SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 3:13 CSB - May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

OBSERVATION:
Paul concludes the first three chapters of Thessalonians by encouraging holiness. In the first two chapters, he emphasizes that their faith, hope, and love are a witness to all. He also encourages them in their assurance. By and through the Holy Spirit, we have full assurance of the salvation God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus has “rescued us from the wrath to come.”

In Chapter two, Paul reminds them of his deep care for them. He does so by preaching the gospel to them and by giving his life in service to them because they are dear to him.

Paul knew the Thessalonians had issues (don’t we all), but before jumping into what needed to change, he wanted to encourage them by reminding them that God is at work! He is faithful! That is evident! So, with us, God is at work. Part of that work is holiness.

Holiness means being set apart for use. Its origins trace back to the temple instruments and utensils. They were to be set apart for the work of the Lord, for His desires and purposes. They were His, and His alone. So are you and I.

How does holiness happen in us? It’s not by us but through Him. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we have been made positionally holy.

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This is what we call imputed righteousness. It is NOT ours but HIS. Because He knew no sin, we have been made righteous.

Along with positional holiness, God is making us more like His image each day. This is what we call practical holiness. Just as the instruments and utensils were set apart as holy, they were used daily in holy acts. God is working in us, perfecting us, and completing us.

Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

APPLICATION:
This practical holiness is often tested in what we call trials. God uses the afflictions and trials of life to mold and shape us. We often see trials and afflictions as bad. Some teach that believers should never go through them. Yet we see that even Jesus experienced them. If He did, we will as well.

What do we do when we face them? Rejoice! God is at work. It may seem strange, but this is God’s furnace, molding and shaping us.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 16 NKJV - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Truly, we are blameless in holiness because of the work of the cross and because we are being perfected, blameless in holiness through the work of God in our lives. Positionally, we are; practically, we are being made into it.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for making me holy. Thank you that I can stand before the Father because of what You did at the cross. I don’t deserve it! Thank you that You are setting me apart for You daily in holiness. Continue to purify me and lead me through the trials and afflictions I face, making me more like You. Thank you that when I do face them, I am not alone. You give me strength to endure with grace, love, and mercy, guided by the Holy Spirit!

SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 2:8 CSB - We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

OBSERVATION:
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The quote underscores the importance of demonstrating genuine concern and compassion before conveying knowledge or expertise.

Care, concern, and compassion before conveying knowledge. This is an important principle to learn. Paul would say that before he conveyed the message he needed to bring to the Thessalonians, he made it a point to care. Not just care, but to show genuine concern and compassion for them.

He not only shared the gospel (the most important), but he also shared his life. He was willing to serve them with love, compassion, and care.

Sometimes, in our concern for others, we go straight to conveying knowledge. “Here is what you need to do to fix the problem!” “If you change this, God will do this.” We tend to focus on the problem rather than the person facing it.

In Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that he genuinely cares for them. He was willing to do anything for them, and he did.

The NKJV uses the words “affectionately longing for” for the word care. 

APPLICATION:
As we live our lives out daily as children of God, let us not just come across as knowing everything, having all the answers to the world’s problems (we do – it’s the gospel of Jesus Christ), and getting frustrated when they don’t see it. Let us show that we care, are concerned for them, and extend compassion and empathy to a lost and hurting world.

Remember, the gospel is a message of HOPE, FREEDOM, and FORGIVENESS in Jesus Christ. Let us share the truth in love and, at the same time, show that we care. Like Paul with the Thessalonians, let us – “care so much that we are pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you are dear to us.”

PRAYER:
Jesus, give us Your heart for those in our world. May we love them with the gospel, care for them, and share our concerns for their lives, all with compassion, mercy, grace, truth, and, most importantly, You.

SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 NKJV - We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

OBSERVATION:
Paul, in his typical fashion, opens the letter (Epistle) to the Thessalonians with thanks. Paul was the master encourager; he always offered encouragement in his letters before getting down to business. He knew firsthand the importance of being thankful, even when major problems plagued the church. Paul understood that as long as people are part of churches, there will ALWAYS be sin and imperfection. Why? Because we are flawed, sinful, and STILL IN NEED OF A SAVIOR!

David Guzik brings a key point home. Something we should be mindful of when serving, working with, and ministering to those we serve with.

APPLICATION:
Paul uses three words we are familiar with – Faith, Hope, and Love. This sums up the chapter on love in 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13:13 CSB - Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love -- but the greatest of these is love.

These three are known as the “three great Christian virtues.”

What was happening? These virtues were bearing fruit – even amid all the necessary correction, their failures, and the issues that needed to be addressed. The fruit of faith, hope, and love was evident and being produced.

For you and me today. Keep loving Jesus, keep walking with Him, and remain in His word. He WILL perfect the things concerning you. Let the fruit of the “three great Christian virtues” be evident in your life today.

Have you ever seen a tree try, strive, or struggle to produce fruit? No! It’s a natural part of how God designed them. They do not stress, strain, or force it. When it’s time to produce fruit, it happens naturally. So too with you and me. When we walk with Jesus, His Spirit produces the “fruit of the Spirit.” It’s not us grunting, straining, and striving. It happens naturally and supernaturally.

May these three—faith, hope, and love—remain, be evident, and produce fruit in you and me. The greatest of these is love.

PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, that You are faithful to cultivate in us the fruit of faith, hope, and love. Thank you that through faith, hope, and love You are working out what concerns us. Just as the Thessalonians, we all have “issues,” but thank you that we have Your Spirit and the Word of God to change us. Father, if today we are not producing the fruit of faith, hope, and love, would You, as You did with the Thessalonians, bring to our attention what needs to be changed and, by Your Spirit, bring the fruit of change?

SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 4:16-17 CSB - After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And tell Archippus, "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it."

