Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Matthew 5 and Psalm 5

In this first part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it abundantly clear that He had not come to lower God’s standards. He had come to fulfil all that God required. Jesus lived a life perfectly pleasing to God the Father, and He taught His followers to aim to do the same. Whether it related to reconciliation with others, sexual purity, faithfulness to the marriage covenant, honesty or even love towards enemies, Jesus resisted any lowering of standards. If anything He raised the bar! People often seem to think that righteousness, holiness and purity aren’t issues for Christians to be too concerned with. But Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), leaves no room for that misconception. The standard remains the same as it has always been for God’s people: the glorious moral beauty and perfection of God.

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 NLT)

Life Application: No doubt, as you read Matthew 5, the Holy Spirit will have highlighted whichever paragraph or line is currently most relevant to you personally. That is His very own life-application challenge to you today. And if nothing particularly stood out to you, take Jesus’ words in v.47:

If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. (v.47 NLT)

Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you an opportunity to be kind to someone who is not particularly your friend. Look for a way to ease some burden they carry or to brighten their day. If you’re feeling particularly inspired by the Holy Spirit and if you have the opportunity, choose to do this for someone who has irritated or even hurt you before. Be kind to them as the Lord has been kind to you.

Surely, Lord, You bless the righteous;
You surround them with Your favour as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12 NIVUK)