The Daily Word: Sunday, September 20th, 2020
Isaiah 33:10-36:22
Galatians 5:13-26
Psalm 64:1-10
Proverbs 23:23
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
…envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. – Gal. 5:21
As you read through verses 19 through 21, what is your honest reaction? Scripture lists a litany of categories of behavior that will keep you out of the kingdom of God. Some are extreme! Murders. Adultery. Sorcery. But others are less obvious. Jealousies. Selfish ambitions. Envy.
Can a single one among us say that we’ve never been jealous? That we’ve never envied? That we’ve never acted in our own best interest at the expense of someone else? So what in the world are we supposed to do if every single one of us is guilty of at least one red flag that will keep us out of God’s kingdom?
Receive Jesus. This is why you need Him. God’s kingdom requires perfection! But you are far from perfect. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). But Jesus is perfect. He walked the earth and never sinned! Not even once. But instead of inheriting the kingdom reward He deserved for a perfect life, He chose the punishment you and I deserve for our sin. In one infinite moment on that cross, He bore an eternity of suffering and pain for you. For me. For us.
Only Jesus can make you clean. Only Jesus can make you whole! Only Jesus can separate you from your sin, “As far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). Receive Him this morning, and inherit the kingdom of God.
Prayer:
Father, thank You that when I trust in Jesus, I am free from sin. I am free from the punishment I deserve for my mistakes! Instead I receive the reward that I could never earn, yet Jesus died for me to have. Thank You for Your infinite love, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.