Colossians 3:1-17

Get your mind out of the gutter! This is a phrase you have probably heard many times and potentially even used yourself. Today's passage challenges us not just to get our mind out of the gutter but to get it all the way to heaven. We are to think upon things of God, things which are eternally meaningful and significant. This idea of dwelling upon eternal things may simply seem like a good idea, but it is actually more than that. The rationale given in Colossians 3 is we should think upon things of God because that reflects our identity. We have been raised with Christ, so our thoughts should be on him. We died and our life is hidden with God, so we should set our mind on things of him. Our thoughts (and actions) should ultimately be a reflection of who we are. We are to dwell upon God himself and upon things that accord with his character because that reflects the new person we are.

So, get your mind off sexual immorality, impurity, greed, etc.; instead think upon compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Also, in place of vengeance think upon forgiveness. Who we are in Christ, who God is, and what we have received from him should compel us to think and live as a reflection of these things. So, get your mind out of the gutter and on to God.

Father God, help me to think upon you and things of you. Help me not to live like the world, but instead live in line with who you have made me. Amen. 

How could your thoughts better reflect your identity in Christ?

Colossians 2:8-23

Would you like a warranty on that? Would you like to supersize your drink or make that a meal? Wherever we go we are bombarded by attempts to sell us a newer, bigger, and better version of what we already have. This is not only true of material things, but Colossians 2 tells us there is a similar spiritual temptation to think that Jesus is not enough.

Paul tells the church that Christ is fully God and is the one who makes us full. He is the one who put off our sinful nature, buried us with him, and raised us. Further, he made us alive, forgave our sins, and disarmed the powers of the world. He has given us everything we need. Yet the early church was tempted to be taken captive. There were people in the church and in their world who were trying to take their eyes off Jesus. In our world it comes in the form of believing that our happiness is paramount, that we have the freedom to do whatever we want, or that there is some missing practice outside of Jesus that will unlock true spiritual maturity. Paul wanted the church and by extension us, to understand that all we need is Jesus. Our relationship with God began by placing our faith in Christ and continues as we walk by faith. He is the one who enables spiritual growth, and he is the one through whom we “have been given fullness in Christ.” So, stop looking elsewhere when what you need can only be found in Jesus.

Father God, thank you for what Christ accomplished for me. Help me to find all that I need in you and not look to the world to satisfy. Amen. 

Why do we often feel that Jesus is not enough?

Colossians 1:18-2:7

Have you ever been asked an absurd question like: if you were a tree, what type of tree would you be? Or, if you were an animal, which one would you be? Obviously, the right answer is: who knows?!?!? I am not a tree and I am not an animal; I am a human made in the image of God. Yet Scripture often uses the imagery of plants and animals to help us understand who we are. Read Colossians 2:6 and consider the different illusions to nature that are used. We are told we are like a tree which is to be firmly rooted and built up in Jesus. All the nourishment in our lives is to be derived from him. We are to abide in him, rest in him, and grow out of him. Further, we are to be like a body of water that is overflowing with thankfulness. The banks of our lives are to be continually filled with an attitude of thanks.

As I write this, I am staring at my grandfather’s painting of a pine tree by a large lake. Whenever I look at it, I am reminded of passages like Psalm 1 and Colossians 2:6-7, and the call to make sure d I am rooted in Christ. Let us not be like an artificial house plant with no life, but instead like a great redwood that has grown in a way that points people to the glory and greatness of God.

Father God, help me to root my life in you and overflow in thanksgiving. Amen. 

How can you deepen your roots in Christ? How can you cultivate a life that overflows with thankfulness?

Colossians 1:1-17

One of the most beautiful and succinct descriptions of Jesus is Colossians 1:15-20. This is a helpful passage for us to reflect on as we consider the identity of Jesus. Paul begins by stating that Jesus is truly God and has revealed God in a way that had never occurred previously. No one could see God, but when Jesus took on flesh, he revealed the invisible. Then, as God, Jesus is shown to be supreme over all creation, including us. As firstborn (first in supremacy, not first in birth order), he reigns over everything. He is our God, and he is our king. Do you live with this mentality? Choosing to live in submission to all of God’s marching orders?

