One of the most quoted and often misunderstood commands of Jesus is found in Matthew 7:1, where He says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Many interpret this as a prohibition against discerning another's spiritual condition, fearing that doing so would violate Christ's command. Yet, a closer reading of the Sermon on the Mount reveals that Jesus is addressing something much deeper: the spirit in which we approach others.

Jesus, in His earthly ministry, prepared His disciples for a transformative shift. He assured them that the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, would not only sustain them but also empower them to be vessels of encouragement to others.

The word “Comforter” conveys rich meanings—helper, advocate, and encourager. When believers are filled with the Spirit, they experience a deep sense of purpose. They know they are useful in God’s plan because He guides them into lives characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:10).

But the Spirit doesn’t stop there. Beyond affirming our value to God, He also moves through us to affirm others. The Spirit-filled believer becomes an instrument of encouragement, speaking life and hope to those who need it most.

"To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

A.B. Simpson challenges us to live as “pattern men and women,” lives that God can reproduce in others for His glory. This high calling reminds us that every moment, every choice, and every test of faith has eternal significance.

"All my fresh springs shall be in Thee." (Psalm 87:7)

Oswald Chambers draws our attention to the transformative work of God in the life of a believer. The natural virtues we possess, often celebrated as hallmarks of character, are remnants of what humanity was before the fall. They are not the virtues God intends to cultivate in us. His goal is not to patch up or enhance our natural strengths but to replace them entirely with the life and virtues of Christ.

“Do good in Thy good pleasure unto us, O Lord. Act toward us not as we deserve but as it becomes Thee, being the God Thou art. So shall we have nothing to fear in this world or in that which is to come.” – A.W. Tozer

The goodness of God is not just a comforting thought—it is the very foundation of our faith and relationship with Him. In Chapter 16 of Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer explores this essential attribute of God, showing how His goodness shapes our understanding of grace, prayer, repentance, and salvation itself.

"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7)

The journey of the Christian life does not differ in nature from its beginning. Just as we received Christ by grace, so we are called to walk in Him by grace. Today’s devotional from Day by Day by Grace reminds us that the manner in which we started with Christ is the same way we are to continue—rooted in Him, relying upon Him, and abounding with gratitude.

"He (the Holy Spirit) shall glorify Me (the Lord Jesus)" (John 16:14).

The Christian life is not merely about being empowered to do good works or maintain religious practices. At its heart, it is about being filled with the life of Christ Himself. Today’s reading from Abide Above reminds us that the Holy Spirit’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Jesus by displacing the old man and emplacing the New Man within us.

When we think about inheritance in a spiritual sense, we typically focus on the inheritance we receive from God—His blessings, promises, and eternal life through Christ. But have you ever considered that you are God’s inheritance? This truth is beautifully expressed in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians:

“… that you may know… the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18b).

This verse invites us to reflect on the fact that we, as believers, are of immense value to God—not because of what we can accomplish for Him, but because He has chosen us as His vessels to express His righteousness and love to the world.

When asked if we need to learn patience, many of us instinctively nod in agreement. After all, patience seems like a quality to strive for—something we must master through effort and practice. Yet, as Kuykendall insightfully points out, the need is not to learn patience but to receive it.

The Apostle Paul clarifies this truth:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is ... patience” (Galatians 5:22, NIV).

Patience is not something we achieve through self-discipline or determination; it is a gift produced by the Holy Spirit in those who are yielded to Him.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me …” (Acts 1:8).

Spirit-directed witnessing is not merely a matter of words but a divinely orchestrated act of obedience. It involves being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who directs us to the right person, at the right time, with the right message.

David Kuykendall shares a compelling illustration of this principle through the story of Thomas, a believer who demonstrated Spirit-led sensitivity in his witness to Lloyd, a non-Christian acquaintance.

“And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).

Picture this scene: Jesus, the Creator of all, taking little children into His arms, blessing them with His touch. What love and acceptance those children must have felt in His embrace! For their parents, this was surely a moment of joy and peace, knowing their children were safe in the arms of the Savior.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

In these familiar words, Jesus offers a profound invitation to those weighed down by the burdens of life. But what kind of rest is He speaking of? It’s not merely physical rest but rest for the inner man—the soul.

“In all things give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). These words are familiar to many of us, often quoted in times of trial. But what does it mean to truly live out this command?

Some interpret this verse as an encouragement to find gratitude in the good things amid difficult times. While this is certainly beneficial, Scripture reveals a deeper truth: the call to thank God not only in all things but for all things.

Romans 8:11 provides a remarkable promise:

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

This verse assures us that the Holy Spirit’s work extends beyond spiritual renewal to include the revitalization of our physical lives. The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, offering life to our mortal bodies as we yield to Him.e

David Kuykendall reminds us in Living in the Garden of Grace that effective prayer is simpler than we often imagine. The Apostle John offers a clear promise in 1 John 5:14-15:

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

This assurance gives us confidence to approach prayer as a vital part of walking in grace.

Jesus promised His followers that they would do the works He did—and even greater ones. What an extraordinary promise! This bold declaration in John 14:12 is not just about miraculous physical healing or extraordinary acts, but about the transformative power of grace, brought to life through the Holy Spirit.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." —Proverbs 3:5-6

Each day is a new opportunity to walk in step with the Lord, fulfilling His plans for our lives. These plans are not random—they are designed to bring honor to Him, blessings to others, and fulfillment to us. But how can we align our lives with His plans?

"I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died." —Romans 7:9
"...that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." —Romans 8:4

“Should believers keep the Ten Commandments?” This question often sparks debate, but the Apostle Paul offers clarity through his writings. The answer is both “no” and “yes,” depending on the context. Let’s explore this tension, not through human reasoning but by understanding the heart of Scripture.

"… do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body… Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…" —Matthew 6:25, 34
"Be anxious for nothing…" —Philippians 4:6

Are you a worrier? Most of us would answer “yes.” Worry is a universal struggle, often creeping into our hearts despite our best intentions. We know it dishonors the Lord and undermines our testimony. We’re aware it can harm our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Yet, breaking free from worry can feel impossible.

Every believer has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Paul reminds us in Romans 8:9:
"Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His."

However, not every believer lives in the fullness of the Spirit. Some walk in their own strength, while others experience the Spirit’s empowering and transforming presence. The difference lies in obedience to a simple yet profound command: "Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).