Our Only Hope
This week’s section of the Sermon on the Mount can often inspire fear and existential anxiety. Though, the Spirit of God is not a Spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7). This passage is not meant to send us into a frenzied panic over the eternal fate of our souls, but to serve as a sobering reminder that Christ is our only hope for salvation and true satisfaction.
So today, we set aside the impulse to evaluate, analyze, or intellectualize this week’s Scripture. We put aside the urge to use these verses to heap shame upon ourselves, while likewise refusing to soften, dismiss, or explain away the weighty truths Christ speaks over us. Instead, we turn to prayer, coming humbly before God and asking Him to transform us from the inside out through His Word.
Begin your devotional experience by praying:
Gracious God, make my heart receptive to Your Words. Help me to meditate on Your message without becoming defensive, dismissive, or self-deceptive. Humble me before You and prepare me to receive whatever You have for me, even if it is difficult to hear. Speak to me through Your Word today, and transform me in a way that honors You and the children You so love.
READ
Matthew 7:13-14
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
PRAY
God of radical grace, thank You for making the way to life known to me! Who am I that You have welcomed me into Your Kingdom? Who am I that You have given me Your Son as my salvation? Thank You for reminding me what a rare and special gift it is to know You, to be welcomed into abundant life alongside You and Your people, forever and ever! Lord, though I know You alone are the way to life, I so often walk in ways that lead to destruction. I often choose the path of least resistance, instead of following where You guide me. I often allow the world around me to dictate my values and influence my decisions, rather than seeking Your wisdom. Abba, help me to walk along Your narrow path. Remind me that though the way to life is often difficult, ordering my life according to Your Law of love is always worthwhile. Remind me that You do not leave me to walk this path alone, but that You walk alongside me, giving me the endurance and discipline I need to move forward. Your joy meets me and strengthens me along the narrow way!
READ
Matthew 7:15-20
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”
PRAY
Father, You have warned me that broken, misguided leaders will pervert Your Good News of grace and mistreat Your people. Free me from following leaders whose actions do not reflect Your generosity, care, and compassion. Free Your church from leaders who do not inspire a faith that helps humbly, serves sacrificially, and gives generously. Forgive and restore leaders who have gone astray, and help us to not pass judgment on them. In Your grace, God, help me to be on guard against internalizing theology that does not align with Your heart and good character. Give me discernment over what media I allow to influence me and shape my view of You. Abba, in Your grace, cultivate within me a faith that produces good fruit in the world around me. Let my actions inspire others to seek after You. Show me the ways in which my faith does not currently cultivate peace, goodness, joy, and hope. Refine and restore my faith so that it honors You and serves Your children!
READ
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your Name and cast out demons in Your Name and performed many miracles in Your Name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God’s laws.’”
PRAY
Lord, I confess that I often place my hope in my religious activity. I allow myself to believe that my good behavior is what makes me worthy of Your approval and acceptance. Abba, free me from placing my faith in my moral performance. Help me to actually do Your will by looking to Your Son and believing in Him (John 6:40). Humble me and remind me that on judgment day, Your Son is my only plea. I cannot earn my salvation apart from Him! Your grace is my only hope! God, help me to do good works in Your Name, not in a fruitless attempt to earn my salvation, but because You deserve all glory, honor, and praise. Purify my motivations for serving others. Let me give of myself sacrificially, not for my own ego or self-assurance, but so that Your people would know Your love. Remind me that this faith is not about what I am doing for You, but what You have already done for me and all Your people. Let me live in response to Your love!
READ
Matthew 7:24-27
“Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
PRAY
Father, I so often hear Your Word without putting it into practice. I acknowledge that You know best, then disregard Your wisdom and go my own way. Help me to not only listen to Your teaching, but apply it. Remind me that Your truth is the only solid foundation I can build my life upon. Correct and redirect me when I attempt to make my worth, identity, or contentment contingent on anything other than You. Help me to direct every area of my life in accordance with Your ways, so that I might be kept steady and safe when life’s storms come. Lord, remind me that Your instructions and directions are not a burden, but a gracious gift that keeps me grounded and fulfilled. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.