Living by Faith in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6-10  NIV

If we have eternal life and the kingdom of God as our first priorities in our lives, then we ought to live not by sight but by faith. This is because seen things are transient and unseen things are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). “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.” (John 3:16) In addition, living our lives by faith is what pleases the Lord (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) Furthermore, Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that by believing in Jesus Christ, we are created to do good works for the Lord and others. Therefore, we have to be the light of Jesus Christ to the world as well (Matthew 5:14-16), since all of us have been called to be ambassadors of Him (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) and created to be the image 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)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10)

Hence, we ought to overcome (1 John 5:1-5) and crucify our worldly nature with repentance before the Lord (Matthew 3:2). “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) In other words, instead of abiding the worldly nature, we have to abide in the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-11), especially if we are sure that we have eternal life within us (Galatians 5:24-25). This means that we have to change our mindset as well into heavenly things and what the will of God is in our lives (Colossians 3:1-4; Romans 12:2)  This is part of the reason why the word of God declares, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

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)

The Children of God Through the Spirit!

‘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 NIV

Most of us are confused with our own spirits and with the Spirit of God, because we tend to go forward with God only when we are in inspirational moments. However, when we have these moments, we are just at the mountaintop of God, where we receive visions from God or the empowerment for us to live in valleys—our ordinary lives—through the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27). Thus for this reason, we have to ask to Him to give us His Spirit (Luke 11:13) if we want to be led by Him to be how He wants us to be (James 1:5-8). He is more than willing to pour His Spirit into us because Jesus Christ is actually knocking on the door of our hearts to fully come in (Revelation 3:20). This is the exact reason why He was crucified and resurrected. Once we open the door of our hearts for Jesus Christ to fully come in, as—the Spirit of God (Ezekiel 36:26-27); the Spirit of the truth (John 16:7-15); the Spirit of the freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17); the Spirit of the life (John 6:63)—we become the children of God (John 1:12-13) and citizens of the eternal kingdom of heaven (Philippians 3:18-21).

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.

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 8:1-17)

Since we are the children of God if we live according to the Spirit, then we have to become the light (Matthew 5:14-16) and the ambassadors of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). “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) Furthermore, we have to crucify everything of our worldly nature, such as the desires and passions, if we want to really abide in the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:3-11)—as 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) The main reason for this is that the desires of the Spirit are contrary to our worldly ones (Galatians 5:17). For instance, when we are trying to serve God and money, we are not able to choose both—we have to love one and despise one another (Matthew 6:24). The world urges us to live comfortable and easy lives but Jesus Christ tells us those are not the way of the true and satisfying lives. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:7-10)

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)

True Christian in Christ Jesus!

“… These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” – Relevation 3:14-16 NIV

These verses are quite difficult to act them out physically and spiritually. However, the  truth is that if we are living really comfortable life in Christ Jesus, to suit our feelings for Him and ourselves, depending on our circumstances or situations, then all of us are probably considered as lukewarm. In fact, James 4:4-5 says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” Pastor Dave Whitehead commented on Revelation 3:14-16 like this:

What does it mean to be lukewarm? We are neither hot with a passion for Christ nor cold with antagonism against God’s commands. Instead we have enough passion and antagonism mixed together to create apathy. We were created to live with conviction, no matter what that conviction is, and God considers anything less as a serious insult to the way that he made us.  

Therefore, instead of being lazy spiritually and physically and living really comfortable life, we should be always on fire for the Gospel with a passion of Christ—even if we have to sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and deny ourselves for God’s sake (Matthew 16:24-27). This is because Romans 12:11-12 urges, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” “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) Furthermore, Mark 10:29-30 strongly declares, ‘“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--along with persecutions--and in the age to come eternal life.” What Jesus means is that we ought to love them less than Him (Luke 14:26-27) and His word (Matthew 7:24-27; Philippians 1:27-29). This is because Jesus Christ simply orders, “‘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.”

