Luke 7 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

 

Meditation:

1. This woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair. She kisses them and pours perfume over them. The host, a Pharisee, considers that Jesus has “contaminated” Himself by touching or being touched by someone considered morally, spiritually or physically filthy.
2. But Jesus asked Simon “Do you see this woman?” Jesus asked Simon if he truly sees her – not a sinner, but a person forgiven by God, and is weeping with gratitude and relief, a child of God who is loving as much as she can, who is saved by her faith and who is free to go in peace.
3. Jesus is asking you the same question, “Do you see ……?” Do you truly see people on the street, on the subway, in the mall, in the supermarket? Do you see people as how Jesus sees them? How would that make a difference? How would seeing people as Jesus sees them change your attitude toward them?
4. Talk to Jesus about your “poor spiritual eyesight”, your reluctance, your stereotyping. Wait for the Holy Spirit to touch you and change your perspectives.

 

 

Luke 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

 

Meditation:

Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to bless, to pray for them, and turn the other cheek. This often frightens us, and we tend to ignore it.  What Jesus is actually asking is for us to break the cycle of hostility and animosity. 

God, after all, broke this pattern by one bold act of love, sending His son to suffer and die for our sins.  As we respond to that love, accepting the salvation Christ brings, our whole attitude toward God has changed, and we now love and want to please Him.  It is not easy, but following Christ has never been easy.  Yet, it does make us free.

Name a person who has wronged you.  Ask Jesus to give you His forgiveness for that person and take away the hatred and revengeful attitude in your heart.

Luke 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

¹ On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, ² and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. ⁴ And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. ⁷ They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” ¹¹ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

Meditation:

1. After a whole night’s labour, the fishermen didn’t want to listen to Jesus to try again. They were depressed and exhausted. How similar this is to our own lives.  We all have experienced failure which often left us feeling guilty, shameful and self-distrust.   Then, we wanted to quit, withdraw and to be away from people.
2. Jesus won’t ask us to do something entirely new. He’d send us back to what we’ve been doing all along, but this time with Jesus. God wants to be in command of our lives – our work lives, our family lives, our leisured lives.  It’s the same boat, same commands and same nets.  But now Jesus is with us – and that makes all the difference.
3. Is Jesus on your LIFE boat? Who’s in command of your journey?  What are you experiencing right now?  Be quiet before God and allow the Holy Spirit speak to your heart.  Respond and speak to God as you are touched by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” ²² And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” ²³ And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.” ²⁴ And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. ²⁵ But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, ²⁶ and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. ²⁷ And there were many lepers^[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” ²⁸ When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. ²⁹ And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. ³⁰ But passing through their midst, he went away.

 

Meditation:

1. Jesus applied four Old Testament promises to his mission on earth (vv18-19). Which of them can you identify with the most?
   • The poor (downtrodden, underprivileged) to receive hope and dignity
   • The captives (physically, psychologically or politically imprisoned) to receive freedom from bondage
   • The blind (physical disability often meaning spiritual darkness) to receive new sight to recognize God’s perspective and new life
   • The oppressed (political and economic disadvantage) to receive release and new freedom from forces holding you down
2. Read the above list slowly. Recall your situations before and after receiving Christ.  Meditate on Jesus’ salvation for you.

Give God thanks for all the things He’s done in you.

Luke 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
    and the rough places shall become level ways,
⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

⁷ He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ⁹ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?”¹¹ And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” ¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” ¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 

 

Meditation:

1. John was not a smooth, comforting preacher. He was blunt and confrontational.  He preached the message of the coming wrath of God and “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.  This wasn’t an easy message to take, but people kept coming to hear him and even wondering if John might be the Christ. 
2. Likewise, when we hear messages such as John’s, our masks and pretenses are stripped away, and we are forced not only to face our need, but given hope in God’s word. And only when we face our own sinfulness, would we seek forgiveness, and find the new life in our Saviour Jesus.
3. Are you in the habit of “direction change” (repentance) in your daily life? What has the Holy Spirit been speaking to you lately on certain wrong “directions”?
4. Take a moment to think about it. Then pray for God’s forgiveness.  Pray also for the Holy Spirit to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”(Matt 6:13)