He is not only God and king, but also the one through whom all things "have been created through him and for him." Everything is meant to reflect and bring him glory. There is nothing in creation that was not intended to point to him since he holds all things together. There is not a single breath or heartbeat that does not occur because of Jesus' power and grace. His kingship can be seen now but will be fully experienced on his return. Those who acknowledge Christ as king now will have him as their eternal king; while those who reject him will be separated from him forever. Therefore, let us see his rule, submit to his reign, and surrender every aspect of our lives to the reality of his glory.

Father God, help me to submit to the kingship of your Son. Help me not to live for myself but for your glory. Amen. 

Since God holds all things together, including you, how should you respond to this truth in the way you live?

Philippians 4:1-23

The world we live in is a constantly changing environment. The values of the world are always in flux; what is considered moral is up for grabs, and truth changes on a whim. Amid this, we are called to “stand firm.” We are not to be moved; instead stand upon God’s truth.

In Philippians 4, Paul explains the characteristics of a firm foundation. We are to walk in unity and love for others. In a world filled with dissension and hatred, the church is to be an oasis of compassion and kindness. In a world of anxiety and fear, God’s Spirit should produce his joy and peace. No matter the roller coaster of life, we are to “rejoice in the Lord always” and “in everything…with thanksgiving.” He will do this as we place our minds upon the things of God. As we reflect on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, our thoughts will be conformed to those of God’s. His values of joy, peace, truth, and contentment may put us in conflict with the current of the world, but God alone is what will allow us to remain firm. We are to make Christ the rock, the foundation of our lives, and not the sand that is this world.

Father God, help me to stand firm in you. Help me not to look to this world to offer the satisfaction that only you can give. Amen. 

How can you renew your commitment to stand firm in an area of life where you are currently not remaining steadfast?

Philippians 3:4-21

I took an accounting class in college. One of the challenging aspects of accounting was figuring out whether something was an asset or a liability, whether it was a credit or debit. If you had to list everything in life on an accounting ledger, what would go on which side? You might initially think that things like relationships, jobs, material assets, and a myriad of other things would be gains; while suffering, pain, and hardship would go on the loss side. Paul had a very different way of looking at life. Paul says that he considers “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” In Paul’s accounting, you have Christ on the gain side and everything else on the loss side. Even good things like his upbringing, religious traditions, and interests were loss compared to Jesus.

As we look at our own lives, we need to gain Paul’s perspective. We need to see that Christ and knowing him is infinitely superior to everything else. If things point us to Christ, then they are gain. If they do not, no matter how great it might seem to be, it is a loss. So let us strain and press on towards Christ and eagerly live as citizens of heaven, doing everything for God’s glory and to know him more.

Father God, help me to prioritize you above all else. Help me to pursue you, know you, and make you known. Amen. 

What have you made too high of a priority in your life that is currently inhibiting you from knowing Christ Jesus?

Philippians 2:19-3:3

Are you an Epaphroditus or a Timothy? Are you someone that God sends out to make disciples and help others to grow and mature in their walk with God? If called to do so, would you know how do this?

Timothy’s leadership was marked by "genuine concern" for others, and he proved himself with a track record of service. We cannot lead people if we do not love them. If we do not care about them, then we are inevitably just using them for our own benefit. So, how can we lead others out of an overflow of love? Paul’s example was described in Acts and in each of his letters. He is willing to endure radical hardship for the sake of others. As he called churches to follow the servant model of Jesus, so he lived in this way. Further, Epaphroditus is called "my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger." He was diligent in service as seen in him being called Paul's coworker and a soldier. He recognized the spiritual battle and never backed down from his calling. There is nothing fun about being in the trenches as a soldier, but the outcome makes the suffering worth it. Epaphroditus did not live for his own comfort but rather to make disciples and bring God glory. All these men sought to be leaders at great risk to themselves. Epaphroditus nearly died "for the work of Christ." Leadership is costly, but a life not spent on behalf of others is a life not worth living.

Father God, me to be a disciple who makes disciples and live sent by you today. Amen. 

How can your leadership better follow the examples of Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Paul?

Philippians 1:27-2:18

WWJD bracelets were a passing fad in America. The heart behind the movement was to get people to consider in each situation in life how Jesus would respond, and by extension, what we should do as well. Though the bracelet may have been a passing cultural phenomenon, the wisdom of asking how Jesus would act in any given situation and how we can act like him should always be on our minds.

