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COLOSSIANS 3 PUT OFF SINS & BE IMAGE BEARERS OF CHRIST

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January 25

COLOSSIANS 3

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

                                                                                – Colossians 3:1-11

COLOSSIANS 3 PUT OFF SINS & BE IMAGE BEARERS OF CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To commit to Jesus Christ, one must let the old self go

It means that you no longer allow your sinful nature to rule

You will stop what is earthly and trivial so you can mature

You’ll seek heavenly things so you can become holy and pure

Let go of covetousness, idolatry, sexual immorality and evil desires

Instead, let the Spirit of the Lord permeate your entire being.

In this letter, Paul writes to the Colossians what could truly help them overcome sin and live their lives serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He says that the proof of their faith lies in the things that they set their minds to dwell on. If they focus on material things, that only means that their old self is still very much alive and that the new nature hasn’t yet been worn. In verses 8-9 he enumerates the manifestations of the old self which are: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, covetousness, sexual immorality and lying. Paul described these sins as idolatry. What are the common factors in these sins? Pride. What is the center of pride? Spelling wise, it is the letter “I” which could be attributed to the “self.” Each of these sins stems from the love of self. When one is angry, it is because the self didn’t get its way. The wrath stems from wanting to be so much in control, so that when someone else takes the control, they fume out. Slander focuses on twisting the reality and assassinating someone else’s character. Envy usually plays a role here. The person they are slandering must have something they lack, so they need to vilify them so others will see them better than who they were slandering. Malice is corrupting what is true and real. It stems from mistrust. It is focusing only on the self and is not concerned about the goodness of others. Sexual immorality is clearly pleasuring the self.  Covetousness is clearly greed to have as much as what one can have. He reminds the Colossians that a believer of Christ does not indulge in these sins. Instead, they wear the image that God has created them to be: in his own likeness.

REFLECTION

·       Why is it a sin to tarnish the image that God has created in each of us?

1 PETER 2 DYING TO SIN

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January 24

1 PETER 2

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:21-25

1 PETER 2 DYING TO SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you believed in Christ, you’re now a new creation

You are no longer to wear your old nature but walk in faith

There is no more reason to continue your habitual sinning

Instead, you need to embrace a righteous living

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength

And then, love others as you also love your own self

Die to all occasions of sin and be renewed in your mind

Let it be in obedience to the word that comes from Christ.

In this letter of Peter to the church, he called the believers to die to their sins. He reminded them that Christ suffered and died for them so that they can emulate the same sacrifice that he laid out for their sins. He further brings them into the recollection that Jesus was sinless and that there was no corruption or falseness in him at all. The most characteristic of Jesus that Peter highlighted was how Jesus took all the beatings and the abuse of his accusers. He didn’t say a thing. There was no defense or arguing on his part, but just silence and continued trust in his just and merciful Father, who knew all things. He had no tinge of fear or hatred towards his abusers, but a love that cannot be matched by anyone.

Has anyone else done something similar than Jesus has done for you? He gave up his position sitting beside His Father and became one of us just so we can be freed from sin and reconciled with our heavenly Father. I have never met someone who would give up everything just to save or rescue me from danger. Not even the one who married me can give me that unconditional love that the Lord granted me. We live in a very corrupt world where most things are transactional. We give to get something in return and not truly out of love or service. We retaliate when we get hurt by someone. We sometimes hold on to grudges and offenses that keep us continually bitter and angry. Jesus did all the opposite of what any human would do. He quietly obeyed His Father’s plan to save us all. He didn’t question his Father why he needed to be the sacrificial lamb. He also didn’t give up or doubted that his Father’s plan was not the best solution for reconciling himself with mankind. Jesus never did or said anything that is not reflecting his Father’s character. He was obedient and trusting God in all things. Could we emulate the true act of humility and suffering that Jesus did just to keep us free from sin?

REFLECTION

  • What would “dying to sin” look like in the life of a Christian?

1 PETER 2 SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE

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January 23

1 PETER 2

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperoras supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servantsof God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  – 1 Peter 2:13-20

1 PETER 2 SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have truly believed in Christ, you no longer live in the old life

You seek the truth constantly and you no longer speak lies

You fear God and submit to every human authority given to you

When you are mindful of pleasing God, you will endure sorrow

You no longer avoid suffering unjustly for the sake of Christ

It becomes an occasion to endure and grow your faith

You learn to silence the ignorance of foolish people

You expose their minds that are captured by the devil.

In this letter, Peter emphasizes the importance of submission to authorities. He says it is the will of God.

