The Daily Word: Monday, November 9th, 2020
Ezekiel 20:1-49
Hebrews 9:11-28
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 27:11
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? – Heb. 9:13-14
What is a dead work? A dead work is something that you come up with to try and please God. It is something you try and do to gain His affection, not realizing that you already have it!
Martha was engaged in dead works. She was “…distracted with much serving” (Lk. 10:40) and was too busy to “sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His word” (Lk. 10:39)! But Mary, Martha’s sister, understood what was required. She did the “one thing” that was needed (Lk. 10:42)…”that good part which [could] not be taken away from her.” Mary didn’t care what other people said she was supposed to be doing! She only cared about what Jesus wanted her to be doing in that moment. He wanted her to be with Him. And do you know what? Jesus wants the same for you and me.
God put you on this earth for “good works:”
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” – Eph. 2:10
But He didn’t put you here for “dead works.” In fact, Jesus died to “cleanse your conscience from dead works!” You don’t have to try and invent ways to stay busy so God will be happy with you! He is already pleased when you are “hidden” in Jesus (Col. 3:3). So rejoice, and rest; and then and only then go out and do what He calls you to do: nothing more, and nothing less.
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to serve You! Please do not let me get caught up in dead works. You are the living God; and I want to serve You with works that bring life! Thank You for Your resurrection power working in and through me, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.