PUTTING AWAY CHILDISH THINGS

by Barney Owens

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 13:11: "When I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Just as Paul, all of us are to pass from child-hood into adulthood; thus all of our actions, thoughts and affections must change. In studying this subject there are some traits of the child which we do not want to put away, and some that we must put away. First, let us notice some childish things that we are not to put away.

Please read Matt. 18:3-4. In verse 3, Jesus teaches that we must be converted, which is to change or turn. We all realize that repenting or turning is something that must be done in order to enter the kingdom. In becoming as little children we are to be humble, teachable, and free from any selfish ambition as is a little child. In verse 4, we learn and can easily see that the way to go up in this kingdom is to go down. Other scriptures indicate that the humble and meek shall be lifted up.

We find in Isaiah 12:2: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song. . ." Isaiah truly had great faith and we today need faith such as this. Far too often the children of today far surpass our faith. I know that we have all seen little children grasp the hand of a parent in time of danger. This indicates that they have faith in that one to keep them safe from harm. Let us learn a lesson and learn it well from the little folks, and apply such faith in God. Remember the words of the Hebrew writer: "Without faith it is impossible to please him" (Heb. 11:6).

We now notice that children are, more often than not, sympathetic. We must also have this in our lives. Paul says in Rom. 12:15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." We are to take an interest in the prosperity, health, and happiness of others. When such good fortune comes in their lives to cause rejoicing, the same should take place in our hearts for them. On the other hand, when others are in distress we should have a sympathizing, compassion¬ate heart. If it be at all possible, let us enter into their sorrows even to bearing part of the burden.

Again, in Eph. 4:32, we are commanded to be tenderhearted, which means to be compassionate, sympathetic, or pitiful. Let each of us try to help one another when help is needed and have a happy heart with those who, because of good fortune, do not need help.

Last of the things we ought not to put away is the forgiveness of a child. "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:13). Forbearing one another is perhaps one of the duties that is hardest for some of us. We must avoid all occasions of irritating or provoking one an¬other. At times, it seems that some of my brethren do some things that I can not understand. Yet, when I think about it, doubtless it is that I, too, do things that they do not understand. I believe if we all bear this truth in mind, it will help us to bear with our brethren. Akin to forbearing is forgiving; we as soldiers of Christ must have a readiness to forgive as did our Captain.

Now, let us notice some childish things that we should not put away: first, is that of gossip. A child, a lot of times, will tell things he ought not. The people in Old Testament times were commanded not to be talebearers (Lev. 19:16). Exhortation is given to Timothy in 1 Tim. 5:13 concerning the young widows, in particular, but most certainly it has general applica¬tion. It seems that the widows would wander or stroll about, having idle or free time, indulging in empty or foolish talk, and meddling in the concerns of others. In so doing they would sow the seed of discord, while lying, slandering, and backbiting their neighbors. Let us learn not to do such things. The Lord has put our tongue in a cage, so to speak; let us try to keep the door closed more often.

Then, too, a child does desire attention; often times, if he does not receive it by being good, he becomes bad in order to get it. Sometimes, he will resort to doing things which he thinks are big. This thought should be far from the Christian's mind. As has already been mentioned, we are to be a humble people. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Pet. 5:6). We know and understand that God will give grace to the humble, and in the time to come we shall be exalted.

A trait of a child that is found in the adult is the craving for amusement: We read in 1 Tim. 3:4 "that some were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." The people of God (Christians) are to have some pleasures in this life, but too often we actually serve pleasure as though it were our God. Some have been known to take trips, etc., and forget all about God. Then, too, there have been those who indulge year round in pleasures without restraint. Some even get so over excited with a picnic after service that they go through the worship service as though it were just a habit, and they would have skipped it if the members of the church were not the ones having it. These things and others are pleasures which handled in the ways men¬tioned make one a lover of pleasures rather than a lover of God.

Next, a child is often fussy; one who is always find¬ing things wrong and complaining about them. Let us remember the words of Paul, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." According to the language of Paul, I think it is only fair to say that there are some with whom we cannot live peaceably. Yet, if it is within the realm of doing good, that is what we are to do. We are not to let discord lie at our door. We have no control over our fellow man, yet over ourselves we do. Please notice Rom. 14:19 and Matt. 5:9.

Last, we all know how at times a child can be so discourteous. Peter says in 1 Pet. 3:8 "... be courteous." We are all to have a friendly mind and disposition. Re¬member the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 13:11, and let us grow out of these undesirable things. Shall we pass from childhood to adulthood as Christians? The challenge is ours. May God bless the faithful.

from Old Paths Advocate, August 1, 1963