January 8
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BY GRACE ALONE, YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. – Ephesians 2:8-12
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According to an article online, “The gospel message is the good news of God’s grace, so it is important to know what grace is and to constantly seek to get a better view of what grace does in our lives. Grace is an essential part of God’s character. Grace is closely related to God’s benevolence, love, and mercy. Grace can be variously defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving.” In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us abundantly, in spite of the fact that we don’t deserve to be treated so well or dealt with so generously. To fully understand grace, we need to consider who we were without Christ and who we become with Christ. We were born in sin (Psalm 51:5), and we were guilty of breaking God’s holy laws (Romans 3:9–20, 23; 1 John 1:8–10). We were enemies of God (Romans 5:6, 10; 8:7; Colossians 1:21), deserving of death (Romans 6:23a). We were unrighteous (Romans 3:10) and without means of justifying ourselves (Romans 3:20). Spiritually, we were destitute, blind, unclean, and dead. Our souls were in peril of everlasting punishment.
Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that they were saved by God’s grace and they can never boast that they made a contribution for it or take credit for the gift of salvation. It is given to undeserving sinners. Paul reminds them of their lives before they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, they were hopeless. When Christ gave up His life for all undeserving people like us, He changed our standing with God. We are now saved and cleansed of our sins. We can make a fresh new start with God. We have hope in the knowledge that we can be reconciled with God and will have an entirely new beginning. What gracious and generous God we have!
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REFLECTION
• Why do many people miss the true meaning of grace? Why do some people struggle with the concept of grace given to those who believe in Christ?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
GOD MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
January 7
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GOD MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST
And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 2:1-7
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In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul recognizes that we are all dead, meaning we are all sinful and have offended God. He reiterates and reminds the believers that we must never forget the state we were in when God gave Jesus to us as a ransom for our sins. In verse 2, he emphasizes our natural bent to disobey and we used to follow the world systems. In verse 3, Paul acknowledges the lusts of man’s flesh who only wants to satisfy its own selfish cravings. The shift from verse 3 to 4 is the difference of our sinful nature to God’s mercy and great love for all of us. In verse 5, he further expounds on the grace given to us even though we don’t deserve such gift of salvation through Christ’s death. In verse 6, Paul talks about the resurrection power that is granted to us as soon as Christ died for us. Since Jesus died on the cross for our sins, we too, must die to our sinful nature and be resurrected just like Jesus did. Verse 7 manifests the boundless riches of God’ grace and his kindness towards all those who believe in Christ.
When I became born again almost nine years ago, I was spiritually dead because I did not turn my back on sin. I didn’t understand the sacrifice that Jesus did for me to have a clean slate with God. I also failed to comprehend the mercy and great love that was given as a gift so I can be free. I failed to receive and open the gift of grace and mercy. I was so wrapped up in my own drama and traumas that I didn’t know the true nature of God. I am grateful to my Lord and Savior because, when He chose to give me the gift of salvation, I can now have victory over my sinful nature. It doesn’t mean that I will be sinless, it only means that I will not make a habit of sinning. I will choose to be clean and pure for God.
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REFLECTION
• When was the first time you felt so alive in Christ? How did he transform you?
PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION ILMA’S VLOG
January 4
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PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight – Ephesians 1:1-8
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According to David Guzik’s commentary, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different compared to many of the other New Testament letters he wrote. Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. If the Letter to the Romans focuses more on God’s work in the individual Christian, Ephesians includes the great themes of God’s work in the church, the community of believers. Ephesians has many similarities with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Since Paul wrote both of them from his Roman imprisonment, his mind may have worked on the same themes when he wrote each letter.
Paul’s letters always begin with bringing peace that comes from God and Jesus Christ. In verse 3, Paul worships and gives praise to the only source of every spiritual blessing we will ever have, God and given through Christ. In verse 4, we hear Paul repeating the words of Jeremiah 1:4 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” In verse 5, Paul explains the doctrine of spiritual adoption which we were predestined for according to God’s will through His Son, Jesus Christ. In verse 6, we are given the purpose of our lives, to bring God all the glory through His beloved Son. In other words, we can never give God worship if we don’t believe in Christ. Verse 7 explains the doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All sins are forgiven through Him. Verse 8 gives us a vignette of God’s great lavishing of His love for us all though the wisdom and insight He gave us through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.
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REFLECTION
• Why are Christian doctrines important in the life of a believer?
PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION ILMA’S VLOG
January 4
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PREDESTINED FOR ADOPTION
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight – Ephesians 1:1-8
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According to David Guzik’s commentary, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is different compared to many of the other New Testament letters he wrote. Like Romans, Ephesians was not written so much to address problems in a particular church; more so, it was written to explain some of the great themes and doctrines of Christianity. If the Letter to the Romans focuses more on God’s work in the individual Christian, Ephesians includes the great themes of God’s work in the church, the community of believers. Ephesians has many similarities with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Since Paul wrote both of them from his Roman imprisonment, his mind may have worked on the same themes when he wrote each letter.
Paul’s letters always begin with bringing peace that comes from God and Jesus Christ. In verse 3, Paul worships and gives praise to the only source of every spiritual blessing we will ever have, God and given through Christ. In verse 4, we hear Paul repeating the words of Jeremiah 1:4 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you.” In verse 5, Paul explains the doctrine of spiritual adoption which we were predestined for according to God’s will through His Son, Jesus Christ. In verse 6, we are given the purpose of our lives, to bring God all the glory through His beloved Son. In other words, we can never give God worship if we don’t believe in Christ. Verse 7 explains the doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. All sins are forgiven through Him. Verse 8 gives us a vignette of God’s great lavishing of His love for us all though the wisdom and insight He gave us through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration.
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REFLECTION
• Why are Christian doctrines important in the life of a believer?
BOAST IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD ILMA’S VLOG
January 3
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BOAST IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. -Galatians 6:11-18
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According to sources, Paul’s custom, typical in the ancient world, was to dictate his letters to a secretary. But he would often personally write a short portion at the end, both to authenticate the letter and to add a personal touch. Paul points out that he wrote his postscript with large letters. Many speculate this was because he had poor eyesight and could not read or write small print. But it is more likely that he made the letters large simply for emphasis. Stott comments “Most commentators consider that he used large letters deliberately, either because he was treating his readers like children (rebuking their spiritual immaturity by using baby writing) or simply for emphasis… much as we would use capital letters or underline words today.” Paul here referred to the legalistic Christians among the Galatians and wrote frankly about their motive – to make a good showing in the flesh. They worked to bring the Galatian Christians from a Gentile background under circumcision because it would be a good showing for them – but a good showing in the flesh. In verse 14, Paul’s heart cared nothing for the glory that came from fame. He cared nothing for the glory that came from riches. He cared nothing for the glory that came from status and power among men. He only cared about the glory of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Paul was willing to pronounce a curse on those who taught false doctrines (Galatians 1:8-9), he was also willing to give a blessing to those who walk according to this rule. These are those who are the true Israel of God, the descendants of Abraham according to faith.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we only boast in the cross of Christ as believers?
WHAT ONE SOWS, ONE REAPS ALSO ILMA’S VLOG
January 2
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WHAT ONE SOWS, ONE REAPS ALSO
6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. -Galatians 6:6-10
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Luther comments “If we carefully weigh the words of Paul, the apostle, we perceive that he does not speak of doctrinal faults and errors, but of much lesser faults by which a person is overtaken through the weakness of his flesh. This explains why the Apostle chooses the softer term ‘fault.’ To minimize the offense still more, as if he meant to excuse it altogether and to take the whole blame away from the person who has committed the fault, he speaks of him as having been ‘overtaken,’ seduced by the devil and of the flesh”
Another commentary says that this job of restoration is often neglected in the church. We have a tendency to either pretend the sin never happened, or we tend to react too harshly towards the one who has sinned. The balance between these two extremes can only be negotiated by the spiritual. It should be normal to do what God says here, but it isn’t. It is all too easy to respond to someone’s sin with gossip, harsh judgment, or undiscerning approval.
