Only Children Go To Heaven.

Only Children Go To Heaven. 

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:1–4. 


The title was misleading, but it got your attention. 

When you read a verse like this, it might set you back for a moment. And it should. Jesus does not hold back when he sees his apostles become prideful, trying to jockey their position in heaven. He says something that should get our attention: 

"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." He then goes for the throat of his disciples: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I'm sure the disciples shrunk back a little bit after that. I personally would. Jesus is simply talking about pride. Men have a lot of pride. Pride is the opposite of humility, and without humility, you will not surrender, and if you can't surrender, how will you enter the kingdom of heaven? You won't. So Jesus gave a warning, not a threat. But there are some other things to observe when Jesus points to children that might actually help us overcome our pride. Children trust and rely on their parents. Children are teachable; their minds are open to the impossibilities. They see things simply and generally trust, obey, and do what they are told. But this is my favorite characteristic of children, and quite often I become a little envious of it as well. Children live in the moment, and they make a decision based only on that moment. They believe that the impossible is possible. And if you tell them otherwise, they are quick to answer with unwavering confidence. "No, it isn't, because my dad, my grandpa, or my mom said so!" Should we not respond to the world in the same manner? When the world or those around you say it's impossible, should we too say with confidence, "No, it isn't, because my Dad said so!" 

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