Friday 5 May 2017

May 5: John 8:25-29

Key Verse: John 8:29
The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.

Devotion:
If we are ever looking for an example of how to live our lives, there can never be an example quite like Jesus Christ. No matter how good we try to be, no matter how good we think we are, no matter how good others perceive us to be... we will always have things wrong within us. None of us like to think of ourselves as sinners or even bad people; but according to our bibles that is exactly what we are. It’s not nice having anyone tell us we are filthy in God’s eyes!

When we carry on reading our bibles we will see how comforting it can be for someone to care so much for us they want to make us clean no matter what we have done wrong in the past! When we invite Christ back into our lives, that is exactly what He is trying to do for us. Because He has paid the ultimate price on the cross and took the punishment for all of our sins on the cross, we have the chance of being made absolutely blameless and pure before God.

What a comfort it is to know Christ is willing to go to such lengths to make sure we do appear perfect before God. What a comfort it is to know someone cared enough for you and me to take on our punishment. So why do we continue to live the lives that we do? Why do we give in to temptation so easily? We are no longer constrained by the law. We no longer have to try and be perfect. We don't have to follow hundreds of rules just to try and get us a clear path to heaven. But that does not mean that we can throw it all away as soon as we are saved and live a riotous life knowing that we will be forgiven!

Christ lead by example. He did what God the Father wanted Him to do. He did what He knew would please God. He taught things God had shown Him. He made Himself to be a mirror of God. He made sure people knew that too. If we want to continue in our walk with Him, we have to continue to be a mirror into which people can see Christ and not the world!

Points to Ponder:
How many times do you look into the mirror each day?

Do others see you in the same way as you can looking in the mirror?