Living Responsibly

July 24

(Luke 17:1-2 NIV) “Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. {2} It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. {3} So watch yourselves.”

(Matthew 18:1-7 NIV) ““At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" {2} He called a little child and had him stand among them. {3} And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. {4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. {5} "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. {6} But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. {7} "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!””

(Ephesians 4:11-15 NIV) “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all 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. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Disciples watch their behavior and never lead “little ones” astray. “Little ones” can be children, but they can also be those who recently came to Christ. New Christians are highly susceptible to stumbling and falling as they take their first “baby steps” of faith. Jesus says it would be better to have a heavy millstone tied to our neck and dropped into the sea, than to lead these “little ones” astray. That’s graphic. We can damage the faith of “little ones” by behaving badly. This can come through childish behavior as much as through sinful behavior. “Little ones” see our hypocrisy and pettiness. As they witness our temper tantrums and power games, they can easily become turned off to the church. Jesus calls us to become mature and live responsibly. We are accountable for our behavior -- to God and to those “little ones” who look to us to model faith for them. Maybe it’s time to grow up. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day