Then he [Jesus Christ] called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

As I think and meditate on the topic verses of today’s devotional, I actually do not know whether I am a lukewarm, or not. This is because when I decided that I am going to fix my time-arrangements, I decided that I am going to divide the prayer requests and specifically pray for them each night. This is probably right way to manage my time because I really want to wake up early to write devotionals. However, prayer is the most equipment that Christians should have, for it is considered as the most powerful weapon of God (1 John 5:14-15). Hence, I decided that I am just going to go with the flow of the Holy Spirit, whether it is a day or night, even though everything might not work out as I expect to be. Other than managing my time, I regret that I had been lukewarm when I was in New York. This is because I watched pornography, even though I know that I am supposed to watch it, since I became a follower of Jesus.In addition to this, I was thinking like God will forgive me each time when I repent. However, that is kind of religious repentance. The true and the Gospel repentance is that confessing our sins to God and turn away from them (Acts 3:19-20), and hating sin itself. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Although sometimes temptations come within me to watch pornography or something like that, I am reminded that I am true Christian and religious repentance is useless and obsolete. However, I thank God that I did not produce any lustful desires within my heart when it comes to girls and women in the real world (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Living and Active Word of God!

“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 NIV

Some of us choose to apply the word of God into our hearts or act it out physically whenever we want to, or feel like some of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are fitting to us. However, all of us should live according to the every single word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but with the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27) as well. “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) This means that we cannot read the word of God without the power of the Holy Spirit that is working within us because one of the Holy Spirit’s job is making the word of God alive and active. Therefore, what we have to do, in order to make the Word alive and active is to believe, abide in the word of God and believe that God is literally speaking to us through His Word (2 Peter 1:19). “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) Apostle Paul knew these very well, so he had declared,

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)

Overall, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) wants us to abide in His Word with His Spirit and meditate on it, because the word of God is the best way to know how to become the righteousness of God (Psalm 1:1-3). Furthermore, the Psalmist has said, “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) In addition to this, Jesus Christ has announced,

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)

The Royal Priesthood of God!

“But 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. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV

Once we become followers of Jesus Christ, our identities change as the children of God because the word of God states, “Yet to all who did receive him [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.” (John 1:12-13) When we become children of God, not only we ought to become the righteousness of God until the end of the age (1 Peter 2:24) but we also have to become the ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) and the light of Jesus Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). This is because these are priorities to do the Great Commission that He has told His children and His disciples to do (Matthew 28:18-20). However, we cannot do this with the attitudes of strictness but we can do this with the attitudes of love and mercy. This is because the word of God declares, “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 4:11-12) Furthermore, 2 Timothy 4:1-2 declares, “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.”

However, the world may hate us for doing the mission of God (John 15:18-21). Nevertheless, we have to persevere in them (Hebrews 10:36-37). In fact, when we face any kind of trials and persecutions, they prove and test ourselves that we have a great faith in God, and may gain greater faith (James 1:2-4) if we keep focusing on the kingdom of heaven, our eternal home This is because we know that we have citizenship in God’s Kingdom if we have been fully-committed to Christ (Philippians 3:18-21).

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)

Followers of Jesus Christ!

“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 NLT

If we are fully-committed to Jesus Christ or going to choose to follow Him until the end of the age, then we have to make sure that we have repented before God (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 3:19-20). This is because Matthew 3:2 states, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” After the repentance, we ought to crucify everything that is part of our worldly nature and then abide in the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:3-11). The main reason for this is that the desires of the Spirit are contrary to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17). This is the reason why  the word of God declares, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” (James 4:4-5) In fact, Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, just to come to inside of us as the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15) so He can guide us to do the will of God until the end of  the age (John 14:15-27). This is because Jesus Christ announces, “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.” (Matthew 7:21) Thus, the  word of God declares,

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)

