Scripture
Matthew 9:12-13
12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: `I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Observation
Jesus said he desired compassion, not sacrifice. Sacrifice is an action taken toward God, which may or may not involve the heart. Compassion on the other hand, begins in one’s heart and then comes out through actions.
Jesus said he would rather see a heart-change which results in right actions toward other people, than merely a mechanical action which involves no heart at all.
Application
Right habits are not a bad thing–But it is possible to cultivate a right habit, without cultivating the right heart to go with it. If I want to please God, then my actions must flow out of a right heart. He is compassionate–therefore I must be compassionate. He is true–therefore my heart must be true also. He is just–therefore justice must be in my heart.
Today I need to examine my heart to see if there are discrepancies between who I am, and what I do. Christ wants to change who I am, which will make a difference in what I do.
Prayer
God, create in me a clean heart! Make me more like you–not only in my actions, but also in my identity. May the things in my heart glorify you, when they flow out through my decisions.
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