Transformed – teen devotion – April 30, 2023
One truth shared: Applying Jesus’ words makes you better at life.
But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:20,21
Better Life
Do you believe that your life is better when you put Jesus’ words into practice?
At the conclusion of his longest recorded sermon, Jesus told people how important it was to put his words into practice. He used the illustration of a person building a house.
He said that there is no benefit if you merely listen to his words and do not apply them to life. He compared it to building a house with no foundation. Your life might seem fine on the outside, but hardships will show that there is no stability.
But when you listen to his words and apply them, Jesus said you will have a solid foundation upon which to build your life. Storms will still come, but you will be able to withstand them.
So when you apply Jesus’ words to your life, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your life immediately gets better. It doesn’t mean that you will bypass the hardships of having a sinful nature or living in a sinful world. Storms will still come. Temptations will still hit you with the same force.
But when you take Jesus’ teachings and live by them, something amazing happens. It makes you better at life. Storms cannot move you when you have Jesus’ resurrection power as your foundation. Hardships cannot break you when your core identity is found in the declaration that Jesus forgives you. Temptations cannot entice you when everything you need is already given in Christ.
Living out Jesus’ words makes you better at life, but don’t do it just for your benefit. Do it as a testament to the incredible power of God at work in you. When you follow Jesus and suffer for it, you demonstrate to the world the incredible, resilient power of God at work in you.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you suffered for doing right, and the result was my salvation. Help me demonstrate complete trust in you, so that your resurrection power would be shown through me. Amen.