Luke 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Presented at the Temple

²² And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” ²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. ²⁶ And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. ²⁷ And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, ²⁸ he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. ³⁴ And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed ³⁵ (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

 

Meditation:

1. Simeon (righteous and devout, v25) spent a long life of hopeful prayer and faithful witness. What he has been praying for all his life is now present in this infant.  He took the child in his arms and blessed him, and the parents.  And he was ready to die. 
2. The prayers of Mary and Simeon are complementary to each other: the young Mary starting out in submission to God’s word; the old Simeon ending in submission to God’s word.  Mary and Simeon submissively and believingly spoke the prayer: “according to your word”(1:38, 2:29).
3. Read the two prayers by Mary and Simeon (1:38, 2:29). Focus on the words “according to your word”.  Listen to what God is speaking to you.  How could you use this phrase “according to your word” in your response prayer today?

Luke 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Mary’s Song of Praise: The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
⁴⁹ for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
⁵⁰ And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
⁵² he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

 

Meditation：

1. Mary praises and glorifies God, through her prayer-song, for He will accomplish what He has planned for the world through her. It describes that God lifts up the poor, comforts the oppressed, and cares for the despised.   Mary’s prayer reminds us that we are participating in what God has been doing and is yet to do.
2. Prayer is our way of being attentive to God, who is present to us in the Holy Spirit. Our prayer is always the second sentence. First God speaks; we respond by prayer. Just like Mary in this prayer, God spoke first through the angel, Mary heard and received, believed and submitted to the Word that conceived Christ in her.
3. Have you ever had an experience of being an active participant in carrying out God’s plan? How has this experience impacted you?
4. Are you aware that you are present to God in prayer just as God is ever present to you? What will this awareness change you in your attitude and actions in everyday life?

 

James 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Prayer of Faith

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. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

Meditation

Recall a time when you came very close to wandering from the faith? Who helped bring you back? Spend some time revisit that experience and all your emotions then and now.

Is God putting someone in your heart that is in the “wandering from the faith” situation as you were? How would you help him/her come back to the faith?

Pray for the people in the church and in your cell. We are all broken people—physically, emotionally, spiritually,—and we need each other in the community of faith to pray that we might be healed. Ask God to give us a spirit of harmony, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, and love so that we would care for each other and witness God’s power.

 

James 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

¹¹ Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. ¹² There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— ¹⁴ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

 

Meditation

Setting goals and making plans can be good. The temptation, however, when we plan is to think that we are in control of our lives and our future, which pushes God away from our lives. And when God is not at the centre of our planning, we will find that we are not participating in His story—the things that He is doing in this world. Our lives and the future are in God’s hands. We need to come humbly to God and carefully seek God’s will for our lives.

What plans do you have for tomorrow, this year or next ten years? Are you willing to submit all of them to God so that you can be involved in His work for His glory and honour?

 

 

James 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Taming the Tongue

¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

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.

 

Meditation

If you were to record everything you said last week to have it played back during church, what would you want to erase from the recording?

Meditate on 3:9-10. Have you been doing more praising or cursing? What are ways that you can praise and encourage others more?

Is there a family member, a friend or colleague, to whom you may say some encouraging words? During this week, pray that God will help you to speak words of kindness and grace, and pray for one particular person with whom you find it difficult to speak with love.

 

 

James 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Faith Without Works Is Dead

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

 

Meditation

Faith is something that we cannot see but faith is made real and visible in our works. James tells us that faith and works go hand-in-hand; our faith in the person and gospel of Jesus Christ changes the way that we see the world, ourselves, and God’s work. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, our changed perspective and value system will cause us to behave closer to God’s way. Thus, our actions reveal our faith in God.

How has your faith affected the way in which you view your life, relationships, work, the Church, how you spend your time, etc? How is God already at work around you? How can you join others to live out your faith in actions?

 

 

James 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Testing of Your Faith

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

 

Meditation

1. Life involves us in many kinds of testing; it is in God that the testing of our faith produces endurance and because of Him, we are able to grow mature. When we experience difficult times—financial or relationship—those times are when we are most able to focus and be dependent on God. These times can be filled with joy when we realise that He is strong when we are
2. Recalling a trial you have experienced, what pressures did it bring on your faith? What “wisdom” did you gain through it?
3. In this wealth-chasing modern society, what do vv 9-11 mean to you? What might James say you should “take pride in”? Will you heed his teaching? Why?

2 Thessalonians 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

Pray for Us

¹ Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, ² and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

¹³ As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Benediction

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

 

Meditation

• Members of the Thessalonian church were refusing to take responsibility. Some had quit working because they thought Jesus would be back any moment and didn’t see any reason to exert themselves. Others relaxed because there were plenty of wealthier members in the church who were always willing to share. Regardless of the reason, Paul was abhorred by such laziness, and set the rule “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
• How can our laziness affect the work of Christ?
• When is it hard for you to feel motivated to do the work of your church?
• Pray that like Paul you will be a good example to others in your attitude toward work.

 

 

2 Thessalonians 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, ² not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, ¹² in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ¹⁴ To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

 

Meditation

The “man of lawlessness” (v3) pointed clearly to a person commonly referred to as the anti-Christ. He is introduced in Daniel 9:25-27, and Jesus referred to him in Matt 24 and Mark 13. He appeared in Revelation, etc. Here Paul described this anti-Christ as “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (v4).

Paul advises us that Satan has yet to attack us with the worst he has, and when he does, it will be a fearful time to be alive. However, Paul also promises that God will always be in control.

The Thessalonian church was facing persecution, false teaching, secularization and various uncertainties. Therefore, Paul wanted the Thessalonian believers to know that accepting Christ and the salvation is only the beginning of one’s spiritual life. He encouraged them to “stand firm” and hold fast to God’s teaching.

What potential threats to the safety of the world do you see right now (for example, attitudes, weapon building, warfare, diseases, crimes, and so on)? What personal fears or concerns do you have about that?

Talk openly with God about any fears or concerns you have regarding the future.

 

2 Thessalonians 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Meditation

1. Some people want to think of God as being “nice”. Much too nice to get angry at people, and much too nice to punish sin. The truth is that the idea of “nice” as we understand it is not found in the Bible. This passage talks about Jesus coming “with his mighty angelsin flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God” (vv7-8). And they will “suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord” (v9). The justice of God is displayed in two ways. One is by “repaying” those who do evil (v6). The other is by taking on Himself the punishment due those who do evil. This has already happened on Calvary.
2. Spend a few moments meditate on the enormity of God’s love in sacrificing Jesus to save you!! Say a word of thanksgiving to God.

1. Think of the non-believing family members and friends. Think of one or more that you will FAITHFULLY pray for their salvation.

 

1 Thessalonians 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

Final Instructions and Benediction

¹² We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

Meditation

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to “live in peace with each other” (v13) that he closed his first letter to them with several instructions on how they can do this. 

Among the instructions are: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances” (vv16-18). These three teachings are totally contrary to our human nature. However, as we learn to obey God’s word wholeheartedly, we will develop different perspectives toward people, and things, and we will then discover that to be joyful and thankful isn’t that difficult after all, but rather is the natural outpouring of our hearts.

Follow the discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances by finding as many things in your life as you can to be thankful for.

1 Thessalonians 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Life Pleasing to God

¹ Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. ³ For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, ⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶ that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. ⁷ For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, ¹¹ and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, ¹² so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Meditation

Paul said that the Thessalonians knew how to live to please and serve God. And he went on to remind them the persons they were to be and the service they were called to render.

Paul specifically mentioned avoiding sexual immorality. But Paul’s broader concern was for controlling all “passion of lust”. A passion for power, for money, for food, for approval and popularity can have just as destructive an impact on holiness as sexual passion.

