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NASB | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble and sin [by leading him away from My teaching], it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Mark 9:42; Luke 17:2] |
Bible Question:
Dear forum members, I will give thanks to the Lord daily for His wonderful love and mercy and grace! I will give thanks to the Lord early in the morning for the day He has made! I will say that this is the day that the Lord has made and rejoice! Is Jesus our Lord saying in verse 6 that all little ones believe in Him? Matt 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Matt 18:2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, Matt 18:3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:5 "And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; Matt 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Have a blessed day in the Lord! Cyclist I will bless the Lord at all times! His praise shall continually be in my mouth! |
Bible Answer: Dear Cyclist, Greetings in the name of Jesus! I can only hope that I don't sound like an ogre, but... My own observation of children leads me to believe that they are not 'little angels.' From a very young age, they manifest selfishness and willfullness toward authority. Most children are not naturally giving, or sharing, and most of their 'happiness' is when they are satisfied and entertained. Now that the majority of humanity and virtually every mother on earth considers me pond scum, let me say that I love children! Really! I thoroughly enjoyed raising my own two daughters, and continue to rejoice in them, one one almost-16 and the other a college-sophomore-18. Our home is always full of 'extra' babysat babies and children, friends over, and slumber parties. Our church is blessed with children, and we have had a church school for 8 years, almost unheard of in Japan. When I see the sin in children, I am only being honest, so that I can correctly bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) To call a kid cute when they are rotten is mutual deception. :-) When I read the above Scripture, I believe that the Lord is exhorting us to be "as children," i.e dependent on God as a child is dependent on parents. Please also note that there is a good chance that there was a lot more discipline in the home, and in society in general, 2000 years ago. Yes, I'm sure that 'kids were kids' even then. But I doubt seriously that the present-age public tantrums and outward disrepect were anywhere near as prevalent as now. Jesus was talking about faith and trust in God, not the nature of children. For... "Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Ephesians 2:3 NASB. You can see what we do here at www.charisjapan.com Blessing and peace in Christ Jesus, charis |