The Peace of God in Christ Jesus!

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful… the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:7 NIV

We should let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, just like what Colossians 3:15 states. This is because by the peace, the Lord gives us strength and He blesses us. (Psalm 29:11) This is because we are His children (1 John 3:1). Furthermore, this means that we should strive for the peace of God all together, for we are members of one another in Christ. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

However, if we do not have the peace of Christ in our lives, we are constantly at war with everything else even within ourselves. This is because “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) Also, obeying God becomes burden to us. For this reason, Jesus says:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

In other words, He has given us the peace of God, which is different from the world’s. We know this because we know that we have received the Holy Spirit from Him to advocate us to walk with God, who is our heavenly Father. (Ephesians 4:6)

                                                                                                                        

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

Because God has given us the peace of God through the Holy Spirit, we should be grateful. For this reason, Colossians 3:17 declares: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Moreover, the reason for this is that God has given us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus (John 17:3), even though we are sinners from the beginning (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Because of this, we should live only as the temporary residents in this world (1 Peter 1:17) We could do this by overcoming the world (1 John 5:1-5, Romans 5:1) and letting the Holy Spirit to overflow within us (Philippians 4:7) to do the will of God until the end of the age. (Matthew 7:21)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Importance of Repentance in Christ Jesus!

‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord… "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’ – Acts 3:19, Matthew 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:22 NIV

Repentance is necessary in our lives (Luke 13:1-5) if we are followers of Jesus Christ and committed ourselves to Him. This is because all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12) This means that we are doomed to death. However, God has given us the permission to enter the kingdom of heaven (Romans 6:23) through faith in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior (Colossians 1:15-20; John 3:16-18); if we only pursue righteousness, love and peace that are acceptable to God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) Hence, the word of God declares:

‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord… "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’ (Acts 3:19, Matthew 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:22)

Just like 2 Timothy 2:22 has said, we ought to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace” altogether. This is because the word of God proclams that each one of us are members of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:27) and “He [Jesus Christ] is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:18) This means that we are members of each other as well. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The reason why that all of us need to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace” are stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24-25, Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 4:7-12; Romans 13:8-10, and Colossians 3:15; Matthew 5:9.

Righteousness:

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

Faith:

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Love:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

           

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Peace:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

To be honest, I am still not sure whether it is the Holy Spirit, or I have been like Apostle Paul when he declares:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (1 Timothy 1:15, Romans 7:15-20)

This is because I have been napping quite a lot, even though I have been knowing that I have some stuff to do. Hence, I have been repenting before the Lord about this, but I still keep doing it. Thus, I found and realized some of the ways to get rid of weariness, which are washing my face or go for a walk to do some exercise. Therefore, I am going to do one of these or both when I am weary. Otherwise, I just have to persevere my tiredness. This is because everything that I do, I do them for the glory of God, (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is because I know that I am a child of God (1 John 3:1), since I got spiritually saved. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

For the Sake of the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven!

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” – Hebrews 11:6, 1 John 2:28 NIV

Once we have become devoted and surrendered to Christ—we should not give up in following Him, or bearing His name in any circumstances, even though it is hard. Because following Jesus would be hard, Jesus declares:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. (Matthew 16:24-27)

Hence, following Jesus is all about believing in Him. Because of this, there is the living Word, which leads us in the righteousness of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Hebrews 4:12, Romans 1:17)

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:27-29)

Second of all, there is the “Holy Spirit” which is the Spirit of God, whom God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) poured into us to advocate us in the walk with Him; to do the will of God, for the glory (Colossians 3:4) and the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

Thus, the word of God states:

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13)

                                  

For this reason, we need to be born again, not by mother’s wowb, but with the Spirit. (John 3:3-7) The method of doing this is by the baptism, since the word  of God declares:

We were buried therefore with him [Christ] by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

After we have gotten baptized with the Spirit of God—we need to do the will of God until the end of age, for the sake of the eternal kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). We could do this by abiding and obeying the Holy Spirit. This is because the word of God proclaims:

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Galatians 6:7-10 NLT, Romans 12:4-5 NIV)

The another reason that we need to do the will of God for the sake of kingdom of heaven, is that our citizenship is already there if we believe Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

The handiwork of God in Christ Jesus!

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4:6, Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

When we know that we have received the gift of God, we ought to use it—mainly to shine the light of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14-16), or to influence each other spiritually. (Romans 12:6-8) This is because the word of God declares that we are members of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), and Christ Jesus is the head. (Colossians 1:17-18) This means that we are members of each other as well but only in Christ. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)

For these reasons, I committed myself to write devotionals and share them by e-mail and the social Networks. However, I write devotionals for the glory (Colossians 3:4) and the kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:21) This is not only because it is my passion but because I know that this is the will of God as well. (1 John 4:15) To be specific, I feel that the wisdom and the knowledge of God (Proverbs 9:10) are overflowing through the Holy Spirit within me to influence others spiritually. (Colossians 3:16) Thus, I should always be thanking God for them, and that He chose me to do this until the end of age.

