18:3 How do adults become as little children so they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
18:3 How do adults become as little children so they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven? This is how Jesus characterizes true conversion. He pictures it as the simple, helpless, trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own, such as little children (cp Mt 18:1-5; Mk 9:33-37; 10:13-16; Lk 9:46-48). Jesus teaches here that greatness in the kingdom is based upon childlike humility of spirit (cp Psa 37:11; Mt 5:5). See also comments on Mt 20:20-28.
Whereas Jesus used a literal child to characterize a true convert in Mt 18:1-5, these little ones He refers to here are not literal children but those who have humbled themselves like children. The word little here does not refer to size but speaks figuratively of dignity, authority, meaning low, humble (cp Mt 10:40-42; 18:10-14). These are all truly humble converts Jesus is referring to here and anyone who causes them to go back into sin will incur the ultimate condemnation of God (cp Mk 9:41-42; Lk 17:1-2). This also applies to anyone who would lead little children into sin too (cp Mt 18:5-7).
This teaches that even the humblest followers of God – including little children – have angels to minister to them. But whether or not we each have a particular angel is not clear from scripture (cp Psa 34:7; 91:11-12; He 1:13-14).
Jesus lays down the guidelines here for conflict resolution in the New Testament church. The goal is restoration of fellowship. There are three steps to follow: 1. The one sinned against must first go alone to the offender and tell him his fault. 2. If the offender is unrepentant the one sinned against can go to him again, this time with one or two witnesses (cp Deut 19:15; 2or 13:1-2; 1Ti 5:19).
3. If the offender is still impenitent, he can be brought before the whole assembly and then disfellowshipped if there is still no change. It is incumbent upon church leaders to follow these guidelines. They must not favour the offender because they are charged with the responsibility of all the flock (cp Acts 20:26-28). If the offender remains unrepentant he must be disfellowshipped. It should be noted here that the local church is the responsible body to adjudicate in matters involving members, not a court of law (cp 1Cor 6:1-8). See also comments on 1Cor 6:1-8 and 1Ti 5:19.
This is called the parable of the unmerciful or unforgiving servant. It is only found here and was spoken by Jesus in response to Peter’s question concerning forgiveness in Mt 18:21-22 (cp Mt 18:21-22). What Jesus is teaching us here is that forgiveness must be a constant attitude with believers. When Jesus told Peter that he had to forgive someone who sinned against him 490 times Jesus was simply underlining the fact that believers cannot ever afford not to forgive others, irrespective of how many times they sin against them. We are to forgive others as God has forgiven us (cp Psa 103:10-12; Mt 6:14-15). Forgiving also means forgetting (cp He 8:12). We are to behave toward others as God behaves towards us. If we claim to be His then we must have His disposition to forgive, even our enemies (cp Mt 5:7; Lk 6:35-36).
Forgiveness is a matter of life or death for believers. If we do not forgive others neither will God forgive us. Jesus teaches us in the parable of the unmerciful servant that the forgiveness of God, though freely given to repentant sinners, nevertheless remains conditional according to their willingness to forgive others (cp Mk 11:25-26). The judgement the king pronounced on the unforgiving servant in the parable of the unmerciful servant is the equivalent of eternal damnation upon unforgiving believers, because just as the servant could never repay his debt to the king, believers can never repay their debt to God. Forgiveness is a kingdom principle, and it is incumbent upon Christians to live out this principle in their Christian life. Christians have had all their sins forgiven by God, so they must forgive others in return.