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Matthew 18:6-9
Jesus continues His instruction that He began in Matthew 18:3-5 keeping focus on becoming like a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven, humbling oneself to the greater authority of the LORD as does a little child to learning the ways of life. In Matthew 18:6-9 Jesus teaches His disciples that leading a little child/new Christian in ways that are not becoming of Christ Jesus is an offense. These ways of the world should be forsaken as if to never return to them. Jesus puts such an extreme measure to this teaching that He compares it to cutting it away from you as if to cut that part of your life “off” from you as cutting off a hand, foot, or eye that has caused you to sin (Matthew 18:8-9). Jesus teaches that as getting rid of old habits/sins may be tough, and we may feel like a part of us is gone, but it is better to enter into heaven without that part of our lives, than to spend eternity in hell.
This is a warning to rid oneself from the evils of the world.
This is a warning that leading the new children in Christ astray will result in eternity in hell.
As one makes the choice to begin a new life in Christ Jesus, it is equally important that the nurturing of this person be properly guided by those who are further along in their salvation relationship with Christ Jesus. Please do not get me wrong here; in Christ Jesus is salvation for all who believe (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 2:1-2), but as we grow, it is our responsibility to be the example to others as to how God is working in our lives as to help each other in humble support of one another; one is not a greater Christian than another as we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We should always look at ourselves as “children” of God in the thanks, humility, and obedience to God for sending His One and only Son Jesus to save us all from the sinful nature that eats at us all.
We are to support one another as we all need one another to grow in Christ. This is so important that Jesus gives us a warning as He states in Matthew 18:6-9 (NKJV), “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”
Dear LORD,
Even for those in Christ Jesus, Satan strives to tear us apart through the desires of the flesh – the ways of this world. Please open our eyes to the way, the truth, and the life that is found in our salvation in Christ Jesus so that we would lead each other in Your ways of life and be nurtured in Christ Jesus for eternity in heaven with You in Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, amen.