When we obey those leaders whom God has put in our lives to follow, we are also exercising obedience to God himself. But Peter mentions an interesting value of obedience and doing good in verse 15, he says that it silences the ignorance of foolish people. When we live obedient lives, we become free from many sins. We do not let ourselves be enticed by rebellion, entitlement and bitterness. We also learn to think less of our own beliefs and preferences. It makes us humble and lessens our pride.

In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobeying God. It is self-will that made him disobey God’s will. There was idolatry in the form of controlling situations, so he can get to do what he thinks is better than what is being asked by God from him.  Samuel calls the sin of rebellion the same as witchcraft. Witches manipulate to control events or people whom they want to submit or bow down to them or to their whims. When we rebel, we don’t want the control of God but we want that control for ourselves. We defy what is good and do what we want to attain or achieve. When we disobey, it clearly shows that we do not fear the Lord or honor him. We love ourselves so much that we do not want to bow down to authority. Peter gives us a way out of rebellion or disobedience in verse 19. It is to keep your eyes on the Lord and be mindful of him. By doing so, you will endure sorrow and suffering.

REFLECTION

·       Why should Christians silence the ignorance of foolish people?

GENESIS 4 SIN CROUCHES AT THE DOOR

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January 22

GENESIS 4

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.”– Genesis 4:1-7

GENESIS 4 SIN CROUCHES AT THE DOOR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you do not honor the Lord your God with your best offering

You’ll be tempted to restrain your giving; sin is at the door waiting

When you give back to God the best of what he has blessed you with

You are acknowledging him and recognizing his meeting your needs

When you hold back to honor God and keep the best for yourself

You are truly opening that door for the enemy to enter your heart.

The bible didn’t specify the time lapse from the fall of their parents up until Abel and Cain were born. It could have been many days, months or years since they were evicted from the garden, but it wasn’t mentioned in Moses’ account. We clearly witnessed how the original sin of Adam and Eve manifested in their children. It is interesting that one of them was a tiller of the ground (a farmer) and another, a keeper of the sheep (a shepherd). One of the curses of the sins on Adam was that he will till the ground for food which he didn’t have to do before the fall. Adam was given the authority to name all animals and be the caretaker of them. After the fall, he needs to get from these animals their clothing. Before the fall, they didn’t need clothes, they were naked and didn’t have shame to hide their bodies.  

So, what was the sin addressed in this story? They still didn’t have the law that required the first fruits to be offered to God at this time.  They both had been called to work the ground and the animals for the source of their needs. How come God favored Abel and not Cain even though they both gave God an offering? The difference lies in their heart’s intentions. Abel honored God by giving the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. Cain, on the other hand, just got a fruit from his land which probably wasn’t the first fruit or the best of his harvest. His heart was not honoring God. It was just offering for the sake of it. There was no regard to his Lord. In fact, it sounded like he was dismissing and withholding from God what blessing he was given and keeping the best to himself. Then Cain was mad that his offering wasn’t accepted by God. Then God rebuked him that if he had given his best, it would have been accepted as well. Because of his greedy heart, Cain opened the door for the devil to work further on his heart to be envious of Abel and to kill him later in the story.

REFLECTION

·       How was the curse of sin over mankind clearly manifested in this story of Cain and Abel?

PROVERBS 28 WHEN SINS ARE HIDDEN

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January 21

PROVERBS 28

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
    but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
    but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
15 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,
    but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another,
   he will be a fugitive until death;
    let no one help him. – Proverbs 28:13-17

PROVERBS 28 WHEN SINS ARE HIDDEN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you fear the Lord, you will no longer hide your sins

You will confess and admit that it is God you displeased

But if you do not revere the Lord, your sins will be hidden

You will constantly avoid taking responsibility for your sins

As you continue to run from the truth that you’ve disobeyed

You will find it hard to resist doing what the devil says

And you will begin to follow and believe all his lies

Then you will be stuck in that pit of darkness.

In this wise saying, Solomon gives the young men advice as to how to succeed and progress in life. In verse 13, Solomon gives them advice on how to obtain mercy from God. It is to confess their sins. When they hide their sins, prosperity and forgiveness will evade them. It is human nature to hide sins. It is the consequence of Adam and Eve’s fall.  In Genesis 3:8-11, we witness the aftermath of sin. When they disobeyed God, they realized they were naked and then they were ashamed of what they have done and hid. Their sin altered their view of God and they began to see themselves as dirty to be in the presence of God.  Before the fall, they were innocent and pure but the fall changed that perspective. Shame came into life. Hebrews 4:13 says that no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. So, after the fall, God expects man to admit his sin and give an account of what they have done.

