Matthew 18
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them,
He is going to show this child and all those with Him how to listen to God.
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
We must empty our minds of the worldly, to understand what God is saying to us. Ready to learn and accepting of it.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Silent and eager to learn. Knowing you aren't above anyone and understanding the choice is ours freely.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me.
It's a matter of faith in The Father. Children look to adults for answers and we should look to God and The Word for ours.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
It would be better for you to commit suicide, then to mislead or cause a beginner of a Christian walk to turn away from Christ. A babe in Christ needs milk.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
This is to those that place temptation in another's path.
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
If you can't behave as a Christian should, leave the body of your church until you can.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
If you see others causing trouble in the body of believers, get rid of them. If you don't, you risk them taking down the whole body. They know where to find God and you when they're ready to change.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father Which is in heaven.
You mess with a child of God and it will be brought to God's attention instantly.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
The reason He was born and the reason He died, was to save all of us, because we are lost without Him. Rejecting this FACT, doesn't change The Truth of it †
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
This one sheep was led away by the world. As Christians, we should see clearly what has happened and invite them back into the flock.
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
What a blessing to see one that fell, get back on The Path. No matter what we have done, our Father is always there when we are ready. Repent! †
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Point out the sins to those in your life, but don't do it to embarrass them, but correcting the wrongs, bringing them back to Christ.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Just in case things get out of hand when confronting them, come back with witnesses and start over with them.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Now would be the time to be done with them and let them go their way. Do your best and let what comes to them, be on them.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
We are judged accordingly in the end.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Which is in heaven.
Two people that call themselves Christians, but don't study God's Word, wouldn't be in agreement of this verse. They're the "blind leading the blind". Real Christians seek God every day, not just an hour a week. They will have their eyes open to things others just won't get and they will be able to do things others can't. They will agree in Truth †
20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
It isn't a building that makes a church, but where two or more gather to praise God and study His Word is makes a church. I've seen many buildings that have nothing to do with God.
21 Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
We should forgive other Christians 490 times if need be. They're the ones trying at the very least. I state other Christians because as it says in verse 21, "brothers" and that is those within the Christian family. If we don't forgive them, they my stumble more and leave the faith. For those outside of Christ, we must forgive them as well as to not have a hold on us. Those that wrong you outside Christ will have to learn things another way. Christians aren't doormats, so don't be used by them. SALT! Keep in mind also, to forgive someone requires repentance, and if they don't repent you are not bound to give the forgiveness. Luke 17:3-4 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And, if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying "I repent" you shall forgive him. Look closely at the word "IF"....
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
A talent = 750 ounces of silver and in today's world 10,000 is well above a million dollars. This is how much this servant shorted his master.
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
This servant will never be able to meet this obligation, the servant isn't that good. Everything will then be sold.
26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
It isn't nor ever should be about the money, but about a change of heart and with that your actions. Remember, this is about forgiveness and within that, repentance.
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
He heard his repentance and forgave the debt. You can tell when someone is truly sorry.
28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
The flesh just stepped in the way of the gift that had just been shown. Greed has taken control.
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
If we can't forgive, we will not be forgiven.
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
This king had compassion when his servant showed repentance, yet he has none for others.
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
He punishes this servant just as if we can't forgive others, we won't be forgiven.
35 So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Can you forgive? If = condition, if so, you'll be forgiven also, if = condition, [not] you won't be forgiven. Simple isn't it? If we don't learn to forgive, that one will always have some kind of control over you. Be at peace with them and by doing so, you gain peace within yourself. That peace within is knowing you are forgiven by God after repentance of all your past. † Learn from those that have wronged you and grow as the adult God would have you to be.