Open Heaven 24 January
MEMORISE: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” – (1 John 4:8)
READ: Matthew 18:1-7 (KJV)
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,
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.
4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
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.
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!
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven here
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus’ disciples were asking Him “Who will be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” He answered by putting a little child in front of them. He went on to say that anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of Heaven at all has to be like a little child. Matthew 18:3 says:
And said, Verily say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
What makes children good models? First, children do not understand bitterness; they do not keep malice If you offend a little boy and he says he will not play with you anymore, five minutes later, you would most likely see him running all over you again. The heart of a little child is full of love and that’s exactly what God expects of His children. Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-39:
…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If you want to enter Heaven at all, you have to love like a little child. Little children love irrespective of status, they do not care whether you are a pauper or the President; they play with everyone the same way. They do not keep records of wrongdoings; if you wrong a child now, few minutes later, he or she would have forgotten about the matter.
Do you love like a child? Do you show love to even those who offend you? Do you discriminate against the cleaner in your office just because the fellow is junior to you? How do you speak to your house help? All these things will show if you are like a child or not. They will determine whether you will enter the kingdom of Heaven or not. As for me, even if you step on my toes from now until tomorrow. I will not allow you to send me to hell so I will continue to show you love. We may not be friends because Jesus didn’t say we should be friends with everybody, but I will still love you. I will forgive you even before you offend me. I will not wish you evil or withhold benefits from you just because you offended me.
If you want to make Heaven, love like a child.
KEY POINT: Father, please help me to love and forgive like a child.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 40-42
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Like A Child (I) – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 25 January 2021