In verse 1, Paul stresses the importance of the accountability between disciples. In verse 2, Paul emphasizes the importance of the law of sowing and reaping told by Jesus in Mark 4:26-29. He cautions the Galatians to ensure that they shouldn’t expect anything that they haven’t sown. In verse 8, he explains that if one sows what the flesh wants, he will reap destruction but quite the opposite if a person sows to the Spirit. They will reap eternal life instead. Verse 9 is a warning to be persistent in doing good so that discouragement won’t take over and make one hopeless and frustrated. In verse 10, he also reminds us to care for others but most especially to those who belongs in faith.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people have a discrepancy from what they expect and what they are actually sowing?
• What have you sown in the Spirit that you are now reaping in your life?
BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDEN & BEAR YOUR OWN LOAD ILMA’S VLOG
January 1
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BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDEN & BEAR YOUR OWN LOAD
6 Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. 5 For each one will bear his own load. – Galatians 6:1-5
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In this letter to the Galatians, Paul emphasizes the responsibility of believers to others, whether they are new in the faith or have been spiritual for long. In verse 1, the act of confrontation with a spirit of gentleness is expected from every Christian. It is the responsibility of those who are more spiritually mature to correct and bring truth those who are in error. But it is important to do it in love and a spirit of kindness and calmness so that you may not be tempted to think highly of yourself.
In verse 2, we hear Paul state the second most important command that Christ summed up from the Law in Matthew 22:36-40 when his disciples asked Him which was the greatest commandments. Paul expounded the second command to take care of your neighbor as yourself. Here, he asks each believer to be present for each other helping each other carry one another’s burdens. It is a way to fulfill the law of Christ. It is a manifestation that you love one another just as Jesus commanded.
In verse 3, Paul cautions the importance of looking after each other so that we do not fall into the dangerous trap of thinking highly of ourselves which can make us proud or think we are better than others. In verse 4, he reminds us to closely examine what we do for each other so that we can be free from boasting to others. He says that we can only boast to ourselves quietly, but not to one another. I think, Paul is guarding our hearts from being haughty and full of ourselves that is why he admonished us to keep it to ourselves. Words are very powerful and if we say out loud our boastings, it may affect others differently and cause them to sin as well. Verse 5 reminds us to set boundaries to ourselves and others. We can share our burdens but not to a point of being irresponsible and not accountable for our own roles and responsibilities. If we cross this boundary, we are in violation of the laws of order that God has placed in all of His creation.
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REFLECTION
• What results from bearing each other’s burdens and bearing our own as well?
DEEDS OF THE FLESH ILMA’S VLOG
December 30
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DEEDS OF THE FLESH
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. -Galatians 5:19-21
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According to a commentary Paul apologizes for having to make this list, because the works of the flesh are evident. Yet, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he knows it is important to be specific, because we must know specifically how we walk in the flesh. We can’t see the flesh, but we can see what it does. Some have sought to organize this list in four categories: sensual sins, religious sins, interpersonal sins, and social sins. We shouldn’t regard this as an exhaustive list, but it adequately gives the idea of what the person who walks in the flesh does.
Sexual immorality or adultery, impurity, indecent behavior are all sensual sins, relating to sex.
Idolatry and witchcraft are religious sins. They are sins of worship, and remind us that it isn’t only tragic to worship the wrong god, or seek the wrong spiritual power – it is sinful as well. Idolatry is the worship of any god except the LORD God revealed to us by the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ.
Hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envies… murders: These are each “people” sins. They are sins that primarily express themselves in how we treat others. God cares about our sexual and moral purity, and He cares about the purity of our religion and worship. But He also passionately cares about how we treat one another. The fact that Paul uses more words to describe these interpersonal sins shows how important our treatment of each other is to God.
