What Does Jesus Mean by "Becoming Like Little Children" in Matthew 18?

What did Jesus mean when He said we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus meant that we must turn from our self-confidence and pride, and instead adopt the humility and complete helplessness of a little child. In Matthew 18:1-4, when the disciples asked who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus called a child and said, "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The key characteristic Jesus was highlighting wasn't curiosity (as some misinterpret), but rather complete helplessness and dependence. A child, especially an infant, relies totally on parents for everything—this is the posture we must have toward God.

Why is mankind's self-confidence the greatest obstacle to entering God's kingdom?

Self-confidence is mankind's greatest obstacle because it prevents us from admitting our complete failure and inability to save ourselves. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, "The trouble with modern men, with any man who's not a Christian, is not that he's wrong here and there... it is his whole outlook that's wrong." Modern man believes in himself, trusts himself, expresses himself, and thinks he can solve his own problems through his own abilities. This fundamental self-confidence directly contradicts Christ's teaching that we must turn completely from self-reliance to total dependence on God.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe man's reluctance to admit failure?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes several ways people avoid admitting failure: - By claiming there is no failure at all - By reinterpreting moral standards to match what they can achieve (like the Pharisees) - By making light of failures ("I'm not 100% perfect") - By blaming circumstances or other people - By rationalizing sins and excusing in themselves what they condemn in others - By focusing on general world problems rather than examining themselves

This reluctance to admit personal failure is a major obstacle to entering God's kingdom, as admission of complete helplessness is required.

What are the conditions for standing in God's holy presence according to the sermon?

The sermon cites several biblical standards for standing in God's presence: 1. From Psalm 15: Walking uprightly, working righteousness, speaking truth in one's heart 2. From Psalm 24: Having clean hands and a pure heart, not lifting up one's soul to vanity, not swearing deceitfully 3. From Psalm 51: Having truth in the inward parts, a clean heart, and a right spirit 4. From Psalm 130: Being sinless before God who marks iniquities

These conditions are impossible for humans to meet through their own efforts, which is precisely why we must come to recognize our complete inability and helplessness before God.

How does recognizing our inability lead to salvation according to the sermon?

According to the sermon, when we finally recognize our complete inability to save ourselves or meet God's standards, we're brought to a place of humble dependence—like a little child. This is when we cry out like Paul, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me?" It's only at this point that we're ready to look to Christ as Savior.

The sermon concludes that when we cast ourselves "in our helplessness unreservedly upon the love and the grace and the mercy of God in Christ Jesus," we enter God's kingdom. Dr. Lloyd-Jones quotes the hymn: "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling," demonstrating that salvation comes when we stop trying to save ourselves and trust completely in what Christ has done for us.