April 23, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning devotion: Read Luke - The Law of God’s Kingdom

Luk 16:14  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Whenever you read the word of God, remember to keep things in context. Jesus is speaking with publicans and sinners and the Pharisees and scribes and disciples. (Chapter 15:1-2)

When our Lord Jesus Christ finished the parable of the dishonest steward (verses 1-15) the Pharisees derided Him. Why? Verse 14 explains, it is because they were covetous. Read Matthew 23 verse 1-39 to see the extent of their covetousness. They coveted everything from money, to praise and respect and honour of which they did not deserve. In fact they crucified Jesus for envy because Jesus received everything they wanted and did not have.

When the Lord spoke the truth they derided Him because it revealed their hearts to themselves. Unwilling to be humble and contrite they justified themselves. They embellished their works and looks and pride to make themselves look religious and good before men.

The big thing to remember is God sees the heart of each and every man, woman and child.

Verse 15  “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

What is abomination with God? The word means hated, detestable, disgusting and vile with God. That is a strong word. Jesus, who is God, said men who do these things are an abomination. In other words pretending to be holy and pretending to be Christian and pretending to be righteous makes God sick because God can see through to the heart and the motives thereof.

Proverbs 15:8 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.

Knowing this is important in light of the next verse. 16  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

There are a lot of people trying to press their way into heaven, push their way into heaven, by following the law of God. Trying to press your way into heaven is impossible for there is no man who has ever has kept all of the law of God except Jesus. Every person has in some point or another broken one of the ten commandments.

Let’s look at these Pharisees; they pretend to be something they were not. That is called lying. That is breaking the commandment of Exodus 20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

What does God say about liars?

Speaking about heaven in Revelation 21:27  “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

Revelation 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Finally, we see the Lord saying that people press into the kingdom of God. My friend, you do not need to press into the kingdom of God. You do not need to struggle and work your way into the kingdom. It is freely given. John the Baptist began to preach repentance and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Read Revelation 21:6 where Jesus said: “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

If you are going to keep the law to press into heaven, you must keep every single word; that is impossible.

Luke 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. The word “tittle” is like saying you must cross every T and dot every I to get into heaven.

Why struggle your way into heaven when it is freely given? Really it comes down to giving up on self and giving in to the Lord Jesus. He will freely give you salvation and forgiveness and heaven.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook