The Obedience Of Faith

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Matthew 5:14,16

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Memory verse: Psalm 90:14

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  

Today's reading: Psalm 60-62 Romans 5

The Obedience of Faith

Matthew 5:48 (ESV)

48 "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

We read this and it seems impossible but then we see that Jesus taught us to regularly confess our sins.

Luke 11:4 (ESV)

4  "...and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

What is expected of us? God wants us to be perfect and wants us to live a repentant life and to be forgiving but also knows we can never be perfect on this earth.

We must see this verse in our hearts:

Romans 1:5 "through whom we have received grace and apostleship(commission) to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,"

We have received grace and our 'part in sharing the Good News' to bring about 'obedience of faith'-which means we must also live in obedience of faith. To obey in faith-not duty-this is our life in striving for perfection in Christ. True faith brings out the urgency to obey the Holy Spirit's leading. False faith drives us to achieve and produce for our own glory.

True faith compels us to bring God good pleasure and glory.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NASB95)

1 "Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more."

So, in Christ, we seek His perfection-we work toward His perfection; we obey in true faith;  we always pray to get better-to excel more for His glory and good pleasure-we seek His perfection as we obey in true faith.

We do what we do for Him out of our love for Him and our faith in Him knowing that God is transforming us into the image of His son, our Lord Jesus(Romans 8:29) who is the perfect one.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Perfect and Holy God, Make me better in my faith and my obedience. Increase my understanding of Your love and my part in Your kingdom. Forgive me as I forgive.

Gracious God,

In the name of my lord, Jesus Christ,

Amen