The Perfect Love of God in Christ Jesus!

“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:17-19 NIV

First of all, we ought to know that God is love, for love comes from God (1 John 4:7-8). This means that if we are being made perfect in Christ Jesus, then our lives should filled with the love of God that we do not need to fear of anything. This because if we are followers of Jesus Christ, then we know that God is our Protector and Provider (Romans 8:31-39). The main reasons for these are that God is the Creator (Genesis 1:1) and we are His Creations (Genesis 1:27), as the word of God states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”  (Psalm 24:1-2) Therefore, since we cannot hide our faces from God (Hebrews 4:13), we should trust and believe in Him with everything (Proverbs 3:5-8) Furthermore, if we are being made perfect in love, we should be able to show the same kind of love one that Jesus has among us, and to spread the love of God all around us (1 John 4:11-12). To be more specific, we have to spread God’s love to others, in order to transform the world how God wants it to be. “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.” (Colossians 1:16-17)

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)

Therefore, we have to work on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) to be made perfect in love. The main reason for this is that loving others is the law of the Spirit (Romans 13:8-10) Because of this, we must stay connected to the vine which is Jesus Christ!

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:1-17)

Iin my circumstances, I know that God’s love is not made complete within me. This is because I had been lazy to do today’s devotional, due to the fact  that I felt no desire to do devotional-writing. However, 2 Timothy 4:1-2 had been lingering to my mind. Those verses declare, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” In addition to this, I did not give it up, even though a lot of time had been passed by because I know that Christian-writing is the will of God. Furthermore, I am kind of afraid that I will not be able to enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age. Hence, I believe that really need to abide in the Spirit and the Word of God. Most importantly, I should trust Him until the end of the age, even if I cannot understand what is going on within me (Proverbs 3:5-8). In addition to this, I also should remain confident in Him since I know that I am a God’s child (Ephesians 3:12).

Resting in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

All of us know that ‘worries’ are normal thing for humans. However, in the kingdom perspective, worries are actually sin, as they lead to anxieties, then depression. This is because if we are worried, have anxieties, or depressed about something, we are not able to live kingdom life anymore, due  to the fact that our minds are so focused on the particular thing that we worry about. This is why Jesus Christ proclaims, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27) Living for the kingdom of God is what we are supposed to do while we are on the earth (Matthew 6:33), because we have actually been created to be the images of God in His kingdom. In fact, the Creator and our heavenly Father is desperately waiting for us to enter the kingdom of heaven from the end of the age. This is because He needs us to bring His kingdom into perfection (Genesis 1:26-31). This does not mean that God is selfish because He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ as the image of God into the earth (John 1:14) to crucify Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15). Thus, we are able to become the righteousness of God through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24-25).

For God so loved the world 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. (John 3:16-17)

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. (1 John 4:9-10)

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Furthermore, God send worries into our lives because He wants us to depend on Him about everything like little children (Matthew 19:14) This is the reason why Jesus states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Thus, instead of having worries upon us, we should give them up to our heavenly Father by prayers (Philippians 4:6-7) and rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30) In addition to this, we should just seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously (Matthew 6:33-34) until the end of the age by following the Spirit of God (Matthew 7:21). This is also because worries are able to weaken our spiritual lives, for Jesus declares, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23)

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

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. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.

… Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

… 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 14:15-21,23-24,26-27)

Living for the Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus!

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:33-34 NLT

What are you living for? Kingdom of God or for the world?

All of us ought to seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, especially if we are followers of Jesus Christ. This is because these priorities are what we actually have been created for, due to the fact that we have been created to be the images of God (Genesis 1:27). In addition to this, the eternal kingdom of heaven is our original home because we are manifested in there to bring the kingdom of God into perfection (Genesis 1). This is exactly why Jesus Christ had been crucified (Hebrews 2:14-15) and resurrected back (Luke 24:4-7), so that we  may become the righteousness of God through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) by obeying the Spirit of God, whom God has poured His Spirit into us as an advocate (John 14:15-27). Thus, for this reason, Jesus Christ was determined to endure and persevere His earthly life until the time of His crucifixion and resurrection came, even though it was actually hard for Him. This is because He mostly cared to do His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). Furthermore, He knew that He is going to take the highest place and sit at the right hand of God in His kingdom (Luke 22:66-69) so that everyone is going confess that He is the Lord (Philippians 2:6-11) and Savior (Acts 4:11-12).

