It is my deepest joy in Christ to know you, that you are being strengthened by our God to withstand all challenges that we are currently facing- because our strength is God Himself, amen? He is true.
It’s been months now since the last time I shared to you God’s Word.
And tonight, I am joyful that I am given this opportunity to be with you though virtually and be able to be of help to you all through Jesus who always lead us to things that bring glory unto Him.
Now, as we start this devotion, let me ask you a question that would make you think and ponder on the way you perceive God in your life:
"Who is He in my life?"
"Why is He important in my life?"
"Do I need Him?"
The reason why I would like you to ponder on these things is because those are the same questions that I have been asking myself these past years. I have been going around churches for many years but failed to understand the purpose why I am inside church premises/services.
Let me read to you what Paul said to the brethren in Galatia:
'I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' (Galatians 2:20)
Observations
This verse and the whole chapter and the book of Galatians are rich in meaning and encouragement for us all.
In here, it tells us some key facts of who we are and who Jesus is in our lives:
1. We Are Sinners
In order to determine that someone is sick, a person needs to be tested, analyzed first before being diagnosed of a certain illness. A diagnosis is a proof that that person is indeed sick and needs medical attention.
It’s the same through with our sinfulness. We don’t know the reality of sin unless we are shown of the failure of man and the gravity of its failure in relation to our diagnosis (which is sin).
Now one very great example that we know we are sinners is just by reading and looking at the Ten Commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
We think we don’t worship gods (EXODUS 20:3,4), but when in fact we make our own god in order to fit our preferred lifestyle- mindlessly thinking that God is a loving God and that He loves us and doesn’t punish us for the wrongs that we are committing. But we get it wrong. There will be a time of reckoning for those who don’t return to God and mend their ways. That’s the first of the commandments. There’s a whole lot more. Do not murder (Ex. 20:13), Jesus said that hating someone, showing partiality and denying the existence of someone is also murder (Matt. 5:21-22/ James 2:9-11). Adultery (Ex 20:14) also Jesus expounded that when He said that “anyone who looks at a person with lustful intent commits adultery in his/her heart” (Matt 5:27-28). And we can’t further agree more with regards to us stealing time from God, disobeying our parents, taking the Lord’s name in vain, etc.
If we are to be put on trial in relation to all of these crimes, the verdict would be “Guilty”. The punishment is heavy that we cannot pay it. Because the payment for that is our life itself.
'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 6:23)
2. Jesus Paid It All
As to what famous street evangelist Ray Comfort always say, “We broke the Law, Jesus paid the fine”.
Yes, whether you believe it or not, Jesus paid it all with His life- Him being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. For in order to obtain cleanliness from our iniquities, there has to be a perfect sacrifice (or great payment). And that sacrifice is God himself.
Jesus, fully God and fully man, is the fulfillment of the prophecies and of the law. Him being the perfect sacrifice in order for us to be brought back into fellowship with God Himself.
His death on the cross meant that we our debts have been paid off by Him.
'Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ' (Hebrews 9:22,26)
3. Receive and Believe in Him
Now, all that we need to do is to receive Him as our Lord and Savior and believe in Him.
'But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.' (John 1:12-13)
Now, this is to be in tandem and not to be misconstrued as just knowing God by His name theoretically. Rather, this demands intimacy and a daily encounter with God.
Ongoing obedience, trust, and faith in God.
Ptr Peter Tan Chi of CCF said, “You must see the heart of God. Intimacy with Him is crucial. Obedience is basically the overflow of our love relationship with Jesus”.
His Words stay true and deep to those who intimately know God in their lives.
And that’s the second part of my devotion that I would like you guys to take heed into your hearts.
The life that we have is no longer a life of sinfulness but already a life that's bringing glory and honor to God.
Application:
1.) Our life that’s dead to sin and alive in Jesus
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11 ESV)
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (1 Peter 3:18 ESV)
The old nature that we live before no longer takes hold of you once you are in God. God has given us a new life in Him and an identity that brings us in close fellowship with Him, all the days of our life.
A dead man no longer has a response to pleasures because He is dead. He no longer feels anything. In the same way, our callousness to the pleasures of the flesh is the result of what God is doing in your life- a life that’s full of pure joy (even in chaos), pure peace (even in troubled waters), pure rest and freedom (yes, there is freedom in Christ from the bondage of slavery to sin)
2.) Life is no longer about us, but it’s all about God.
'May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, (Selah) that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.' (Psalm 67:1-2)
His work in us reflects the very purpose of our living- that in the end, we bring God all the glory and praise.
The life that we live is a life that draws people towards God, not away from Him.
DO PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO GOD (NOT TO YOU) BECAUSE OF YOUR LIFE’S TESTIMONY?
'And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.' (2 Corinthians 3:3)
Do people see God in your life?
3.) Our Life is to be filled with God’s Spirit
'that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.' (Ephesians 3:16-19)
A life surrendered to Jesus is a life filled with His Spirit;
A life that’s transformed inside and out.
It’s only through God why we are able to live a righteous life.
So, our walk with Him is lifelong learning and serving.
There’s no retirement in the kingdom of God- because that is our very own purpose, to worship God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24)
Whenever you feel discouraged, know for sure that God is in you and works in you as you navigate this life here on earth. We have Him by our side, we have Him always. He never leaves- it’s just you who leaves.
He is faithful to complete what He has started doing in your life (Philippians 1:6)
His life is our life.
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