If there is one action that will defiantly keep you out of heaven wouldn't you want to know what it was? Jesus said that there is one activity that absolutely will keep you out of heaven.
"Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17.
TRULY I TELL YOU
Jesus begins with a double emphasis, truly, and I tell you. He is saying make no mistake here, this is the solid fact, or you can be sure that this is the truth of the matter.
ANYONE
To say anyone is all-inclusive, in this case, there are no exceptions to this statement. Anyone can also mean everyone, so no matter who you are these words of Jesus applies to you.
WILL NOT
To "will not" is a choice, you can by an act of will do something, or will not to do it; either way, you make a choice. Everybody knows not choosing is a choice too- it is a choice of rejection.
RECEIVE
He did not use terms of earning, merit, or deserving. The Bible always presents salvation as a gift of God's grace. The Bible says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Since salvation is a gift it must be received. The Gospel of John says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," John 1:12. Jesus' words here do not have any reference to earning the kingdom of God. The picture of a little child is one who is helpless to earn. He said specifically, little child, not a child or even youth, a child or youth has some abilities but a little child, a toddler, has no skills with which to earn, but can only receive.
LIKE A LITTLE CHILD
It is easy to understand the metaphor of the child. A little child is trusting and open, innocent, eager to please, and gives affection readily.
You must come with childlike or simple faith. That does not mean you throw your brains out the window. You can be the smartest man in the world and still approach God with the faith of a child, and you may have a less than average education but still come with the faith of a child.
NEVER
No other place in human literature has the word never had such a dire dark promise. The use of the word never in this verse is to say there is no other way, no exception, no other option, no second plan or last chance. Jesus said it is only in the manner of a child that salvation may be received.
Little children believe the words of adults around them. We must believe the promise of Jesus. He said. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
If you want to know more about how to receive eternal life see the tab above about the gospel.
"Truly I tell you, anyone, who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17.
TRULY I TELL YOU
Jesus begins with a double emphasis, truly, and I tell you. He is saying make no mistake here, this is the solid fact, or you can be sure that this is the truth of the matter.
ANYONE
To say anyone is all-inclusive, in this case, there are no exceptions to this statement. Anyone can also mean everyone, so no matter who you are these words of Jesus applies to you.
WILL NOT
To "will not" is a choice, you can by an act of will do something, or will not to do it; either way, you make a choice. Everybody knows not choosing is a choice too- it is a choice of rejection.
RECEIVE
He did not use terms of earning, merit, or deserving. The Bible always presents salvation as a gift of God's grace. The Bible says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. Since salvation is a gift it must be received. The Gospel of John says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," John 1:12. Jesus' words here do not have any reference to earning the kingdom of God. The picture of a little child is one who is helpless to earn. He said specifically, little child, not a child or even youth, a child or youth has some abilities but a little child, a toddler, has no skills with which to earn, but can only receive.
LIKE A LITTLE CHILD
It is easy to understand the metaphor of the child. A little child is trusting and open, innocent, eager to please, and gives affection readily.
You must come with childlike or simple faith. That does not mean you throw your brains out the window. You can be the smartest man in the world and still approach God with the faith of a child, and you may have a less than average education but still come with the faith of a child.
NEVER
No other place in human literature has the word never had such a dire dark promise. The use of the word never in this verse is to say there is no other way, no exception, no other option, no second plan or last chance. Jesus said it is only in the manner of a child that salvation may be received.
Little children believe the words of adults around them. We must believe the promise of Jesus. He said. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.
If you want to know more about how to receive eternal life see the tab above about the gospel.
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(c) Adron 6/25/15
