Leviticus 23:23-44; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Matthew 7:13-21
This passage comes near the end of the Sermon on the Mount and after the Golden Rule. These verses help us understand what it means to treat others the way we want to be treated. It is hard to live the way Jesus has been explaining in his sermon. It seems he never asks us to do anything that is easy. Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and knowing the Word of God is necessary if we are to do our Father’s will.
We must know the truth in order to identify the lie. We must know what true and healthy fruit is in order to recognize the good or bad fruit. Yet it may not be that simple. We have all been engaged in conversations about what is the right thing to do in a situation. What does it mean to do the will of the Father in this circumstance? What does it look like to love these people as God loves them?
We will make choices that others will not understand, that may even threaten their way of living. May they witness the love of God in us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, reveal your will to us in all things so that we may live in your kingdom and share your love with those you bring into our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today’s devotion was written by David Hefner, Pastor of Shiloh Lutheran Church, in Hickory, NC.