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. (John 16:7-15)

Moreover, God had appointed several apostles and prophets to create His Word for them and future generations through the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Spirit of God is enough (Romans 8:1-13) to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age but it is probably going to be too hard for everybody. ‘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.”’ (Romans 1:17) “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.” (Hebrews 4:12)

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)

Secondly, we have to know that God is also our Provider as well, since the word of God proclaims, “He [God] who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32) Therefore, if we are seeking the kingdom of God above all else, and living righteously in Christ Jesus until the end of the end of the age according to the Spirit (John 14:15-27) and the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), the Creator and our heavenly Father is more than willing to provide. However, we need to pray before Him as well, as the prayer creates an intimate relationship with Him (Philippians 4:6-7) Hence, the word of God declares, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)    

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways. (Psalm 119:1-3)

As for me, I honestly do not have any worries or anxieties within me except doing the will of God because of Matthew 7:21. This is probably because I know that earthly things will not last and the one who pleases God will last (1 John 2:15-17), I got fully-saved through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8), or something. To be more specific, my main reason that I worry about is doing the will of God until the end of the age because the eternal kingdom of heaven is actually what I am after (Psalm 27:4) that I often get conviction to do more things for God, since we are His workmanship in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). This is why I have kept trying to fix time-arrangements, even though denying my self is hard (Matthew 16:24-27). Nevertheless, I trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding me through this (Proverbs 3:5-8). Moreover, I do not often get hungry that I have to have a meal before or in the middle of writing my devotionals. This is probably because my heart and my mind often so focused at them for the glory and the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:19-21). This reminds me that I am becoming more like Jesus Christ because of John 4:34.

Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:6-7 NIV

The reason that Jesus Christ came into the world from heaven, as an image of God (John 1:14), is to give eternal life to everybody (John 17:3) by crucifying Himself on the cross for our sins (Hebrews 2:14-15) and resurrecting back to life (Luke 24:4-7), to be with the Father (John 3:13-15). This is because all of us have became sinners due to this world (Romans 5:12-14). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Thus, for this reason, Jesus proclaims, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) This means that we may become the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hence, He declares,

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. (John 16:7-13)

Furthermore, God appointed several apostles & prophets to create His Word for them and future generations through His Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) This is probably because following Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27) until the end of the age had been too hard for us, and for this reason, the word of God states, “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) “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.” (Hebrews 4:12) Apostle Paul knew that the word of God is so crucially important, so he declares,

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)

Moreover, Jesus Christ pronounces,

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)

Therefore, just as what Galatians 5:24-25 says, we ought to crucify our sinful nature, and abide in the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27) and the word of God (James 1:22-25), even though following Jesus Christ until the end of the age is hard (Matthew 16:24-27) This is because we are not able to serve God and the world (Matthew 6:24). The main reason for this is that the desires of the flesh are contrary to the desires of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17).   

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:1-13)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… 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.” (Romans 1:16-17) 

The Images of God in Christ Jesus!

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

If we are followers of Jesus Christ, or starting to become one, we have been taught by the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27) that we have to crucify our sinful nature and abide in Him (Galatians 5:24-25) to become the images of God, filled in true righteousness and holiness like how God has been creating us to be (Genesis 1:27). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30) The reason that we have been taught by the Holy Spirit is because nobody is able to become the children of God (John 1:12-13), unless the heavenly Father draws them (John 6:44), due to the fact that all of us have been sinning against Him, even though we did not know about it (Romans 5:12-14). Nevertheless, Jesus Christ keeps knocking on the door of our hearts to come inside of them in the Spirit (Revelation 3:20). This is exactly why He was crucified (Hebrews 2:14-15) and resurrected back (Luke 24:4-7) so that we may become the righteousness of God through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thus, for this reason, the word of God says, ‘“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) In addition, the Holy Spirit is for everyone, especially for those who want to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age (Luke 11:13).

So 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.”

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” (1 Peter 1:13-17)

Furthermore, we are called to be lights of Jesus Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16) by loving others (1 John 4:11-12) and becoming ambassadors of Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). This is because He is the only way of the truth and the life (John 14:6). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In addition to this, Jesus proclaims, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Thus, for this reason, we ought to believe in Him (Ephesians 2:8-10) and do the Great Commission that Jesus has called us to do until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:12-14)

The Hope of God and the Glory of God in Sufferings!