OBSERVATION:
Paul closes his letter to the Colossians with a charge—not only to the church in Colossae but also to the nearby church in Laodicea. He commands that both congregations read the letter aloud.

In his final remarks, Paul singles out a man named Archippus and says: Colossians 4:17 CSB - "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it."

Who was Archippus, and what was his ministry?

While Scripture provides limited information, a few clues help us piece together a picture:

• Archippus is also mentioned in Philemon 1:2, where Paul calls him a “fellow soldier.”
• He is listed alongside Philemon and Apphia, likely indicating he was part of Philemon’s household. Many scholars suggest that Archippus may have been their son.
• Some traditions hold that Archippus was a church leader in Laodicea, located about 12 miles from Colossae.

Whatever the case, we know two things:

1. He had received a ministry from the Lord.
2. Paul felt it necessary to exhort him to complete it publicly.

That encouragement should stir all of us to pay attention to the ministry God has given you—and finish it.

APPLICATION:
A common misconception today is that ministry is primarily the pastor’s job. While pastors carry a unique calling, the church’s ministry is not reserved for the pulpit.

Paul clarifies the pastoral role in Ephesians 4:12 (CSB):

“To equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.”

• The pastor’s job is to equip.
• The church’s job—the saints’—is to do the work of ministry.

Sadly, in many churches today, a small percentage—often just staff and leadership—handles most ministry, while the rest of the church merely spectates. Imagine the impact if every believer fulfilled the ministry God has given them.

What can we learn from Paul’s charge to Archippus?

Pastors: Are we equipping the saints? Have we allowed other demands to distract us from our calling to prepare God’s people for their ministries?

Believers: Are we fulfilling our God-given ministries, or are we waiting for someone else to do what God is asking of us?

PRAYER:
Jesus, help me fulfill the ministry You’ve given me today—both personally and pastorally.
Guard my heart against distractions and lesser things. Help me stay focused on preaching the gospel and equipping the saints. Give me eyes to see the ministries You’ve entrusted to others—and the courage to call them out and encourage them. May Your church rise up, with every part doing its part so that You may be glorified through us all.

SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 3:17 CSB - And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

OBSERVATION:
How many of us struggle with a lack of filter—saying or doing things we later regret? Sometimes we realize we've done more harm than good. Other times, we're unaware of the impact our words or actions have had.

But Paul gives us a solution: We have a filter. His name is Jesus.

When we run our thoughts, words, and actions through the filter of Jesus, we begin to reflect His character. That’s exactly what Paul exhorts believers to do in Colossians 3:12–16 (CSB).

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

When we rely on Jesus as our filter, we become more like Him.

• Compassionate
• Kind
• Humble
• Gentle
• Patient
• Forgiving
• Loving

These lead to two powerful outcomes: peace and thankfulness (v. 15).

The key to it all is found in verse 16: “Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you…”

Scripture is the filter that brings the life of Jesus into our everyday words and actions. It keeps our hearts aligned with His. Be in His word daily – moment by moment.

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

APPLICATION:
When we allow God's Word to dwell richly in us, it becomes the filter through which we speak, act, and respond. The result? The very qualities Paul outlined begin to grow in our lives.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart today. Let His Word be your filter. Let His life shape your speech and actions. When we do, we experience not only inner peace but also relational peace—peace with those around us. Our lives begin to reflect not only what we believe but who we belong to.

PRAYER:
Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve spoken or acted without filtering through You. Too often, I respond in ways that do not reflect You. Today, help me let Your Word and Your peace rule in my heart. May I see every situation through the lens of Your character. Give me strength by Your Spirit, clarity through Your Word, and a life that points others to You.

SCRIPTURE:
1 Thessalonians 3:13 CSB - May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

OBSERVATION:
Paul concludes the first three chapters of Thessalonians by encouraging holiness. In the first two chapters, he emphasizes that their faith, hope, and love are a witness to all. He also encourages them in their assurance. By and through the Holy Spirit, we have full assurance of the salvation God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed, Jesus has “rescued us from the wrath to come.”

In Chapter two, Paul reminds them of his deep care for them. He does so by preaching the gospel to them and by giving his life in service to them because they are dear to him.

Paul knew the Thessalonians had issues (don’t we all), but before jumping into what needed to change, he wanted to encourage them by reminding them that God is at work! He is faithful!

That is evident! So, with us, God is at work. Part of that work is holiness.

Holiness means being set apart for use. Its origins trace back to the temple instruments and utensils. They were to be set apart for the work of the Lord, for His desires and purposes. They were His, and His alone. So are you and I.

How does holiness happen in us? It’s not by us but through Him. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we have been made positionally holy.

2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB - He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This is what we call imputed righteousness. It is NOT ours but HIS. Because He knew no sin, we have been made righteous.

Along with positional holiness, God is making us more like His image each day. This is what we call practical holiness. Just as the instruments and utensils were set apart as holy, they were used daily in acts of holiness. God is working in us, perfecting us, and completing us.

Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

APPLICATION:
This practical holiness is often tested in what we call trials. The afflictions and trials of life are used by God to mold and shape us. We often see trials and afflictions as a bad thing. Some teach that believers should never go through them. Yet we see that even Jesus experienced them. If He did, we will as well.

What do we do when we face them? Rejoice! God is at work. It may seem strange, but this is God’s furnace, molding and shaping us.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 16 NKJV - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Truly, we are blameless in holiness because of the work of the cross and because we are being perfected, blameless in holiness through the work of God in our lives. Positionally, we are; practically, we are being made into it.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for making me holy. Thank you that I can stand before the Father because of what You did at the cross. I don’t deserve it! Thank you that I am being set apart for You daily in holiness. Continue to purify me and lead me through the trials and afflictions I face, making me more like You. Thank you that when I do face them, I am not alone. You give me strength to endure with grace, love, and mercy, guided by the Holy Spirit!

SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 2:14 CSB - He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

OBSERVATION:
In Colossians 2, Paul tells us something amazing: The debt we owed because of our sin has been paid in full—nailed to the cross as a public sign of legal fulfillment.

The Law was a certificate of debt—a binding legal document whose obligations we could never fulfill. It was not only against us; it opposed us. We stood guilty.

But Jesus took that certificate and nailed it to the cross. He didn’t destroy the Law; He fulfilled it.

Matthew 5:17-18 NKJV - "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Only Jesus could fulfill the Law's righteous demands. In doing so, He took our failure—our spiritual bankruptcy—and fully satisfied it through His death.

The act of nailing our debt to the cross was both symbolic and judicial, declaring: “Paid in full.”

No more guilt. No more striving. No more condemnation. Reconciliation accomplished. Justification secured.

Not by works. Not by religion. But by grace.
 
APPLICATION:
Don’t fall into the subtle trap of “grace plus.” We are not saved by grace only to be kept saved by keeping the law. If we couldn’t fulfill the Law before Christ, we certainly can’t do it after receiving His grace.

Live free today. Not in lawlessness—but in the liberty of grace. Walk in the Spirit. Let the grace of God transform you and sustain you, not out of fear, but out of love.
  
Ephesians 2:8-10 CSB - For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift -- not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for canceling the debt I could never repay. You fulfilled the law I could never keep. What amazing grace! Let my life reflect that grace today, not just in words but in how I live, love, and serve. May my walk be shaped by freedom, not fear—by gratitude, not guilt.

SCRIPTURE:
Colossians 1:21-22 CSB - Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him.

OBSERVATION:
Paul, in the opening chapter of Colossians 1, reminds us of the glorious doctrine of salvation through reconciliation.

David Guzik teaches us that both Justification and Reconciliation offer two distinct ways to understand human need and God’s salvation.

• We can see God as the judge, and we are guilty before Him. Therefore, we need forgiveness and justification.
• We can see God as our friend, and we have damaged our relationship with Him. Therefore, we need reconciliation.

Both of these are true; neither one should be promoted at the expense of the other.

We are the guilty party. Our relationship with God was broken, and Paul describes what that looked like:

Alienated - The Greek word translated as alienated (apellotriomenous) means “transferred to another owner.” This transfer of ownership, from God to Satan and self, affected us in both mind and behavior.

Hostile in our minds – We were once unfriendly and antagonistic toward the gospel. The idea of salvation by grace was foreign to us.

Evil actions – Our sin kept us from having a relationship with God. There was nothing we could do to justify our sin or repair our relationship with God.

But then Paul gives us hope: “But now He has reconciled you…” (Colossians 1:22).

Through Jesus, reconciliation has come. It reveals itself in three beautiful ways—all in the perfect tense (meaning ongoing results from a completed action):

Holiness - Because of the cross, we are made holy—not by our nature, but by the blood of Christ. The One who is perfectly holy has made us pure and set us apart for Himself.

Faultless - Because of the cross, we are faultless. Our record is clean, and the stain of sin is gone. As Psalm 103 reminds us, our sins have been removed “as far as the east is from the west.” God remembers them no more.

Blameless - Because of the cross, we are blameless. We are seen as morally upright—not because we are perfect, but because Christ is. To be blameless is not to be sinless, but to live with a heart focused on righteousness, obedience, and grace-driven transformation.

APPLICATION:
We, once enemies of God, are now reconciled—not by our efforts, but by grace alone.
So, what should we do with this?
 
Walk in reconciliation - live like someone who’s been made right with God. Holiness, faultlessness, and blamelessness are now part of your spiritual identity. You will still sin—but your sin is no longer counted against you. You are redeemed.

Will we ever be sinlessly perfect on this side of eternity? No. But because of Jesus, we can live lives marked by holiness, integrity, and grace.

Let the Apostle John remind us of the tension we live in:

1 John 1:8–9 CSB - “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
 
We aren’t perfect, but we are forgiven and being made more like Christ every day.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to be reconciled through the cross. Because of You, I am holy, faultless, and blameless in the Father’s eyes. Not perfect—but forgiven. Help me walk in that reconciliation today. Let my life reflect Your glory so others might see their need for the same grace You’ve shown me.

SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 4:13 CSB - I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

OBSERVATION:
Philippians 4:13 is one of the most-quoted verses in the Bible: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

It’s especially popular among athletes—as a kind of spiritual rallying cry: “We can win because God is on our side!” But that raises a good question: Does God have a favorite sports team or athlete? Of course not.

Yes, God cares deeply for His people. Yes, He gives us strength to face challenges. But this verse is often taken out of context. Paul wasn't speaking of victory in competition—he was speaking of victory in contentment.
 
Paul gives us three points to bring clarity to this verse:

• Don’t worry—pray (vv. 6–7)
• Dwell on these things (v. 8)
• Learned contentment (v. 12)

It’s in this context that Paul says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

APPLICATION:
Don’t Worry—Pray. Our first instinct in a crisis is often to worry. It’s human nature to ask, “What am I going to do?” Paul reminds us to ask, “What is God going to do?”

Someone once said, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”

Paul had learned to replace worry with prayer. That shift brought him peace—and strength.
Dwell on These Things - Paul gave us an inexhaustible list to dwell on. He exhorts us to dwell on them. He concludes his list with the words, “If there is anything praiseworthy – dwell in these things.”

But our default is to focus on the negative. Grumbling comes naturally—it has been that way since Eden.

Paul calls us to be different. He challenges us to dwell intentionally on what is good. “Put altitude in your attitude.”