In Philippians 1-2 Paul reminds us that Jesus suffered and bled for us, so we should be willing to suffer for him. To do this we need to embrace a life of humility just like Jesus did. Humility is necessary because, if you are selfish and unloving, you will only seek to maximize your personal happiness rather than do God’s will. The WWJD mentality is then made explicit in verse 5. Notice the call is not simply to act like Jesus but to have the same “attitude” as Jesus. We are told that we need to wear humility out of a deep love for others. Jesus’ attitude was to choose love over selfishness, and sacrifice over self-preservation. With this mentality Jesus was willing to obey the Father even when his path led to death. So, do you have the “attitude” of Jesus?” Are you putting on his mindset and walking in his ways? Though that path may not always be enjoyable in the moment, it is always worth it and is the way of true life. So, follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Father God, help me to follow your word and follow Jesus. Help me to embrace the attitude of Jesus in all I do.

How can I more effectively put on the attitude of Jesus?

Philippians 1:1-26

One question that may arise while reading Philippians is, "What is the source of joy, especially when facing difficult circumstances as those Paul experienced?" Paul found joy in a multitude of places. He found joy when people placed their faith in Christ and used their lives to serve him. He rejoiced in the fact that God will be faithful to finish the work he has begun in each of us. Paul rejoiced that the gospel was going out into the world. Even when it was being preached out of false motives, he found joy in the fact that Jesus was being communicated. He found joy in the fact that God would deliver him. Finally, Paul rejoiced that he could bring joy to others. He found joy in God’s work in his own life, how God worked through him to impact others, and how God was using his followers around the globe.

Like Paul, we can find joy when we hear of someone coming to faith in Christ. We can rejoice that God will complete his work. As we hear stories of how God is using people around the world and in our neighborhoods to communicate the gospel, we should experience joy. We can rejoice in our ultimate deliverance from sin and death. Since God is always at work, we should similarly be people with abundant joy. We can delight in God and in his good gifts and never run out of joy.

Father God, give me joy. Help me to rejoice in you, your work in my life, and in others. Amen. 

How can you draw greater joy from God, his work in your life and the way he is working in the lives of others?

Ephesians 6:1-24

At Sunday schools around the world, kids learn about the armor of God. They put on plastic Roman armor and learn about the necessity of fighting a spiritual battle. This teaching is critical for kids and for adults as well. Are you aware of the war you are wrestling? We have a ruthless enemy, Satan, and rulers, powers, and spiritual forces, who are seeking to devour and destroy us.

Our daily call to action is to put on truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, God's word, and prayer. The enemy tries to distract us with lies, but we need to stay focused on the truth. We are tempted to give in to our flesh, but we need to walk in righteousness. Rather than filling our minds with fear and anxiety, we need to remind ourselves of the peace we have with God through the gospel. We also need to live by faith and remember that we have been saved (justification), are being saved (sanctification), and will be saved in a final sense in eternity (glorification). What matters is our secure relationship with Christ and not the roller coaster circumstances of life. Finally, we can go straight to God's throne and always draw near to him. His power which allows us to overcome the evil one is available to us. We are in a battle, but, thankfully and certainly, the victory is assured through the finished work of Jesus.

Father God, help me to fight the spiritual battle in which I find myself. Help me to put on the armor today so I can do your will. Amen. 

What aspect of the armor do you need to be most intentional about putting on today?

Ephesians 5:1-33

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This modern proverb speaks to the fact that we imitate and follow what we value and appreciate. Therefore, it is important for us to consider what we are imitating.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 that we are to imitate God above all else. His character is to become our character, and his life is to be reflected in ours. The two clearest ways of imitation in Ephesians 5 are love and submission. We are to love others like God loves us. A love that is filled with grace and truth. This love is distinct from modern love that affirms everything. God's love is a sacrificial, gracious love that points people to truth. Further, our lives are to be marked by submission. Jesus submitted to the will of the Father even to the point of death on the cross, and we also are to submit to the will of the Father. Rather than living for our own comfort and ease, we are to live for God's glory and in obedience to his will and ways. We are to consider what is best for others, what will help them to grow and mature, and what shows them love.

To imitate something we must study it, know it, and be able to replicate it. So, how well do you know God so you can live his life? How well do you know his character so that you can live like him? As we imitate him hopefully, when people see our love and submission, they see the God behind us and respond in praise of him.

