A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE GOD’S WORD?      

Matthew 13:13 (read verses 10 through 15) “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”  

When you were conceived and born into this world, spiritually you were dead because you were a sinner from the moment of your conception. (see Ephesians 2:1) Therefore, St. Paul wrote, “. . . you did not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they (were) folly to (you), and (you were) not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)    

God the Father sent His Holy Spirit to give you spiritual life. 1 Corinthians 12:3 says, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says that by God’s grace (His undeserved love) He gave you faith in Jesus. God has given you His Spirit to enlighten you, that is, to give you the ability to understand His word and faith to believe it because it is His Gospel word that is “. . . the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)    

This is why St. Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote to the Christians in Corinth, God has given the “. . . light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) Therefore, wrote St. Peter, “Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” (1 Peter 1:8)    

Jesus’ answer to the question in today’s title for this devotion is, “. . . unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6) The Holy Scriptures say, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)  How can you be sure you will continue to hear God’s word and believe it? 1 Peter 1:5 answers, “[You] . . . by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” “The word of God . . . is at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)  

Prayer: Lord, keep me steadfast in Your Word. Amen. 

Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word;  
Curb those who by deceit or sword  
Would wrest the kingdom from Your Son  
And bring to naught all He has done.   

Lord Jesus Christ, Your pow’r make known,  
For You are Lord of lords alone;   
Defend Your holy Church that we  
May sing Your praise eternally. 

O Comforter of priceless worth,  
Send peace and unity on earth;  
Support us in our final strife   
And lead us out of death to life.  

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word // LSB 655