. . . unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven —Matthew 5:20

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The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is saying, “If you are My disciple, you must be right not only in your actions, but also in your motives, your aspirations, and in the deep recesses of the thoughts of your mind.” Your motives must be so pure that God Almighty can see nothing to rebuke. Who can stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for Him to rebuke? Only the Son of God, and Jesus Christ claims that through His redemption He can place within anyone His own nature and make that person as pure and as simple as a child. The purity that God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within, and that is exactly what Jesus has undertaken to do through His redemption.

No one can make himself pure by obeying laws. Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations— He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ’s salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature— He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well.

Journal DJR
Good Morning, Lord
It is so easy to go about our day and forget that we are redeemed and have a new nature and a new way to think. It seems that this new nature and new way to think is an “option” that we have…we can exercise it … or not. And the busy-ness of our lives pushes us toward missing out on the fullness of our redeemed lives. Busy-ness and multitasking are so common. Maybe some people have figured out how to multitask and stay super busy and still consciously walk out their redeemed life … but it doesn’t work for me. I need your help.

Modern life does present different challenges than those in biblical times. But they are not more than you can handle. With my Spirit, you are equipped for whatever comes your way.

I dont want to be unappreciative, but I’ve had trouble working out my redemption and new nature in the middle of busyness and multitasking???

There is not a single formula for everyone. Your solution to the busyness of life will be different from others. That’s why you dont need to go looking in self help books or religious how to books. Even if they contain good plans that work, they are specifically for those authors. You are different. You are special and I have a special plan for you.

Well, that makes me feel good, like getting a present. But when can I unwrap it and start using it (more)? Maybe technology can be my friend on this. I’m going to set the alarm timer on my phone for 2 hours and at least every two hours I’ll unplug from what I’m doing and give a full effort to connect with you. … And I’ll wait for more instructions on how to live out this redeemed life, this precious gift that we find difficult to fully grasp.

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