Father God, help me to imitate you. Help me not to follow the ways of this world but reflect your character and ways in all I do. Amen. 

How can you better imitate God in the way you love and submit?

Ephesians 4:17-32

Every morning we wake up, we take off our pajamas and put on clothes that are appropriate for the day’s activities. In the same way when we come to faith in Christ, we are to discard our old clothes and put on a new outfit which is in line with our new identity. So, the question we want to explore today is how well our wardrobe matches our identity in Christ.

Outside of Christ, Paul describes a life of fleeting pleasure, a failure to know God, and a conformity to the culture around us. In Christ, Paul says we need to take off that which is evil and put on that which is righteous, beautiful, and lovely. We are to take off lies and put on truth. We are to cast off anger and put on love, peace, and patience. We are to discard stealing and wear generosity. We are to get rid of unwholesome speech and place upon ourselves the clothing of encouragement. The clothing of Christ is the only apparel that is now appropriate for us as his children.

We will find ourselves falling back into old sinful patterns and ruts and putting back on the clothes of the past, but we should recognize that these outfits do not fit us anymore. We need to quickly confess our sins, take these things off, and replace them with the attitudes of Christ. So let us consider what our wardrobe looks like and make sure that the only clothing in our closets reflects the eternal life we have received in Jesus.

Father God, thank you for who you have made me. Help me through your Spirit to only live in a way that reflects you. Amen. 

Where do you find yourself putting on old behaviors that need to be replaced by the clothing of Christ?

Ephesians 4:1-16

Would you listen to the advice of someone who is in prison? Do you think that the incarcerated have something to offer you? We typically judge people by the outcome of their lives and then consider whether we should imitate them. Yet Paul is writing Ephesians from a prison cell and calling us to live in a way that reflects his life. He calls all believers to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Notice this challenge begins with an understanding of grace. God grants life and a calling to everyone the moment they believe. Once we understand the gifts we have been given (Ephesians 1-3), then we are to live in a way that reflects and is worthy of what we have been given. We should live transformed lives because we are truly transformed people.

One area that this transformation should reveal itself is in our relationships. We are to clothe ourselves in humility, love, and the pursuit of unity. Further, we are to consider how we can help others mature in their relationship with God. We have been made a disciple so we can make disciples. A question we need to continually ask ourselves is how we can help others grow and mature. As we expend our lives for others, it may lead to an outcome like Paul’s, but regardless of where it takes us, living worthy of Christ’s grace, salvation, and gifts is always worth it.

Father God, thank you for making me new in you. Help me to live in a way that properly responds and is worthy of all I have received in you. Amen. 

How should pursuing a life worthy of your calling in Christ impact your relationships?

Ephesians 3:1-21

Are you into mysteries? Do you like a good whodunit where the culprit is only revealed at the end? Do you enjoy being held in suspense wondering what is going to happen? Paul reveals in Ephesians 3 that through Christ a great mystery has been revealed.

Paul proclaims the mystery to be the unification of all ethnicities under Christ. There is no division between Jews and Gentiles; rather through faith everyone can become part of God’s family. This mystery compelled Paul to spend his life dedicated to the mission of being a disciple who made disciples. We have seen that in narrative form in Acts and now see Paul’s summary in this letter. He stayed committed to this mission whether it led to prison or joyful reunions with church plants. Everything which God gave him, he poured out into the life of others.

He describes this transfer in verse 2 by saying God’s “grace [that] was given to me for you.” This grace includes personal salvation, the unification of all believers into one big family, material blessings, relationships, life, etc. which is all to be used for the benefit of others. God invites us into his mystery of grace so we can be dispensers of it to others. Take an inventory of God’s grace in your life and consider how you can better use all those things to be part of the bigger mission that God has given to you, to me, and to all of us.

Father God, thank you for your grace. Help me to use all that you have given to me for your glory and to help others grow as well. Amen. 

How can you more intentionally use the mystery of God’s grace to bless others?

Ephesians 2:1-22

Everyone loves a good transformation story. The nerdy girl who becomes prom queen, the pauper who becomes a prince, and the underdog who becomes champions. All of these are ultimately a shadow of the greatest transformation story of our time, the story of us.

