Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 6:25-34.

“25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink;  nor for your body, as to what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?  27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  28 And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow;  they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  You of little faith!  31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’  32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things;  for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow;  for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Matthew 6:25-34.

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Other doctrine likes to focus on man and what man does or what man should do.  Accordingly, other doctrine focuses on verse 33 and ignores the rest of this Scripture, because other doctrine can misrepresent verse 33 as all about man’s doing and can try to put control of man’s fate in man’s hands as paraphrased by my words:  “If you do this, then you can get that.”

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and Who God is and what God does.

First, God is the Creator Who takes care of His creation.  We see this in verses 26 and 28-30.  We also see it else where in Scripture.  See Psalm 104:10-30 of which I only quote part of it below.

“10 He sends forth springs in the valleys;
They flow between the mountains;
11 They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
They lift up their voices among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from His upper chambers;
The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.

14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food from the earth,
15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man’s heart.”  Psalm 104:10-15.

Second, God is the Heavenly Father Who will do even “much more” for His children.  “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?” Verse 26.  “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?  …”  Verse 30.

“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:9-11.

In summary, we see this focus on Who God is as the reason why we should not be anxious in the Heidelberg Catechism.  Notice how the following Question and Answer refers to both God as the Creator and God as the Heavenly Father.

“Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

In conclusion, if Jesus emphasizes that the birds do not earn the care that God gives them, and yet God cares for them, then why do we try to emphasize what we do as the reason why God will care for us?!  “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not worth much more than they?”  Verse 26.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 6:7-15.

“7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  8 So do not be like them;  for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.’

14 For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:7-15.

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We can pray with confidence that God will hear and grant our prayer requests, because He is our Heavenly Father.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba!  Father!”  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,”  Romans 8:15-16.

“Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.”  Heidelberg Catechism.

And, as a daughter does not worry about forming perfect words before telling her father what she wants, we need not worry about forming the perfect prayer.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:26-28.

Our Lord gave us the Lord’s Prayer as an example of how we should pray.  It can help, but too often we use it without thought as a magic wand.  Too often, we use it in meaningless repetition as our Lord tells us not to do.  “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them;  for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  Verses 7-8.

But, if we really think about why we should pray in this way and focus on the meaning of those words and our relationship to God and use our own words most of the time, then the Lord’s Prayer can help us.  Here is a link to what the Heidelberg Catechism states about it.  This link begins a Lord’s Day 46 and you can use the arrows to proceed through the following Lord’s Days until it ends at Lord’s 52, the end of the Heidelberg Catechism.  http://www.prca.org/about/official-standards/creeds/three-forms-of-unity/heidelberg-catechism/the-third-part/of-prayer/lord-s-day-46

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 6:1-6.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them;  otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret;  and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites;  for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”  Matthew 6:1-6.

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What is the difference between this chapter’s Scripture (“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them …) and the prior chapter’s Scripture in Matthew 5:14-16 (“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, …)?  At first glance, they seem inconsistent.

But, as we meditate on these two Scriptures, we understand that there is a huge difference between works that glorify us and works that glorify God.  The full reading of Matthew 5:16 states:  “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  In sharp contrast, the people Jesus is describing in today’s Scripture did those works to glorify themselves.

Therefore, when we see works that superficially appear to be good, let us discern whether those works glorify the doer or God.

Works that glorify man point to man’s power and man’s goodness.

Works that glorify God point to God’s power and God’s goodness, and they are the only truly good works.

Other doctrine point to man’s power (free-will) and man’s goodness.

But, Reformed Doctrine points to man’s lack of power and man’s lack of goodness, that is, man is dead in sin, which Reformed Doctrine describes as “Total Depravity”, the “T” of TULIP.  Reformed Doctrine then points to God’s power and God’s goodness.  Regarding this second point, Reformed Doctrine points out that God has done everything for our salvation from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” to the end of “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of TULIP, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say?  “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:2-3.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 5:21-48.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;  and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court;  and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;  but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you;  for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you;  for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;  but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery;  and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;  for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:21-22 and 27-32 and 43-48.

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“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Verse 48.

If we cannot even superficially obey the Ten Commandments, then how can we obey these perfections of the Ten Commandments?!

The purpose of this Scripture is not to teach us to practice a hyper-righteousness based on the Law.  We cannot even practice a regular righteousness based on the Law.

Rather, the purpose of this Scripture is to lead us even more to Christ to seek that perfect righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith in Christ.

If Paul, a Jew, even a Pharisee, could not achieve a righteousness based on the Law, then why do we think that we can achieve a righteousness based on the Law?!

Rather, Paul sought that righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith in Christ.

“although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh.  If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;  as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church;  as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:4-9.

Perfection can not come from the flesh.  

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19.

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.”  Hebrews 10:1.

“Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”  Galatians 3:3.

Perfection can only come from God.

“14 For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us;  for after saying,

16 “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART,
AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,”

He then says,

17 “AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS
I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.”  Hebrews 10:14-17.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

Perfect wisdom, perfect righteousness, perfect sanctification, and perfect redemption can only come from the Perfect One, Christ Jesus.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 5:17-20.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets;  I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;  but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-20.

