If you work the hours you are paid for and complete the tasks you are asked to do, do you think you deserve praise, or just your paycheck? This is what Jesus is trying to tell us. Do we deserve praise for doing what we have promised to do? When I was in school, we were expected to do our homework, study, pay attention in class, not provoke the other students – or the teacher! Awards went to those who achieved over and above the expected. If you played sports, the best players received an award. Today it seems as though everyone thinks they deserve an award just for showing up! People often spend a great deal of time on their phones or computers and not just for work, and then wonder why they didn’t get the promotion. Not only were they not doing over and above what they were being paid for, they’re not even doing their job. If we keep the commandments, do we expect God to be cheering? We are only doing the minimum that we are asked to do. What glory is there in that? Remember that Jesus gave us a new commandment that we need to love others as he loves us. Are we following this commandment as well, or do we take it as a suggestion? Actually, many people today take the original Ten Commandments as suggestions! Where do you fall, where do I? Are we just doing our duty or are we trying to live a life based on Jesus’ law of love? Are we keeping the commandments – all of them, or just the ones we like? Are we unworthy servants, only doing our duty?
And we pray:
Father, Your path is true. You sent Jesus to stifle the challenge of all ways. Jesus came as Man; one of us. Your Word. Trials assailed Him as He stepped down from Royalty to a manger. Father, forgive me when I mistreat others and disobey Your laws and commands. Renew in me a true/clean spirit, washed in the blood of Christ. Father ALL glory I raise in praise for Your Love, Patience and guidance. Lead me LORD, quicken my spirit I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.