The
scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day are ideal examples of religious
perfectionism (Matthew 5:20). They took the words of the
prophets and the law of God and turned them into a formula for success rather
than a guide for life. They perfected their outward behavior without having an
inner change of heart. They were clean on the outside, but inside they were
full of decay and corruption (Mathew 23:27).
They
reeked of inner darkness and death, which comes from the flesh. Jesus wanted to
create a clean heart in them (Psalm 51:10), and to transform their carnality
into perfect spirituality by His Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to do the same thing
for us today. He desires to give us His new nature and to mold in us a new,
pliable heart instead of the stony one, which is the result of life’s
devastation (Ezekiel 36:26).
As God’s
Spirit changes our nature to that of Christ, then our behavior changes right
along with it (2 Peter 1:4). The more we affirm the work of
God’s Spirit in our life, the freer we become from the lies and bondage of
Satan and his demons. Our identity no longer derives its strength from our
carnal efforts, but from the love, which Christ has for each of us.
We
consistently act in accordance with Biblical principles rather than by
perfectionistic perceptions of God’s law. We stand in the power of Christ
within us, knowing without a doubt that we are children of God, co-heirs with
Christ and part of His beloved Body of Authentic Believers (1 John 3:2; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 12:27). We walk in the victory of Calvary
with the assurance of eternal life.
Prayer:
Father
God, eternal life starts the moment we acknowledge our sins and surrender our
life to You (Mark 1:14-15). Our intimacy with You, Your Son
and Your Spirit grows each moment of every day for the rest of our life; as we
spend time in prayer, Bible reading, fellowshipping with other Christians and
worshipping together as Your Body on earth. Christ did more than forgive our
sins, although that is the reason for our praise to Your name; but He also came
to accept us into Your eternal family and give us an abundant life in You both
now and forever (John 17:3; Ephesians 1:6).
Thought for the Day:
Eternal life is not the
duration of our life, but rather the value of our life in Christ.
