I can say for certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my knowledge and understanding of Scripture is better than it was thirty years ago, ten years ago and even a year ago. I remember when I was just in to my 20’s, a new Christian and serious Bible student, I came across Luke 18:16-17 where Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Initially, when I read this passage, I thought I was in good standing with God because my mother took me to church when I was a child. I was also concerned about others that did not get the opportunity to go to church as a child and that it was too late for them. My understanding at that time was so far from what that Scripture meant.
I later learned that Jesus meant whoever, regardless of age, will submit to and humble themselves (just as a little child does to his father) in faith and obedience to God and His commandments will receive the kingdom of God and have access to Heaven. But how did I come to this understanding?
It was through continual reading, listening to and studying God’s word and praying for understanding. It was through spending time with God and meditating on His word. That is something that each of us are capable of and commanded to do. Some verses for thought:
– 2 Tim 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
– Acts 17:11: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
– Psalm 119
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