TURN AND BECOME LIKE CHILDREN

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -- Matthew 18:3

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Pt. 2:2). In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness (Heb. 5:12-13).

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn (Is. 51:1). The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness (Prv. 15:9).

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Mt. 5:6).

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor (Prv. 21:21). For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things (Ps. 107:9). Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults (Is. 51:7). If we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness (Dt. 6:25).

In the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature (1 Cor. 14:20). I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil (Rom. 16:19). Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11).

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water (Ps. 63:1). I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me (Ps. 131:2). See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:24).

TRAINED FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

"Every scribe who has been trained 
for the kingdom of heaven 

is like a householder 
who brings out of his treasure 

what is new and what is old."

(Matthew 13:52).

Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Heb. 5:14). We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing (1 Cor. 2:6).

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you" (1 Kgs. 3:5). And God said to him, "Because you have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you" (1 Kgs. 3:11-12).

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (Rom. 8:28-30).

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly (1 Tim. 4:7). Reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). Leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God (Heb. 6:1).

The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep thy words (Ps. 119:57). The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces (Ps. 119:72). Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, above fine gold (Ps. 119:127).

O LORD my God, give thy servant an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people? (1 Kgs. 3:9)

The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple (Ps. 119:130). Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them (Ps. 119:129).

Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant. Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight (Ps. 119:76-77). Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts; I hate every false way (Ps. 119:128).

Persecuted for Righteousness' Sake

"Blessed are those who are persecuted 

for righteousness' sake, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:10

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? -- Romans 8:35

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. -- Hebrews 10:33

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. -- 2 Corinthians 12:10

"Remember the words I spoke to you: 
'No servant is greater than his master.' 

If they persecuted me, 
they will persecute you also. 

If they obeyed my teaching, 
they will obey yours also." 

John 15:20

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. -- 2 Timothy 3:12


We must unite ourselves to God's will. Even those that we suffer from man...for example, contempt, injustice, loss of reputation, loss of temporal goods and all kinds of persecutions. On these occasions we must remember that whilst God doesn't will the sin, He does will our humiliation, our poverty, or our mortification, as the case may be. It is certain and of Faith, that whatever happens, happens by the will of God. Our conduct in such instances is the true measure of our love for God. -- St. Alphonsus Liguori

God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. -- 2 Thessalonians 1:5

It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Peter 3:17).

Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Peter 4:19).

Know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -- Ephesians 3:19

Father in heaven, Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. -- Matthew 6:10

Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:3