Second of all, if we committed our lives to Jesus Christ—we should not give up in doing the will of God. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:10, Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6)

“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)

The Love and the Faithfulness in Christ Jesus!

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man [people].” – Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

We should not leave love and faithfulness out in any circumstances, especially who are followers of Jsus Christ and committed our lives to Him. This is because these are two important priorities that we all need to have in the walking with God. 1 John 4:7-15 probably give us the best reason why we need them. Thus, these verses declare:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

Therefore, Jesus Christ says:

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)

Second of all, we need to know that living through or in God (1 John 4:9,15) require a lot of faithfulness. This is why the Spirit of God is inside of us to advocate us to help us. We know this because 1 John 4:13 states: “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” This means God is willing to pour His Spirit into us, if we choose to walk with Him through our faith in Christ Jesus. (Luke 11:13)

Lastly, since 1 John 4:12 declares: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us”—we recognize “love” is the one of the best kind of the light of Christ that we could present to the world around us. For this reason, we need to love each other whole-heartedly. This is because the word of God proclaims:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

The another reason why we need to love one another is because in Christ, we are members of one another (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and love brings us into perfect unity. We can see this in Colossians 3:12-14 that declares:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The Freedom Through the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus!

‘You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”’ – Galatians 5:13-14 NLT

First of all, we need to know two things, which are that we are sinners from the beginning (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12) and Jesus Christ paid the panalty for our sins by crucifying Himself on the cross. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) Hence, we are callled to live in freedom only by becoming the slaves to righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24)

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:15-23)

For this reason, Jesus Christ invites us to become the slave of righteousness by saying:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Even though becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is hard (Matthew 16:24-25), we must presevere it until the end of the age—since He is the way of the truth and the life. (John 14:6) This is because our citizenship is already in the eternal kingdom of heaven, if we believe Him as our Lord and Savior. (Philippians 3:20-21) This means that if we become a follower of Jesus, then kingdom of heaven becomes our destiny. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Hence, God who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) has given  us His Spirit to advocate us in the walk with Him. We can see this in John 14:15-17,26-27, which declares:

If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Thus, the word of God states:

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10)

           

For this reason, we ought to use our freedom in the Spirit of God to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14) This is because we are members of one another through Christ Jesus. (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Because of this, we have to love each other as love brings us into perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14) Therefore, the word of God orders us to love each other whole-heartedly.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall  not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

To be honest, I believe that we are members of one another in the spiritual term. This  is why I am doing devotional-writing. My aim is to influence others spiritually for the glory (Colossians 3:4) and the kingdom of God. (Matthew 7:21) For this reason, I do not do devotional-writing to get my glory and my pride. 

The Godliness!

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 3:16,4:8

Because of “… the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19) and because of us, God had sent Jesus Christ as an image of Himself (Colossians 1:15; John 1:14) into the world to crucify Himself as our atonement of our sins. He has done this to break off the power of evil one that is inside of us. (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14-15) This is because of His steadfast love that is towards us. (1 John 4:9-10) However, we can see the best reason for these in John 3:16-21, which declares:

For God so loved the world [Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-2)] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Thus, Jesus Christ presevered His life to the point of death. (Philippians 2:6-11) For this reason, the verses of John 3:19-21 mean that if we want to live our lives in the way of the truth and the life (John 14:6)—we can come to Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30) by being the righteousness of God.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

Hence, God has given His Spirit as we call: the “Holy Spirit” to advocate us in the walk with Him through Christ Jesus. This means we ought to be in the Jesus as the new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) to let the Holy Spirit work in our lives.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

Therefore, the word of God states:

His [Jesus Christ’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-8)

Doers of the Word in Christ Jesus!

“Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say.” – James 1:22-25 GW

First of all, we need to know that we are sinners (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12), and we need God’s perfect laws to make us righteous. This is because the Bible declares:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 4:12)

Therefore, let us not “ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes,” just like what Roman 1:16 pronounces—since the word of God is the “word of life.” We can the reason for this in Philippians 1:27-29, which urges us to live a life according to the word of God even though we have to suffer:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

Hence, we ought to be the doers of God’s word, if we have committed our lives before Jesus. This is because the word of God states:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. (James 2:14-24)

For this reason, Jesus Christ declares:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)

To be honest, even though I know that I am a child of God, I cannot commit myself as the “righteous child.” This is because I do not believe that I read the word of God as well as the devotionals as often as I used to do. This means that my spiritual level and health are decreasing. However, I know that I “do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:39) Thus, I need to really fix time-management to read the word of God more, because I consider that my spiritual health is most valuable in my life. This is because 1 Peter 1:13-16 states:

Prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 

The Unity of God's children!

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1 NIV

If we are true followers of Jesus Christ and believe that we are children of God (1 John 3:1), we ought to live together in unity. This is because we are members of one another, since each one of us are members of one body, which is the Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:27)

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

This is why the word of God proclaims: “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (Colossians 3:15) It is also because we are the children of God through Christ Jesus, if we believe in Him. We can see this in John 1:12-13, which declares:

Yet to all who did receive him [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The best method of peace is to love one another, since the love creates perfect unity. This is because the Bible states:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

For this reason, the second greatest commandment from Jesus is to love each other. (Mark 12:30-31) Because of this, the word of God declares:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Therefore, since the Bible proclaims: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9)—we could say that we are blessed, if we are true peacemakers of one another. To be specific, if we are allowed to change this, we could proclaim: ‘Double blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. So theirs is the kingdom of God!’

