Mar 3

Luke 11:27-32
Memorise 1 John 3:7
“Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness…”

Christ was teaching the crowd when all of a sudden, a certain woman raised her voice and said loudly that the womb that bare Christ is blessed. It was almost like the woman was making an announcement! She was, of course, referring to Mary. Perhaps she meant it as a praise and adoration of Christ, and in turn to praise the woman that bore Him. But what this statement also perhaps implied was that those that were close to Christ would have a special benefit or blessing as compared to others. If you were friends with Christ from His youth or if you were His sibling, then maybe God would look upon you differently and favourably. Christ, instead, corrected her by saying rather that blessed are those who not only hear God’s Words but keep them. Even if one were the earthly sibling or even earthly mother of Christ, if one does not follow after Christ and keep His words, he or she is no better off. What appears to be a special relationship in the eyes of that woman, is actually unimportant and inconsequential. What is far more important is that one keeps God’s Word. To illustrate further, Christ spoke of the Ninevites in the time of Jonah. The Ninevites were once cruel and wicked people but because they repented and kept God’s Word, they were considered even better than the people of Israel who were disobedient. The special relationship of the Jews with God, meant little without obedience.

Do you feel that it is possible to please God without actually doing His Word? Do you think that there are alternatives to being accepted by God? Some feel attending church is sufficient. Others feel because one’s parents are believers, it is enough to be accepted by God. Some even feel that as long as they please God in some areas of their lives while keeping some little pet sins, they would still be all right. Romans 2:13 tells us that it is not the hearers but the doers of God’s Word who will be justified. Deuteronomy 5:1 is very clear by saying that the statutes and judgments of God must be learnt, kept and done. This refers to not some, but all of God’s commandments. Only obeying God’s Word will gain favour before God. There are no alternatives.

Thought: Have I disobeyed God today?
Prayer: Father, help me to be ever sensitive to sin in my life and to quickly repent.