When we learn to praise God—especially in the storm—we gain a new perspective. In that renewed perspective, we begin to discover real strength in Christ.
Learned Contentment - Paul says he learned the secret of contentment—whether in plenty or in want.

Contentment doesn’t come automatically. It grows through experience—through prayer rather than panic and through praise rather than complaint. This is where the true meaning of Philippians 4:13 comes into focus: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

It’s not about winning the game. It’s about being at peace whether you win or lose. It’s about trusting Christ to be enough—always.

That’s the kind of strength Paul described. And it’s available to you and me today.

PRAYER:
Jesus, help me live out these truths today. Teach me to stop worrying and start praying. Train my mind to dwell on what is good and praiseworthy. Lead me to the contentment Paul experienced—so I can truly say, in all things, “My strength comes from Christ.”

SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 3:12-14 CSB - Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul encourages us to live in the present and press forward—not backward. Many of us either relive the "glory days" or remain stuck in the shame of our past. Paul exhorts us to do neither. Instead, he urges us to recognize that God is at work right now, in this present moment.

Paul highlights two key truths that help us move ahead:

• He has not yet reached the goal or been perfected.
• He pursues the prize promised by God in Christ Jesus.

Perfected - One of my favorite quotes from church history is from George Müller, who said:

Charles Spurgeon adds this powerful insight:

Paul—of all people—could have claimed to have arrived. Yet he humbly tells us he hasn’t. Instead, he shows us that spiritual maturity means recognizing we are still in process.
He reminds us:

Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

APPLICATION:
We are all in the process of being perfected. This is the Holy Spirit's daily, moment-by-moment work in our lives. One day, we will be perfect—but not on this side of heaven.
So what should we do now?

We make every effort—through the power of the Holy Spirit—to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of us for. But we must remember: it’s not our strength, ability, or self-righteousness that brings the work to completion. It is God at work in us.

Prize - We are all running toward a prize—a goal promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Don’t get caught up in the glory days or the days of shame. Be present in the moment, walking with Jesus, led by the Spirit, pressing toward the prize. It is a continual work. But don’t be discouraged. He is faithful to complete the work He started!

PRAYER:
Lord, help me press forward—not looking back at the glory days or the days of shame. Teach me to live in the present moment, walking with Jesus, led by Your Spirit, and pressing toward the goal You have set before me. Thank You for the promise that You will complete the good work You started in me.

SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 2:3 CSB - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.

OBSERVATION:
In Philippians chapter 2, Paul teaches us how to live an other-centered life—how to put others first. He highlights four key areas that shape this mindset:

• Ambition
• Conceit
• Humility
• Others

Ambition - Not all ambition is bad. There is godly ambition—ambition that seeks to glorify God. But there is also selfish ambition, which seeks only to promote ourselves.

When my ambitions are selfish, I find it hard, nearly impossible, to think of others first. When I do think about people, it’s often only in terms of how they can help me get what I want.

Conceit – It makes it easy to believe the lie that we are the “greatest thing since sliced bread.” When I think that way, I’m not putting others first. I’m putting myself first—something that is completely contrary to Christ’s nature.

Paul challenges this mindset directly in Philippians 2:
 
Philippians 2:5-8 CSB - Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death -- even to death on a cross.

Humility - In the New King James Version, Paul uses the phrase “lowliness of mind”—a way to express humility.
 
In ancient Greek culture, humility was not a virtue—it was a flaw.

Not much has changed. Our culture still rewards assertiveness and self-promotion more than it rewards humility.

Others - In his book Not Beyond Reach, Aaron Pierce (of Steiger Ministries) shares a story about a barista wearing a pin that read, “Other People.” When he asked what it meant, she replied, “Think of other people first.” She didn’t even realize she was quoting a principle straight from Philippians!

Aaron goes on to point out that this younger generation so wants to follow biblical principles that they don’t even realize they are trying to.

That’s the beauty of an other-centered life.

APPLICATION:
As a society—and even within the Church—have we lost the “others first” mindset? Have we become more focused on how we think the world should be, rather than on humbling ourselves and genuinely valuing others above ourselves?

Have we perhaps lost sight of the heart of the Gospel?

I would argue that if we took more time to sit with the younger generation and practiced what Paul preached—considering others first—we’d witness powerful transformation in both their generation and ours. The question is: Will we?

PRAYER:
Jesus, help me be other-centered. Teach me to put others first. Let my ambitions be driven not by selfishness but by a heart that seeks to value others above myself. Help me walk in humility and compassion. May I become more like You—gentle, humble, and full of love and concern for those around me.

SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:
In Philippians chapter 1, Paul reminds us of an essential truth in our Christian walk: completion—God finishes what He starts.

Have you ever started a project with great enthusiasm, only to get frustrated, bored, or too busy to see it through? I can think of many examples. One in particular is learning to play the banjo. After a month of trying, I lost interest because I wasn’t progressing—and partly because I didn’t make (or have) the time to practice.

Isn’t that how many of us feel about our walk with Christ? We don’t see changes fast enough, so we either give up or try to “complete ourselves,” especially if we lean toward perfectionism or OCD (or CDO—for those who need it alphabetized).

But Paul encourages us with three important points in this verse:

• We can have confidence that the work will be completed
• The completion is promised.
• Christ is the source of the confidence and completion.

Confidence - Our confidence should be in Christ—not in ourselves. We can be confident that the good work God began in us will be completed.

Completion - The work will not remain unfinished. God doesn’t walk away from what He starts. Completion comes through Him, and He completes what He starts.

Christ - This confidence in completion is in Christ alone. We will be completed—not by our own striving—but when we see Him face to face.

APPLICATION:
Though we may struggle with confidence—or wonder whether we’ll ever “get there”—we can hold on to the promise that God is not finished with us yet.
Until then, we are under construction.
 
