TESTIMONY, NOT SUPERIORITY
“Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command.”
Deuteronomy 15:15 (NLT)
The beauty of Deuteronomy can get lost in its intensity. Amid the detailed laws God gives His newly freed people, God teaches them how to live with one another. These laws radically differed from those of surrounding nations, rooted in love, not control. God’s instructions showed His people how to treat everyone with dignity.
After a lengthy instruction on how to treat the foreigner, the slave, and the neighbor with hospitality, care, and protection, God says He’s giving these commands because they were once slaves who had been redeemed.
The standard for our lives flows from a response to the love, grace, provision and deliverance we’ve received from God. We defend the defenseless because we were first defended. We give because we were first recipients. We forgive because we were first forgiven. We love because He first loved us.
Our attitude toward everyone we encounter must come from a place of testimony, not superiority. Whether we work, handle conflict, give, share the gospel, repent or raise a family, it flows from our awareness of God’s goodness. Our lives are a living declaration of His faithfulness and power to everyone—believers and nonbelievers.
This isn’t a passive stance, either. From testimony comes great strength because it’s rooted in God, not our abilities. We don’t overcome evil or dysfunction by isolating or judging—we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, and showing radical hospitality and generosity aren’t just New Testament principles. From the beginning, God called His people to live radically different from the world—and in that difference, to be a blessing to all: believer, nonbeliever, slave and free. Everyone.
It’s always about Jesus. He’s the greatest teacher and clearest example of how to live. When we respond to His love, Heaven meets Earth. If we want our families, communities and nations to thrive, we must put Him first, not our preferences. Jesus is at the center of it all. Through Him comes true and abundant life.
APPLICATION: How can your experience with God shape how you treat others? Take time today to reflect on how God has met you, and ask Him to show you how that can guide your interactions.
PRAYER: Lord, help me remember who I was—and who I am now because of You. Let that remembrance move me to love like You, give like You, and live like You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?