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.
(Mat.18:3).


How should we explain this Bible verse?

Psalm
51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isaiah
1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

John
13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash [his] feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Excellent texts to begin with Mike. I would like to talk about each of them as this topic moves on.

In Isa.1:16 it admonishes: "put away the evil of your doings."

Now look at the picture above. (my two guys). How do people who have "become as little children" "put away the evil of their doings?"

What does the Bible mean when it says to "become as little children?"

Can we get some ideas on this by

a) looking at children

b) searching the Bible

c) searching the Bible to see Jesus interacting
with children

d) looking in the Spirit Of Prophecy writings?

Maybe we could also look at the people we know. Do we know anyone who has "become as little children?" If so, or if not,what makes us say that?

David, I don't know if you caught the reason why I used those texts. They go along with the fact your boys are bathing. Washing and cleaning - get it? Ha! Silly me.

I think it's important to notice Jesus said we should receive the truth like children and that He didn't say we should be childish. I know my children believed everything I told them - because they knew I loved them and would never hurt them or lead them astray. Now that they're grown up it doesn't work that way any more, even though they still believe I love them, will never hurt them or lead them astray.

Yes Mike.

I did connect your context in the use of those texts...That was good, and that is why I am looking forward to this discussion.