Ephesians 2 describes the radical story of how God has transformed us. Before faith in Christ, we were dead in our transgressions and sins, lived only gratifying our sinful nature, and were headed toward wrath. Further, we were separated from Christ, excluded from citizenship, and distanced to God’s hope. That would be the ugliest before transformation photo ever but one that is eclipsed by the beauty of the after photo. Through Christ we are now alive, saved, “raised up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms,” objects of God’s grace, his workmanship, brought near to God, reconciled, and filled with peace. The contrast between this before and after, could not be further apart.

As we consider God’s transforming power in our lives, we need to constantly remember who we are in Christ and live out of this new, beautiful, eternal identity. Who Christ has made us should transform our perspective, attitude, and the way we live. May we contemplate today the true beauty of what Jesus has done for us and celebrate how changed we are.

Father God, thank you that I am your child, can draw near to you, and continuously receive your grace. Amen. 

What before and after transformation do you want to reflect on and celebrate today?

Ephesians 1:1-23

What is the most memorable Christmas gift you received as a child? Was it a doll, a car, a piece of technology, or maybe a trip? For most of us it was probably something we had wished and waited for that we finally received. Paul wants us to understand at the start of Ephesians that the greatest gifts we will ever receive have come from God.

Ephesians 1 is a staggering list of how God has graciously poured out abundant gifts upon us. Notice how extensive the list is (write down all the gifts you notice in this chapter or circle them in your Bible). As you start to see the abundance of the gifts, hopefully, you realize that no matter how extravagant the gifts on your birthday, anniversary, or Christmas might be, they all pale in comparison to the gifts we received from God when we trusted in Christ. These gifts are summarized in verse 3 when we are told we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing.” These are then cataloged as receiving grace, redemption, forgiveness, knowledge of his will, having been chosen and predestined, being included in Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit. We did not earn these things, which would make them a payment instead of a gift, but instead they were all given freely. Paul will show how our lives should look different because of these gifts throughout the letter of Ephesians. We need to understand the magnitude of what we have received, before we can live in response to them.

Father God, thank you for all your good gifts. Help me to understand and live properly responding to them. Amen. 

Which one of God’s gifts in Ephesians 1, do you need to better understand and apply to your daily living?

Galatians 6:1-18

We are to run from sin but what about people in our lives who are caught up in sin? Paul’s answer is clearly no! Instead, we are to “restore [them] gently.”

Restoration is hard work. Whether it is restoring a car, a kitchen, or a priceless work of art is painful, tedious work. But it is worth it! The same is true with people, who having been made in the image of God, are worth more than any car or artwork! Love for sinners (which includes every one of us) should compel us to lovingly confront people caught in sin. We are to speak the truth with the hope that they will confess and repent. In this, Paul has a warning. He is concerned we might somehow think we are better than those we are confronting and allow pride and arrogance to seep into our hearts. We need to remember we are just as prone to sin as everyone else.

As we challenge others to walk in holiness, we need to make sure we are doing the same. We need to make sure we have taken the plank out of our own eye before removing the speck from the eye of someone else. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Humility and love are necessary ingredients in challenging others to follow Christ. We also need courage, perseverance, and bravery to enter these sometimes awkward, difficult conversations, but ones that will lead others to fully walking with Christ.

Father God, help me to pursue holiness and call others to do the same. Give me the courage and love I need to enter these conversations. Amen. 

What keeps you from entering into opportunities to help people overcome sin in their lives?

Galatians 5:13-26

“Are you going to make it?” In a stupid, rash decision my spouse and I decided to run up a down escalator in a local store. We both started out on a run, but midway we slowed to a walk, and a few steps from the top we were panting and straining to make that next step before the escalator reversed our progress. Oh, to be young again!

Paul spends much of Galatians describing the Christian life. We know when we accepted Christ as our Savior we died to sin and our old way of life. We know we are freed from the rules of the law. We know we are free to live a new way by the Spirit. Yet how often do we take a step, only to go backwards on the escalator into our old habits of living for self, instead of being spirit-controlled? Galatians 5:19-21 describes that life style. In contrast, verse 25 says living by the Spirit is to keep in step with the Spirit. In other words, as we walk through life, we are to rely on the escalator (the Spirit) to move us forward in the Spiritcontrolled life. We are called to walk step-by-step in reliance on his power to resist the attitudes/actions of the self and to produce his fruits.

