Ye Shall Not Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."--Matt. 18:3
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."--Mark 10:15
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 HE called a little child to HIM, and placed the child among them. 3 And HE said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in MY name welcomes ME. 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! ---Matthew 18:1-7
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Look at the question which drew forth this decisive remark from our LORD:--"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Strange question this was, for holy men to ask--for men to ask, who had now been in the society of the Meek and Lowly One long enough, it would seem, to understand and to have imbibed his spirit. Our LORD wisely took advantage of the question, to propound one vastly important principle in reference to the nature of HIS kingdom and the consequent fitness for entering it.
In discussing the subject here presented, it will be important,
I. TO STATE SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LITTLE CHILDREN.
II. TO SHOW WHY THIS STATE OF MIND IS INDISPENSABLE TO SALVATION.
Little children are also affectionate. They seem naturally inclined to love. Treat them kindly, and you will not fail to win their young hearts. How easily and spontaneously their warm affections gush forth. All simple-hearted in bestowing their love, they need only see the manifestations of love towards themselves, and they give their hearts, returning love for love without stint or fear. You smile on them; they respond with full and unsuspicious hearts. So the soul of the young convert responds to all the affecting manifestations of the SAVIOUR's love, and it is his delight to mark the testimonies of GOD's loving-kindness, and to let his heart flow out in grateful and responsive love to such a BEING!
You see little children asking their simple-hearted questions of every body and everywhere. Even the little children of Queen Victoria will run into the kitchen and ask questions of the humblest servants in her household, and none are so low in station that they are ashamed to expose their ignorance before them. In fact, at this unambitious age of life, they seem to have no idea of aristocratic distinctions. They are free of heart to associate with any kind-hearted children, be their colour or condition in life what it may.
Little children are so confiding. The spontaneous impulse of their minds is to believe every thing they hear said, and to assume that everybody speaks the truth. Until they have learned by revolting experience that there is a vast amount of falsehood and deception in the world, their simple hearts are altogether unsuspicious and trustful. So should the Christian convert be, and so in fact the real convert is, I mean, in his relations towards God. He comes into a trustful spirit, and seems spontaneously to believe every word God says. He assumes that every promise of God is sure--every declaration reliable. And this is a most striking as well as perfectly indispensable element of true Christian character.
The little child is willing to live by faith. In fact, he does live by faith altogether, and seems to think of no other way to live. He trusts his parents and friends for every thing he needs, and trusts them so heartily that the has no anxieties, no solicitudes. He is not restive and uneasy lest somebody should prove false, or lest some of his hopes should fail. That little one trusts his parents implicitly, as if perfectly assured that they will provide for all his wants. He knows he can do nothing, or almost nothing, towards the care of himself and the supply of his own wants; yet he feels no solicitudes, but lives along day by day on simple faith.
How beautiful an illustration is this of the spirit of trustful dependence in which the young convert lives of his Savior! The Christian, as we all know, must have this spirit; he has no other way to live a real Christian life--no other way to enjoy peace of mind amid a world of wants and cares--no other way to go on from strength to strength, waxing more and more mighty through the might of our LORD GOD JEHOVAH.
Do not forget that I am now speaking, not of a child who has grown forward into guile and deceit--who has begun to violate his own conscience, and of course has a motive for trying to appear what he is not; not of such does the SAVIOUR speak.
How unlike all this is the condition of those who have advanced in years and in sin till they are ashamed to be known, and afraid even to know themselves! Then see how artful--how studious to keep their real character in the dark! How expert in framing disguises, and how intent on keeping up false appearances! If they are ignorant on any point, perhaps they will sooner remain so than run the risk of exposing their ignorance by asking a question. How strong the contrast between them (superficial Christians) and little children, in this respect of true humility!
We give thanks to GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for this day and for you, faithful brothers and sisters.
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From Victor n Esther - "My life journey with Jesus"
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