FEBRUARY 4, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

FEBRUARY 4 DEVOTION BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 23:1-36

The curious thing about those who have bought in to the "performance based" religious model is that many of them have convinced themselves that they have arrived. Of course, this is self-deception, but in order to remain in the performance-based model without being filled with frustration, one would have to be deceived that they are capable. These individuals in the church are like the Pharisees in the time of Christ. Jesus warned them about putting burdens on the people that they themselves could not keep. In the church, performance-based religionists become critical...nothing is ever good enough...no one ever measures up, except for them. These individuals believe they are putting forth God's standards and truth, but they are actually putting forth their own man-made legalistic standards. "They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof."

Biblical Christians realize they are totally dependent upon Christ for all things. We understand that in Christ we have been made holy, righteous and totally acceptable to God. This is our position in Christ and it is unchangeable. We have received the Holy Spirit who lives in us to teach us, to guide us, to give us understanding of who we are in Christ. It is His work in us that enables us to walk in holiness and righteousness. He is making us into the very image of Christ as He changes us from the inside out. In this work it is not we who make this happen, but Him. He enables us to do all things, from the place of our relationship with God...not from a place of performing in order to prove ourselves to God or to others. When we give ourselves to the Holy Spirit...when He is in control...when He is working His great work through us, the results will be the excellent work of Christ in us. Don't give in to the religionists who demand you perform to prove your worth and don't be a religionist to others.

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