Sometimes it is nice to receive a little encouragement. It is always nice to hear a few words that you are doing great.
Today my hope is to be that encourage for those who are believers in Christ and the focus is going to be on a passage you already know.
In Matthew, Jesus was teaching what we call the Sermon on the Mount. He was addressing keeping law when he said,
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder’ but I tell you, everyone who is angry without cause shall be guilty.”
Jesus is pointing out an issue with which we all struggle.
The quote is pulled from a larger section in Matthew 5, dealing with keeping promises, getting even, lust and loving enemies.
Jesus is taking law and saying, keeping law outwardly is not enough. He is pointing to a much bigger issue.
The standard is high; VERY HIGH! We break law in our hearts by pondering sinful things.
Here is the encouragement: Jesus kept the law perfectly for you. He was absolutely perfect in thought and deed, which means for believers, you are absolutely perfect. Right now, at this moment.
You are doing great. You are doing superb. How do I know this?
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
You are in Christ. You are perfect. You are doing great because Jesus is great!
S.D.G.