Much like the never-ending roadwork and the signs, our lives may feel messy and incomplete. But God is not just putting up signs—He is working and will one day finish us.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for the promises in Your word that You will complete the good work in me. You are perfecting me and making me more like You. Though I know I’ll never reach perfection this side of heaven, I can look forward to the day when I see You face to face—and I’ll be made complete. Help me have confidence that You complete what You start. When I see the construction and the signs in my life, help me be patient and confident that You are working—and that You finish what You start.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 6:19-20 CSB - Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

OBSERVATION:
In Ephesians 6, Paul gives us three important considerations for sharing the gospel—the Good News—with the world around us.

He encourages us to:

• Pray for boldness
• Make known the mystery of the gospel
• Be ambassadors, even in chains

Boldness - After exhorting us to put on the full armor of God, Paul tells us to take up two weapons: the sword of the Spirit and prayer.

As he continues his exhortation on prayer, Paul says, “Pray for me.” He sets the example. Twice in this epistle, Paul prays for the Ephesians, and now he asks them to pray for him—for the very same things he prayed for them.

His request is specific: boldness. In just two verses, Paul asks twice for boldness in proclaiming the gospel.

In Greek, the word for boldness has two main meanings:

• Freedom in speaking; unreservedness in speech
• Free and fearless confidence; cheerful courage; assurance

If we're honest, these are the very things many of us struggle with. We fear not having confidence in our words. And even when we do speak, we often lack the cheerful assurance that our words will truly reach those listening.
 
Mystery of the Gospel - To us, the gospel is no longer a mystery to be solved—but rather a wonder to be treasured: that Jesus would die for sinners like you and me.

For the unbeliever, however, it often seems like an enigma—“How can this be?” This is a common response when someone first hears the gospel.

Paul is asking for the ability to understand better the grace of God—that Christ would die for sinners—and to communicate that truth in a way that answers the unbeliever’s question: “How can this be?”

It’s about striking a balance: simple enough for a child to grasp yet deep enough to leave scholars in awe.

Ambassadors - An ambassador is someone of high rank, appointed by a king or government to represent them and carry out their business in another country—especially in diplomatic matters.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” As God’s children, we have been given the authority to represent our King—to carry the message of reconciliation, the gospel, to the world.

We are not bearers of bad news—we are messengers of Good News. This is the message we’ve been entrusted with and sent to proclaim.

APPLICATION:
Let us pray for ourselves and others in the same way Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him:

For boldness, for a deeper understanding of the mystery of the gospel, and for the ability to live faithfully as ambassadors—proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER:
Jesus, I pray that You would give me boldness—to speak the Good News of the Kingdom with clarity, passion, and cheerful confidence. May I be a faithful ambassador, bringing reconciliation through the message of the cross. Let my life reflect the character and nature of the One I represent, even in hardship. Use me to draw others to You.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 5:1-2 CSB - Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

OBSERVATION:
In the opening verse of Chapter 5, Paul gives us the key to overcoming the behaviors he warns us about throughout the chapter.

He encourages us to imitate.

Imitators - Oscar Wilde once said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” But what Paul is talking about goes beyond flattery. He’s not referring to imitation as something that appears genuine on the outside but is the opposite on the inside. Rather, he speaks of becoming a true reflection—a living copy—of who God is.

It begins with recognizing that we are God’s dearly loved children. As such, we should walk in love, not just any kind of love, but the love Christ demonstrated at the cross: a sacrificial, fragrant offering.

Children often adopt their parents’ mannerisms, speech, and attitudes. This can be either humorous or humbling—and sometimes both. For parents, there’s no greater joy than seeing our children walk in the spiritual legacy we’ve passed down, following Jesus and making their faith their own.

So too, with God. When we follow His example—by modeling our lives after Jesus Christ, loving unconditionally in a sacrificial, fragrant way—it pleases our Heavenly Father.

Fragrant Offering - What fragrance does the world smell from you and me? Is it a fragrant offering or a foul stench? In our attempts to bring righteousness to the world, have we instead come across as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day—self-righteous and unapproachable? Or are we the sweet aroma of Christ, drawing even the hardest hearts toward God?

APPLICATION:
Oscar Wilde may have captured the idea of imitation and flattery. But when we imitate Christ, we don’t just flatter—we offer praise, honor, and glory to the Father.
Let our lives not merely flatter God but also offer Him audible praise and a sweet-smelling aroma. Let us imitate Jesus not out of obligation but because we are dearly loved children of God.

PRAYER:
Jesus, may I not merely flatter You, but praise You. In my desire to imitate You, may I do so by the power of Your Spirit—as a sacrificial, fragrant offering of love. I know I can accomplish this only by reflecting Your character, nature, and attitude.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 4:32 CSB - And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

OBSERVATION:
At the beginning of chapter 4, Paul urges the Ephesians to “walk worthy of the calling you have received.” In other words, just as you have been given grace, you should walk in it. Grace changes everything—including our old sinful nature. We are new creations in Christ, and our lives should reflect that transformation.

Just as Paul begins the chapter with encouragement, he closes it in the same spirit. He exhorts us to be:
 
Kind, Compassionate, Forgiving

APPLICATION:
Kind - In the same way that Jesus was kind to us, His kindness—then and now—leads us to repentance. If we, as followers of Christ, are not kind, we are not walking in a manner worthy of the calling we have received.
 
Compassionate - Another word for compassionate is tender-hearted or long-suffering. Jesus demonstrated all three. He was compassionate toward our failings, tender-hearted toward our inability to fulfill the law, and long-suffering—even today—toward our sin that so easily entangles us. If we, as followers of Christ, are not compassionate, we are not walking in a manner worthy of our calling.
 
