Scripture Union Daily Guide 7th January 2025 (Tuesday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: “Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father”
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I request that you help me to encounter you as I meditate on your word.
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Matthew 5:38-48
► Q3: Is there any command for me to obey?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 7th January 2025 OUTLINE
The Christian life must be, “no revenge but love for all.” The original intent of “eye for eye” (Matthew 5:38) is proportionate punishment or revenge for an offence (see Exodus 21:22-25). But Jesus does not permit retaliation or revenge. For Jesus, “godly righteousness” does not insist on its own way. Even when compelled to do something for someone, the believer can demonstrate freedom by volunteering more than is demanded. We are to be kind to the poor (Matthew 5:42) but be responsible stewards of the resources God has given us.
“Love your neighbour and hate your enemy” (Matthew 5:43). Here, Jesus is not opposing an Old Testament command; but a mistaken traditional interpretation of it. The “hate” clause is not in the original Old Testament command (Leviticus 19:17-18). To be able to show genuine love and unconditional love to people is a key characteristic in the life of true believers.
Believers must reflect in their conduct, their father’s kindness to the undeserving and to the ungrateful. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48) is not a suggestion but a command to obey. “Perfect” here means “maturity, and wholeness in our response to Jesus’ teachings and in our complete dedication to God.”
The standard God demands of believers is His own wholesome character. Believers are to show by their actions that they are, indeed, God’s true children, and therefore, act according to God’s nature and will. Indeed, Matthew 5:48 ties together Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:20-48.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Offer a prayer of faith in line with: Matthew 6:10
Perfection demands complete yieldedness to and intimacy with Christ
One Bible Reading Guide:
Genesis 10-11, Psalms 9.
PRAYER BULLETIN FOR TODAY
Tue Jan 07, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
NATIONAL FASTING AND PRAYING ENDS
But certainly, God has heard me; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Ps. 66:19
THANK GOD FOR:
* His help in our lives as we waited on Him in fasting and praying this week • The confidence we have in Him that He has heard and will answer us.
PRAY FOR:
* Greater grace for every one of us as we continue to worship, thank and offer petitions to Him in prayers the rest of the year • Faith to believe Him and not doubt or undermine • Grace to build a deeper relationship with God this year.
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 7th January 2025)