Daily Devotion

In these verses are four definite and disconnected sections.

 

(1^st) Verses 1 and 2 condemn the man who teaches others to sin.   The Revised Standard Version talks in these verses about temptations to sin. The Greek word (skandalon) is exactly the same word as the English word scandal. It has two meanings: (a) it originally meant the bait-stick in a trap. (b) it came to mean a stumbling-block placed in a person's way so that they would trip. Jesus said that it was impossible to construct a world with no temptations, but woe to the person who taught another to sin or who took away another's innocence.

Everyone must be given his first invitation to sin, his first push the wrong way.   God will not hold the person guiltless, who, on the road of life, sends a younger or a weaker person on the wrong way.

 

(2^nd) Verses 3 and 4 speak of the necessity of forgiveness in the Christian life. It tells us to forgive seven times. The Rabbis have a saying that if one forgave another three times, one was a perfect man. The Christian standard takes the Rabbinic standard, doubles it and adds one; but it is not a matter of calculation. It simply means that the Christian standard of forgiveness must immeasurably exceed the best the world can achieve.

 

(3^rd) Verses 5 and 6 tell us that faith is the greatest force in the world. This saying means that even what looks completely impossible becomes possible if it is approached with faith. If we approach a thing saying, "It can't be done," it will not; if we approach it saying, "It must be done," the chances are that it will be done. We must always remember that we approach no task alone, but with us, there is God and all His power.

 

(4^th) Verses 7-10 tell us that we can never put God in our debt and can never have any claim on Him. When we have done our best, we have done our duty. A person who has done his duty has done only what, in any event, he could be compelled to do.

Life Application: Have you lived up to your full ability? Read this chapter over again and ask God to equip you to meet the challenges that come up in your life.

 

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, I am so thankful that You know my full ability because You made me. I love the words from this old hymn: "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all." Thank You my loving Father for not expecting from me more than I am able. Amen!