Replies

FK: "Again this can apply literally to believing children, [DF: despise not one of these little ones ] or to all Christians generally who have child-like faith."

So Jesus is saying it's ok to despise non-believing children? At what age?

No, because despising is not the only alternative to NOT despising. Jesus says that we are not to hate any person. The command is only to not despise. There is no counter command here. But to the point, I was clearly referring to believing children ONLY vs. all Christians in terms of direct applicability HERE. I was not referring to believing children vs. unbelieving children.

Except ye be converted, and become as little children.. [KJV]

Is Jesus saying the little one is converted or that the converted become as little children?

The NIV says:

Matt 18:3 : And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, I do not think that the order here is the point of the verse. Rather, the idea is that our faith must be innocent and child-like. It must be a completely trusting faith for it to be true. Only THAT type of faith is what saves. So, to answer your question, the "little one" is converted in order to have child-like faith and then become saved.

Thanks for your reply. I think we're coming to the end of this particular thread of our discussion. I really appreciate your effort and courtesy throughtout. As to your reply:

No, because despising is not the only alternative to NOT despising. Jesus says that we are not to hate any person. The command is only to not despise.

That's very creative.

To the rest, I don't know how to begin to communicate. We look through different glasses.

Once again, displaying my reliable ability to miss the point ...

While I used to go with the innocent thing about being like a child (child like being self-referential and therefore not informative), what I got from observing kids is they know what they want and they go for it -- especially when they're too young to know much about fear. They are single minded.

A pooping kid is doing nothing but pooping and doing so enthusiastically and with purpose. A kid smearing chocolate pudding all over himself is ditto. Crying, they do nothing but whole-heartedly cry. Loving, they bury their face in your chest or arm or what have you and hug as hard as they can. No holding back. You see a toddler deciding whether or he or she can make the ascent up a book case, and you see unabashed and unreserved focus.

So should we be in our love for the Lord! Pedal to the metal, ninety to nothing, let 'er rip!