Hence, we should overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5) and set our mind on the Spirit to focus on what God wants us to do (Colossians 3:1-4)—even if it comes to sacrificing (Romans 12:1-2) and denying ourselves before God (Matthew 16:24-27).  “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:14)   Furthermore, 1 John 2:15-17 urges us to hate the world, unless there are things that we can use, in order to please our heavenly Father with. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

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)

As for me, I desperately should fix my time-arrangements and only focus what God’s will for me for the rest of my life. This is because sometimes I think too much that I cannot sleep. Because of this, I should really abide in the Spirit of God and sleep early. The main reason for this is that it is really hard for me to persevere my fatigue to do devotional-writing, especially when I eat my breakfast too. However, eating my breakfast is what I should be doing when I get hungry. This is because I hate to do devotional-writing as a religious-routine, or to do it self-righteously. 

Living as God’s Creation!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

All of us ought to know that we have been created to be the image of God and to worship the Lord until the end of the age. The main reason for this is that all of us actually are parts of His creation (Genesis 1:26-31), even though we have been fallen to this world (Romans 5:12-14; Revelation 12:7-9). “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) This means that we have to sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and deny ourselves for God’s sake (Matthew 16:24-27) to live for His kingdom (Matthew 7:21) and His glory (Colossians 3:3-4). Otherwise, we sin and eventually we will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:7-15) . “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) For example, Adam and Eve, the first couple, made by God, disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and was banished from the Garden of Eden, which is the kingdom of heaven (Genesis 3). We know this because the Lord God had declared, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19) The another reason for this might be we have to do certain priorities to get to the place that we want to be or to do things that we want for the rest of our lives, even though it is hard. For instance, I have to go to schools from this coming February to be a Christian Writer. I absolutely know that this is going to be hard, especially when it comes to essays. However, I am willing to endure them because I know that being a Christian Writer is the will of God for me. Otherwise, I do not have enough knowledge to write Christian books continually. Thus, for these reasons, the Jesus urges,

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)

Nonetheless, if we commit our lives to Christ, then the Holy Spirit begins to work within us (John 14:15-27) to guide us to become the righteousness of God until the end of the age. Thus, we can enter into the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age (Romans 8:1-13), where all of us are supposed to belong (Genesis 1-2). However, the Spirit of God does not come only when we are having inspirational moments so this means that we have to abide in the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:3-11), even though we cannot feel it. This is because this is what Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected for; to give us the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15). “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:5-14)

Jesus Christ, the True Freedom!

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1 NIV

The world burdens us by a yoke of slavery because we have to do certain priorities to get high position. Religion burdens us this way too, in order to please God or to receive blessings from Him. However, “it is for freedom that Christ set us free,” so we do not have to do any work to please God. “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) The only way to please Him is through faith (Hebrews 11:6) and by believing in Him, we have to be workmanship of God as well by doing the will of God through Jesus Christ. This means that without faith in Him, all of our work for Him would be useless, because if we would only have to do work for Him, then all of us would be already dead  (James 2:14-26). This is because nobody can match God’s holiness that we begin to feel unworthy to see the actual Lord’s face. For example, the prophet Isaiah once saw the Lord’s face and said, ‘“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”’ (Isaiah 6:5) Nonetheless, if we belong to Jesus Christ and we are children of God (John 1:12-13), then we are becoming perfect and holy in Christ as we are obeying God and doing His will (1 Peter 1:13-17). “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14) In addition to this, the word of God states, “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—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel…” (Colossians 1:21-23)

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But 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, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

                                                                                                                                                

In fact, Jesus Christ has declared, “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) Thus, in order to be truly righteous and holy before the Lord, we ought to abide in the Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-11; John 14:15-27) and the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 1:1-3). “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) In addition, we have to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) beccause the word of God declares, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) This is also because all of us are called to be the children of God (Matthew 5:9), due to the fact that we have been created to be the image 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, 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.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

Jesus Christ, the Eternal Life!