Father, I am so prone to go backwards on the escalator and commit the Galatians 5 self-controlled actions/attitudes. Help me to rely on the Spirit’s power as I interact with others. May I love others as I love myself. Amen. 

What self-centered actions need to be put away as we rely on the Spirit to produce his fruit?

Galatians 5:1-12

The Christian life is often compared to a race. The longest race I have ever run is 4 miles and it was exhausting. Yet even a marathon is nothing next to the lifelong journey of following Christ. There are daily distractions, obstacles, and temptations that creep in to slow us down. So, the question we want to consider today is how are we running?

The keys to running well according to Galatians 5 are grace and faith. These two pieces of equipment are essentially like putting on your left and right shoes before a race. Grace is what allows us to enter the race and faith is what starts us on the journey. Yet so often we can forget these two concepts and make the race of life all about us and our performance. If we try this way of running, we will soon find that sin and legalism are yokes which will slow our running to a crawl. Therefore, we need to be on our guard to ensure that we keep running well. There may be moments when it seems easier to stop than to keep running, but this is a lie. Christ out of love and grace died for us, so who are we to not give our all for him? The world tells us to do whatever we want, to map out our own race, and to run at our own pace, while God calls us to persevere in running by grace with faith. So, let us keep our eyes on Christ and keep running until the day we die.

Father God, thank you for saving me and bringing me into your life by grace through faith. Help me to run the race of life the same way I began, by grace through faith. Amen. 

What would help you to more effectively run with grace and faith?

Galatians 3:23-4:31

Everyone loves a good transformation story. The underdog becoming a champion, an outcast becoming the prom king, or the poor person becoming wealthy all make for powerful tales. Yet this transformation story is not only found in movies or books, but is true of us as well. It is the powerful message of Galatians 4. The truth that we have been transformed.

Our autobiography is we have been changed from slaves to sons. We are no longer alienated from God but have been brought near as his children. As his kids we are now full heirs of everything he has. This is our identity. Since we are “sons of God”, we are “clothed…with Christ”, we are “Abraham’s seed, and heirs,” we become a new people. We become eternal members of God’s family and now are to represent that in the way we live. For Paul’s original audience this meant moving from a rigid adherence to the law, which was only meant to “lead us to Christ,” and instead live by the Spirit. We have moved from slaves to God’s children and therefore, must put away our old clothing and walk in our new way. There were people in the church who were constantly trying to re-enslave them in their old ways, but to listen to these ideas was to fail to understand who they now were. In the same way, as God’s children we are to listen to God’s voice and live in our new relationship with him.

Father God, thank you that you have adopted me into your family and help me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. Amen. 

How does an understanding of your identity as a child of God affect the way you live?

Galatians 3:10-22

How many times have you been promised something that you never received? When was the last time you made a promise and did not follow through on it? Sometimes these unfulfilled promises may cause us to doubt the promises of God, but thankfully, he is always faithful to follow through on what he has said.

As we consider the promises of God, he will be faithful to all of them but sometimes we will have to wait beyond our earthly lifetimes to receive their fulfillment. The example which Paul points out in Galatians 3 is that of Abraham. God promised a seed to Abraham, but the ultimate answer to that promise came in Jesus over 1500 years after the promise. The proper response to the promise, and all of God’s promises, is faith. We are called to be people of faith —why? Because God is faithful and worthy of our trust. We may have to wait to get what God promised, but he will always come through. The ultimate promise that God has made is eternal life. “The whole world is a prisoner of sin” and we need to be released from bondage. Attempts at obedience to the law and our good works could not grant it, but faith allows us to receive it. So, let us trust God, that his promises are true, and that one day we will receive everything he has spoken of.

Father God, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you that in Christ all you have promised will come true. Help me to live by faith and trust you in everything. Amen. 

What would help you to increase your confidence in God’s faithfulness?

Galatians 2:17-3:9

Are you doing your best? Do you feel like your best is good enough? I tell my kids all the time that all I want them to do at school and in life is to do their best. I think this is decent parenting advice; the problem is that this wisdom does not work when it comes to salvation. If we think our best is going to gain us eternal life, we are clearly wrong because that is exactly what the church in Galatia was trying to do.

