Daily Encouragement | A scripture-based, 60-second, challenge toward fidelity in living-out the call to Christian discipleship! | Page 1264

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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 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.

To love as God loves is the litmus test of our progress toward divine perfection (e. g. integrity, wholeness, maturity). 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 the 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

Tagged divine expectations, expectations, God's requirements, God's will, the book of Matthew, the family of God

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“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:13-14, NIV)

To be clothed “with the Lord Jesus Christ” is as much of a choice for each of us as deciding what to wear each morning.

The “flesh,” represents all of the things that influence our choices: What to eat, what to drink, what to wear, where to live, what to drive, what to do to make a living.

None of these things are bad, per se. In fact, Jesus acknowledged the necessity of food, water, clothing, and shelter in His “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Yet, each day we have the freedom to choose whether we will be clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, choosing to have God feed both body and spirit; or, instead, devoting all of our attention to addressing our physical cravings, while neglecting the hunger of spirit that food cannot satisfy, that possessions cannot touch, and that money cannot buy.

Jesus said that we “do not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). Are our daily choices evidence of our belief in these words and the Person who uttered them — or in something (or someone) else? – Luther

Tagged ambition, availability, choices, discipleship, God's sufficiency, money, the book of Romans, the Sermon on the Mount

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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); or as a king (although he was a great king); or as a father and 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

Tagged advertising, bearing witness, Christian witness, David, repentance, the book of Psalms