We looked at these primary verses - Matthew 5:21-30, 38-48.
- Did Christ's challenge shock you at all? How so?
- Of the ones that Christ identified (hate, lust, revenge and love for enemies), which is more challenging for you to step up to?
As Christ encouraged us, we need to continue to do what is right, but he takes it a step further by saying in Matthew 12:34 that all our actions and good works have to stem from our heart. God cares more about our heart than our actions. The perfect example of this is found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
- What was Samuel's mission here?
- In verse 6, Samuel thought he had the right son of Jesse to be king. But, God had someone else in mind. What was God's criteria for the new king (v.7)?
- How was David described? Did he look like he could be king?
Application:
David didn't necessarily look like a King. He was young and smaller than the rest of his brothers. But, most importantly, he had the heart that was right. He had a heart that was passionate about God and to follow him - "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1-8). Even though David didn't look like a King, because of his heart and how it impacted his actions, he went down in the history books as one of the great Kings of Israel.
Sure, David made his share of mistakes but time and again, he heart was always for God and his relationship with the Lord impacted him. That is what is important to God. David desired to have a clean heart, one that would worship and praise God (Psalm 51:1-17).
So, how is your heart? How is the inside of your cup?
This week, let's do good and reflect Christ in all that we do. But, let's keep our heart in check and make sure that out of the overflow of our heart, we act and speak.
Pray that God would create in you a clean heart, one that is passionate about him and that your actions this week will reflect that clean heart.
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