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4 NIV

Because the hope of God (1 Peter 1:3-9) is so amazing, we should glory in our sufferings, due to the fact that suffering produces perseverance and then character. However, in order to hold on the hope of God tightly until the end of the age, we should believe in Christ Jesus as “faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1) To be more specific, the hope of God is that we are able to spend with our heavenly Father in His eternal kingdom from the end of the age and what we hope in Christ Jesus for, it is actually going to happen if we stay focused on the kingdom of God (Colossians 3:1-4) and doing the will of God until the end of the age (Matthew 7:21).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Thus, for this reason, it is much better to glorify ourselves in our sufferings as they create perseverance. This is because the word of God states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) In other words, when we persevere for the glory of God, we test our faith in Christ Jesus to make sure that we are okay with our spiritual life, as faith in Christ Jesus is the primary equipment to continue on with godliness. In fact, we should abide in the Spirit of God to keep us godly until the end of the age (2 Peter 1:3-4). “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.” (1 Timothy 4:8).

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. (Galatians 5:24-25)

Secondly, we ought to know that being godliness until the end of the age is something that we should not boast about. Instead of boasting in ourselves and toward others in a such way that we have spiritual pride, we should glorify and thank God for supplying us with everything that supports our godliness but mainly about the Spirit of God. (Psalm 139:13-14). Furthermore, the word of God points out that God honors humble-person more than pride-person (Proverbs 11:2;18:12; 1 Peter 5:5) Hence, the word of God declares, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Thus, overall, perseverance creates character that we are able to know that we are children of God (John 1:12-13).

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:14-17)

As for me, I often get conviction that I am willing to persevere my tiredness to write devotionals. This is because I want to do more things for God to glorify Him until the end of the age. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) However, I often fail because I have to sleep when I am very tired, so I am able to get clear mindset to concertrate into the heart of God to write devotionals properly. Therefore, I am currently fixing my time-managements to do things for God and sleep early. Nevertheless, I trust the Holy Spirit to do this and everything that I do.

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.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Accepting One Another in Christ Jesus!

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7 NIV

Jesus Christ has already accepted us, even though we have sinned against Him (Romans 5:12). This is the reason why Christ was crucified (Hebrews 2:14-15) and resurrected back (Luke 24:4-7) so that He can be with us in our spirits (Romans 8:14-16). This means that we have been reconciled that God has presented us holy and righteous through Christ’s physical body (Colossians 1:21-22). Because of this and we are members of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:27)—we need to accept one another (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) that there will not be a such division between us and them (1 Corinthians 1:10). In fact, Jesus prayed before His Father that we may be united as one body (John 17:20-21) To do this, we ought to love each other in Christ Jesus (1 John 4:7-21), since loving one another is the law of the Spirit (Romans 13:8-10) and second greatest commandment of God (Mark 12:31).

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)

Secondly, we have to know that each one of us are temples of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), since God has poured His Spirit into us to advocate us to walk in His commands, ways, statues and laws (John 14:15-27). The Spirit of God is also there to transform our desires and passions into godliness (2 Peter 1:3-11). “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.” (1 Timothy 4:8) The reason for the transformation is that we are not able to serve God in our sinful nature (Matthew 6:24), since the desires of the Spirit is contrary to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17). This means that if we truly want to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age—we ought to crucify our sinful nature, and completely abide in the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:24-25). Furthermore, since we are members of one another and temples of the Holy Spirit, we have to encourage one another and build each other up in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11). For this reason, the word of God states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

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)

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)

The Justification, the Peace and the Hope of God in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” – Romans 5:1-2 NIV

First of all, we have to know that all of us have been justified through Christ’s physical body (Colossians 1:21-22) as long as we have faith in Him. This is because Jesus Christ took our punishment by crucifying Himself on the cross and has given us eternal life through Him instead (Isaiah 53:4-5). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This means that we have to crucify our sinful nature on our part as well. The main reason for this is that we are not able to serve both God and the world at same time (Matthew 6:24), due to the fact that the desires of the Spirit is contrary to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17). Thus, for this reason, the word of God states, “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.” (Galatians 5:24-25)

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)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “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)

Secondly, we ought to know that the Holy Spirit is able to give us peace of God that is more than the peace of the world (John 14:15-27). This is because this peace of God creates us to have satisfaction in Him, as long as we know that we are God’s children (John 1:12-13) and He has given us a purpose to live on the earth (Romans 8:28-30). Furthermore, we have to persevere our godly lives (2 Peter 1:3-11) until the end of the age, but especially until we find what the will of God is. “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.” (1 Timothy 4:8) Hence, the word of God urges, “… Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:16-33)

