Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
August 23rd 2023

The Unnamed Character

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-32

As we end the study of the parable of the lost son, I want to draw our attention to a character which was never mentioned in the story but perhaps implied. This character is neither the younger brother nor the older brother, neither abandoned the father for worldly pleasure nor stayed behind for self-righteousness. It seems this character is a hypothetical figure but truly, the attributes of these two sons presents the possibility of another option. The unnamed character is the one that is redeemed by Christ Jesus whose nature of sin has been dealt with (I John 2:1; 3:9).

Jesus’ teaching on the mount culminated in this command: “be ye perfect as my father in heaven is perfect”. I have had a series of discussions about this biblical verse and many still believe that it is not possible to live a perfect live. However, God is not wicked to demand of His children what He knows they are unable to give. Hence, God’s children are called unto perfection because His divine power has given to us all that pertains to live and godliness through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3). As children of God, His grace that brings salvation also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust (Titus 2:7). We have at our disposal all that is needed; the word of God, and the Holy Spirit. The unnamed character in the parable of the lost child is the one that abides in Christ Jesus (John 15:1), and obeys Him (I John 2:5) not for the gain but for the love. He or she doesn’t acclaim self-righteousness but chooses to rely on the strength of God because it is God that is at work in us both to will and to do for His pleasure (Phil. 2:13). Therefore, “whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (1 John 2:5). Love for God becomes the motivation in all things and that’s when we can live exactly the way God desires.

Self-Reflection: “Whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him” (I John 2:5).

Daily Confession: Lord help me to see Jesus Christ as the author and the finisher of my faith that I may truly abide in Him forever. Amen

Intercessory prayer: Pray for our essential workers for God’s covering over them.

Hymn: Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.