The kingdom of heaven is not like we think. We fight for position, relevance, and greatness. We want to be praised. We want notoriety for holiness, zeal, and knowledge. We want to congratulate ourselves, earn rewards, and we want our own will. We do not love God but ourselves, and we use him to serve us.

These EVIL THINGS of our nature must be subdued and eradicated. They must be brought down. God does this by constant instruction. He shows that we are nothing - that we have no strength, righteousness, or wisdom, and he gives us Christ Jesus [1 Cor 1:30]. He shows that we are saved by grace, empowered, and we can't do anything, unless he helps us. Then, relying upon him, we have the true fruit of humility. We humble ourselves, and we're exalted. We trust him, and live for his glory. We lean on Christ.

Let this be our way continually - humbling ourselves, so we can be lifted up. Seeking nothing for ourselves, distrusting ourselves, and living off Christ's grace will bring us glory. Let's be little children.

First, humble yourself. "Whoever humbles himself." Receive the teaching that you are nothing. 2 Corinthians 12:11 ESV — "I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing."

Jesus deserves the glory because he did the work. It's the Father's grace, and the work of the Spirit. It is nothing of us. He taught us, or we'd be blind. We can't quicken our own spirit.

Paul was put in many binds to learn his nothingness. Knowledge could not deliver. No power could help him but God's mercy. All he could do was hope, and when hope almost died, Paul was strengthened.

"For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;" --2 Cor 1

Paul was FORCED TO ACKNOWLEDGE it was God who delivered him, not knowledge! It was God, not Paul, and he gets glory from the heart.

This nothingness must be received. Don't fight it. We must humble ourselves! Job 36:12 ESV — "But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge."

Secondly, "like this child." This is the humility of obedience. Jesus called the children, and they did as they were told! Matthew 18:2 ESV — "And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them." Children have the least rights in the house, and so do we.

Learn childlike humility, which obeys and receives. Children are given all that they possess, and they hope in others. Therefore, let your life be guided by God’s word, not your own wisdom. Live to magnify Christ. There's no other key for greatness. There's no other meaning in life. Learn to be selfless and truly humble. Serve others, glorify the Son, and he'll exalt you.

Thirdly, there's a reward! “The greatest in the kingdom.” The least in the kingdom is the greatest. Matthew 20:26-27, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.” You're exalted with God's presence and great usefulness. He hears your prayers for his kingdom, glory, and power. He helps you, rather than working against you. You see fruit in your labors.

God looks upon the heart, and honors those who honor him. He lifts us up in usefulness and then Paradise. He rewards us greatly. Be about sincere service in deep humility, and you will know God as a gracious and gentle provider. You'll see him all wise and powerful. You'll behold his beauty.