Except Ye Be Converted

The King James Version and the Old English language threw me for several loops when I was a child. I could not understand; it just didn't make sense. The New International Version has played a major role in helping me to know God and His ways. Today, I have a little love for the old English language. In certain cases, it really brings light on the hard realities of this life. Consider these words of Christ as translated from Greek into the Old English ...

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 18:3-4 (KJV)

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. The ESV says it this way, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." I'll say it this way, "Unless you turn from your pride, you are not heaven bound."

These are strong words. Jesus was very direct in many cases. In this passage, focus first on the words "converted", "change", or "turn". The passage deals first with repentance. It tells us we must do a one-eighty. We must reverse our path. We need to change.

Next we must ask, "How should I change?". What is it about the child that Jesus is emphasizing? The second verse tells us, "humble yourself". Reading between the lines, please allow me to advise you. Humble yourself, before someone else does it for you.

Combing the two passages, we find the essence of God's instruction to man. Turn from your path of pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy and arrogance to the path of humility, righteousness that comes from God, acknowledgment of sin, and our dependence upon God. We need Him desperately. Without Him we never existed. Without His sustaining presence we perish. Without His ways in our life we destroy ourselves and those we love.

Not so with a child. A child believes and trusts; that is true faith. A child has no pretentiousness. The child has not even learned to compare himself to others, or even consider providing for himself. The child is totally dependant upon others for sustenance.

I tell you the truth, unless you change and be like little children. You will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3 NIV

Through the Gospel of Christ we can embrace this command. By the example of the Suffering Servant, the blood of His brow, we know He desires us as His children despite our past arrogance and pride. Through his faithfulness we can from our adultery with the world. Now that we are adults polluted by the world let us embrace the ways of a child created of God.

Know the Blessing