Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

Matt.18:4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

There are many reason we fight and war with each other, but essentially its to prove oneself right. Most of would not think proving oneself right is really self-righteousness, but its is! We are plagued with this disease proving ourselves right so we don't loose face. However, when we tie God's word up with our own justification it can be everlastingly damaging to not only ourselves but others. Here the apostles of Christ in their fleshly thinking thoughts like the world, and its great men, but one cannot be too judgmental towards their lack of understanding because they lived in a kingdom where power and authority was given men by God, so how could they think like a little child?

Luke 22:25 He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.'

Christ humbles himself emptying himself into a slave form and washed the very feet of his apostles. But Christ humility was not a mocked humility that is being humble to ones he liked, or in front of men for fleshly glory. Christ humility came from his enduring love for his Fathers greatness. However, the apostles did not seek such humility they seen themselves as the world does in competition with each other to earn position of authority this type of recognition must looked good in the flesh to be rewarded by others in the flesh.

John 7:18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Today many Christian's think highly of their position within some religious organization, or in an imagine importance, because they used God's word in judging others. This imagine importance does not exist with God. God has given his written word to mankind, many have abused it, and abused others with it. But God has not taken it back he gives it freely trusting some will get the message of love written in it.

Rom.13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet,"{TR adds "You shall not give false testimony,"}{Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21} and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."{Leviticus 19:18} 13:10 Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

Here the apostles of Christ would be authorized by God's gift of Holy Spirit being anointed with it, to uses God's word righteously towards others. A powerful position, one so powerful that soon Christ death and resurrection would strip the Jewish nation of their law and temple service placing it squarely upon Christ the King of New Jerusalem above. With that power came responsibility of not stumbling others, not abusing God's word with the power like the nations.
1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

If the apostles failed in understanding Christ humility thinking more highly of their personal righteousness than Christ righteousness given them by undeserved kindness they would not be like a young child. Hence, they would Lord it over others making fleshly minded judgments to maintain an imagine importance. Each apostle had no importance from self or by self-goodness, i.e., self-righteousness they had been given a gift of righteousness by the life of Christ Jesus, nothing good dwelt in their flesh, they could not put away the filth of their own flesh by condemning and judging other unworthy of life and God's love. Such would make them an evil slave, such authority was not given to them too make such judgments they were slaves understanding with a child like mind the love of their Father kindness in forgiving their own sins.

James 3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

Matt.18:9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 18:12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

See Also: www.nu-truth.com