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Matthew 5:17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
In the Old Testament, there were times when the people of God thought things like, “We’re the best! God is on our side!”It was essentially their way of saying, “God chose us, so we must be better than those other people over there.”
Hundreds and hundreds of years in the future, this idea still existed in the minds of some of God’s people. Some believed that because God had given them the Old Testament law, they must be better than others. Similarly, they believed that if they could live out those laws well enough, God would love them and bless them even more.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus countered this belief within God’s people. Jesus came to demonstrate that the purpose of God’s laws was to get His people to trust and follow Him. The law wasn’t to provide rules and regulations to earn God’s love. It was provided to draw people closer to Him, to experience His love, and then reflect it upon others.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: Are there any current ways in which you’re trying to earn God’s love? Take some time to reflect: What is going on deep beneath the surface in your life that leads you to think you need to earn God’s love?
QUESTION: Is there a step you can take today to rest and reflect on the truth that You are already deeply loved by God? When will you take the opportunity to do this?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I shouldn’t fall into the trap of believing I need to earn Your love, but far too often I still live and behave as if I’m not enough. But the Gospel shows that I am worthy of the death of Christ. Jesus died for the whole world – and that also includes me! Help me to rest in this truth today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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