“You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up” (Mark 10:19-20).
Do you know right from wrong? Maybe not everything, but you do know when you are choosing to do something wrong. This is the place to begin. Then, ask where to go from there. Instead of insisting that you’ve always done things right, look to the One who has. We each have places where we have participated in the rebellion against the Lord. Jesus is gracious and He asks us this question. Give an honest answer.
Lord, I can speak of all of the things I’ve done which are right, but there are also so many things that I have done that are not right. Guide me out of thinking that all is well with my actions if You know there are other things that need to be confronted. You must be the author and finisher of my faith because I do not know where things are that get in the way of living in harmony with You in Your kingdom.
Lord Jesus, You have come to save us. More than just brushing us off and sending us on our way, You create a new an clean heart in us that willingly unites with You. Lead me out of selfish thinking to the place where I love what is right and willingly die to what is wrong. Guide me in Your goodness through all that hinders me so that I rely upon You and not upon what I have or have not done. Amen.
