Happy Friday! It is November 22, 2024. What’s our goal as Christians? Is it to stay clean or to reach the lost? Read on…
Today's Reading:
Matthew 11,12,13
Scripture
"Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first…" (Matthew 12:43-45)
Observation
Jesus had just been sparring with the religious rulers. When He healed someone, they used it to condemn Him. They even went so far as to call Him the devil himself. The Pharisees prided themselves on their holiness, believing it was their responsibility to point out the shortcomings of others.
Application
When we think our main goal is to make holiness an end in itself, we lose sight of our mission. When this happens, we take ourselves out of the war because our goal becomes merely to “stay clean.” It may sound good, but we risk being swept but unoccupied.
If we see our fellow soldiers soiled with mud, dirt, or blood from the battle, we might criticize them for tarnishing the army’s reputation. Their uniforms may be sullied and stained, but rescuing the wounded and fighting the enemy is rarely neat or tidy.
Of course, “holiness” is essential—it is a means to receive His blessings and resources to accomplish His purposes. However, true holiness exists in the midst of lost people, not in isolation from them. Wars are never won by retreating nor by berating fellow troops who aren’t part of our own company.
Prayer
Father, I must sweep out the junk to make room for the new—but not stop there, lest I become swept clean but unoccupied. Our goal as Christians is not merely to be nice, humanitarian people. Yes, I will build godly character and develop virtue, but I must also fill my life with eternal goals: to reach more people for Christ! Help us to preserve the unity of the faith at all costs. We need every Bible believer and every Jesus follower to stand together.
Sign up to receive Pastor Wayne's devotions daily
