I'm assuming you are speaking of Matthew 18:1-5. Jesus was trying to teach is apostles the importance of humility. They were once again arguing about who was the greatest among them. Jesus chose a child because children are more teachable and not as prone to pride as adults are.
This was a very loving way for Jesus to correct their wrong thinking. He didn't become angry with them and call them haughty, greedy, or ambitious. He simply used the example of young children, because they are characteristically modest and free from ambition and generally have no thought of rank among themselves. So Jesus showed that his disciples needed to develop these qualities that characterize humble children.
2007-09-11 06:38:15
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answer #1
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answered by izofblue37 5
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You can keep the 10 points. But unless you come to Christ as innocent, with your soul washed in the blood of the lamb, and willing to start your life over "as a little child", you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Fundamentalists will have the most difficult trials, as they are so far from the vine, they no longer see it. They should look beyond the clouds of rapture as it blinds them completely.
2007-09-11 13:21:35
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answer #2
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answered by Son of David 6
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Children are open and accepting, willing to examine everything life offers them. They do not have prejudice or pre-conceived ideas. They aren't worried about what others think of them, as they have not developed the ability to hide behind a facade of culturally accepted/expected attitudes. Having these child-like qualities allows the adult to examine truth without the inherited blindness and superstitions of his forefathers or community. It does not mean the adult must be concrete or literal, as we find the Pharisees and Sadducees being , in ideation like a child, however. Do you suppose there is a message there for folks?
2007-09-11 13:35:00
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answer #3
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answered by jaicee 6
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Jesus did not say that a person must BE a child but said..
"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
The keyword here is AS. A child is innocent, we must strive to be innocent (free from sin). A child has strong faith in things and relies on someone to guide them. We must have faith in Jesus and follow his "lead".
Thus it was a comparison between the qualities of a child and the qualities we must have to enter the kingdom.
2007-09-11 13:41:34
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answer #4
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answered by TG 4
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When someone asks a question such as this I think of a Christian, German concentration camp guard at Auschwitz in 1944. He has a loving family who he takes to church every Sunday without fail. On this day, he is leading a family of Jews to their deaths in the gas chamber. Here's where things get confusing for me. According to the bible, all the German guard must do is accept Jesus as his savior and the son of god and ask for forgiveness of this terrible sin of multiple murders of innocent victims, and he will dwell in heaven forever when he dies after living a long and fruitful life. The innocent Jewish family, however, because they don't believe just as the German does, after having their lives cut miserably short and not allowed to bring up children have, grandchildren and enjoy the other niceties of life like the German will enjoy, will burn in hell for eternity. That's just sick man.
2007-09-11 13:24:25
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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The quote is that all must come to God "as a child."
Child-like faith is pure.
Children are dependent upon the parent(s) for everything.
They are trusting and assume that their parents have nothing but their best interests at heart.
Adults can possess child-like faith by being dependent upon God for all things, and trusting in His goodness for all things to work for their ultimate good.
(Romans 8:28, 29)
2007-09-11 13:25:41
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answer #6
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answered by Bobby Jim 7
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This references the 'authentic Self' before the person began identifying with the learned ego defenses that developed in early childhood. Putting away childish things references the ego's fears and attachments not the authentic (Christ meaning annointed) true, essential nature you were born with.
2007-09-11 13:24:31
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answer #7
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answered by MysticMaze 6
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A child at heart. Keep your heart like a child, pure and innocent and ready to accept God.
2007-09-11 13:21:23
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answer #8
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answered by swd 6
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It means to be as a little child is, trusting, loving, teachable, innocent. We have to be willing to allow the atonement to work in our lives, and be willing to learn when we have done something wrong.
2007-09-11 13:41:26
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answer #9
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answered by odd duck 6
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Jesus said we have to have faith like a child to enter God's kingdom. K. I. S. S. (keep it simple stupid).
2007-09-11 13:22:19
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answer #10
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answered by ol_skool63 4
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