Topic: Let’s Make Peace [11th October 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: Matthew 5:21-26 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift“ (Matthew 5:23,24).
MESSAGE:
Christ’s teachings reveal God’s intentions and true meanings of the commandments which the Jews misapplied.
The Jews had restricted the meaning of “thou shalt not kill” to just physical murder, but Jesus explained that anger and abusive language would equally attract the judgment of God. He emphasised the need for genuine love and consideration for one another above mere service to God. Also, efforts must be made to make peace with an adversary to avoid unpleasant litigations and associated inconveniences.
The Christian life is of two-fold – the character and the service. Both must go together. But quality character precedes Christian service. Our services to God and for one another must be with love and from a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22). As the members of the body function effectively and harmoniously without opposing one another but complement each other, so must the Church (members of the body of Christ) be. Anything that could cause any form of malfunctioning of the body such as tribalism, fault-finding, unforgiving spirit, evil speaking and bribery must be jettisoned to enhance effective fellowship and union. The hand must not say that because it is not the eye, therefore, it is not of the body.
As every member of the body is useful to the effective working of the system (including those not seen), so is every Christian useful to the growth of the Church and its divinely assigned duties on earth. God is always faithful; his admonition to you is: ” Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).
Thought For The Day: Be a promoter of unity in the body of Christ.
Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 8:1; Luke 7
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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