July 10
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“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48, NIV)

God expects His children — every one — to be as He is.

If it is otherwise, either God is wrong for expecting something of us that we are incapable of achieving; or we do not have His “DNA” and God is lying when He claims paternity.

Today’s scripture verse follows Jesus’ command — with explicit examples — to love our enemies.  It is often difficult to love our enemies because love is very personal. We crave it only from those who matter to us; and we give it only to those we deem worthy.  Frequently, we dehumanize our enemies.  It makes it easier not to love them.

To love as God loves is the litmus test of our progress toward divine perfection.  Succeed at this one thing, and everything else we do falls into place. Fail at this one thing, and nothing else we do (no matter how spiritual or sacrificial) matters.

The Gospel of John reminds us that “God so loved the world (the same “world” that would abuse and murder His only begotten Son) that God, nevertheless, gave. . .”  (John 3:16).

When a person accepts the way of Jesus, the Spirit of God is seal of God’s paternity. The Spirit is the power to be perfect as our Father is perfect. The Spirit is the strength to love.

It is not easy but, with God, it is possible — and expected.  – Luther

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July 9
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“Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.” (Psalm 69:6, NIV)

As children of God, we represent the “family name.”

All that some people know of God — particularly those who do not know God — is what they see of God in us; and what they hear of God from us. For this reason, it should be our ambition to grow to maturity in the grace and knowledge of God.

Today’s psalm is attributed to David, of whom it was written that he was “a man after God’s own heart.”  (1 Samuel 13:14)

David didn’t always live up to his potential as a warrior (although he was a peerless warrior); as a king (although he was a great king); as a father, or as a husband. However, when David failed he didn’t make excuses for his failures.  He fought to regain sight of God’s standard, turned his heart toward the Lord, and owned-up to whatever personal sacrifices and behavior changes he needed to return to fellowship with his Creator.

David knew, as we should know, that we are always under observation. When our children watch us, as they do, what do they see?  When our co-workers watch us, as they will, what do they see? When our casual acquaintances think of us, as they shall, does integrity, self-control, fairness, gentleness, patience, peace, faithfulness, and love come to mind?

The world watches the children of God.  Does what they see of us; and what they hear from us speak well of our family name?  – Luther

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July 8
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“Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.” (Acts 15:37-40, NIV)

Paul and Barnabas were a phenomenal team. Together, by the power of God, they had performed miracles, cheated death, and seen hundreds — if not thousands — of people come to faith in Jesus as a direct result of their faithfulness to God.

In today’s scripture, we read about the end of that great team because of a personal disagreement.

It is helpful to note that they did not disagree over money; they did not disagree over who was the best or the biggest. They did, however, disagree over whether to include in their work John Mark — who had deserted them.

They disagreed sharply — as competent people often do — but they did not prolong their disagreement. They agreed to disagree; and parted company with the blessing of the church as they proceeded in their respective tasks.

As disciples, remember that although we may sometimes disagree with our brothers and sisters in Christ, but we should never allow our disagreements to stand in the way of loving them without reservation.

In such situations, remember the adage: “In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” – Luther

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