Thursday, June 1, 2023

My food is to do the will of him who sent me. John 4.34

Perfect life

In the header of an obituary, I was struck by the following words : "His motto was : I did what was necessary, I did not do what he did not should not."

Ah, how I would like, from now and in the evening of my life, to be able to affirm the same thing. How I would have liked always to avoid evil and never refrain from doing good when I had the opportunity ! As for me, the observation is harsh, even if the goodwill was often there. And my readers, if they are honest – which I do not want to doubt – will certainly come to the same conclusion.

I don't know the person who chose the epitaph above, but I know someone who could truthfully say he always did the right thing and never the wrong thing. And the most incredible thing is that he was crucified for it. Jesus – since it is about him – does not look down on those who have failed to live up to the same standard. But, contrary to what you may think, God requires of everyone who wants to be admitted into his presence, the same perfection. “Woe to me, in this case, because it is beyond my strength”, you will say very logically. But the good news is that this required perfection is the responsibility of anyone who recognizes his failure and in faith appropriates the work of the perfect Son.

Do you want this ?

Claude Siefert

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Proposed reading : Gospel according to Luke, chapter 17, verses 7 to 10.

17.7 Which of you, having a servant who plows or feeds the flocks, will say to him when he returns from the field, Come quickly, and sit down at table ?

17.8 Will he not say to him instead, Prepare me a supper, gird yourself, and serve me, until I have eaten and drunk ; after that, will you eat and drink ?

17.9 Owe this servant grateful because he did what was commanded him ?

17.10 You likewise, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, We are useless servants, we had done what we had to do.

Source (Live Today)