Because of the peace of God (John 14:27) and the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:4-7), we are able to have the hope of God as well (1 Peter 1:3-9). Thus, when we are going through hard times of following Jesus until the end of the age, we are able to keep firm and rely in the hope of God to think our earthly lives are only temporary and that we will be in the heavenly dwelling at the end of the age in glorious forms (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). This is the reason why Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected back; to open the kingdom of heaven for us that we may dwell with our heavenly Father from the end of the age (John 14:1-4; 1 Peter 3:18-22).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

The Eternal Prize in Christ Jesus!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 NIV

Jesus Christ has given us the race that all of us need to run to, by coming down from heaven into the earth as an image of God (John 1:14) to be crucified on the cross as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15) and resurrecting back to Himself (Luke 24:4-7) to be in the kingdom of God (John 14:1-4). This is because He wants us to become the righteousness of God through faith in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) so we will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age (John 3:16-18), as He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This is the reason why Jesus proclaims, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) Furthermore, He declares that He is the gate of the salvation (John 10:9). Overall, what Jesus has given us is life-giving race so it is the narrow and hard road to get through, in order to win our eternal prize that is waiting for us (Matthew 7:13-14).

But 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)

… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

However, the life-giving race is strict but it is also not strict in a sense. First, the race is very costly because we have to crucify our sinful nature to really be in the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:24-25). This is because we cannot able to serve both the world and God (Matthew 6:24). To be more specific, the desires of the flesh are contrary to the desires of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Thus, in order to be able to enter the eternal kingdom of heaven, we have to take our cross up daily and follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age (Matthew 16:24-27). Nevertheless, Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, so this means that He does not force us to do something; He gently and quietly leads us with the Holy Spirit to become the righteousness of God (Matthew 11:28-30). Hence, the word of God declares, “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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:1-13)

The Unification in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

First of all, we have to know that we ought to be united with Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God, since we are members of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:1-2). The main reason for this is that all of us have been created to be the images of God (Genesis 1:27). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30). This means that we ought to be Christ-minded as well (Philippians 4:8). Therefore, we have to crucify our sinful nature and abide the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25). The reason of the crucifixion on our part is that the minds of the flesh and the Spirit are not able to go together (Galatians 5:17), and it is not possible for us to serve both the world and God (Matthew 6:24). Thus, for this reason, the word of God declares, “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)

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.

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)

                                                                                                                                              

Secondly, we have to know that we are members of one another in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Therefore, we have to treat others in ways how we would like to be treated, as the word of God states, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2) Hence, we have been called to love each other as love brings unity (Colossians 3:12-14) and since love is also the law of the Spirit (Romans 13:8-10). In addition, each one of us are temples of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16) so we also have to encourage and build one another up in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:19-22).

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)

The Overcomers of Evil in Christ Jesus!

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  - Romans 12:21 NIV

The world urges us that we have to overcome evil by evil deeds by revenging. However, the word of God points out that we have to overcome evil with good deeds (Romans 12:21), due to the fact that all of us are called to be the lights of Jesus Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). This is because we actually have been made to be the images of God (Genesis 1:27). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30) Therefore, we also called to do the Great Commission in every circumstance; evangelizing people to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). The reason for this is that all of us are meant to be one as we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13), and Jesus prayed before His Father for all of us that we may be united, just as Christ and God are united (John 17:20-21). Thus, for this reason, the word of God declares:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

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)

Let us think about Jesus Christ for a second because He overcame evil with good. Firstly, God sent Him into the world from heaven as an image of Himself (John 1:14) to be crucified on the cross for our sins (Colossians 2:13-15) because of His steadfast love (John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:9-10). Even though Jesus probably hated to be beaten to the death, He persevered, for He knows that this was His father’s will (Luke 22:42). To be specific, Jesus could have sent His angels to destroy everyone who was flogging and torturing Him to the death but He did not. This is because He cared about the will of His Father firsthand (Matthew 26:53-54). Thus, when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross as an atonement of our sins, He defeated the power of the evil one (Hebrews 2:14-15). Furthermore, He actually went to the place of death and destruction, in order to proclaim that the eternal kingdom of heaven is being opened (1 Peter 3:18-22). Moreover, because of Jesus’ perseverance, crucifixion and resurrection, all of us are able to be the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24-25).

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:1-13)