Saturday, June 22, 2024

June 22nd - Better To Be Drowned In The Depths Of The Sea

The disciples of Jesus asked who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. He told them that "unless they change" they would not enter.

"The disciples came to Jesus and asked who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me..." (Matthew 18:1-5)

Have you ever noticed how a little child reacts to being told about God loving them and Jesus dying for them? It makes them happy and they believe without question - UNTIL - they get into some church that tells them God will eternally punish them in hell unless they are really saved. It is the disciples in these churches that will need to be changed before they enter the Kingdom.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:10)

The church who scares "little ones", or anyone, and causes them "to stumble" from their love for God and Jesus into a phobia of fear will not be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven until its members become like little children themselves. In fact, it would be better for those leaders "to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea"...

"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. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:6-7)

On another occasion the people of a Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus. The "disciples" asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to burn them up. Jesus "rebuked" them...

"But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54-55)

I cannot think of anything worse than scaring a child with the heresy of eternal conscious torment in hell. I would rather be "drowned in the depths of the sea". Unfortunately such teaching continues in some form in most churches. Thankfully, Jesus will burn up such false teaching in "the day" humans give account to God.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

All humans, including those who now cause people to stumble, are destined to "become like little children" when God conforms them into the image of His Son Jesus.

"...behold I make all things new..." (Revelation 21:5)

...I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13)

"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." (Romans 8:29)

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His ...