The Faith and the Salvation in Christ Jesus!

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved…  we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” – Psalm 80:19, Hebrews 10:39 NIV

Since God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) has given us true salvation—we ought to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else at all times. (Matthew 6:33) This is because “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) To be specific, Jesus is the way of the life and the truth (John 14:6) to the kingdom of heaven, which is our destiny and eternal home. (2 Corinthians 5:1) This is because our citizenship is already there, if we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Thus, we have to trust Jesus Christ enough to submit and acknowledge Him rather than our own understanding, just like what Proverbs 3:5-6 states. Because of this, God has given us His Spirit to help us to walk in His ways. (John 14:15-17,26-27) Hence, even though it is going to be hard (Matthew 16:24-25), we ought to crucify our own sinful desires and passions, just like what Galatians 5:24-25 declares: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Therefore, since Jesus proclaims in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,”—we could say: ‘Blessed to those who trust in the name of the Lord, for there is the kingdom of God!’

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-20)

The Heart of the Wisdom in Christ Jesus!

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:16, Romans 8:28, Philippians 1:6 NIV

The word of God impulses us that “… we may gain a heart of wisdom, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:16) Hence, the Bible urges us:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:15-18)

Like what Ephesians 5:16 states, the days are evil. They are also passing away that the end would be death, “for the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) However, the next part of this verse declares: “… but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Thus, if we are Christians, we know that we need to overcome the world. This is because “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Hence, we need to deny our sinful desires and passions (Matthew 16:24-25), and start to be filled with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 5:18) to do His will (John 14:15-17,26-27). This is because our destiny and our eternal home is in the kingdom of heaven. (Phillippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1) Jesus Christ also declares in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14)

Therefore, we only have to trust and follow the Holy Spirit wherever it leads us. Thus, the word of God proclaims:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 14:17)

His [Jesus Christ’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Hence, we should apply the verses of Galatians 2:19-20 and Philippians 1:20-21 in our lives:

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:19-20)

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)

           

Because I am a true follower of Jesus Christ, I need to be wise by following the Holy Spirit all the time. However, I often stumble and fail with time-management. Thus, I changed my schedules because I believe it is hard to do the school work in the same day as my devotional-writing. Although, I changed my devotional-writing days into Thursday until Monday since I have no school in these days, it is still hard, due to weariness. Thus, when these days come, I literally do not sleep in nights until I have done devotional-writing. This  is because I know that this is a part of the will of God. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.” (1 Timothy 4:8-9)

The Power of the Holy Spirit!

“His [Jesus Christ’s] divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” – 2 Peter 1:3-4, Hebrews 7:25 NIV

First of all, we need to know that we are sinners from the beginning, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We can see this reason in Romans 5:12: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

However, God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) gave us eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23), so that we might be saved. Thus, the word of God declares: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Hence, the “Holy Spirit,” which is the Spirit of God has been poured onto us by our heavenly Father to produce and continue our lives as godly one.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. (1 Timothy 4:8-9)

Thus, the word of God states:

If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (Titus 3:4-6, 2 Peter 1:3-4)

Since the eternal kingdom of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1) is waiting for us—let’s overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5) and walk in the Spirit of God through Christ Jesus until the end of the age. This is because “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) Thus, if we join Galatians 5:24-25 NLT with Romans 14:17 NIV, then it goes like this:

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

The Communities in Christ Jesus!

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (1 John 5:1, Romans 12:4-5 NIV)

First of all, we need to know that God is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6), and He longs us to come to Him by believing in Jesus Christ. This is because Jesus proclaims: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) However, He adds: “If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:7) The reason for this is that He wants us to know that He is God; the image of God, but only in the human form. Thus, the word of God declares:

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Colossians 1:15-22)

Secondly, we need to know we automatically become the children of God, if we believe in Jesus Christ. We can see this in John 1:12-13, which states:

Yet to all who did receive him [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Therefore, since we are reconciled by Christ’s physical body (Colossians 1:22) and know that we are the children of God—we could consider ourselves as the members of the church. (1 Corinthians 12:27) Because of this, we are meant to be an ambassador of Christ in every way—since Jesus Christ is the head of the church. (Colossians 1:18)

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. For you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 John 4:12)

This is why the word of God declares:

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Overall, we are the members of one another in Christ Jesus. We can see this in Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

This is why there are communities in this world. We are supposed to spiritually encourage and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)—since our destiny is to enter the kingdom of heaven, which is the spiritual world. This is because it is our eternal home as well! (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Thus, we could say, “Blessed are the living churches, for there is the kingdom of heaven!”

Now you… are not visitors or strangers, but you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family. You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building. The whole building is joined together in Christ, and he makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you are being built together with his other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)