Matthew 19 discusses the fact that anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom of Heaven must be as a child. In fact verse 10 states
10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]. Apparently some texts add Luke 19:10 after this about God seeking to save the lost. Causing one of them to stumble also is a severe warning in verse 6
6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Some argue this can mean those who are babes in Christ rather than strictly children. I can see that as plausible; certainly consequences of causing someone to sin because of our own sin against them or leading them astray is a very scary thought.
Nonetheless we see other verses where the children come to Christ in 3 of the 4 Gospels. Children praising God comes from the concept of Psalm 8:2; we see this in Matthew 21:16; Matthew 11:25 and Luke 10:21 show "babes" having things revealed to them. Again whether it is babes in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:1) or in the context of actual children; it is pretty clear children are the main focus here. Verses 8 and 9 also show how horrible hell is in regard to cutting feet or gouging our eyes out as being preferable.
I take this as literal truth; not that doing such a thing will keep us from sinning as there are always other ways that can be found; we don't see any scriptural evidence of anyone doing this but clearly hell is worse than any earthly sufferings and to be avoided at all costs. The main concept here is that any sinful lifestyle indicates an unrepentant heart; we need to put to death our members such as Colossians 3:5 indicates.
10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11] [a]. Apparently some texts add Luke 19:10 after this about God seeking to save the lost. Causing one of them to stumble also is a severe warning in verse 6
6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in me-to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Some argue this can mean those who are babes in Christ rather than strictly children. I can see that as plausible; certainly consequences of causing someone to sin because of our own sin against them or leading them astray is a very scary thought.
Nonetheless we see other verses where the children come to Christ in 3 of the 4 Gospels. Children praising God comes from the concept of Psalm 8:2; we see this in Matthew 21:16; Matthew 11:25 and Luke 10:21 show "babes" having things revealed to them. Again whether it is babes in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:1) or in the context of actual children; it is pretty clear children are the main focus here. Verses 8 and 9 also show how horrible hell is in regard to cutting feet or gouging our eyes out as being preferable.
I take this as literal truth; not that doing such a thing will keep us from sinning as there are always other ways that can be found; we don't see any scriptural evidence of anyone doing this but clearly hell is worse than any earthly sufferings and to be avoided at all costs. The main concept here is that any sinful lifestyle indicates an unrepentant heart; we need to put to death our members such as Colossians 3:5 indicates.
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