We sometimes mistake religious performance for a relationship with God, convinced that if we just check enough boxes, we’re doing what He desires. The Pharisees kept all the rules, yet their hearts were far from Him. Jesus repeatedly crossed their man-made boundaries, not in rebellion, but to remind us that God cares more about what’s right than what’s merely religious. The world isn’t looking for people with all the answers; they want to see people who actually look like Jesus. May we have the courage to love like He does, even when the religious establishment won’t, because doing what’s right sometimes means breaking the rules.

Are You Consecrated?
The well-known preacher, Jonathan Edwards, once wrote the following New Year’s resolution: “I will live for God. If no one else does, I still will.” He was making a commitment to consecrate himself to God regardless of the decisions or opinions of others. The word consecrate means to set apart, and the Bible says our lives must be set apart for God’s use. Are we willing to consecrate ourselves to live for God, even if no one else does?



