Reflection question: To whom is Jesus sending you?

b)    What are you to do? The disciples were instructed to preach, heal, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons
Reflection questions: What does God require you to do in your current place of planting/ influence?  Are you doing what God requires you to do?

c)    What message are you to preach/ teach? The disciples were instructed to preach that "The Kingdom of heaven is near."
Reflection questions:  What message are you preaching/ teaching, both verbally and by your lifestyle?

d)    How are you to do his mandate?  The disciples were guided on the "how" of their assignment: freely they had received and freely they were to give (vs 8b); they were to trust God for their providence by not taking with them gold, silver or copper; bag, tunic and sandals (vs 9-10); they were to partner with other believers wherever they went (vs 11); and they were to ignore distractions and keep obeying the call (vs 13-14).
Reflection questions: Are you freely giving away your spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, time, finances etc. for the advancement of the Kingdom? As you carry out God’s mandate, is your trust in Him for providence?  Are you partnering with fellow believers to accomplish God’s mandate in your area of influence?  Are you keeping your focus on the call

e)    Which principles must you abide by?
 

• Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves- Matthew 10:16
• Expect persecution- Matthew 10:17-25
• Set your eyes on the eternal hope of salvation- Matthew 10:22 “… but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
• Work with urgency for the Son of Man Comes- Matthew 10:23b
• Be strong and of good courage- Matthew 10:28-31
• Do not love your life, even unto death- Matthew 10:34-37
• Crucify the flesh daily- Matthew 10:38-39
• Be confident of your identity- Matthew 10:40-42.  You are a Son of God; Christ indwells you; you are a prophet; a righteous man by reason of what Christ accomplished on the cross; a follower of Christ.

The disciples having responded to God's call to Himself, were empowered, instructed and then released to the harvest field (Matthew 10:5).  Christ is the Lord of the harvest and He sends us wherever He wills, for His glory.  When we hear His call, our human mind and the devil may lure us to disobey, but the proper response is "Yes".  The journey of being a vessel for God's noble purposes begins by a simple "Yes" in response to God's love and not to a mere call to duty.  John 20:21 contains some of Jesus' last words to His disciples, after His resurrection and before His ascent.  He said, “… as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (KJV).”

There is sufficient grace for God’s set out path for you.  It is a path of fruitfulness, increase and influence/ dominion (Genesis 1:28).  However, as John 15:5, apart from Christ we do nothing.  We must learn to dwell in His shelter, rest in His shadow and rely on His blessed Holy Spirit for divine empowerment.  In so doing, we shall witness Jeremiah 1:10 being fulfilled in our lives- “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”  Amen.