The Wheat and The Chaff

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

I think these verses are a good place for a mini devotion. It’s easy for those of us who are believers to claim our salvation in Christ and to say that we have been washed and made clean by His blood. The truth is though that God will still judge us, and our thoughts and motives will be part of that judgment.

“He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:6-11

“My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” 1 Corinthians 4:4-5

I think these are good things to remember today. It’s not just that we do the right things but also why we are doing the right things. I don’t know about you but, for me this is weighty and makes me fearful of God’s wrath. However, saying to ourselves “I’m only doing this thing because I feel guilty” or “I’m only doing this out of obligation” should never stop us from doing what is right. We should always strive to do what is right, but always strive to make sure that our hearts and motives are right with God and others as well. Let us remember always that wronging someone in this life may cause them pain for a short time but, we’re the ones who will be judged by God Himself.

The good news is that as we seek forgiveness and change our ways in repentance we have the promise of 1 John 1:9 to comfort us; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Most High Sovereign Yahweh God, I read these verses and fall on my face in humility, brokenness, and guilt. As the prodigal son cried out, “Father I have sinned against You and against heaven”. Please forgive me for my sin and have mercy on my soul. Please be gracious and wipe those sins clean and to change me and give me strength that I might learn to live a life of true humility, forgiveness, and love. Please pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me and help me to live each and every moment like Christ. I love You and I give You thanks and praise for You and You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Please lift each of us from our sufferings today and bless us that we might be a blessing to those around us and a light in this dark world for You. Many of us have been waiting on You for a very long time, please don’t let that waiting return void. Please God shine Your glorious face down upon us and give us grace and peace through Your Holy Spirit that we may dwell in hope. Give us each the strength and courage to do what is right and to right any wrongs that we need to make right with those around us. I pray these things in the name of Christ Jesus who is my Savior and Lord; AMEN