Then
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my
goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false
accusation, I restore fourfold.”
Luke 19:8
- FEBRUARY 9 -
RIGHT BELIEVING PRODUCES RIGHT LIVING
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. He was despised because he was a
deceitful man, cheating people of their money and resorting to false
accusations to get what he wanted.
One day, Jesus visited him. The Bible makes no mention of Jesus
rebuking him for his dishonest lifestyle the whole time they were
together. Instead, Jesus showed him grace and honor by spending time
with him. Before long, Zacchaeus stood up and declared to Jesus that he
would restore fourfold to anyone he had taken from illegally, and would
even give half of his goods to the poor.
A moment with Jesus completely changed Zacchaeus’ heart. A moment with
grace in person—without accusations, condemnation or judgment—caused
such an inward transformation that in a short time, Zacchaeus was doing
outwardly what was right and in a measure no man would have expected of
him!
Many people want to live right. Their concern with right living makes
them focus on themselves and the things they struggle with. But it is
right believing that produces right living. If you are trying to break
free from an addiction that has bound you for many years, believe that
Jesus loves you so much that at the cross, He paid the price for you to
be completely free from any addiction. Believe that by His stripes you
are healed and delivered.
One member in our church had a smoking addiction. But each time he lit
up a cigarette, he would believe that God was not judging or condemning
him, and that he was still the righteousness of God in Christ. One day,
he woke up impressed by the Spirit that that day would mark the start of
a smoke-free life. Expecting to be assaulted by the usual cravings to
smoke, he prayed this throughout the day: “Thank You, Jesus, for by Your
stripes I am healed.” Before he knew it, the day passed without him
lighting up or suffering any withdrawal pangs! And since then, he has
been totally free of this addiction.
Today, if you want to experience right living, find out what Christ has done for you and what you have in Him—and believe it!
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