Living Without Offense

Loving others is one of the most important and difficult commands Jesus gave us. We are a messy, needy, and broken people. We constantly have to deal with our own wounds and the wounds of others. But if we can learn to love others well; rich, life-giving relationship will be our reward. May you receive the love of your Father given you by his grace, and be empowered to love others this week as we look to grow in our obedience of Jesus’ command to love others. Our Scripture for today comes from Proverbs 19:11 , and today's worship is Forgiveness by Jason Upton. -- When you trust Christ as your savior and Lord, you begin a relationship that extends into eternity. However, eternity doesn’t start in heaven, and you don’t have to wait until then to experience a full life in Christ. The truth is that we as Christians are called to invest in our relationship with God in this life as well as in the life to come. And that means becoming more like Christ every single day. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided a systematic ethic for how to be his disciples. It was a relatively short sermon, but God’s truth in that message has never stopped reverberating throughout the world. Our latest book, The Path to Purpose delves into the timeless wisdom of Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. St Augustine described the sermon as “a perfect standard for the Christian life.” While we may doubt ourselves from ever achieving such “a perfect standard,” Jesus’ central message in his Sermon on the Mount helps us see that standard not as a burden but rather as a source of freedom, purpose, and a guide for living beautifully. To know more about God’s calling on your life, request your copy today of The Path to Purpose: Christ’s Vision for Your Life in the Sermon on the Mount, at supportfirst15.org.