Keep it simple
by Ruth Olsen
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:37).
Read Matthew 5:21–37
Even though the crowds were coming to Jesus, in this chapter, Jesus is initially teaching his disciples (verse 1). The following verses spell out ways of living that are totally opposite to the ways of the world – and the thinking of the world is the ‘water’ we swim or live in here on earth, impacting us from day one.
Do you take notice of what you are thinking? How much are your thoughts influenced by advertising or what you watch or read or hear?
Do you notice what prompts you to self-indulgence and what moves you to care for others? Which of these are you pursuing?
The ways of God are continuously self-giving. The ways of the world are continuously self-grasping. Earlier in Matthew 5, Jesus calls us to be like salt and light right where we are (verses 13 to 16); because he came not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them (verse 17). And then he tells us his perspective, his teaching from our heavenly Father’s perspective regarding murder, adultery, divorce and oaths. Then Jesus ups the ante: ‘anyone who is angry … who looks at a woman lustfully … who divorces … do not break your oath (vow) … ‘.
The law will not save us. It simply reveals our sin, our self-focus, our being ‘turned in on ourselves’, as Rev Dr Harry Wendt often speaks in the Crossways materials. Looking at self, we forget to look up or look out for others.
As Jesus says, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’ (John 18:36). And:
I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth … who will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:16–18,26).
Our lives are no longer led by self-effort but through learning to follow our Helper, who teaches us Jesus’ perspective and moves us to walk in his radical ways, so different to the ways of the world.
Lord Jesus, only you can enable me to keep it simple, to simply love with your love, to see life through your eyes, by the power of your Spirit. Please guide me, day by day.
Ruth is Steen’s other half, lives in Adelaide, and loves reading. From the Bible, books on Christian living, biographies, especially of someone’s journey of faith, through to Reader’s Digest, the Inquirer section of The Weekend Australian, or travel information etc., many things are opened through reading. That’s also why she enjoys helping Afghani women learn to read and write in English, when they were denied that opportunity with their own language as children.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
