# 557 - Today's Du-Votional comes from: Mr 9:42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”
The “little ones” Jesus refers to are like this toddler that He had called into their midst. This is a charge that He has given to His church to guard the faith of little children.
To “cause to stumble” is not strong enough in the English language here. The Greek phrase speaks of a deadly trap. This is a very serious charge given to the church! We must do all we can to nurture and strengthen the faith of little children and new believers.
If we, or anyone else would lead children and other believers into the deadly trap of unbelief through false teachings or hypocritical conduct, it would be better if someone had put a millstone around our neck and tossed us into the sea, before we had the opportunity to play a role in the ruination of their faith.
I shudder at the thought of careless parents who keep their children away from church so they can “make up their own minds ” about Jesus later on. I shudder for those who have a position of authority over a child and breach that trust and ruin faith through any form of spiritual apathy or hypocrisy.
Make the strengthening of the faith of the children in your family and in your congregation, and in your community a high priority. And remember, if you have failed in this regard, that no sin is unforgivable. Confess it, receive His forgiveness, and rededicate yourself to this task.
Father, we all have a role to play in nurturing the faith of children, help us to seek out that role and fulfill it in Your strength, and according to Your will.
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