Forgiving - Forgiveness means pardoning an offender, letting go of resentment, and releasing the wrongdoer from any punitive or moral debt. It’s a decision to move forward without holding on to anger or bitterness. The Greek word for “forgiveness” can mean to let go or to release. God has forgiven you and me in Christ. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin so that we can receive forgiveness freely.

If we, as followers of Christ, are unforgiving, we are not walking in a manner worthy of the calling we have received.

When Paul calls you and me to walk worthy of the calling by which we have been called—Grace—he means to walk as the new man, not merely claiming to follow Christ but demonstrating it through Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for the kindness You continually show me—kindness that leads me to repentance. Thank You for Your compassion, tender-heartedness, and long-suffering toward my shortcomings and sin. Thank You for Your forgiveness—as far as the east is from the west, so far have You removed my transgressions and remembered them no more. May I become more like You: kind, compassionate, and forgiving. 

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 3:17-19 CSB -  …I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, and to know Christ's love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

OBSERVATION:
In his second prayer for the Ephesians, Paul prays that they would be rooted and grounded—firmly established—in love.

Our foundation and roots as believers are love. We should be rooted in God’s love so that we might comprehend it and build a solid foundation upon it—enabling us to love others. If we have a wrong understanding of love, our roots will not go deep, and our foundation will be unstable.
 
Length, Width, Height, Depth: Paul gives us the four dimensions of God’s love to further illustrate how important love is. He helps us understand that there are many facets of God’s love that we should not only live in but also demonstrate to others.

APPLICATION:
As we consider the four dimensions of love, may we be drawn to the cross.

• As we ponder the length of God’s love for us, let us love others in the same way.
• As we ponder the width of God’s love, let our love be wide enough for all to see.
• As we ponder the height of God’s love, may we understand that His love reaches the heavens and goes far beyond our sin—and may we love in the same way.
• And as we ponder the depth of God’s love, may we, like David, be reminded of the miry clay and the pit from which we were rescued, and reach a hand out to those who are in the place we once were.

PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for the cross and for all four dimensions of Your love that You have shown me. May I live in a way that shows I have—and still am—comprehending, with all the saints, the Length, Width, Height, and Depth of Your love.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 2:4-5 CSB - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

OBSERVATION:
In Ephesians 2, Paul outlines three foundational truths of the Christian faith:

Mercy, Grace, and Peace—each anchored not in us but in God alone.

• Mercy – We have received it solely because of God’s character, not our merit.
• Grace – It came to us through Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.
• Peace – Christ Himself broke down the dividing wall of sin, thereby making peace between God and us.

Paul uses past-tense phrases to describe our former condition:

• “You were dead” (v.1)
• “We all previously lived” (v.3)
• “You are no longer” (v.19)

These statements point to a transformation—a dramatic shift in status, identity, and relationships. The turning point of that transformation is captured in two powerful words:
 
“But God...”
The word “but” contrasts what was with what is now. It highlights what was impossible without God’s intervention.

But God…
“…who is rich in mercy, because of His great love…” (v.4)
“…made us alive with Christ…” (v.5)
“You are saved by grace!” (v.5, 8 – repeated for emphasis)

And not only that: “…now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace…” (v.13-14)

Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, mercy, grace, and peace are not only available—they are ours. They are not temporary. They are both past and present—we have received them and continue to walk in them today.

APPLICATION:
Whatever you are facing today, remember this:
 
“But God…”

Bring Him into the equation.

When we can’t—He can.

Walk in the truth of who He is and the power of what He’s done. Walk in the promises of God – He is faithful, and He will see you through. When we can’t, He can!

Ephesians 2:4-5 CSB - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

PRAYER:
Father God, thank You that Christ died for me while I was still a sinner.

Thank You for Your mercy—that I don’t receive what I deserve.
Thank You for Your grace—that I receive what I could never earn.
Thank You for Your peace—that I am no longer an enemy, but a beloved child.

Let me live today with “But God” confidence—knowing that in every circumstance, You are able and willing to intervene with power, love, and faithfulness.

SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 1:18-19 CSB - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

OBSERVATION:
In the opening of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul offers a powerful prayer—the first of two in this epistle. It is a prayer for spiritual enlightenment.

Paul uses a beautiful metaphor:
 
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." (Ephesians 1:18)

Paul is asking for a spiritual understanding that must take place for us to comprehend what God has done truly.

Paul is praying that we would have the eyes of our hearts enlightened – or opened – so that we can grasp what God has done and continues to do.

APPLICATION:
Two areas that Paul wants us to see clearly.

Know the hope of our calling: Paul wants not only the Ephesians to know this but you and me as well. That we would know – know that you know – that our calling is based on His inheritance in us, not our inheritance in Him. Paul wants us to understand that we are precious to God and that He considers us His own inheritance.

Know the immeasurable greatness of His power: Paul wants us to know that God has shown – and continues to show us – His living power by demonstrating His strength on behalf of His people.

Let us, like the church in Ephesus, walk in the hope of our calling and in the immeasurable greatness of His power. Don’t just know it – be enlightened – and walk in it.

PRAYER:
Jesus, just as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus, I pray today: May the eyes of our heart be enlightened so that we may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

Today, may we have the eyes of our hearts opened – opened to see You and all Your glory, power, and grace. Let us live in the confidence of Your resurrection power working in us daily.

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 6:1-2 NKJV - Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

OBSERVATION:
Paul, in the opening verses of chapter six, gives us a guideline for restoring those overtaken in sin. These are not sins of doctrinal error but the sins we can find ourselves “overtaken in.” Luther says they are sins that “a person is overtaken through the weakness of his flesh.”

How often are we our own worst enemy? The flesh battles the Spirit, and the Spirit the flesh. Paul wants us to act differently from those who would use legalism to hinder their own restoration. The legalists want to impose extreme conditions on restoration. Jesus says, “Come and be forgiven,” and we must forgive as well. Not only that, but we should also come alongside them, for we ourselves have been in their shoes more often than we like to admit.