An example in the Old Testament speaks to the danger of trying to hide one’s sins. According to bibleref.com “in Joshua 7, Achan violated God’s command not to take spoils from Jericho. He confiscated a cloak, silver, and gold, and buried them in his tent. However, the stolen items and his sin were not hidden from the Lord. Achan did not prosper. He was executed for his sin, and therefore did not inherit a single grain of sand in the Promised Land.”

REFLECTION

·       What are some of the other outcomes of someone who hides his/her sins from the Lord?

2 TIMOTHY 3 PLEASURE LOVERS

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January 20

2 TIMOTHY

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:1-7

2 TIMOTHY 3 PLEASURE LOVERS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Watch out for the times when the end is coming

There will be an abundance of pleasure lovers

Difficulties will be so rampant because of self love

Sins of greed, violence, rebellion are just to name a few

Other sins focus on arrogance, abuse, envy and adultery

There will be deceivers who will bring about idolatry

There will be those who will suppress the truth

They will spread false teachings and lie to destroy you.

Timothy prepares the believers for what they are going to experience during the last days. He enumerates the different sins that are signs of the end times. There will be an abundance of pleasure lovers. In other words, these people will only be concerned with satisfying their own cravings. They will do everything in their power to gain control of some sorts that they can satiate their desires and be supplied with ego boosting supply. Because of their obsession to fulfill their wants, they will not recognize the presence of God. They are too busy catering to feed their wants that they will be blind to what is spiritual. They only think of the earthly things they see and will fail to recognize the true calling they have that God planned for all humankind.

Not only do they love pleasures, but also money. They usually go hand in hand. Having riches usually means indulgences of the senses. Each person who seeks to have the pleasures in life will automatically crave to have enough money to sustain their lusts. Disobedience to parents is a norm in these end times. They will rule and overpower their parents since they lack understanding of the authority of God. They do not know the value of respect and honor that usually comes with acknowledging God and his laws. There will be countless crimes since each person would only care about what they want instead of showing love for one another. Can you imagine the chaos and confusion all these sins will bring about when that time is near?

But aren’t these signs present in our world today already? Isn’t there so much hatred, killings, manipulation, greed, power, conflicts, wars and too much self-indulgences in our society now?

REFLECTION

  • What was verse 7 referring to when Timothy said “always learning and never arriving at truth?”

2 CORINTHIANS 5 THE SINLESS CHRIST MADE TO BE SIN

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January 19

2 CORINTHIANS 5

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –  2 Corinthian 5:14-21

2 CORINTHIANS 5 THE SINLESS CHRIST MADE TO BE SIN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Because God knew that man cannot save himself

He gave His only Son who knew no sin to be sin for all man

When Christ died on the cross, he fulfilled reconciling us with God

We no longer have to carry the sin that is where shame resides

The sinless Christ made to be sin has become our Mediator

He is the one who paved the way for God to grant salvation

All those who believe in him are welcome to his kingdom

While all those who reject him, will not experience freedom.

In this letter, Paul explains to the church in Corinth the importance of Christ’s death on the cross for all those who believe in him. Since they are now newly born in the Spirit, they no longer have to live for themselves but for Christ. Even though Paul wasn’t part of the twelve apostles whom Jesus chose when he was still alive, he is considered also to be an apostle also chosen by Christ to minister to the Gentiles. He was a Pharisee who persecuted believers until on the road to Damascus, Jesus showed himself and called him to stop persecuting him. Paul was converted from oppressor to a slave of righteousness.  No one else is good enough to give witness to unbelievers than Paul who used to be an executioner of Christians. This is how God uses anyone to save his people.  He is a testament to the power and control God has over anyone he desires to change. God can show his power to change a God-hater to a servant of the Lord. Who else can qualify to be the most suitable witness to the mercy of God?

He expounds to the Christians that they now have a new life where they are no longer the center of attention. He points to the value of the cross by letting them know how God gave the solution for the sins of mankind. He gave humanity the sinless Christ to be sin for us so we can reconcile with God through his Son Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. His blood allowed God’s wrath to melt and grant us mercy.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it hard to understand how the sinless Christ became sin for us?

JAMES 3 THE TONGUE: A RESTLESS EVIL

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 January 18

JAMES 3

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

                                                                                        – James 3:5-12

JAMES 3 THE TONGUE: A RESTLESS EVIL

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

A small part of our bodies is so powerful

When it speaks, it can set raging a small fire

Though it is very small in comparison to other parts

It is so mighty that it can bring about life or death

It is a part of the body that no human being can tame

One can train an animal or a beast, but not the tongue      

It is a restless evil full of deadly poison

It can bless, flatter or deceive anyone.

