✝️🔎TOPIC: THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
WATCH TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE VIA THIS LINK BELOW 👇🏽
✝️📖TEXT: Matthew 18:1 -10(NKJV)
1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2. Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3. and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6. ” But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7. “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8. “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast [it] from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
9. “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast [it] from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10. ” Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
✝️📖STUDY:
Jesus, in response to the question raised by His disciples about who was the greatest in the kingdom, emphasized that to attain greatness in the kingdom of the father, one has to adopt the humble attitude of a child. A child humbly lives a life of dependence on parents and those who love and care for him. If men would depend on God, a new strength and a new peace would enter their lives. A child also lives a life of trust as he trusts his parents that his needs will be met. A child is easily entreated and forgives easily.
Hence, the greatest in the kingdom is one with virtues of patience, humility, submission, service, love and trust in God. For instance, a heart of humility does not argue and fight against one another but instead would rather allow the other person to win the argument. Humble people do not gossip about others because it is sinful. Humble people do not respond negatively when they are mistreated because they know that persecution leads to spiritual maturity. A heart headed for the Kingdom of God is always willing to repent and be humble. This, we must learn and live by.
✝️🙏🏽PRAYER:
Lord, let this mind that is in Christ also be in me. Teach me to live in sincerity, humility, love, trust, forgiveness and service to You and mankind. Amen.