Restore means to ‘put in order’ and, by extension, to ‘restore to its former condition.’ It was used in secular Greek as a medical term for setting a fractured or dislocated bone.

APPLICATION:
Often, when we see our sin in others, we treat them harshly. Paul says, “Restore them gently.” Our sin always looks so bad in others!

When we see those overtaken, restore them with gentleness. For that is how the Lord deals with us. Remember, Paul wrote Galatians because they had begun to distort GRACE and had fallen from it, when they should have been walking in GRACE and embracing it.

The legalist in us all wants to prove we can do it! We can achieve righteousness and holiness and please God. The reality is, we are hopeless. Without the grace and mercy we receive from the Father, we would never have been restored.

PRAYER:
Jesus, help the legalist in me realize it is by grace, not by what I can do or be. Thank you for restoration! You are setting right the things in my life that I do not have the power to set right.

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 5:4-5 NKJV - You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

OBSERVATION:
These two verses that Paul writes summarize his argument against “justification through the law.” Notice that Paul uses the words “estranged (alienated),” “attempt (trying),” and “fallen from (out).” All of these words are attached to the two words “Justified” and “Grace.”

What Paul is saying is that when we try to obtain justification by circumcision or works, we alienate or estrange ourselves from Grace. Literally, we have “fallen” from grace or have fallen out of grace.

Paul said in vs 2, “Christ will not benefit you at all…” That is something I never want to experience. He was the ONLY ONE righteous enough to pay the debt for our sin.
Hebrews 2:17 NKJV - Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
 
The word propitiation appears only four times in the New Testament. It is a legal term meaning to render oneself for reconciliation and mercy. It is the act of appeasing God's wrath and restoring a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is related to the idea of atonement. No one but Jesus could do this.

Another word that Paul uses is “Justified.” This is also a legal term. Justification is the act of showing that something is right or righteous. It is the act of acquittal. Just as if I’d never sinned (Justified).

Paul uses two laws: the Law of Grace and the Law of Circumcision. One brings us freedom; the other brings us into bondage. Both address the requirements of the Law. One is fulfilled in Christ; the other imposes the obligation to keep the entire Law.

APPLICATION:
Are you estranged, alienated, and attempting to be justified by works of the law? Do you feel the weight of the more than six hundred laws that must be kept to please God by the law (it would be a task to remember all six hundred)? Maybe you st807ill think that God grades on the curve… “Surely, He won’t expect me to keep ALL the law?”

James 2:10 NKJV - For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Have you fallen from grace? Most people equate falling with falling away from the Lord. But Paul said you can “fall from grace.” Some argue that “from” should be “out,” but they mean the same thing. Have you fallen out of the grace Jesus gave you at the cross? Do you think you can be your own propitiation or justification? You can’t… But there is still hope for you and me!

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith… We can live by faith in Christ alone and walk in his propitiation, justification, and grace.

Galatians 5:1 NKJV – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Walk in freedom, walk in grace!

PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the justification and propitiation you gave me at the cross. Thank you for redemption, apart from my works, which were and still are a gift of God. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, which saved a WRETCH like me!

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV) - And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

OBSERVATION:
In God’s kingdom (because of the work of Jesus), Galatians 3:28 NKJV - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. We who were formerly Gentiles and slaves are now called Sons and Heirs in Christ.

Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV - But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

In Greek culture, an adopted son received the same inheritance as the natural-born son… Hence, they became an heir, not by birth but by adoption. But these verses go farther… Even the natural-born son became an heir to God’s promise through Jesus' redemption. The law was fulfilled, and we receive the benefits of God’s Son redeeming us from the law.

Now, because we are sons, God sent His Spirit into our hearts:

1. To seal us until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30).
2. The Spirit cries out, “Abba Father.”

This means we have the promise of final redemption, and the Spirit cries out, Daddy… Yes, it is a name used in a close, intimate family. God did not redeem us to set us aside for later but wants to know us as children and for us to know Him as Daddy… It then becomes personal, not just legal… We are part of His family, and as members of His family, we receive His unending love! How can the Law compete with this? We did not earn the right to call Him Daddy; we were given that right through Jesus. Why would we ever go back?

Cry out to Abba Father today… Let your relationship not be one of legality but of a personal nature… Our flesh and sin nature resist the idea of calling Him Daddy… But our Spirit cries out… Should we not do so with our own mouths?

Take time today, in a quiet moment, to cry out to Daddy… Notice how your heart will change as you begin to understand that He is not just GOD but Daddy.

PRAYER:
Abba, I desire to know You the way my children called me Daddy (or Dad). They found comfort, direction, love, and even discipline. But they will always know that I love them. I have to admit, it feels so foreign to call You DAD. Help me understand my SONSHIP and what it truly means.

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 3:3 (NKJV) - Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

OBSERVATION:
One of the greatest pitfalls for a believer is to begin to think that we can be perfected through the law. Paul lays out the tendency to lean toward the idea that “Jesus has saved me, but I must maintain it by following the law.”

This very idea is why Paul uses such a harsh word… fool. Remember, according to Merriam-Webster, a fool is stupid, showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment.

What Paul means is that you (Galatians), who have seen Jesus publicly crucified (vs 1), cannot think you can perfect yourselves. If He, being “perfect” in the law… (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.) died to save us who have failed to keep the law, how can we perfect ourselves apart from Christ?

Paul continued his argument that righteousness is by faith. Abraham believed God's promises, and it was accounted to him as righteousness (vs 6). 430 years after the promise, the law was given… Did this invalidate the promise (vs 17)? The law was given to show our need for a savior… Everyone who does not do EVERYTHING in the law is cursed (vs 10) …Jesus took the curse for us. …Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree (vs 13).

