Today's Word of Encouragement

Instruction with Application

June 6, 2020

INSTRUCTION WITH APPLICATION
Saturday, June 06, 2020

    Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock (Matthew 5:22).

     We now stand at the door of application. Everything Jesus has said in vv. 3-20 is foundational to what He said in 5:21 - 7:27. Application is everything. Jesus warned His listeners (and us), . . . everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it (Matthew 7:26-27). Instruction without application is futile and leads to the ruin of the life.
     It is not enough to know what our Lord has said concerning salvation and Kingdom life. That's theology. We must know what our Lord has said and live the rest of our lives putting His words into practice. That’s sanctification. That’s spiritual growth and maturity. That’s living a life pleasing to God.
     Think of the times Jesus approached, or was approached by a person with a need, then instructed the person to do something in light of that need. What if that person did not do what Jesus asked?
    Jesus told the servants at the wedding feast in Cana to dip water out of the water jars (John 2:1-11). What if they didn’t obey? Maybe the water had been turned to wine, but no one would have known it and the wedding guests would not have benefitted from it.
      A public official came to Jesus begging Him to come to his house and heal his son (John 4:46-54). Jesus told the man to go home and his son would be healed. What if the man refused to go home but continued to follow Jesus around begging Him to come to his house?
     Four men brought their paralyzed friend to be healed by Jesus (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:18-26). After getting the man to Jesus, He told the paralyzed man, Rise, pick up your bed and go home. What if the paralyzed man remained on his mat, arguing with Jesus the many reasons why he was unable to get up? I could go on, but you get the point.
     Paul wrote (Romans 10:9-10), . . . if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Salvation is all of grace, but a person must believe it and receive it into his/her life.
     “Father, I confess I fall short in discipling others because I’m not as diligent in the application of Your Word in their lives as I should be. It is easier to preach and teach, but that’s not all there is to discipling people. I ask Your Holy Spirit to motivate me to help others know, understand, and put into practice Your truth so they may glorify You with their service. Amen.”

Pastor Martin

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