Psalm of the Day: Psalm 75:1-10
Wisdom of the Day: Job 1:1-12
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-38
In the last place, our Lord assures His disciples that the practice of the high standard of charity He recommends, shall bring its own REWARD. At times, a man may seem to get nothing by his Christ-like conduct. He may appear to reap nothing but ridicule, contempt, and injury. His kindness may sometimes tempt men to take advantage of him. His patience and forbearance may be abused. But at the last, he will always be found a gainer in the life to come!
Such is the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ about charity. Few of His sayings are so deeply heart-searching, as those we have now been considering. Few passages in the Bible are so truly humbling as these eleven verses. God rewards righteousness.
Then let us seek to be joined to Christ by faith, and to be taught and sanctified by His Spirit. We do not gather grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles. We cannot have flowers without roots or fruit without trees. In the same way, we cannot have the fruit of the Spirit without vital union with Christ, and a new creation within. Such as are not born again, can never really love in the manner which Christ enjoins.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me seek righteousness even though the fruit may take some time to grow.
Action Plan: Why do you think we want instant gratification for the good things we do? Is God's plan and reward better than ours? Are you willing to trust it?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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