Paul uses very strong language to confront those in the church who thought their adherence to the law and good deeds could gain eternal life. He asks them “who has bewitched you?” He wants to know who has essentially cast a spell over them to cause them to miss the truth. He reiterates that the only means of eternal life is what Jesus has already done for us. The only path of salvation is for us to place our faith in Jesus. This is how people like Abraham were saved in the Old Testament and how we are saved today. So, embrace the fact your best is not good enough, and praise God Jesus’ best was enough to achieve what we could not. Let us rest in the work of Jesus, live a life of gratitude and praise, and live as a response to our salvation, not as a means of earning it.

Father God, thank you for what Jesus did for me. Thank you that through his perfect life, death and resurrection, salvation is available to me. Help me to live in response to what Christ has already accomplished for me. Amen. 

What difference does it make in your life when you live not to earn God’s love and salvation, but as a response to what Jesus has already done for you?

Galatians 2:1-16

As we read through Galatians, Paul builds our understanding of the gospel. He wanted the church to understand that grace is central to the gospel. The gospel and our salvation are not acquired by our capabilities but given by grace through the gracious work of Jesus. So, why is it we struggle with the concept of grace so much?

Paul begins Galatians by narrating his autobiography and focuses heavily on moments where he had to stand for the truth that all people from all ethnicities are born again by grace through faith in Jesus. There were many within the early church who thought someone had to come to faith in Christ while also following old covenant laws. This led some people to being circumcised and even Peter to abstain from eating with Gentiles. Yet these ideas were a scandal to the grace found in the gospel. These false ideas diminished the gospel, the finished work of Jesus, and our salvation. It elevated what people had to do to be saved and minimized what Jesus did. Anything that takes the spotlight off grace needs to be opposed and eradicated. Grace distractors manifest themselves in different ways in our culture, but Satan is still trying to take our eyes off Jesus and put them on ourselves. Therefore, we need to listen to Paul and his warning to the Galatians by making sure the true gospel is the foundation for every aspect of our lives. We are saved by grace and need to live with grace overflowing out of our lives.

Father God, help me to always remember your grace. Amen. 

Where do you forget the bedrock principle of grace in your life?

Galatians 1:1-24

If we do not understand the gospel accurately, then we cannot get anything else right. If we misunderstand it or stray away from it, then we fail to have a solid foundation for our lives. Paul writes to the Galatians to ensure they are living rooted in and built upon the gospel. The simple gospel is the truth that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and by placing our faith in him, we can have eternal life. This was not only critical for the church back then, but for us as well. We live in a world that is always trying to push away from the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. It might try to push us towards thinking we can save ourselves through good works or that our own happiness and personal autonomy is where life is found. Regardless of what direction we are being pushed in by the world, Satan, and our flesh, it is vital that we keep Jesus as our foundation. The truth of God and his character is the only firm rock upon which our lives can be built.

Therefore, we must know the truth of the gospel and never be moved from it. We must always remember who God is —the one and only Triune God—and that salvation is found in the finished work of Jesus through his death and resurrection. He is the one for whom we are to live, because he alone is the one who gives us life.

Father God, help me to stay rooted in you. Help me to not look to anyone or anything else to give me the life that only you can give. Amen. 

What alternative gospels do you see our world offering people? How are you tempted by these false gospels?

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

How do you feel about going to the doctor? Do you approach your appointments with great trepidation about what they might find? How would you feel about undergoing a spiritual examination? Would that make you nervous? Well, that is exactly what Paul asks us to do. Paul ended his letter by asking the church to examine themselves. He was writing to a diverse audience and wants to make sure that they are “in the faith.” Though we are saved by grace through faith, there should be fruit or evidence of that salvation in our lives. Paul does not clearly outline in these verses what the examination should exactly look like or what specific fruit we should hope to find, but it seems from the letter that it is obedience to all Paul has written. There cannot be consistent rejection of God’s commands in the lives of a believer. We will never reach perfection this side of heaven, but obedience should be the heartbeat of a believer. Is this true of your life? Can you see how God has matured you over time and how you are obeying now more than you have in the past?

As you think back through 1 and 2 Corinthians, are there any areas where your life is glaringly not matching up to what God has called for? If so, confess it, and turn from it to walk in obedience to the commands of God. When you obey, you will have the added assurance and joy that will come from passing your exam.

Father God, thank you for the assurance, joy, and peace you give to me through your Spirit. Help me to walk in obedience to your ways. Amen. 

How can you experience more assurance in your salvation?