December 9, 2014

To be like a child...

Matthew 18:1-6

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."

"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."

Personal Challenge...

Why is it that so many of us who convert from western Christianity to eastern Christianity spend so much time trying to amass great volumes of knowledge about eastern Christianity? Is it because in the west we pride ourselves in the church on how much we know about God, the church, and our history, and that we have brought that baggage into our eastern practice of our faith. Jesus Himself tells us that we must be like a child if we are to truly be great in the kingdom of heaven. This means focusing on, and living out, the virtues of a child, humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved. It is difficult to have these virtues growing and developing in our lives if we are constantly pursuing knowledge. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!