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1/22 Reading Portions: Genesis 23; Matthew 22; Nehemiah 12; Acts 22

Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.

PERFECTION

When questioned by a lawyer who asked the Lord Jesus which was the great commandment in the Law (Matt 22:35-36), Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5. As this is the great commandment in the Law, there was only one Person who has ever fulfilled it in thought, word, and deed with sinless perfection— Jesus Messiah.

The heart of fallen man is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9); and his soul must first be redeemed from deceit and violence (Psa 72:14, KJV), else he cannot keep this commandment. Moreover, the carnal mind is hostility toward God (Rom 8:7), and thus, a hindrance to keeping this command. All who came before Christ have failed miserably. All others who have been born since Christ have also failed utterly... and until Jesus comes again, all others who will be born among women will also fail to keep this commandment with the same glory by which Christ has kept it.

Even redeemed persons saved by God’s grace have not fulfilled this commandment as Jesus did. Understanding this helps us to lean upon God’s grace moment by moment in all we think, say, and do. The best of the best of our deeds, decisions, and dialogues will always fall short of God’s glory. ALWAYS! That is, until Christ returns (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Jn 3:2). Yet, knowing Christ has fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law, both actively and passively in sinless perfection, stirs us to trust in His fulfilled work (Christ’s sanctified life) and His finished work (Christ’s supreme sacrifice).

The Great Commandment of God’s Law
Says God is first of all;
Yet, we can’t keep it, we are flaw’d
Ever since Adam’s fall.

Thank God for our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who kept the Law in whole;
And by God’s grace, we trust in Him,
In love, to save our souls.