What Jesus Did! 'Trying to Justify Ourselves' — Luke 10:29

Sunday, July 9, 2023

[After Jesus affirmed the importance of the commands to love God and love your neighbor, as stated by the expert in religious law, the expert] wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
— Luke 10:29 NLT

Key Thought

So often when the conviction of God's word strikes our hearts, we try to justify ourselves rather than simply throwing ourselves on the mercy of God and changing our hearts and lives in accordance with God's word. If the expert who had come to test Jesus had honest motives, Jesus' question, affirmation, and reply [1] would have been enough. But, the expert wanted to look righteous more than he wanted to be righteous. How many times does this pattern of behavior reflect you? Let's realize that we cannot justify ourselves. Rather, we can find our righteousness only in God's grace given to us in Jesus Christ. Then let's go out and seek to live his life in the world as we are supplied by the power of his Holy Spirit!

[1] Luke 10:25-28.

Today's Prayer

God, my heavenly Father, forgive me for trying to make myself look righteous when righteousness comes only from you. Forgive me for my religious posturing that has kept me from opening my heart up completely to your grace and from living my life in honor of that grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Good Morning
Article by Rubel Shelly
So what makes us avoid each other? Rubel Shelly reminds us of the dangers of isolating or cocooning ourselves against the world to the point we are fearful and withdrawn and lose contact with real people in real life.
The Least I Can Do?
Article by Rob Woodfin
How do we move beyond election partisanship to moral change? Rob Woodfin challenges us to do more than vote and then wash our hands of the matters that afflict our time and culture.
Go and Do Likewise
Article by Bill Brant
What do you do, actually do, to help your neighbor? Yet this parable, or teaching story, is focused on one man who personally, intimately and immediately did something. Thus, the lesson is that as followers of Jesus, we need to go and do likewise as we travel over our own roads of life and help those in ne
Truth with a Bit of Shock
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, There are so many good things I could share with you about the verses below from Luke's gospel. Here are just a few things that I hope...."
See All 8 Related Resources about Luke 10:29

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 10:29 NLT — "And who is my neighbor?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 9, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Lead Me on Level Ground' (Ps. 143:10)
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. "
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'From the Least to the Greatest' (Re. 19:5)
"And from the throne came a voice that said, "Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest.""
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'No Lack in God' (1 Co. 1:4-9)
"Dear Father, my faithful God, Thank you now and forevermore for the grace which you gave in Christ Jesus. In every way you have enriched me in all..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 15:4
"Communion with Christ is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight, close fellowship...."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!