October 4, 2022 -- Matthew 22:36-40 -- Minor Course Correction with Major Results

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:36-40 ESV

Close enough! How often isn’t that the response of the heart of a weary believer. Or lazy believer? Or a believer who loves the benefits of God but is weighing the cost. God rightfully demands all your heart and all your mind, and all your soul be entirely dedicated to Him, but, really, you sigh, good enough should be good enough. Consider the following illustration.

One Degree Difference: Imagine an airplane leaving from Los Angeles flying direct to Rome, Italy. The flight will take about 12 hours if the plane goes in a direct and straight line. But, if the nose of the airplane is pointed just 1 degree off course to the south, after 12 hours the plane will land somewhere in Tunisia, Africa!

If just one degree makes that much difference in a 12-hour flight, how much of a massive difference will the little compromises and seemingly unimportant little areas of fudging rather than giving Him all your obedience? No wonder Christians wake up sometimes and think: “How’d I get here?!”

Today, reset your course. The LORD is faithful! The Father and the Son have poured out the Spirit so that you will have the power and comfort necessary to confess your failures and to renew your obedience. Obedience which is joy-filled because it is based on God's already-given rich salvation.

Lord, I praise You as the all-powerful, all-knowing, every-where present God of the universe. What really touches me is that You control all things for my good! You made me for Yourself, and it moves me to think You would choose me for a committed love relationship. You have proven Your faithfulness to me so many times and in so many ways. Why would I ever seek another god who would be so grossly inadequate in comparison to You?
And so today, Lord, give me the grace to love You every day as You have loved me. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.  "The Tender Commandments" Ron Mehl
 

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