Good Morning “Like Jesus.” Today we are in Mark 7.
“… You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” Mark 7:9 NIV
It’s easy to get hung up on religious practices. Because we are sinners we daily experience conviction from the Holy Spirit. It seems we can somewhat quiet the voice of conviction by “doing” things that make us “feel” spiritual. Things that make us “feel” obedient. Things make us “feel” ok, despite our unrepentant sin or hard hearts. Unfortunately sometimes these “things” find no basis in Scripture.
Even things we do find in Scripture like prayer, Scripture study, going to church, serving and evangelizing do little to mature us if our hearts are not open humbly submitted to Jesus. His humility is our example, and modeling it is our expectation (Philippians 2:6-8).
We make it about us! “If I do these things, it makes up for sin.” “I’m a pretty good person.” “I go to church twice a week, I give obediently, I volunteer, I’m pretty kind, I, I, I. Those are a lot of I statements. The problem is it’s supposed to be all about Him, Him, Him! Our spiritual resume may impress others but it doesn’t impress Jesus, and has a tendency to create a false sense of security, “I’m good with Jesus”. We may convince ourselves and even others - but He knows our heart (Psalm 139:1-2, Luke 16:15).
The benchmark is perfection, the example is Jesus and… well, we all fall short. The BEST we can do is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), compared to Christ. NOTHING makes up for our sin. Don’t let that discourage you - let it cause you to press into Him and receive His payment and then reconciliation, and justification through grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). The penalty has to be paid, either by us - for all of eternity (Romans 6:23), or by Jesus! It’s always been Jesus (John 1)! The beauty of His love is He allows us choice - we get to choose (Romans 10:9, 1 John 1:9).
Satan would try to convince us that living an obedient life is too hard. That, if our heart is not in the right place we might as well forget it - why bother, give up. That’s the absolute worse thing we could do. Resist the evil one and any idea that does not align with Scripture. Humble yourself, press in, draw close to Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit transform your heart from the inside (James 4:7-8, 2 Corinthians. 10:5, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 1:6).
THATS the only way it works.
It’s all Him!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
“… You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” Mark 7:9 NIV
It’s easy to get hung up on religious practices. Because we are sinners we daily experience conviction from the Holy Spirit. It seems we can somewhat quiet the voice of conviction by “doing” things that make us “feel” spiritual. Things that make us “feel” obedient. Things make us “feel” ok, despite our unrepentant sin or hard hearts. Unfortunately sometimes these “things” find no basis in Scripture.
Even things we do find in Scripture like prayer, Scripture study, going to church, serving and evangelizing do little to mature us if our hearts are not open humbly submitted to Jesus. His humility is our example, and modeling it is our expectation (Philippians 2:6-8).
We make it about us! “If I do these things, it makes up for sin.” “I’m a pretty good person.” “I go to church twice a week, I give obediently, I volunteer, I’m pretty kind, I, I, I. Those are a lot of I statements. The problem is it’s supposed to be all about Him, Him, Him! Our spiritual resume may impress others but it doesn’t impress Jesus, and has a tendency to create a false sense of security, “I’m good with Jesus”. We may convince ourselves and even others - but He knows our heart (Psalm 139:1-2, Luke 16:15).
The benchmark is perfection, the example is Jesus and… well, we all fall short. The BEST we can do is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), compared to Christ. NOTHING makes up for our sin. Don’t let that discourage you - let it cause you to press into Him and receive His payment and then reconciliation, and justification through grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). The penalty has to be paid, either by us - for all of eternity (Romans 6:23), or by Jesus! It’s always been Jesus (John 1)! The beauty of His love is He allows us choice - we get to choose (Romans 10:9, 1 John 1:9).
Satan would try to convince us that living an obedient life is too hard. That, if our heart is not in the right place we might as well forget it - why bother, give up. That’s the absolute worse thing we could do. Resist the evil one and any idea that does not align with Scripture. Humble yourself, press in, draw close to Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit transform your heart from the inside (James 4:7-8, 2 Corinthians. 10:5, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 1:6).
THATS the only way it works.
It’s all Him!
Love you all! Dig in and live it out!
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