Little Children

[branchesofHim]

Are you a child of the Most High? Was Jesus talking about little children or was He speaking of believers in Him who became as little children when He was answering the disciple's inquiry about the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He related one to the other as both and the same.

Matthew 18:[1] At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
[2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
[5] And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
[6] But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
[7] Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
[8] Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
[9] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
[10] Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Be very cautious in what you say and do to a child of the Most High. He will not take it lightly if you offend them. And He will repay you to your face. Truly God is full of mercy and compassion, but He is also full of righteous judgement which He will execute faithfully. Thank Jesus for taking God's judgement on the cross for us all so that we don't have to. But if we don't accept Jesus' sacrifice for us and then treat others accordingly, we must bear judgement ourselves.

Matthew 18:[21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
[23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
[25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
[26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
[28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
[29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
[31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
[32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
[33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
[35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Luke 6:[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Shalom

[JohnR7]

We have to understand the simple like a child before we can understand the complex. 

[missmuffet]

Yes, God wants us to humble ourselves like a little child. 

[branchesofHim]

On 7/29/2022 at 4:44 PM, JohnR7 said:

We have to understand the simple like a child before we can understand the complex. 

The child must have faith in the parent and their direction for them. 

[branchesofHim]

On 7/30/2022 at 9:40 AM, missmuffet said:

Yes, God wants us to humble ourselves like a little child. 

A child must rely on the parent for development. Discipline is a key component indeed.

[Sower]

On 7/29/2022 at 6:46 AM, branchesofHim said:

Was Jesus talking about little children or was He speaking of believers in Him who became as little children when He was answering the disciple's inquiry about the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

My belief is when God says 'Whosoever" it means everybody. 
When then says "shall humble himself 'as' this little child"  means we come to Him with child like faith.

I believe it was "believers in Him who became as little children"  (in their faith)

I think God was saying "don't mess with my kids" (whatever the age)

[Willa]

Little children are completely dependent on their parents to provide their needs, guide them, teach and encourage them in the way they should go.  We should be dependent on God in the same way.  True faith means cling to,  trust in and rely upon.  As we mature as a christian we don't become more independent but rather we become more dependent.  That requires humility.

[JohnR7]

On 7/31/2022 at 6:06 PM, branchesofHim said:

The child must have faith in the parent and their direction for them. 

God had a plan and a purpose for everyone. My dad wanted me to copy him and that was not God's plan for me.