It’s tempting to measure our spiritual life by external standards like church attendance, Bible reading, avoiding major sins, and then feel good about the comparison. But Jesus dismantles this scorecard approach by revealing that the true gauge lies much deeper. He points out that we’re guilty of murder if we harbor anger towards someone, and that lust is equivalent to adultery. This means no one can achieve the perfection God requires, but the good news is that Christ has already fulfilled every requirement and offers to credit His flawless record to us! Stop trying to improve your religious resume and simply receive the righteousness that only He can provide.
Saying Yes to a Costly Call
God called Isaiah to spend the rest of his life preaching to a rebellious nation, and was told that no one would listen to his message. That was a difficult assignment! God also calls us to step out and obey Him in various ways throughout our life, and those calls are seldom convenient or easy. Saying yes to God always comes with a cost. It requires laying aside our own desires and plans, and even being willing to suffer and die, if necessary. The call may be hard, but there is no safer, more rewarding place to be than right where God is leading you! Will you be ready to answer God’s calls when they come?
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