‘ Follow me’, Jesus says to Matthew. Matthew immediately follows him without excuse or delay, and with no indications of regret. It is likely Matthew already knew of Jesus by reputation. Jesus knew his heart, and knew he was ready to give up the life he had known. Unlike fishing, tax collecting was not a profession to which he could …
Counterfeit Christianity, How to Avoid: Matthew 7:21—29
Counterfeit Christianity might have an outward appearance of the real thing, but it is really just appearance or form theology. Counterfeit Christianity lacks the depth of a relationship with Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. In this passage is the essential difference between religion and Christianity. Religious people stand before Jesus and point at the things they have …
Judging Others the Way You Want to Be Judged, Matthew 7:1-6
Judging others is wrong I am told. I hear this and I think perhaps I cannot decide what a person has just done is wrong. This passage doesn’t mean I if I see a bad behavior or hear an unkind word or witness a crime, I can’t think it wrong. What I cannot do is make a decision about that …
Done in Secret: A Measure of Belief, Devotional Matthew 6:1-18
‘ Done in secret’ sometimes carries a seedy connotation. These three things done in secret express spirituality, Jesus says these things done in secret provide a measure of his reward. He emphasizes focus on my relationship with him, not on how others view me. Jesus wants me to focus on him, on depending on him to do the impossible, not …
Yes or No, Anything Beyond is Evil, Matthew 5:33-37
The Power of Yes and No: Living Jesus’s Call My Word, My Faith My “yes” or “no” defines who I am. In Matthew 5:33–37, Jesus teaches that my word should be simple and true: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything more comes from the evil one.” When I say “yes” to Jesus, He shapes me into …
Just Looking Good Isn’t Enough, Devotional Matthew 5:21-32
Just Looking Good Isn’t Enough Just looking good isn’t enough for God. As long as my focus is on my goodness and my effort to be good—or even my effort to be good in front of others, this section makes no sense because Jesus is not talking about meeting minimum standards, looking good, or just getting by. He is talking …
Poor In Spirit: The Beginning, Devotional, Matthew 5:1-12
First of the beatitudes, Am I poor in spirit? Matthew 5:1-12 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will …
Temptation: It Depends on Your Direction, Devotional, Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation: Relevance? A discussion of temptation is only relevant when I seek a relationship with God. If my desire conforms to my own definition of good or to a casual, convenient, socially, postmodern, acceptable definition of good; a discussion of temptation remains relative. With no outside standard, I do essentially what I want as long as I don’t commit a …