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” – John 3:36 NIV

There are two main points that we need to know in John 3:36—God is the Judge (James 4:12) and Jesus Christ was crucified on the atonement of our sins (Hebrews 2:14-15). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) To be more specific, since God is the Ultimate Judge over us because He is the Creator of everything (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1), He chose to change our destination into the kingdom of heaven instead of hell, the place of eternal fire. To do this, God literally had to come down from heaven as Jesus Christ (John 1:14) to crucify Himself on the cross for our sins. This is because nobody was not able to pay all of our sins except Jesus Christ, due to the fact that we had sinned too much. Only God was able to pay them through Jesus Christ, since He has been the head of every power and authority (Colossians 2:9-15).

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:12-21)

Therefore, we have eternal life within us if we just receive and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, This is because He prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) This is the reason why Jesus Christ has proclaimed, “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) Hence, we ought to follow and believe in Jesus Christ until the end of the age. Because of this, God has poured His Spirit into us (John 14:15-27) after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection (John 16:7-15).

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.

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 8:1-17) 

Jesus Christ, the Righteous One!

“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:18-19 NLT

First of all, we ought to know that all of us are supposed to belong in the kingdom  of heaven, due to the fact that God had started to create us in there, to be the image of God (Genesis 1:26-31). However, due to the fact that Adam and Eve, the first couple who was created by God, had sinned by eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3), the enemy of God made many people into sinners and separation from God  and His kingdom (Revelation 12:7-9; Romans 5:12-14). Because of this, God had allowed priests to make atonements of sin of their people and do other kinds of the offerings, such as burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings and guilt offerings by sacrificing animals (Leviticus 1-7). Otherwise, sins had not forgiven by God, as the word of God states, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22) However, Israelites continued to sin, even though God had forgiven their previous sins. This is when He decided that He could send Jesus Christ as an image of Himself (John 1:14) to save us from our sins once for all (Colossians 2:13-15) by crucifying Himself on the cross (Hebrews 2:14-15). Thus, this means that God wants us not to be sinners but to be the righteousness of God through faith in Him (Romans 3:21-26). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’”

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he adds:

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. (Hebrews 10:1-18)

Romans 6:23 explains us that if we have Jesus Christ within us, eternal life has already indeed came since Jesus Christ had prayed, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Thus, in order to get into kingdom of heaven at the end of the age, we truly have to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age as He 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)

Since the following Jesus Christ until the end of the age is too hard for us, God has poured His Spirit into us (John 14:15-27) after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection (John 16:7-15) Therefore, we have to abide in the Spirit of God instead of our worldly nature (Galatians 5:24-25) to be the righteousness of God and enter the eternal kingdom of heaven from the end of the age (Romans 8:1-13; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Galatians 6:7-10). Moreover, God has created His Word through the previous apostles & prophets for them and future generations (2 Peter 1:20-21). The main reason for this is that God literally wants to speak to us through His Word and instruct us how to truly be the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 1:17) Hence, we have to abide in the word of God at the same time as abiding to the Spirit of God, in order to know how to be the righteousness of God properly. “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)

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)   

The Hope of God!

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11 NIV

All of us need the hope of God (1 Peter 1:3-9) to live our lives out truthfully as children of God. This is because without the hope of God, we are not able to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4) and willingly do the will of God for His sake (Matthew 7:21). The main point of having the hope of God is to receive confidence that we are going to enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age to be with God (1 Peter 1:3-5), who is our Creator (Genesis 1:27), our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) and the One who willingly came down into the earth from heaven to crucify Himself on the cross for our sins (Hebrews 2:14-15), so we could become the righteousness of God and receive the eternal life at the end of the age (Romans 8:1-13). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) In fact, the kingdom of God has already come to those who truly know God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent into the world (John 17:3). Therefore, when the hope of God is within us, we get conviction to do everything according to God’s will for the sake of His kingdom. “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)

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)

Hence, when the hope of God is within us completely, our mindset transfers from the world into the kingdom of heaven (Colossians 3:1-4) so we do not actually care if we are having uncomfortable lives while we are on the earth. This is because we are going to get comforted in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:4) To live kingdom life, we have to deny (Matthew 16:24-27), sacrifice our earthly nature with the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) and go into the narrow road that God has provided for us, even though it is going to be hard (Matthew 7:13-14).

