Key Passage
"And I tell you that people will have to explain about every careless thing they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. The words you have said will be used to judge you. Some of your words will make you right, but some of your words will make you guilty."
— Matthew 12:36-37 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
"Oh no! Not this judgement stuff again." Yep! To a culture which wants no consequences, only blessings, this is a hard concept. But when we look at all the horrible things that occur in our world, all the horribly guilty who go free, then we know there has to be a settling time—Jesus calls this "judgement" time and Matthew most clearly emphasizes this. What is shocking here is Jesus' clear and adamant declaration about careless words, especially words against him and the work of the Holy Spirit through him. Jesus' work is not to be trivialized. He does make strong claims for his identity, and those both ancient and modern who denigrate or belittle him must hear his call to take seriously what they say about him, because at judgement, they will certainly be scrutinized. I don't know about you, but that does not frighten or threaten me, since I joyfully proclaim that Jesus Christ my Savior, God's Son, is Lord!
Prayer
Holy God, I know those who belittle your Son and use his name in vain pain and anger you. But for those of us who know your Son as our Savior, we view his name as precious, powerful, and holy. Thank you for sending him to deliver me from sin, law, and death. Thank you for letting me share in the new birth of water and Spirit through faith. Thank you! Your Son is glorious and marvelous. I praise you through his holy name, Jesus Christ! Amen.
Related Scriptures
Christ obeyed God, so God raised Christ to the most important place. God made the name of Christ greater than every other name. God did this because he wants every person to bow for the name of Jesus. Every person in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth will bow. Every person will confess (say), "Jesus Christ is Lord (Master)." When they say this, it will bring glory to God the Father.
— Philippians 2:9-11
So I tell you that no person that is speaking with the help of God's Spirit says, "Jesus be cursed." And no person can say, "Jesus is Lord," without the help of the Holy Spirit.
— 1 Corinthians 12:3
Some Jews also were traveling around and making evil spirits go out of people. The seven sons of Sceva were doing this. (Sceva was a high priest. ) These Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, "By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!" But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, "I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man, who had the evil spirit {from the devil} inside him, jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. These Jews ran away from that house.
— Acts 19:13-16
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
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"And I tell you that people will have to explain about every careless thing they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment. The words you have said will be used to judge you. Some of your words will make you right, but some of your words will make you guilty."
— Matthew 12:36-37 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
"Oh no! Not this judgement stuff again." Yep! To a culture which wants no consequences, only blessings, this is a hard concept. But when we look at all the horrible things that occur in our world, all the horribly guilty who go free, then we know there has to be a settling time—Jesus calls this "judgement" time and Matthew most clearly emphasizes this. What is shocking here is Jesus' clear and adamant declaration about careless words, especially words against him and the work of the Holy Spirit through him. Jesus' work is not to be trivialized. He does make strong claims for his identity, and those both ancient and modern who denigrate or belittle him must hear his call to take seriously what they say about him, because at judgement, they will certainly be scrutinized. I don't know about you, but that does not frighten or threaten me, since I joyfully proclaim that Jesus Christ my Savior, God's Son, is Lord!
Prayer
Holy God, I know those who belittle your Son and use his name in vain pain and anger you. But for those of us who know your Son as our Savior, we view his name as precious, powerful, and holy. Thank you for sending him to deliver me from sin, law, and death. Thank you for letting me share in the new birth of water and Spirit through faith. Thank you! Your Son is glorious and marvelous. I praise you through his holy name, Jesus Christ! Amen.
Related Scriptures
Christ obeyed God, so God raised Christ to the most important place. God made the name of Christ greater than every other name. God did this because he wants every person to bow for the name of Jesus. Every person in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth will bow. Every person will confess (say), "Jesus Christ is Lord (Master)." When they say this, it will bring glory to God the Father.
— Philippians 2:9-11
So I tell you that no person that is speaking with the help of God's Spirit says, "Jesus be cursed." And no person can say, "Jesus is Lord," without the help of the Holy Spirit.
— 1 Corinthians 12:3
Some Jews also were traveling around and making evil spirits go out of people. The seven sons of Sceva were doing this. (Sceva was a high priest. ) These Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, "By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!" But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, "I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man, who had the evil spirit {from the devil} inside him, jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. These Jews ran away from that house.
— Acts 19:13-16
Devotional provided by Heartlight®
© 1996-2017. All rights reserved.