Drunkenness… revelries: These can be thought of as social sins – sins that are often committed in the company of other people. The fact that Paul includes these two sins in his list shows that they were works of the flesh that the Galatian Christians had to be on guard against. Romans 13:12-13 lists drunkenness and revelries as part of the Christians’ past of darkness that now need to be cast off as we walk in the light.
The bible gives us a guide to watch over these sins that shows that we are in flesh.
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REFLECTION
• What sins do you still struggle with from the list that Paul gave here?
WALK IN THE SPIRIT TO FIGHT THE FLESH ILMA’S VLOG
December 29
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WALK IN THE SPIRIT TO FIGHT THE FLESH
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. -Galatians 5:16-18
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According to a commentary, simply put, if we walk in the Spirit (instead of trying to live by the law), we naturally shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Again, the fear of the legalist – that walking in the Spirit gives license to sin, and that only legalism can keep us holy – is just plain wrong. To walk in the Spirit first means that the Holy Spirit lives in you. Second, it means to be open and sensitive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Third, it means to pattern your life after the influence of the Holy Spirit. We can tell if someone walks in the Spirit because they will look a lot like Jesus. Jesus told us that the mission of the Holy Spirit would be to promote and speak of Him (John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15). When someone walks in the Spirit, they listen to what the Holy Spirit says as He guides us in the path and nature of Jesus. There is no way anyone can fulfill the lust of the flesh as they walk in the Spirit. The two simply don’t go together. The Holy Spirit doesn’t move in us to gratify our fallen desires and passions, but to teach us about Jesus and to guide us in the path of Jesus. This is the key to righteous living – walking in the Spirit, not living under the domination of the law. Walking in the Spirit is the key, but it doesn’t always come easily. Often, it is a battle. There is a battle going on inside the Christian, and the battle is between the flesh and the Spirit. As Paul writes, these are contrary to one another – they don’t get along at all. When the flesh is winning the inside battle, you do not do the things that you wish. You don’t live the way you want to; you live under the flesh instead of under the Spirit. When Paul uses the term flesh, he didn’t mean our flesh and blood bodies. Precisely speaking, our flesh isn’t even that fallen nature, the “old man” that we inherited from Adam, because the old man was crucified with Jesus, and is now dead and gone (Romans 6:6). Instead, as Paul uses it here, the flesh is the inner man that exists apart from the “old man” or the “new man,” and which is trained in rebellion by the old nature, the world, and the devil.
It is only by walking in the Spirit can we continue to live holy lives because by nature, we are sinful. Many Christians fail to see that this pure life comes only from the Holy Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• What can hinder a believer from walking in the Spirit?
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF ILMA’S VLOG
December 28
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LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. – Galatians 5:13-15
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In this letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds them of the danger of losing the freedom that Christ has already granted those who believed in Him. He stresses the importance of not abusing or using the freedom we were given for our exclusive use. It is for selfish reasons that the world wants us to use it for; but that isn’t the purpose of the freedom that Christ gave us.
In Matthew 22:36-40 it says 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Paul echoes the same words said by Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40. The purpose of His death on the cross is for us to be able to get free from our selfish nature and love God first and foremost so we can love our neighbors in the same manner that we love ourselves. He cautions us in verse 15 in this letter that when you do things for purposes of devouring one another, we will be consumed by that conflict and desire to satisfy our own cravings.
In my experience, this command to love one another as ourselves is a very challenging command. It is hard to love others if we have no clue how to love ourselves, especially if we were never given true love. The world’s love is very different from God’s love. The world tells us to look after ourselves, but God’s love wants us to put Him above all things first and then love others as we love ourselves. If we have never received Christ, it is impossible to truly love ourselves just as God loves us. Our selfish nature will get in the way if we do not make God first. That is how God made the law. It is by loving Him first that we can only know how to love others and ourselves. So, if someone cannot love, that person probably do not know God because the bible says that God is love and it is only from Him that we can love ourselves and others as well, then we can have freedom.
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REFLECTION
• How is the concept of freedom corrupted by the world system?