Strive for Congruence

The evidence that you have a saving knowledge of Christ is loyal obedience to his commandments. Don’t be the one who speaks of himself in holy terms but then walks in dark, lowly places. A profession of faith joined with a wicked life leads no one to the Lord. Do not contradict your words with your deeds and distract from the work you are called to accomplish. If you abide in Christ, live as he did. Practice what you preach. Strive for congruence.

What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God. You know what he wants you to do and what is important, because you have learned the law. You think you are a guide for the blind and a light for those who are in darkness. You think you can show foolish people what is right and teach those who know nothing. You have the law; so you think you know everything and have all truth. You teach others, so why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but you steal. You say that others must not take part in adultery, but you are guilty of that sin. You hate idols, but you steal from temples. You brag about having God’s law, but you bring shame to God by breaking his law. Romans 2:17-23

So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you. Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted. But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy. It is written in the Scriptures: You must be holy, because I am holy.  1 Peter 1:13-16

So if we say we have fellowship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we are liars and do not follow the truth. 1 John 1:6

We can be sure that we know God if we obey his commands. Anyone who says, I know God, but does not obey God’s commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if someone obeys God’s teaching, then in that person God’s love has truly reached its goal. This is how we can be sure we are living in God: Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived. 1 John 2:3-6

Lead Serve Love: 100 Three-Word Ways to Live Like Jesus can be purchased for Kindle here.

Want to read more of Gregory E. Lang’s devotions? Dive into Letters to a Friend: Simple Lessons in Christian Living, here.

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