Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
Every thought we have that is not what God thinks is wrong. Every feeling we have that is not what God feels is foolishness. Every deed we perform that is not in accord with what God is doing is sin.
This is why Jesus never moved unless his Father led him. He never spoke unless his Father gave him the words. He refused even to feel unless he felt his Father’s feelings. He did not trust the flesh; he did not trust himself. There are many times he could have given men good, sound advice but he refused to do so because he only spoke when the Father wanted him to speak. He told the Pharisees on one of those occasions, “I have many things to say and to judge of you . . . but my Father is true.” He understood that even if he gave good advice, he would be wasting his breath if God did not lead him to give it.
Jesus knew Judas was stealing money from the bag he carried for Jesus, but the Father never led Jesus to reprove Judas for his sin. How that must have grieved him, to know that one of his closest friends was doing evil, but not be allowed to speak to Judas about it and try to rescue him from damnation. What a test of Jesus’ faith!
Could you pass such a test? Or would you give in to the pressure to “do the right thing” and try to rescue the wayward brother? Friends, always remember this: There is no right thing without God being in the lead. Remember Paul’s words, “In me, that is, in my flesh, dwells nothing good.” And Isaiah: “All our righteousnesses are like a filthy garment.”
Without God leading, a good deed is a bad deed; without Him, good advice is bad advice; and without Him leading, good feelings are evil feelings. Jesus knew this, and this precious bit of holy knowledge is a principal reason that he was able to live without sin.