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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] |
Subject: Do all little ones believe? |
Bible Note: Dear Cyclist, Greetings in the name of Jesus! Re: Luke 19:10: I think we are 'lost' through Adam's sin. Man was created in God's favor, but lost favor in the fall of Adam. Re: Hebrews 2:9: Without getting involved in a freewill/election debate, if 'everyone' means everyone, then why are ANY lost? The hypothetical 'all children' is more (to me) and emotional issue than anything else. Some really want the 'unborn and babes that die' to be in heaven. So the 'everyone' clause us brought up, but ignored when we ask about those souls that 'choose' death, even though they have no means to hear the Gospel. (more hypotheticals) Or is it that the only ones deserving hell are those that have full use of their mind and memory, the opportunity and ability to hear the Gospel message, and the the physical and mental ability to respond? So...unless one actually mimics the rebellious sin of Adam, we are not guilty or culpable? IMHO, this sounds like the humanist 'fairness' or 'social-correctness.' I prefer to trust that God knows what He is doing, and if He needed to explain 'innocence,' He would have expressed Himself better. Still, I have been offered no Scriptural evidence of 'innocence.' Re: Luke 9:56: If He meant to save everyone, He would have started with His beloved Adam. He has the power to save anyone and everyone. But His ways are NOT our ways. (Thank You, Lord!) Re: Old Testament 'salvation:' Only men were oficially 'saved.' Apparently, women and children are under the 'covering' of circumcised men. (!) The age 20 accountability? I dunno! Youth allowed into the Promised Land? Yes, God's grace is evident even in the Old Testament! Finally, my friend, let me say that I don't 'know,' or even 'believe' that the unborn, or infants, or mentally unfit, or ignorant, etc., are in hell. I am simply stating that there is no convincing Scriptural evidence that they are in heaven. Maybe they are. But I do not place my trust in God according to 'the way things should be according to Randy.' I read the Word, commune with God in prayer, and trust absolutely that He is righteous. I try to stay away from emotion and conjecture. Probably I am not completely successful. But in this issue, I cannot place those in heaven that the Bible does not clearly place. When 'that day' arrives, I will most likely be surprised at some of the choices He made, or did not make. Nonetheless, I will praise the name of Jesus! Because He chose me, not the other way 'round. Hope you had a great ride! I used to ride quite a bit, too (mountain bikes), but back injury now forbids it. :-( Now I ride a 'powered bicycle.' (CS650 Scarver) Blessings and joy in Christ Jesus, charis |