June 4

Text: Matthew 18:10

 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (NASB)

The reference to “little ones” is intriguing.  The reference is to those who belong to God through Jesus.  In a sense we all are “little ones” if the comparison is between us and God.  However, that is not the comparison.  The comparison is between us in Christ and those in Christ we consider decidedly inferior to us.  The problem has been an ugly reality since Christianity began—“we” tend to consider “ourselves” superior when, by “our” criteria, others are inferior.  Spiritually, people tend to use knowledge and understanding as the criteria.

Three things were stressed.  The first: What God accepts to be His is His.  That selection is not determined by or subject to human opinion.  No one in judgment will censor God for what He does and does not accept.  None of us will tell God, “You cannot save him/her!”  We cannot imagine how focused we will be on our own salvation—and our own unworthiness!  “Our” criteria for what makes “little ones” definitely will change.  There will be no pride-filled/superior people before God in judgment!

Second: God made an enormous investment in our salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Our salvation will not be the result of what we did, but the result of what God did for us in Jesus.  It is faith in God’s acts in Jesus, not faith in our acts of obedience, that will save us.  Without faith in God’s acts, our obedience is powerless (see 1 Corinthians 1:30).  To ignore God’s investment is to dishonor God.

Third, whatever the “angels” referred to, it was the encouraging assurance of divine representation before God of even the “little ones.”  That encouragement certainly is in keeping with the encouragement of Romans 8:31-39.  God forgets none that are His!  Neither should we!

Suggestion for reflection: How do you personally handle feelings of spiritual superiority?  (Read Philippians 3:7-14.)