Clean Up Your Act

God’s Word:  Matthew 5:19-20 Jesus said, “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will have trivialized yourself.  But take it seriously, show the way for others and you will find honor in the kingdom.  Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.”

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying in these verses)

The world is full of books that are full of many good ideas of how to better self.  You read them and pick and choose those ideas that you feel will work for you.  But when it comes to the Bible—you are not free to pick and choose which things you wish to obey.  It’s an all or nothing kind of book.

The Old Testament tells the story of creation and how God shared his Laws for living with the people.  The Pharisees were a group of men who proclaimed themselves the interpreter of these laws.  They trivialized some things that they didn’t wish to do and claimed they were the perfect example of following God.

In the New Testament I came to earth as a baby, grew and taught a new way into a right relationship with God.  Mankind can never be righteous by following the Laws of the Old Testament because he simply can’t do it.  By my death I completed the Old Law and set into motion the New Law of Liberty.  By faith in Me a person is made right with God, not by following “some” of the Old Laws of God. By accepting Me you are giving me permission to “clean up your act” and put you right with God.   Reject Me and remain under the strict Old Laws.  Follow Me and be ushered into My eternal kingdom.

Jesus’ Question for Me: If you choose to accept My forgiveness, I will clean up your act and welcome you into God’s forever Kingdom?

Jesus’ Promise to Me:  Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness     of your sins and I will give you the gift of eternal life.

My Prayer to God:

I praise You for caring so much for mankind that You gave Your life.

I am sorry I don’t share Your good news more often in my life.

Thank You for Your forgiveness that helps me clean up my act.

Help me to follow Your Word and live my life as your ambassador to the world around me.