Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 7:7-11.

“Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  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 7:7-11.

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Who is God?

There a lot of descriptions of God in Scripture, but the one that is seen the most (or maybe one of the most) is the description of God as “our Father”.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:2-7.

Consider what the Heidelberg Catechism states.

“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.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  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 8:14-16.

“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:6-7.

In the “Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus taught us to start our prayers in this way.  “Pray, then, in this way:  ‘Our Father who is in heaven, …”  Matthew 6:9.  When we do so, we focus on both the fact that God is Almighty (being in heaven) and therefore able to grant our prayer request and the fact that God is our Father and therefore is willing to grant our prayer request.

Consider how many times a book of the Bible starts by reminding us that God is our Father.  Here are some examples.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore.  Amen.”  Galatians 1:3-4.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:2.

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”  Colossians 1:2.

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace.”  1 Thessalonians 1:1.

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 1:1-2.

“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”  1 Timothy 1:2.

“To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.”  Titus 1:4.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philemon 1:3.

“Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”  2 John 1:3.

“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:  May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.”  Jude 1:1-2.

In conclusion, the following verses provide a good summary.  These verses help us to understand the love of God for us because He is our Father.  And, this belief, this hope, is important.  As we were reminded by the Heidelberg Catechism and the Scripture shown in this devotion, we cannot believe in God without believing that He is our Father and that He loves us and that He gives us what is good.

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God;  and such we are.  For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be.  We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.  And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”  1 John 3:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 7:1-6.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged;  and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:1-6.

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“Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself;  for you who judge practice the same things.  And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:  to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;  but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.  There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God.”  Romans 2:1-11.

But, as shown by the following Scripture and Belgic Confession, although we do not judge those outside the church, we do need to judge those within the church in order to protect the church.

“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

And, in addition to removing the openly wicked from the church, we have to be particularly careful to discern and judge those false prophets who may at first appear innocent but who seek to come within church and teach and mislead the church.  They need to be removed as well from the church.

Judging those within the church is called discipline.  Discipline is so important that it is one of the three marks of the true Church.

“Article 29:  Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church.

We believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.  But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it;  but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church.  The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these:  if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein;  if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ;  if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin:  in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.  …”  Belgic Confession.

In conclusion, generally, we do not need to judge.  We should not judge.  In the language of today’s Scripture, we often cannot tell the difference between a speck of sin and a log of sin.  And, we are too prone and even eager to judge others and justify ourselves.  Only God is almighty and capable of perfectly knowing everything and perfectly judging everything.

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:13.

“… God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.”  Romans 2:16.

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.