- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,539
"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:5-6 NLT
Sadly, it’s very possible for a child to grow up in church, learn scores of Bible stories, sing lots of songs, memorize plenty of scripture verses, say all the right things, look good—very good—and yet experientially lose their faith. Sometimes, it’s the individual’s own choice. Sometimes, however, it’s because of the sinful actions of adults the child should have been able to trust. Scripture couldn’t be clearer that anyone who hurts a child or young adult is in grave danger of God’s judgment.
The point Jesus is making is crystal clear: don’t let your critical attitudes, your hasty and harsh words, your hypocritical actions, and your self-centered living end up soiling or stealing the God-given faith of a child.
This isn’t about being perfect. Instead, you can rest assured that a child’s faith grows, not diminishes, when you apologize to them sincerely.
Prayer: Lord, transform me. Transform the way I treat children. May they experience Your love when I listen to and speak with them.
Sadly, it’s very possible for a child to grow up in church, learn scores of Bible stories, sing lots of songs, memorize plenty of scripture verses, say all the right things, look good—very good—and yet experientially lose their faith. Sometimes, it’s the individual’s own choice. Sometimes, however, it’s because of the sinful actions of adults the child should have been able to trust. Scripture couldn’t be clearer that anyone who hurts a child or young adult is in grave danger of God’s judgment.
The point Jesus is making is crystal clear: don’t let your critical attitudes, your hasty and harsh words, your hypocritical actions, and your self-centered living end up soiling or stealing the God-given faith of a child.
This isn’t about being perfect. Instead, you can rest assured that a child’s faith grows, not diminishes, when you apologize to them sincerely.
Prayer: Lord, transform me. Transform the way I treat children. May they experience Your love when I listen to and speak with them.
