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Our Daily Bread devotion for today
The Topic of Our Daily Bread For 29th January 2022 is “Perfect Like Christ”
Bible in a Year: Exodus 21–22; Matthew 19
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:48
Be perfect . . . as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Today’s Scripture & Insight: Matthew 19:16–26
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ODB MESSAGE FOR TODAY
“Perfectionism is one of the scariest words I know,” Kathleen Norris writes, thoughtfully contrasting modern-day perfectionism with the “perfection” described in the book of Matthew. Modern-day perfectionism she describes as “a serious psychological affliction that makes people too timid to take necessary risks.” But the word translated “perfect” in Matthew actually means mature, complete, or whole. Norris concludes, “To be perfect . . . is to make room for growth [and become] mature enough to give ourselves to others.”
Understanding perfection this way helps make sense of the profound story told in Matthew 19, where a man asked Jesus what good he could do to “get eternal life” (v. 16). Jesus responded, “Keep the commandments” (v. 17). The man thought he’d obeyed all of them, yet he knew something was missing. “What do I still lack?” (v. 20) he asked.
That’s when Jesus identified the man’s wealth as the vise-grip stifling his heart. He said that if he wanted “to be perfect”—whole, willing to give and receive from others in God’s kingdom—then he must be willing to let go of what was closing off his heart from others (v. 21).
Each of us has our own version of perfection—possessions or habits we cling to as a futile attempt to be in control. Today, hear Jesus’ gentle invitation to surrender—and find freedom in the wholeness that’s only possible in Him (v. 26).
Reflect & Pray
When have you mistaken personal goals for biblical “perfection”? How can surrendering control to God offer freedom from perfectionism?
Loving God, forgive me for so often mistaking my own self-improvement ambitions for growing in You! Help me to surrender control and embrace a life of freedom with You.
Our Daily Bread 29 January 2022 Devotional written by Monica La Rose published by Our Daily Bread Ministries. Read more
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