"Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses (stumbling blocks) should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be BETTER FOR HIM if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend (cause the stumbling of) one of these LITTLE ONES.' "(Luke 17:1,2)
How would it be that a millstone hung around one's neck to be thrown into the sea WOULD BE BETTER FOR HIM? Is Jesus saying it would be better for THAT ONE to be dragged to the bottom of the sea, drowning, than for him to cause offense, a stumbling block, for a young believer? I think Jesus is teaching his disciples, then and now, that it would be better if we, through the keys of the kingdom, would exercise ourselves through those keys, rendering ourselves dead to self and alive through Christ. Then we would be causing THE LITTLE ONES to prosper in all things in Christ. You see then, better for him so it may be better for those little ones watching and listening; those who are devoting themselves to have faith in Jesus Christ, believing. Our enthusiasm must be tempered, for meekness in the truth of the Gospel.
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I urged you when I went into Macedonia - remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, FROM WHICH SOME HAVING STRAYED, HAVE TURNED ASIDE TO IDLE TALK, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm." (1 Timothy 1:1-7)
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