ESOCS Devotional 31 December 2022
TEXT: MATTHEW 5:38-48
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
God’s standard for us is to be perfect like Him. He first said so to our father Abraham: “I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless” (Gen. 17:1). And then our Lord also passed the same covenant to us the spiritual descendants of Abraham. God wants us to be like Him. He is our model. He is perfect in all His ways (Ps. 18:30). He wants us to be perfect in all our ways too. We are to be perfect in mercy, love, kindness, condescension, longsuffering, pity, compassion, holiness, righteousness, and all other Christ-like virtues. Doing this would show that we love God with all our souls, mind, strength; and that we also love our neighbours as ourselves.
We should remove bitterness from our hearts and replace it with joy and rejoicing. We are commanded to love, and not to hate. We should seek the good of others and not their down fall. We should be humble and not proud. Our lives should reflect holiness, righteousness, purity, and every other Christian piety. Christ our Royal Master is just and true; and we His little children must be holy too. We must not defile ourselves; but we must practise holiness and righteousness.
Let no ungodliness be linked with us; or any form of corruption. We should avoid indecent language in our conversation and exhibit verbal decency. Let us not even once be mentioned or linked with immorality in any dimension. We should run away from lust like Joseph. Humility should characterize our dispositions rather than pride and arrogance. We should live a very simple lifestyle that is marked with honesty, gentleness, meekness, charity, and all such Christian virtues.
Let us always remember that as Christians our lives are tied with Christ. He is our best friend. We should walk with Him daily at His side. Let us lean on Him continually and He will lead us to greater glory. He is our peace, shield, and sure protection. He has never failed anyone, and He will never fail us. He is the rock of our defence and on Him we solely depend for all things, including our lives. To Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit we owe all thanks, praises, and glory.
We are called upon to live the life of the saints. Let us not compromise that standard because we are expected to be perfect life our heavenly Father. If we fellowship with Him always, He will guide and sustain us. If we forsake Him, He will forsake too. The measure we give to Him is the measure we would receive (Luke 6:38).
CHALLENGES
- How do you plan to live the rest of your life after now?
PRAYERS
- Pray the Holy Spirit to remain your guide all through life.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 31 December 2022