The call to holiness is a call to sever ties with sin and follow Christ in our daily life. As we go along our journey of following Jesus, we are called to seek after a life of holiness—one that is different than that of the world—and one that we can only live by God’s grace and Spirit at work within us.

Take a moment to consider your surroundings, the competitive workplace, the stressful family life, or busy studies. Pray that the Holy Spirit work within you to teach and guide you and show you specific aspects of your life that you need to seek to live out a life of holiness in all areas of your being.  

 

1 Thessalonians 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, ³ that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. ⁴ For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.⁵ For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, ¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

 

Meditation

• Paul was forced to leave these very precious people when the rioting began in Thessalonica. Later he sent Timothy to visit them as soon as he could (vv1-5) and was filled with joy when Timothy brought back a good report (vv6-13).
• The Thessalonians’ testimony of faith and love comforted and encouraged Paul. Similarly, your testimony can also provide much needed encouragement to fellow believers, your cell leaders, Sunday school teachers, and even pastors. We can also be encouraged by the stories of other members of our community of faith.
• Have you had the privilege of hearing the testimony of a fellow believer? Is there anyone at church you’d like to share your experiences or reflections with?   Pray that God will use your sharing to encourage that person.
• Take time each day this week to reflect and be aware of God’s work in your life and find someone to share how you are experiencing God in your life. Then, bring these stories to your cell group and share with each other there.

 

1 Thessalonians 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Meditation

For Paul, evangelism was always delightful and exciting. Paul’s proclamation of the gospel was not to win the approval of the Thessalonians, but to please God who knows his heart and motivation (v4).

In the brief time Paul was with the Thessalonian Christians, he developed a close relationship with them as he shared the gospel. He spoke of himself “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children”. And “like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you” (v12).

The Lord has entrusted us this good news, what is your attitude towards spreading this good news? When you share the good news, what are you more concerned about: the way that people might respond or what God’s purposes are?

Ask God to give you encouragement to be a gentle and loving evangelist.

 

1 Thessalonians 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

 

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

² We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,⁵ because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 

Meditation

For Christians, faith, love and hope are not just abstract ideas. We see in the example of the church of Thessalonica. The Thessalonian Christians were remarkable as a truly committed church. They not only received the gospel – they acted on it! They had faith that produced work, love that prompted labor, and hope that inspired endurance (v3). Their actions became an example and a source of joy for Paul and other churches who heard about what God was doing among the Thessalonians.

A church should be a prominent and unmistakable shining light to the community in which it exists. What is the reputation of your church or cell group throughout the community? How can you help your church or cell group become such a shining light?

How do you live out and act in faith, love and hope as a Christian in your everyday life?

 

Galatians 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Bear One Another’s Burdens

¹ Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. ⁷ Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. ⁹ And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. ¹⁰ So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Reflection

Being free from the Mosaic Law does not mean being free from responsibility. In this section Paul explained various responsibilities that Christians have to one another. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit is not a mystical experience. Paul said spirituality is evident in personal relationships (vv. 1-5) and in the use of money and resources (vv. 6-10).

Read through this passage slowly once or twice again. At each responsibility Paul mentioned, pause and ask if God is speaking to you on a particular area.

Paul stated clearly a basic principle, we can choose our own lifestyle, but God has planned a consequence of every choice, “for whatever one sows, that will he also reap”. What kind of lifestyle are you choosing?

What can you do this week to “sow to please the Spirit” (v8)?

 

Galatians 5 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Keep in Step with the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

 

Reflection

• If Christ has set us free, then why not live as we please? Why not grab all the money, sex and power we can get? Afterward, we can simply ask for forgiveness! Paul challenges this kind of thinking with the true meaning of Christian freedom.
• Paul said that we are free because God has given us His Holy Spirit. He encouraged us to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v16). Walking “by the Spirit” means living moment by moment, submissively trusting in the Holy Spirit rather than in self.
• The life of discipleship, of following Jesus, and of holiness is not defined by what we do or not do. It is characterized by vibrant, and robust living by the Spirit. If we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, we are free to say no to the “desires of the flesh”.
• Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit for guidance when facing a problem? What happened? If you haven’t ever asked, try it today. Watch and see if it changes your perception of the problem.