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. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)

Although I know that I am a child of God and I am confident that I am going to kingdom of heaven at the end of age, the hope of God is not firmly fixed within me. This is because sometimes, I do not feel like writing devotionals but sometimes, I really up for them.  Therefore, I need to abide in the Spirit of God to fix the hope of God completely, and remind myself that I am doing Christian-writing all for the kingdom (Matthew 7:21) and the glory of God (Colossians 3:3-4). 2 Timothy 4:1-2 are the perfect verses that I should think and meditate about, especially I do not feel the presence of the Lord is hovering over me to do Christian-writing.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

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 6:19-23)

Love of God in Action!

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:9-13 NIV

Because God has loved us first, we ought to pass the love of God to one another by loving others in Christ Jesus (1 John 4:7-21), since this is also the second greatest commandment of God (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31) and the law of the Spirit of God (Romans 13:8-10).  This means that we have to love our enemies as well (Luke 6:27-36). The main reason why we have to love one another in Christ Jesus is that each of us actually are members of His body (1 Corinthians 12:27) and love brings all of us in unity (Colossians 3:12-14). This is probably because love covers every kinds of sin (1 Peter 4:8).

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:1-7)

Since we are members of Christ Jesus, it is good to come together and be united in prayer and to worship the Lord and to fellowship with each other, just like what the early believers did (Acts 2:42-47).   This is the main reason why churches are available in this world, so we can be united as a body of Christ (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 does not mean that we have to come together in churches, just to worship the Lord and fellowship with each other. We can and have to do these priorities outside of churches as well, as each one of us are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 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)     

However, when we worship the Lord, Almighty, we have to be filled with the Spirit of God every single moment, even though we do not come together to worship Him. Worshiping the Lord is our biggest priorities that we have to do, as it is the main reason why we are on the earth (Romans 12:1-2).Therefore, we ought to crucify our nature, such as desires and passions (Galatians 5:24-25), due to the fact that we are not be able to serve both God and the world (Matthew 6:24). This is because the desires of the Spirit is contrary to the desires of our own nature (Galatians 5:17). Thus, Jesus promptly 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. (Mattthew 16:24-27)

The Importance of Repentance in Christ Jesus!

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15:4-7 NIV

Most of us believe that all of us do not need to repent before God because they think God completely understands all of our circumstances, due to His steadfast love. They might even believe that God will not forgive our unrighteous deeds that we did in the past. However, the truth is that our God is forgiving God. He completely understands all of our circumstances but we need to repent before Him, due to the fact that all of us are sinners. This is because the word of God states, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2)  

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 1:8-2:2)

God wants us to repent before Him because our aim for our lives is to be completely holy before Him, so we may enter the kingdom of heaven at the end of the age. Because of this, we must live our lives as temporary residents while we are on the earth (1 Peter 1:13-17) and have to go through the narrow road, even though it is hard (Matthew 7:13-14). The main reason why we have to be holy until the end of the age is that we actually have been created to be the image 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) These are the reasons why God has poured His Spirit into us (John 14:15-27) after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection (John 16:7-15). Although God has poured His Spirit into us, we have to crucify ourselves to the cross as well, such as our own desires and passions that come from the natural world (Galatians 5:24-25). This is because we are not able to serve both God and the world at same time (Matthew 6:24), due to the fact that desires of the Spirit and flesh are contrary to each other (Galatians 5:17).

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (2 Peter 3:8-14)    

Since followers of Jesus Christ is members of Him (1 Corinthians 12:27), it is alright to confess our sins to each other, as the word of God declares, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) “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)

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)