APPLICATION:
Trust that the Lord is working in you. Have patience with yourself. When you feel the need to be “perfected,” rely on the Holy Spirit. It is not a bad desire to be holy… But if the desire leads us to “self-righteousness,” we have missed the point of holiness… Holiness means being set apart. You and I cannot, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, do anything to make ourselves more righteous than what Jesus did on the cross. Positionally, we are holy; practically, we are being set apart daily by and through the Holy Spirit.

If you’re like me and struggle with this verse in Galatians, memorize what Paul says in Philippians… For those of us who are harder, more critical, and even at times use extreme judgment toward ourselves, make this your prayer and life.

Philippians 1:6 NKJV - Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:
Jesus, help me when I fall into the trap of trying to perfect myself. How often do I struggle with feeling not good enough, worthy enough, or righteous enough? The truth is, I am not. But You are. Continue to work in me and help me remember that You are perfecting and completing me. It will be completed when I finally see You face to face. Help me be patient with myself and trust that You know what You are doing.

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 2:20-21 NKJV - "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
 
OBSERVATION:
In Galatians 2, Paul begins to lay out his case for justification by faith. The very reason he wrote the book was that they were quickly turning from the gospel to another gospel. He will go on to argue that it is not another gospel at all, but works. These works are an attempt to justify oneself before God…

Paul makes his first point at the end of chapter two… "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

If you and I can find justification (righteousness) by keeping the law, then Christ died in vain. The phrase “in vain” in the Greek means: done without cause… for naught… in vain.

My question to you is, “Was Christ’s death in vain?” Why did He need to die if all we needed to do was follow the law?

The Judaizers who came in could not get over the “law of circumcision.” They claimed that to truly be saved, you needed the grace of God and circumcision… They took God's free gift and added something to it… Grace plus something is not grace…

2 Corinthians 10:10 NKJV – “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

What the Corinthians had neglected to see was a changed man. They had either forgotten or not known of Paul, formerly known as Saul, the great persecutor of the Church. He was a very powerful and influential man who was taught by the greatest of Rabbis and excelled them all. It was believed that Gamaliel (his teacher) said, “he could not teach him anything else.” Paul was such a voracious reader that he read everything and studied until he said, “He was a Pharisee of Pharisees.”

What the Corinthians had seen was the changed Paul, the Paul who took on the same character and nature of Jesus, the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

Would you say of Jesus what the Corinthians said of Paul? No!

APPLICATION:
Do not be tempted or led astray by those who would come to you and say… Grace plus something… Grace does not supply the rest after we have put forth our best… It all comes from the grace of God, given through Jesus. It’s a gift! Gifts are not earned; if they are, they are no longer gifts but things we work for.

PRAYER:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound… Jesus, may it not just be a sweet sound but a life I live every day. I know my tendency to live by my own justification, but I am reminded, like Luther, that all I have is a penny and the debt I owe is a million dollars. Thank you, Jesus, for paying that debt IN FULL once and for all. May I live by faith in the Son of God.

SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 1:6-7 (CSB) - I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -- not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

OBSERVATION:
How does the gospel become distorted (CSB) or perverted (NKJV)? These two words are harsh. They bring to mind things that are not good. But that was the point Paul was trying to make by using the word perverted.

Perverted means – Corrupt (adulterated or debased by a change from an original or correct condition)

Distorted means - Altered from a true, natural, or normal state, shape, or condition.

Both words lead us to the same conclusion. They had left the truth for a lie.

The Book of Galatians was one of Paul’s most passionate books. His tone is evident from the beginning. In all the other books, Paul begins with praise or thanksgiving for the church and what God was doing. In Galatians, Paul gets to the heart of the matter quickly.

The Book of Galatians is the only letter to the churches that was not addressed to a single church. It was addressed to the churches of Galatia (Asia Minor).

Paul was quick to call it another gospel… it was not good news; it was troubling… it was a corrupted, altered form of the truth of the true gospel of Jesus Christ… a distortion of the gospel of Christ.

Paul said they were quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and were turning to a different gospel… They were not turning to God, but AWAY from Him. They were not turning to the grace of God, but AWAY from it… That is what distorted and perverted means. Not towards, but AWAY from the truth of GRACE!

APPLICATION:
Grace plus anything is not grace… It is grace alone. We did nothing to deserve or earn God’s Unmerited Favor (Grace).

Ephesians 2:4-9 (NKJV) - But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

You are saved by grace… You CANNOT and will NEVER be able to make Him love you more! Walk in grace today… When we do, we will find the freedom to change and be changed by the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for the grace You have given me! I am not worthy, but You are. Thank you for loving me despite who I am, and for allowing me to change through the power of the Holy Spirit.

SCRIPTURE:
2 Corinthians 13:9 CSB - … We also pray that you become fully mature.

OBSERVATION:
As Paul finishes his final closing thoughts to the Corinthians, he gives us a test that shows we need to become fully mature. That is, we still need to mature, even the most righteous amongst us.

2 Corinthians 13:3-4 CSB - since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by God's power.

Let His power be the one that matures our weaknesses. Paul knew that God had to do the work, or it would be incomplete. Becoming fully mature is a process.

We love a good aged cheddar cheese. This requires a period of maturing or aging. It does not happen overnight, but with time. So too, becoming fully mature is a process.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 CSB - Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless you fail the test. And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test.

APPLICATION:
The key to becoming fully mature is to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 
In your self-examination, look to Jesus and allow the process of aging and maturing to unfold.

PRAYER:
Jesus, as David prayed in the Psalms. Today I cry out: Psalm 139:23-24 NKJV - Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;  and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true;
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like you.

You are the Potter,
I am the clay;
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray.