March 19
Jesus points out the hypocrisy of observing traditions yet ignoring the Scripture.
INSIGHT
Even the earnest Christian must guard against hypocrisy. How easy it is to sing, "All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give," and then go out to live with some areas of our lives not given over to Christ.
Yet, there is a difference between weakness and rebellion. All of us struggle with weaknesses which we wish we didn't have and with which we wrestle in the grace of God to overcome. Rebellion expresses itself when we could overcome a sin if we wanted to but make no attempt to do so.
The Bible expresses compassion for us in our weaknesses as we cry out to the Lord for greater strength. But God's Word pronounces a scathing rebuke for hypocrisy and rebellion. We must check our hearts to be certain that our shortcomings are weaknesses and not hypocrisy.
PRAYER
· Because the Lord accepts us in spite of our weaknesses, we can praise Him:
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only
(Psalms 71:14-16).
· As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession to the Lord:
Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight (Hosea 6:1-2).
· As you confess your sins, pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go;
You will guide me with Your eye
(based on Psalms 32:8).
· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater love for your family,
· evangelism in America,
· your activities for the day,
· whatever else is on your heart.
· Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).
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