Sep 2, 2016

A daily devotional through the recorded words Jesus spoke while He walked alongside us. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com.

Today's Scripture Focus

Mark 12:29-34

devotional summary

Jesus didn’t declare the scribe okay with God, but instead said, the kingdom is closer than you think. You see, Jesus had been preaching around the countryside and His message was that the kingdom of God is at hand. He also said He was the light of the world. He also said no one comes to the Father in heaven except by way of Him. Jesus had gone about the countryside preaching, teaching, healing, and most important, forgiving people of their sins when they asked Him. The scribe, it seems, has not asked for forgiveness.

Real love asks forgiveness from those we hurt, whether intentionally or unintentionally. When we love, we don’t want to wrong others. That doesn’t mean we don’t discipline, that would be cruel and negligent, but we don’t harm. And everyone hurts God. We all sin. We all cause Him pain. We all fail to live up to the standard He sets. We all need to ask forgiveness for our sins of commission and ommission. The kingdom of heaven was close, but one thing was still needed. A repentant heart seeking forgiveness from the God of the universe.

So where do you stand relative to this question? Do you love God and your neighbor? Do you really love them with God’s unconditional love? If so, the kingdom of God is close. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you? He died on the cross for my sins and yours. But our sins are not forgiven until we come to Him in repentance and ask. The kingdom of God is closer than you think.

Today's Bible reading plan:

Read it in a year - Joel

see the whole year's plan here