PrayerBits
A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 5:17-20?One of Jesus' hard sayings
Time to reflect: This sounds if Jesus expects us to live up to the Jewish Law, and to do it better than the Pharisees, who did it better than anyone. In fact in the following passages, verses 21-48 Jesus ramps up the requirements to the level of impossible. Someone might be able to live up to one or another of these requirements, but not all. The good news is that once we abandon the idea of earning our salvation we can rely on Jesus to save us in spite of our failings. Doing right and good, then becomes a matter of thanksgiving rather than an impossible standard to try to attain.
Moving through the Day: Confess some sin, then accept God's grace and salvation. Rejoice and commit yourself to doing something to improve your life.
Scripture:
Matthew 5:17-20
?Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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