Having Child-like Faith

INTRO

Any time we study Scripture, we get to see the unfolding, invisible kingdom that we operate within. In Matthew 18, there is a major unveiling of kingdom principles.

TEACHING

Matthew 18:1: I read this verse as the disciples, asking hopefully, “What makes someone great in this kingdom? How do we become great in the kingdom of heaven?”

Matthew 18:2-5: A little child, maybe five or six, was placed in the midst of the disciples. Jesus said they must be “converted,” which means to turn away or to turn toward––to turn away from what is not of God and toward God in order to enter His kingdom.

Many Scripture passages speak clearly about having the wisdom of God rather than the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1–2). That means we are to be willing to start over like a child. A child has no standing in places of authority, no great knowledge, and no great strength (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Since God’s lowest thoughts are greater than the highest thoughts of men, we enter the kingdom understanding that our limited capabilities are childish compared to the Master. We must rely on God teaching us to bring us to understanding. In verse 5, the words “receive one” (NASB version) refer to taking by the hand one who is seeking God.

Matthew 18:6: There will always be those who come with no knowledge of spiritual life, no knowledge of Christian living, and no compass for life direction. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom. We are to use a new believer’s “childish” endeavors as teaching points, not places to expose their lack of understanding. If we who are walking in the way of Christ bring only reprimand to young “student” believers, they will tire of the discipline and walk away. If we cause that, we have misunderstood the Master’s mission and have thwarted the “path of citizenship.”

Matthew 18:7-9: Some Bible versions interpret offenses as temptations, and others as stumbling blocks. To be offended means that something has come against your version of the truth. We who are born of the Spirit still live within the confines of a sinful world that will be offensive to us. We will be offensive to those who don’t understand our truth. But if we are the one who causes another to stumble, we have not cared enough for others to see how we have brought reproach to the kingdom and peril to a person (Galatians 5:13).

This is an indicator of how seriously we should view sin as a “transgression.” Can anyone imagine cutting off your hand or foot, or plucking out your eye because it causes you to follow a sinful practice? However, the painful reminder of what is at stake is the essence of these verses.

Matthew 18:10: This verse seems to indicate that we have personal “guardian” angels. It would also give strong indication that we must make sure that those who are working and guarding the “little ones” are getting our cooperation and they do not find us sending conflicting messages to those learning about the kingdom.

Matthew 18:11: Our call is not to happiness, self-preservation, or self-sufficiency. Our call is to do the will of the Father, like Christ who came to seek and save that which was lost. What was lost? Spirit life that makes us eternal spirit beings. Jesus had one mission––to return the world to the original truth of His love for us and our ability to love Him.

Matthew 18:12-14: These three verses give us a “one another” aspect of the gospel. Does the peril of the journey keep us from rescuing a fallen one? Does the satisfaction of the 99 who are safe hold us in the position of safety? Whether it involves personal cost, time, or energy, the truth of the gospel is “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Matthew 18:15-16: This passage must in one sense start backwards from verse 17 to qualify what kind of sin or offense your brother has against you. To merit telling the church, the sin must be something that violates the tenants of faith in the church and brings reproach to God. This is not personal preference; this is not a tattletale type of offense. We must qualify what we are talking about (Galatians 5:19-20).

We must keep it as private as possible to keep the possible shame or reproach from becoming widespread. The goal is always repentance. After time has passed, with no turning, the desire to see the individual restored compels us to take another person or two with us to make sure the matter was handled with proper understanding. And we must allow time for the matter to be resolved, if possible.

If there is no contrition, the matter is to come to the church so that all may understand there are lines drawn for kingdom behavior. We simply know we are not operating in the sphere of faith together and cannot have the fellowship we once had in the Spirit.

Matthew 18:18-19: These two verses do not mean that anything we decide to call important or sinful is a demand to God to make it so. We are to be sons and daughters of the kingdom which would indicate that the laws of heaven are our utmost priority. With that in mind, we draw lines on the earth as far as what we believe concerning kingdom living. When we forgive or remit sins, it means heaven will not keep record. If we demand a payment for personal transgression that is truly sinful practice and we need to see the signs of true repentance, that will be honored also. We don’t dictate our faith, we learn it. Faith comes by the hearing of the Word of God and we function under its governance.

Matthew 18:20: This verse indicates that if the reason for our “assembly” is Him, Jesus will be the overseer and participant in our gathering. The purpose of the group is what matters.

Matthew 18:35: There are two facts in this passage that cause us to see what is represented to us by “the debt.” The first debt is obviously ours to God. There is no way to pay it, He has the right to call us on it. We have nothing to offer and cannot begin to think of even offering anything meaningful to Him.

The second debt can only mean, in comparison, the little infractions that others owe us in offense or in some other form of indebtedness. There is no eternal weight to what is owed us. We can only enjoy beauty of this relationship by the mercy of our Redeemer. Therefore, forgiveness is to be a light matter to us, indicating that anytime we are offended, we must take into “account” what we have been forgiven, and then offer forgiveness in relationship to our personal debt.

This would also indicate there is a punishment for those who walk in unforgiveness. Scripture is replete, or well supplied, with passages that would indicate this as one of the “biggies” for the believer.

CLOSING

This “one another” chapter should be a barometer of the measure of our unity with Christ. If we say, “He is Lord,” we lead with our lives and walk among the little ones as Christ did. We gladly forfeit our rights to our life to become the conduit of His love to others. We desire to restore anyone who stumbles and do our best not to be a cause for anyone to stumble. If there are those who stumble, we seek to redeem and restore. If we are the object of offense, we must view it with the eyes of the cross––“Father, forgive them.” They don’t truly understand what they are doing.