“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me” (Matthew 18:3–5).
What sets us apart as “a Christian”? Christ told us to be converted, and become children.
A child has no problem knowing father or mother, and being comforted in their arms. A child knows, till they become teenagers, to listen to them. :-) The church must be an humble, forgiven, childlike people.
Peter asked the Lord how often we ought to forgive our brethren. Jesus' exact quote is “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (St. Matthew 18:22, KJV) Jesus wasn’t hoping to hit 490 times, but rather an on-going attitude of forgiveness.
The word naive comes to mind. One dictionary said, “having or marked by a simple, unaffectedly direct style reflecting little or no formal training or technique”. It is childlike and naive to forgive again. Especially when “we know better”. Yeah, sure.
Don't tell me I'm hopelessly naive. Not nearly as often as I wish. But, I thank you.
Maybe we need to be a lot more naive, and less worldly-wise in dealing with others. Husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbors and church members. How childlike (not childish) are you?
And maybe this is the kind of conversion we have seen too little of. Ya think?
+gbf
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