SOAP Devotional 2016-02-03

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SOAP Devotional 2016-02-03

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:

“When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny. (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭25-26‬ NLT)

Observation:

This passage is often used looking at the fact that we owe a sin debt that we cannot pay, so we should be reconciled to our savior. Although that analogy is a good one, in context, Jesus is still dealing with the six commandment that would have us loving our neighbor as ourselves. When you owe someone a debt, you should not try to figure out how to get out of paying that debt. Instead we should try to figure out with the person we owe the debt to, how to pay what we owe. You may end up with a negotiated settlement if you cannot pay it all, but if they have to take you to court, you will pay every last penny. Isn’t that how you would want to be treated?

Application: 

I should live up to the obligations that I make. My word is my bond and not keeping it is just plain wrong. At the root of sin is selfishness. We need to remember that if we do not keep our commitments, others suffer. Whether it is a legitimate debt or a pledge, I should keep my obligations.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live up to the commitments that I make. And not just the monetary ones. Help me to realize how it affects others if I don’t. Let my life be a good representation of you in this area of my life.

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