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Thursday, October 25, 2007
I've Obeyed All These?
"{But I will answer your question.} You know {God's}
commands: 'You must not do the sin of adultery, you must not
murder anyone, you must not steal anything, you must not tell
lies about other people, you must honor (respect) your father
and mother ...'" But the leader said, "I have obeyed all
these commands since I was a boy!"
-- Luke 18:20-21 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
While most of us can say we have never been guilty of murder, adultery,
or possibly even stealing, very few of us can honestly say that we have
never spoken false words in conversation and have always done what is
honorable toward our parents. Even in the best of lives, there is some
hedging of the truth or exaggeration that slips into conversation. Even
in the best of children there are weak moments or difficult spans of
time where we have done less than we could and should to honor our
folks. Jesus helps the young man confront the real issue in his life by
answering his question even though the basis of the question was
probably false. (In the previous verse he had asked Jesus a key
question about inheriting eternal life.) This man, however, claims to
be a law keeper deluxe! He has obeyed them all since he was young.
However, I'm not sure he was being fully honest with himself. I know I
couldn't say what he said and I have never met a person who could say
the same and be completely honest. How about you? Can you justify
yourself on the basis of keeping law? Are you trying to be righteous
simply by being better and obeying more completely than others? In the
discussion that follows, Jesus penetrates to the heart of the issue.
What would Jesus need to do to speak to your heart?
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, the loving and eternal God, thank you for your grace that has
forgiven me of my sins. Forgive me of my moments of self-righteous
arrogance. Humble me gently till I can see that my righteousness is
based on Jesus' perfect gift and not my perfect obedience. Then, dear
Father, I ask by the power of your Holy Spirit, that you help conform
me more perfectly to the person you want me to be. In Jesus' name.
Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/1025-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Luke+18:20-21&sr=1&t=erv
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