The Impartial Christ

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading: Genesis 46-48 Matthew 13:1-30

The Impartiality of Christ Jesus

We are looking at some of the ways God matures us and keeps us until we go to be with Him. Yesterday was the 'humility of Christ' and today we look at how Jesus spoke about 'others' who were considered 'less' than 'us' and some of the passages that show how the heart of Christ permeates the New Testament.

Jesus said : Matthew 7:12-what we know as 'The Golden Rule'

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Jesus covered a lot of ground with this one small statement.

His followers, filled with the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ, echoed the heart of Christ.

Romans 12:16 (ESV)

16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

Romans 15:7 (ESV)

7 "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.'

1 Peter 4:9

9 "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."

Hospitality is taught by the word of God and is mentioned over and over in the New and Old Testaments.

The bottom line for me is that God intends for there to be no limits in our being hospitable to others. Foreigners, aliens, the downtrodden-the 'ne'er do wells'-are all to be treated the way we want to be treated.

God sees past all of the physical conditions and elements. He sees beyond the human shell. He sees the soul and its ultimate need-the need to be reunited with Him in Christ. He sees them all with a love that goes beyond our definition, our understanding.

This understanding, of His love, comes with the Holy Spirit's daily work of sanctification of us-our daily learning of God's holiness and transforming power-our becoming like Jesus.

Christ's impartiality is His heart to see all the same. This is hard for our 'old nature', our worldly conditioning, but with God, all things are possible.

We must operate in the Spirit with the truth that we are no better than anyone else. In Christ we are all saved by grace and that grace is free to 'whosoever believes'. Divine hospitality is ours to employ so those who still need a savior feel welcomed and not judged.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be your name, great God. Your kingdom come and bring great desire in me to obey Your word. Give me the bread You know I need for today and implore me to use it, Holy Spirit. Forgive me for being rude and judgemental. Lead me away from being high minded.

Powerful and gentle God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen