Jesus is Essential
Matthew 18:6–9: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
It is a dangerous thing to look down on the children, because God values them highly. When we welcome a child (or a Christian believer), we welcome Christ. The Father cares for them and the angels watch over them. Like the good shepherd, God seeks the lost and saves them; and we must not cause them to perish. If the shepherd goes after an adult sheep, how much more important is it that he protect the lambs! In these days of child neglect and child abuse, we need to take Christ’s warning seriously. It is better to drown with a heavy millstone around one’s neck, than to abuse a child and face the judgment of God. 1
Walking with Jesus
Be thankful that all confessed sin will be forgiven, and be thankful that heaven will be free from any remembrance of all our ungodly behavior on earth.
Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10
Jesus said the severity of sin will be met with serious consequences.
Praying
Lord, help me to have a greater fear of sin, and a greater avoidance of temptation.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