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Christ fulfilled the Law for the elect by being the destination of the Law, so that we may be justified by faith.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Galatians 3:24-25.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.  But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows:  “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”  But what does it say?  “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”  Romans 10:4-10.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4.

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  …

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  …  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:14 and 16-18 and 22-23.

The meaning of verse 20 (“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”) is explained by Paul, a Pharisee, who achieved the highest righteousness based on the Law, and yet it was insufficient for salvation as shown by his following testimony.

“although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh.  If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;  as to the Law, a Pharisee;  as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:4-9.

The Law will keep leading the elect to Christ until its role as tutor is fulfilled and all the elect arrive at Christ and are justified by faith.

The Law also will “… keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,”  2 Peter 2:9.

“But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  …

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”  2 Peter 3:7 and 10.

“Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;  for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”  Romans 3:19-10.

Thus, in summary, the two purposes of the Law will be accomplished.  The Law will lead all the elect to Christ, so they can be justified by faith, and the Law will keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment as is stated “until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”  Verse 18.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 5:13-16.

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:13-16.

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Salt and light are distinctive.  They have qualities that make them stand out as being different than others.

Other doctrine seek to be like every other doctrine, so as to be tolerant with everyone else and not offend anyone else, and other doctrine often end up seeking and being the lowest common denominator with other doctrine.

But, Reformed Doctrine embraces its distinctiveness and clearly shows its distinction to others.

Other doctrine tries to hide God’s sovereignty in salvation, predestination, and election under a basket.

But, Reformed Doctrine holds forth TULIP as a lighthouse, a beautiful doctrine of salvation, for all to see.

Other doctrine is based on man’s frail and fleeting free will and ends up corrupted.

But, Reformed Doctrine is like salt which has the quality of preserving.  Reformed Doctrine is based on the incorruptible God and His sovereignty which obtains and preserves the salvation of His elect.

Other doctrine seek to be part of everyone else.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 5:1-12.

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain;  and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.  2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;  for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5:1-12.

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The wicked simply do not believe that these are blessed.

The righteous believe that these are indeed blessed, but ironically, in one temporary sense, the righteous are too humble to believe that they themselves are included among these blessed.

But, there is good news!

The righteous, although tempted to withdraw and focus on themselves;  through God’s grace, the righteous do look to God and His works.

The righteous know Scripture.  The righteous do not trust in themselves nor in their own works.  The righteous seek God and His works and remember what God has done for them.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

The righteous are thrilled to be reminded that God has blessed them with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

And, although the righteous are not eager to be persecuted, they know God loves them and they trust God to give them sufficient and surrounding grace to not only cause them to be whom they should be, but also they trust God to give them sufficient and surrounding grace to be well content with everything that God provides for them, even persecution.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 4.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down;  for it is written,

‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’;

and

‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;  and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”  Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan!  For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”  Then the devil *left Him;  and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”  Matthew 4:1-11.

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In today’s Scripture, we see that the devil quoted Scripture, but he misused Scripture to form conclusions to tempt Jesus.

Anyone can quote Scripture.  Any church can claim to be a Bible-believing church.

But, it does not mean that one who quotes Scripture is teaching the truth, nor does it mean that church who claims to be a Bible-believing church is teaching the truth.

Are their summaries and conclusions true?  In other words, is their doctrine true?

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.

It is not sufficient to just quote Scripture;  we need to accurately handle the word of truth.

Too often, a preacher or teacher will quote just one of a few verses and use that very little basis to support a rambling and long sermon or message.

But, a preacher or teacher may also quote Scripture extensively but use it to support his own personal agenda rather than use it to support the true meaning of Scripture.

Too often, a preacher or teacher will ignore the context of the Scripture or other passages of Scripture that should be considered.

And, too often, congregations encourage such misuse of Scripture.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3.

Scripture emphasizes the importance of truth.

Jesus said both in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7:  ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

Jesus also stated in John 16:13:  “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  …”

Jesus also stated in John 4:23-24:  “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Not any kind of worship will suffice, but “worship in spirit and truth”.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.  For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.  For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  Romans 11:1-4.

Not any kind of zeal will suffice, but zeal “in accordance with knowledge”, or in other words, in accordance with truth.

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13.

Not any kind of faith will suffice, but “faith in the truth”.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”.  2 Thessalonians 2: 10-13.

Not any kind of love will suffice, but “the love of truth”.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 3.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The axe is already laid at the root of the trees;  therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

“As for me (John the Baptist), I baptize you with water for repentance, but He (Jesus Christ) who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals;  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor;  and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  Matthew 3:10-12.

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“Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;  and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’;  for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.”  Verse 8.

Likewise, we cannot claim to be the elect but neglect moral excellence and love for others.  God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness”.  We should diligently use all the good things that He has given us for life and godliness.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.  Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;  for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”  2 Peter 1:2-11.

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?  So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;  DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”  Matthew 7:15-23.

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude;  and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”  Philippians 3:12-15.