 

Galatians 4 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

⁸ Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? ¹⁰ You observe days and months and seasons and years! ¹¹ I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

¹² Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. ¹³ You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, ¹⁴ and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. ¹⁸ It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, ¹⁹ my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! ²⁰ I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

 

Reflection

• Now Paul turns from rebuke to love as he reminds the believers of their love for him and his love for them. Then in v19, Paul even appeared in the role of a mother who willingly undergoes the ordeal of pregnancy and delivery all over again in order to secure the well-being of her children. The goal of Paul’s ministry is to see “Christ …formed in” the believers. Paul labored, but it is God who gave the growth (1 Cor 3:6).
• God uses the raw material of our lives – circumstances, family, and personality – to conform us to the image of Christ. We can choose to continue to depend on the do’s and don’ts to pursue perfection, or we can choose to rely on the Holy Spirit and allow Christ to rule every aspect of our life, to reflect Christ’s image, Christ’s character and Christ’s beauty through us.
• Every time you cry to God with the simple prayers: “Lord, I belong to you / Lord, help me / Lord, have mercy on me / Lord, I thank you / Lord, I love you ……”, it shows that you choose to rely on the Spirit.
• How many times last week have you cried out to God with the short prayers to tell God and yourself that you love Him and you choose to rely on Him for every day of your life?

 

 

 

Galatians 3 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

By Faith, or by Works of the Law?

¹ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. ² Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? ⁴ Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— ⁶ just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

⁷ Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” ⁹ So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

¹⁰ For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”¹¹ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” ¹² But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— ¹⁴ so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

 

Reflection

• We all want to be accepted. We do everything we can to win people’s approval and avoid their rejection. But if we work so hard to please people, then what about God? How can we possibly meet His standards? The Galatians felt these inner struggles. They wanted to be fully accepted by God. But they seemed to forget that God had already accepted them. They also forgot why.
• The Galatians had been taught that they had received the Holy Spirit by faith and not by obeying the law. However, they still thought it was too simplistic to be saved by faith only. They wanted to have some rules and creeds to follow in order to feel closer to God.
• For us modern day believers, spiritual exercises such as prayer and Bible reading as well as serving may help us grow spiritually but it can never replace the work of the Holy Spirit.  
• In what ways do we sometimes try to earn God’s favor by what we do?
• Spend some time thanking God for what Christ has done for us as described in these verses.

 

Galatians 2 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Paul Opposes Peter

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Justified by Faith

¹⁵ We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

¹⁷ But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! ¹⁸ For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰ 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. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

 

Reflection

• Have you ever felt like avoiding certain types of Christians? Perhaps you don’t like their theology. You may disapprove of their lifestyle. Or you may prefer to avoid people of their race, nationality or economic background. This passage helps us see why such attitudes conflict with the basic message of the gospel.
• We have been justified by faith and are no longer under the law. In this way we have been accepted by God. How does God’s acceptance help you feel good about who you are?
• What nonessential customs do Christians sometimes force on each other? (For example, certain ways of praying, certain dress at worship, certain lifestyle habits and so on.) Which of these are you most likely to be concerned about?
• How can God’s acceptance of you help you to be more accepting of others? Pray for discernment about your own attitudes toward others, asking God to make you more accepting.

 

Galatians 1 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Greeting

¹ Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— ² and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰ For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

 

REFLECTION

Paul began this epistle in an uncharacteristic way. After a customary salutation, he rebuked the Galatian Christians for turning away from the gospel that he had preached to them, and for turning toward “a different gospel.” He accused them of being religious deserters! 

