Jesus warned his disciples to not follow in the ways of the Pharisees who lived for public recognition. They hid many evils and put on a facade of righteousness and holiness. To make themselves appear more righteous, they accused everybody of all their outward sins. However, when Jesus exposed their hypocrisy, they became full of anger and hatred. Deep down they feared the public more than God.

When we think that love and belonging come from pretending and performing, masking our true selves, then we are never really accepted for who we truly are. But when we know and accept God's love for us, who created us, even knowing every hair on our heads, then we can find our absolute sense of worth and begin to live before God and not before people's opinions.

God loves us as we are. In him, we do not have to feel ashamed of ourselves, we find his amazing grace to embrace us and heal us of all our sins and shortcomings. He does not reject us but draws near to have fellowship with us through Jesus. We can find confidence and spirit to live in the image of God without fear, even of death.


Application: Lord, help me to know your love and grace for me and I may let go of trying to please and perform for others.
One Word: You are worth more.