Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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] |
Subject: Do all little ones believe? |
Bible Note: Dear retxar, Greetings in Jesus' name! Friend, Maybe you were right not to post these Scriptures. :-) Maybe my English is getting rusty, but I was under the impression that 'as' and 'such as' meant 'to the same degree or amount, for instance, in the way or manner that,' etc., but did not equate the example with the subject. In other words, the child or children were used as the example of the manner in which we pursue the kingdom of God. So far, every commentary I have studied says the same thing. Now, you'l have to trust that I came up with my thinking on my own, and just recently (this thread) sought out the combined wisdom of much more able scholars than me. Please do not accuse me of following tradition, that would not 'stick' on me! :-) Perhaps these commentaries are all wrong, and indeed the original words of the Lord meant to include the child-children used for example. Then you have revelation I do not. As to the children in Mark definitely NOT being the disciple's children, I guess you mean that disciples would never rebuke their own children? :-) Or perhaps the disciple's children would never need rebuke? Indeed, heavenly children. :-) I agree that the Lord gives us no idea whatsoever of all children's heavenly status. As to secure-lost-saved, I don't think I was secure as an infant or child. My observation is that children are very insecure, unless every need is met! :-) Sure, we have this image of a contented babe-in-arms, but in the light of reality, children are cranky and upset and willful UNLESS they are fed, changed, warm (but not too warm), AND constantly ensconced in their mother's arms. Perhaps I have only seen the 'colicky' babies? :-) Please don't misunderstand me, my forum fellow, I do not feel it is 'right' for all children to be saved; my emotions feel it would be 'fair.' Big difference. If God were in the business of being 'fair' by human emotional standards, then the only people sent to hell would be those YOU (or another) thought deserved it! If this is the case, then is God listening (obeying) YOUR viewpoint, or another person's viewpoint? Or will God judge by 'majority-rules' or 'popular-vote?' I tend to trust that God is righteous, even if He condemns some that I 'feel' are innocent, or even if He saves some I 'feel' are unworthy. Please note, dear retxar, that I have not said that I am convinced that all children of the unsaved are in hell if they died before they had their 'chance.' I have only stated that the Bible gives us no clear assurance that they are in heaven. So far, you have not provided me with a convincing argument that would supercede the opinion of the many scholars I have studied. "I know not why God's wondrous grace to me He hath made known, nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own. But I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." D.W.Whittle (2 Timothy 1:12) Thank you for responding to my questions, and giving me your view on this issue. Blessings to you and yours in Christ Jesus, charis |