Paul said the gospel that the false teachers taught was no gospel at all. Any message that tells us “try harder” is not good news. No matter how hard we may try, we can never be good enough to escape the bondage of “the present evil age.” Only God’s grace, through the person of Jesus Christ, is truly Gospel – “Good News.”

What are some ways the gospel is being distorted today? How can you ensure that the gospel you believe and preach is the true gospel? How can you increase your understanding of the gospel?

How might the way you present the gospel be different if you are seeking the approval of people vs of God (v10)? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you your true intention and pray for God’s forgiveness and/or empowerment to bear truthful and fruitful witness for Him.

Romans 16 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Personal Greetings

¹ I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, ² that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

³ Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, ⁴ who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.⁵ Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. ⁶ Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. ⁷ Greet Andronicus and Junia my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. ¹¹ Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.¹² Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. ¹⁶ Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

 

Reflection

1. The list of names in this chapter reveals the warm and loving relationships which bound the early church together. Paul was not just a theologian, he was a friend. He did not just count up converts; he cared for people as individuals.
2. Let this remind us that in the eyes of God and in the church of Jesus, each person is important enough to be known by name.
3. How many people do you know by name at your church? Bring out the church directory and read it through. Upon the ones you don’t recognize, make a check mark beside it. Begin to notice and get to know these brothers and sisters in the church.

Romans 15 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 The Example of Christ

¹ We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³ For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.⁵ May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶ that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles

⁸ For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,⁹ and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

¹⁰ And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

¹¹ And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

¹² And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Reflection

1. Paul reminds us of the attitude we must have if the unity of the body of Christ is to be preserved. We are to “bear with the failings of the weak”. For Jesus’ sake, and for the sake of our fellow believer, we “please [our] neighbor for his good, to build him up”. We are to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed” us.
2. Jesus opened His heart and welcomed us when we were sinners, hostile toward God, clothed in the filthy rags of our own pretentions of righteousness, and despite our flaws. This is how we are to relate to others. And just as Jesus’ redeeming love has begun to transform our lives, so in a loving, accepting community of faith, the sinful and the weak will also be transformed.
3. Paul concludes this passage with a vivid prayer (v. 13). Consider these words, and try to picture this reality. How can we become those whose lives overflow with joy, peace and hope?
4. Spend time praising God for the joy, peace and hope we have in Christ. Think of a person to pray for with v13.

Romans 14 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another

¹ As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. ² One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. ³ Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.⁴ Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

⁵ One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.⁹ For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

¹⁰ Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; ¹¹ for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
    and every tongue shall confess to God.”

¹² So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

 

Reflection

• The Bible contains many clear commands. But it is also silent or ambiguous about many moral issues. These “gray” areas have always been a source of dispute and conflict among Christians. What principles should guide us when our actions are criticized by others or when we feel critical toward them?
• Paul launched into the very heart of the issue. “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions”. Paul reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is God’s family. Here every child of God is to experience welcome, and so feel the great value God places on him or her. The church of Jesus is home; it’s where we can relax and be ourselves, knowing that here we belong. And here we are loved.
• Therefore, acceptance is one of the most important gifts you can give another person. And one of the most valuable gifts you will ever receive.  
• However we may differ from others about issues the Bible does not label as “sin”, and however passionately our convictions are held, our brother or sister in Christ has been accepted by God. And we are to welcome him or her too.
• Thank God for His gift of acceptance to you. And ask God to help you give freely and gladly the gift of Acceptance to someone this week.

Romans 13 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 Submission to the Authorities

¹ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God,an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Fulfilling the Law Through Love

⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

¹¹ Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

 

Reflection

1. In this passage, Paul commands Christians to fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, and respect your leaders. For Christians submission is a choice we make freely, gladly. We live as good citizens of our nation, because we are citizens of Jesus’ kingdom, and represent Him here on earth.
2. What is your obligation as a citizen to Canada and to the kingdom of God? In what specific ways can you respect your leaders?
3. Find a list of names of your local officials (mayor, city councillor) as well as your MPP and MP. Pray for each one of them by name. Pray that God would use them to lead wisely and justly.