James gives us a clear origin of evil. He described it with vivid details that can bring chills to our spine. I love how honest James spotlights the source of many sins that we can commit just by this very small part of our body. The tongue can bless and build up but with that same tongue, it can also destroy and murder someone’s character.

In Mark 7:15, Jesus confronts the Pharisees and tells them this “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And Jesus further says in verses 20- 23 in this same chapter that “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these things come from within and they defile a person.” This is how James gives us a clear picture that the vehicle for all the sins mentioned in Mark 20-23 are all brought about by the tongue.

How many times have you criticized and belittled someone with your words? How about saying untrue things about someone else that you should have kept to yourself? Did you entice someone to take part in an evil plot using persuasive speech? What about spreading rumors about someone you envied? How many times have you lied to save your reputation or deceived someone so that you can look good to others? Do you now understand how the tongue is a restless evil full of deadly poison?

REFLECTION

·       Share some insights when you witnessed the power of the tongue. 

JAMES 5 CONFESS YOUR SINS TO ONE ANOTHER

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January 17

JAME 5

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. – James 5:12-16

JAMES 5 CONFESS YOUR SINS TO ONE ANOTHER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The body of Christ is a family of believers united in Him

We ought to confess to each other when we sin

By doing so, we account for each other’s spiritual growth

We show love for one another when we build each other up

This is how we truly manifest our love to our Father in heaven:

We confess our sins to each other as a sign of staying humble.

In this letter, James reminds the church to never make oaths or vows to another person or even to God. Why do you think James tells them that yes and no are the only answers they need to give out? In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus teaches them on the topic of oaths. He said 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.Isn’t this an interesting topic? Don’t people like to say “maybe” or “I think” or “I don’t know” instead of a plain yes or no.We usually don’t think that anything other than yes or no comes from evil, do we? But Jesus explained it very clearly in his sermon in the mount about this.

James talks about the importance of praying fervently and also to go to the elders when they are sick to be anointed with oil. But the prayer of faith is the one that will heal the person with the illness. It just goes to show that not all physical illnesses are just in the body, but it may be because of sin. So, the act of going to be prayed over by those God has given authority over us, can actually heal those illnesses.

There is one more instruction that James gave the church that an unbeliever would cringe upon. He asked them to confess their sins to one another. By doing so, we remove the shame and hiding the sin and expose it to the light of truth. It also holds us accountable to each other to grow our faith in Christ.

REFLECTION

  •  Do you confess your sins to your sisters and brothers in Christ? Why or why not?

1 PETER 2 PASSIONS OF THE FLESH

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January 16

1 PETER 2

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

                                                                                          – 1 Peter 2:1-3,11-12

1 PETER 2 PASSIONS OF THE FLESH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As a child of God, one must get rid of all hatred and envy

The children of the light do not lie or engage in treachery

If they cannot control the passions of their flesh

It will consume them and let in more wickedness

Let go of all the old nature and put on your new creation

Your body, soul and spirit belong to your Creator.

This letter of Peter was addressed to the Christians scattered around in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. These places have been impacted by Greco-Roman culture and had been under Roman control since the mid-first century B.C. The Greeks and the Romans were not believers and they believed many gods and being in a place where polytheistic religion is the norm, it would have been very hard for them. They were heavily persecuting the Christians at this time and were surrounded by paganism and corruption from the control of those who were in power that time.

Peter is writing to them so that they will be encouraged to endure suffering and persecution. He admonishes them to put away all kinds of impurities because they are already surrounded by much corruption. He reminded them of their newborn status which they received when they professed their faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. He encouraged them to focus on longing to seek for the truth that comes in the word of the Lord so that their sufferings and trials may be occasions for them to endure and grow their faith. Because they have witnessed Christ’s love for them, they were instructed to focus on those promises that God has given his covenant people.

He urged them to be sojourners and exiles, reminding them that they are on a journey to their heavenly father and that their earthly sufferings are their ticket to their salvation. He cautions them to watch out for the passions of their flesh which can cause them to have inner conflicts and compromise their loyalty to the Lord. Because of the persecutions surrounding them, he warns them to continue wearing their new nature in Christ so that the Gentiles will be able to see God’s goodness through their conduct. In other words, they were to conduct themselves in holiness and righteousness and put off their old nature.

REFLECTION

  • Cite examples of passions of the flesh that are rampant in our society now.