Weekly Devo

Mature souls have an understanding that transcends the world. Often, it even goes beyond those around them.  The hope we have in Christ is beyond anything in this world. All man’s pursuits will never reach what God gives us in eternity. This hope anchors us in Christ, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19). As much as this anchor is tried and confirmed, there is still more to understand. Mature souls understand that worthy efforts may go unrewarded. In Christ, even our most significant accomplishments are simply out of obedience to Him. Jesus made it clear with this statement, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10). The reality is those mature souls retain high hopes but know that worthy efforts may go unrewarded. Yet, they hold tight to those hopes and stay true to the

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). We can justify anything. If you want to justify sin, go right ahead. The only person buying that bag of lies is you. We are not to be justifying our actions to fit our agenda. We act and adjust based on our surroundings. We never justify lousy behavior or sinfulness for any reason. Have you ever wondered how sin can give birth to death? It’s justification. You justify this sin or action in your life for this one moment or situation. Then the next time, you expand that lie, justification, to fit this new situation. Then before you know it, you are just dead bones walking around. Please do yourself a favor and don’t justify it; get out of it!                                        ~Steve Johnson~