Words of Grace 8/12

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

Jesus said to his disciples, Matthew 18:14, that it was not the Father’s will that one of the little ones should perish. Who were the little ones that Jesus referred to?

When the disciples asked the Lord who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he called a little child and sat him down in the middle of them all. Then he said that they needed to become as little children.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,” he stated,” the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (18:4).

Speaking of himself, he declared that the son of man came to save all those who were lost. (v. 11) he did not want any to perish.

God loved this Sinful world so much that he sent his only begotten son that all who believe in him would not perish. Instead, they would have everlasting life in heaven. (John 3:16)

The apostle Peter, in his second epistle, wrote that God is long suffering toward us. He is not willing that anyone should perish. He wants everyone to come to repentance. (3:9)

In I Timothy 2:4 we see that God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

He wants all to be saved because he is not willing that any should perish.

“He that comes to me,” Jesus said,” I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).