Returning to Spiritual Innocence as Jesus Taught in Matthew 18
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:3, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (ESV), emphasizes a necessary transformation for entry into God's kingdom. This statement is part of a larger discourse where the disciples ask who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1). Jesus responds by calling a child to stand among them and uses the child as an object lesson [1].
The concept of "turning" (Greek: strephō) implies a reorientation, a change of direction. This aligns with prophetic calls to repentance, which involve a total reorientation from pride and sin to humble obedience to God [8]. The idea of "becoming like children" does not suggest childishness, but rather qualities such as humility and dependence. Children, in this context, represent those who are not self-sufficient or proud, but who rely on others. This contrasts with the difficulty the rich have in humbling themselves and trusting God [7].
The "kingdom of heaven" in this passage is equivalent to eternal life or salvation, which results from God's regenerating work [7]. To "enter" this kingdom requires a spiritual rebirth, which is essential for producing good fruit and cannot be separated from faith [5]. This spiritual rebirth is described in other biblical texts as a new creation or newness of life, effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit through the word of God [4].
The call to return to God is a recurring theme in scripture, often addressed to those who have "backslid" or turned away from God [2]. Such a return involves turning from idolatries and embracing instituted worship [9]. The transformation Jesus describes is profound, moving individuals from a state of spiritual death—characterized by alienation from God, carnal-mindedness, and living in sin—to spiritual life through Christ [3]. This transformation is a deliverance from spiritual death [3] and leads to a freedom in the Spirit, allowing believers to become more like Christ [6].
Sources
- Matthew “Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour. -- Matthew 17:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Spiritual — Alienation from God is -- Eph 4:18. Carnal-mindedness is -- Ro 8:6. Walking in trespasses and sins is -- Eph 2:1; Col 2:13. Spiritual ignorance is -- Isa 9:2; Mt 4:16; Lu 1:79; Eph 4:18. Unbelief is -- Joh 3:36; 1Jo 5:12. Living in pleasure is -- 1Ti 5:6. Hypocrisy is -- Re 3:1,2. Is a consequence of the fall -- Ro 5:15. Is the state of all men by nature -- Ro 6:13; 8:6. The fruits of, are dead works -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. A call to arise from -- Eph 5:14. Deliverance from, is through Christ -- Joh 5:24,25; Eph 2:5; 1Jo 5:12. Saints are raised from -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 7:18: 7:18 Spiritual rebirth is absolutely necessary if one is to produce the good fruit that Jesus demands. Good works flow from faith; good works and faith cannot be separated (see Jas 2:14-26).”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 3:16: 3:16-18 The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; Phil 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 19:23: 19:23 Jesus draws a lesson for discipleship from the rich man’s tragic denial. It is hard for the rich to humble themselves, admit their need, and trust in God (see 5:3; Luke 6:24; 1 Tim 6:9-10). • Kingdom of Heaven is equivalent here to eternal life (Matt 19:16-17, 29) or to salvation as the result of God’s regenerating work (19:25-26).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 3:2: 3:2 The prophetic call to return to God in repentance (cp. Isa 1:16-20) involves total reorientation from pride and sin to humble obedience to God (see Jer 3:11-22). John’s message included specific practical application (Luke 3:11-14).”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 4:1: When God called to backsliding Israel to return (Jer 3:22) they immediately answered, Lord, we return; now God here takes notice of their answer, and, by way of reply to it, I. He directs them how to pursue their good resolutions: "Dost thou say, I will return?" 1. "Then thou must return unto me; make a thorough work of it. Do not only turn from thy idolatries, but return to the instituted worship of the God of Israel." Or, "Thou must return speedily and not delay (as Isa 21:12, If you will enquire, enquire you); if you will return unto me, return you: do not tal”