| Greater Things > Books > A New Testament: A Mighty Change for a New World | by Sterling D. Allan |
> Part II: Perfected in Christ > Become as a Little Child |
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And Become as a Little Child
In modern culture, pride and confidence in oneself is emphasized as a key to survival and even success. Christ, on the other hand, admonishes his followers to abase themselves, recognizing their own nothingness. It is in this mode of humility that God is able to make his abode with a person and do great things through them.
We must become as a little child. In 3 Nephi 11, where Jesus sets forth his docrine, in two verses he utters what at first glance appears to be a statement then restatement of the same thing.
37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.
38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (3 Nephi 11:37,38.)
However, upon closer inspection, in the first verse he is stating that becoming as a little child is prerequisite to being baptized, and the "these things" that one "receives" is the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost mentioned two verses prior. In the latter verse, the person has been baptized, and becoming as a little child is then prerequisite to inheriting the kingdom of God.
So becoming as a child is both necessary for entering the path as well as in staying on the path to be numbered in the kingdom of God.
This principle of of humility was exemplified by the Savior himself, as explained by Nephi:
"But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (2 Ne. 31:7.)
Ironically, even the resurrected Lord maintains humility, as aluded to by Moroni, when he said: "And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things." (Ether 12:39.)
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