Faith Like a Child
Elton Trueblood said, “Our faith becomes practical when it is expressed in two books: the date book and the checkbook.” Matthew 18:1-11 deals with the kind of faith that Jesus wants His followers to
have. First, Jesus calls people to a childlike faith—“Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 3) Jesus characterized conversion as becoming like little children. Faith that is simple, helpless, trusting equals dependence: no resources of your own to work with. Second, Jesus calls believers to a careful Christianity—“Woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” (v. 7) Temptation is always nearby. What did Jesus mean by, “Woe to the world for temptations to sin!”? It is expected that those in the world will seek to cause Christians to have problems, and they will be judged for it. But believers should not be led to sin by fellow believers, directly or indirectly. Satan, like a good fisherman, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish. Billy Graham once said, “The devil will always have a ship ready when a man wants to sail away from God.” Verses 8-9 prescribe, “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off … and if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out.” If you can’t restrain them, it’s better not to possess them. Jesus is not looking for mutilation of the body but control of it against sin. Third, Jesus calls Christians to an unconditional love—“Do not despise one of these little ones.” (v. 10) The phrase “do not despise” means to belittle by treating someone in an unkind or indifferent manner. Since God and the holy angels are so concerned with the welfare of believers, it is a serious thing to treat any fellow Christian with contempt. Of course you could encourage … A boxer was knocked out in the twelfth round. In attempting to encourage, when he regained consciousness his trainer smiled and said, “Hey kid, you came in second!”
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.