Dr. Johnson's Devotionals April 2012

April 6

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. (Deuteronomy 24:17,18)

Time and again God reminded the Israelites that they were not to forget their perilous state in Egypt from which they were redeemed by him. They were to be gentle and kindhearted to the aliens and fatherless living among them.

Some believers become proud and haughty because of their spiritual status and show contempt towards those who are unsaved and to those who are not as spiritually mature as them.
They do not realize that the first step towards being a good Christian is being a good human being.

The Apostle Paul advises,
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Our lessons in spiritual maturity will continue as long as we live and everyday there will be new things to be learnt regarding clothing ourselves with virtues that the Lord desires in our lives.