As we’ve looked at the first part of the Gospel of Matthew these last few weeks, we know that we have been challenged. John the Baptist and Jesus Christ have come to us with challenging messages that seem to go against the grain of our nature. We’ve heard much about repentance from sin, bearing the fruit of repentance, choosing God’s way over man’s way, and what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus, our Teacher and Master.

These things are very important. They wouldn’t be in Scripture if they weren’t important, but we must never forget that Christianity is not what we do for God. True Christianity is what God does in our hearts when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul said it this way: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phillippians 2:12c-13). It’s God who does the work to purify (or sanctify) our sinful hearts. Our job is to continually turn that sinful heart of ours to Jesus with an attitude of trust and submission.

But just in case you’re tempted to despair that it’s all too hard, remember that if God started it, He will finish it.

1 Thessolonians 5:23-24 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it” [!].

It is God who does the work in us, but we must submit ourselves to that work by responding to the call of Jesus: “Come follow Me.”

This Sunday, we will continue to see the heart characteristics of the true disciple of Jesus Christ as we look at the Beatitudes. You might not see all of these characteristics in your own heart, but recommit yourself to following the Rabbi, and be patient with God and yourself as He continues His work in you. He who calls you is faithful, and He will surely do it!