Matthew 18:1-35

Three great main points from this passage:

What the world despises God reveres. I once heard a pastor relate a story about being asked how many he had baptized on a certain Sunday and he replied “three and a half.” The questioner thought for a second and said, “Oh, three adults and one child.” He answered, “No. Three children and one adult.” The children had almost their entire lives left to give to the Lord. The adult had already spent most of his life. (Yes, I know that we don't know how much time we have regardless of age but generally speaking most children have longer to live than most adults.)

We often hold those who teach and work with children in lower regard than those who teach and work with adults. (Be honest.) God often sees it the other way a round.

Forgiveness. How often should I forgive? How often do I want to be forgiven? The answer to both questions is the same.

Beyond that, if I don’t forgive the result is imprisonment and pain. When we refuse to forgive we are captured by internal emotions that can give rise to all manner of physical manifestations; from a poisonous attitude corrupting all of our relationships to disabling and even lethal physical illness. Forgiveness is healing and brings joy. Unforgiveness is painful all around.

Finally, one other point that is so frequently needed in life but rarely followed. If someone does you wrong (or you think they did) you go to them first. What could be more simple? What don’t we understand about, “go to them first”? How much better life would be if we just followed this instruction.