The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 April 2019 – A Call To Faithfulness
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TOPIC: A Call To Faithfulness
READ: Matthew 5:27-37 King James Version (KJV)
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s passage, Jesus speaks of the need for faithfulness in our lives, through fulfilling our commitments.
This is essential to God, who sometimes measures our love for others by checking if we have fulfilled our commitments. Jesus here talks of our commitments to marriage and to the promises made to one another. Being married to a person is not itself the commitment, but remaining sexually loyal to one’s spouse in practice and even in sexual thoughts.
Concerning promises, Jesus instructs that we make clear promises and keep them. We should not undermine such promises in small ways but be faithful in every way. If we are unfaithful, we become associated with Satan – the father of lies.
There is no blessing for unfaithfulness, but judgment! Think about your relationship and commitment to God.
Are you faithfully committed to Him? What of your commitment to your spouse, parents, children, neighbours, fellowship and the body of Christ? Do you destroy their precious peace, lives and even souls, through unfaithfulness? Can people rely on your words? When you say you will do something, is it as good as done? Where you have failed, there is hope in Jesus Christ – hope of salvation, of healing and restoration! Commitment should be part of a full life, even in uncertain situations. Keep commitments, no matter how small, in the biggest way possible.
Prayer: Lord, give me grace to be faithful in my walk with You, in family life and public life.
