A Morning Cup of Tea: Become as Little Children

 Today's reading is Matthew 18: 1-10
The disciples asked Jesus, Who is the greatest in heaven? Jesus set a small child in front of them. 
 3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Why a child? Why wouldn't he want us to be like adults? Let's look at little children. They are innocent. Yes, depending on their age they sometimes get into trouble, but when they realize it, they are truly sorry for it. Their belief is almost unshakable.  
 When someone harms a child, people become very angry and want justice done. We see that all too often in the news. So should it be for those who place stumbling blocks in front of babes in Christ, those whose faith is new or weak. Things are going to happen in this world that test our strength, but there are those who would deliberately try and shake the faith of young or weak Christians.  Those who are older in the faith should be there to encourage and teach the younger. We should watch our own words and actions so that we don't cause a younger one to stumble. Just as our children follow our example, so too do the young in Christ.
  Jesus said watch yourself! If your eye causes you to fall, pluck it out! (v8-10).  I think it would be very extreme measures to take out an eye or cut off a hand literally, but in your life, if something or someone is causing us to sin, we should amputate it from our lives. If you for example have a problem with pornography, sometimes it is better not to have a computer in the house, where access to such filth is too easy. If your friends encourage you to go drinking, perhaps it's time to find new friends. 
 We must be like little children--blameless, pure, innocent.  

 Today's reading is Matthew 18: 1-10
The disciples asked Jesus, Who is the greatest in heaven? Jesus set a small child in front of them. 
 3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Why a child? Why wouldn't he want us to be like adults? Let's look at little children. They are innocent. Yes, depending on their age they sometimes get into trouble, but when they realize it, they are truly sorry for it. Their belief is almost unshakable.  
 When someone harms a child, people become very angry and want justice done. We see that all too often in the news. So should it be for those who place stumbling blocks in front of babes in Christ, those whose faith is new or weak. Things are going to happen in this world that test our strength, but there are those who would deliberately try and shake the faith of young or weak Christians.  Those who are older in the faith should be there to encourage and teach the younger. We should watch our own words and actions so that we don't cause a younger one to stumble. Just as our children follow our example, so too do the young in Christ.
  Jesus said watch yourself! If your eye causes you to fall, pluck it out! (v8-10).  I think it would be very extreme measures to take out an eye or cut off a hand literally, but in your life, if something or someone is causing us to sin, we should amputate it from our lives. If you for example have a problem with pornography, sometimes it is better not to have a computer in the house, where access to such filth is too easy. If your friends encourage you to go drinking, perhaps it's time to find new friends. 
 We must be like little children--blameless, pure, innocent.