Friday, February 28, 2025
1 Corinthians 1:17-21 The Gospel of Grace
Paul’s gospel message was given to Him by Jesus, our risen Savior, it is the manifestation of the love of God for His creation. (John 3:16). in Him and His shed blood on the cross we are freed from the slavery of sin. In His sacrifice and in His righteousness He restores us to right standing with our Father. We, by faith, believe in Him to do what we cannot. Through the power of Holy Spirit we will be resurrected and will spend eternity with our God.
Romans 6:14-23For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Sin will no longer have dominion over us because we are not under Law but under grace! We are tutored by Holy Spirit the third person of our triune Godhead. He will deliver us safely home to our eternal life with God. We are hinged in by the love for God on one side and our love for others on the other. We can love others because He first loved us. Romans is doctrinal speaking of the grace of God given as a gift to mankind in the person Jesus the Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin but live in His righteousness and not our own. We WILL be changed, precept by precept! On this side of our salvation experience we can rest in His peace. It is finished.
Galatians 5:19-23 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Ashamed of the things we committed in our past we now live our lives in His loving grace. We are forgiven in Jesus by His death in our place. God sees Jesus in us and His righteousness it is our hope and His glory.
1 Corinthians 1:23-25 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
All wisdom and knowledge comes from God. There is nothing new under the sun. all good things come from Him.
1 Corinthians 1:17-21 for Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For the preaching of the Cross seems far to simple to those who think that only by their good works can they be saved. BUT God loved His creation and His Gospel of grace and our faith in it is our hope. We are free to love in His righteousness and not in ours. (John 3:16) Carla
If credit for Christ’s saving work were given to Paul or anyone else, it would be diminishing the power of the gospel and essentially rendering void its purpose in their lives. The gospel’s purpose is to do what they cannot do on their own: free them from sin and put them in right standing with God.
In this passage Paul explains the true nature of God’s wisdom and the meaning of the cross. The Corinthians failed to grasp both of these issues. This explanation serves as the basis of Paul’s appeal for church unity (1 Corinthians 1:10).
God’s provision of salvation through the crucifixion of a messiah appeared to be foolishness according to the wisdom of the world. The Romans used the cross as a humiliating form of execution reserved for the worst criminals—insurrectionists. The Greeks believed that the gods operated above the limitations of people and would not have allowed themselves to be treated as Jesus was. Jews regarded the cross as a shameful punishment and even a curse from God (Deuteronomy 21:23). Although Paul believed that people were made right with God when they entered into a relationship with Jesus, he also viewed God’s work of making people more like Him as an ongoing process. Faithlife Study Bible
Isaiah 29:14
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”
1 Corinthians 2:13–14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 1:23–28 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God…
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Job 12:17
He leads counselors away plundered,
And makes fools of the judges
One of the ways we heal—and repair the world—is to see and affirm the light in those around us. Yes, with kindness, generosity and gentle words.
My hero—Mr. Rogers—did that faithfully.
And there were times I knew he was speaking directly to me. His timeless message of kindness and self-acceptance, and the affirmation that the light inside of me is real, even if, and when, I don’t see it, or believe it.
And today, I needed that.
And gratefully, from that affirmation, the light spills. SabbathMoments
In this world where so many people feel unseen, unknown and unloved, the book of Acts challenges and equips us to evangelize, or share the gospel with those around us! It also prompts us to examine ourselves and our church communities.
● Do our lives make the Christian faith attractive to those outside the Church?
● Do our churches demonstrate generosity and invite all people to believe in Jesus?
● Is our personal faith evident to the people in our lives, or would they be surprised to learn we are Christians?
First5
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Titus 2:11-15 Our good deeds show God’s love and righteousness, not ours
Hate the sins they commit but, pray for the sinner. Sin is at the heart of all of humanities problems. If we see someone in need but do nothing we are complicit in rejecting the commands of Jesus to love our neighbors as we do ourselves. There is no other way.
Roman 5:18-21 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The disobedience of Adam was overcome by the obedience of Jesus, all man-all God. The law made the human race aware of what was right and wrong. Without any power to keep the Law it is only in Christ that we have freedom from the sin that has overcome the world. In spite of the gross sins of humanity there is hope because where sin abounds so much more does the grace of God. His grace is sufficient in overcoming evil in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. His shed blood overcame the sins of the world. The worst of sinners has forgiveness through Him. Where sin abounds grace abounds more through the righteousness in Jesus Christ our Lord in the finished work of the Cross. The sins of the world were nailed to His cross.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Our faith in Jesus in the finished work of the Cross and under the tutelage of Holy Spirit, whom the Father places in us, will change us precept by precept. He gives us a new heart of love, mercy in the peace of God removing our hardened heart of stone.
Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Only in Jesus and in His righteousness can mankind be saved.
Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Jesus provided all that was necessary for our restoration to the Father and eternal life with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
We now live and abide in His righteousness and not our own. There is no one righteous in ourselves. No. Not. One.
Romans 5:16-19 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
The free gift of salvation is for ALL mankind to all who accept it by faith. Everything needed for our restoration to God is in the person of Jesus the Christ.
John 1:9 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
This precious gift of God, the man Jesus, offered His life for ALL of humanity.
Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Out of our gratitude for the work of the Cross we share His love with all of humanity. For God so loved the world that He gave the life of His only begotten Son to save us. In our rejection of Jesus we condemn ourselves. John 3:18. Carla
Grace of God is a reference to Christ’s appearance on earth—including His life, death, and resurrection—which manifested God’s grace and made possible salvation. It describes the present time, with a negative connotation (1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10). Blessed hope refers to the anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. The foundation of Christian hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By anticipating His return, the believers in Crete acknowledge that He lives and has victory over death. In setting themselves apart for God, they reveal for unbelievers a glimpse of life in God’s kingdom—life in the age to come.
Our great God and Savior identifies Jesus with God. He who gave Himself for us refers to Christ’s violent and sacrificial death (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Timothy 2:6).
Paul reminds the believers in Crete of the price and purpose of God’s redemption. The Sacrifice of Christ that He might redeem, the Greek word used here, lytroō, means “to release” or “set free,” especially from slavery (Titus 2:9 and 1 Peter 1:18). Paul echoes the description of God’s people in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6; 32:9).
Good deeds refers to deeds done for the benefit of others (1 Timothy 5:10, 25; 6:18). Good deeds are not a means to salvation; rather, they are the appropriate response to God’s redemptive work in Christ (Titus 2:11–14). Faithlife Study Bible.
Twice in this context Paul speaks of Christ’s appearance in history. The first time Christ came in grace to save men from their sins; the second time He will come in glory (verse 13) to reign.
The appearance of the grace of God is to produce two results in the lives of believers: First, we are to resist the evil temptations of this world, living godly lives in this present age. Second, we are to look for Christ’s return. Paul reminded Timothy that there is a special crown awaiting “all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Great God and Savior Jesus Christ is one of the strongest statements of the deity of Christ in the New Testament. Redeem means “to purchase.” With His death on the Cross, Christ paid the price to release us from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7) to which every unbeliever is a slave (Romans 6:6, 7, 17, 20).
God’s purpose in redeeming us is not only to save us from hell; He also wants to free us from sin so that we can produce good works that glorify Him (Ephesians 2:8–10).
For the third time in this letter (1:11, 13), Paul strongly commands Titus to confront false teachers. NKJV Study Bible.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Deuteronomy 14:2 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
1 Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
This journey begins—and continues each day—when we allow ourselves to fall into this grace. To hear the affirmation that we are indeed, a cluttered house that hides the Holy One. True, there are many times when we may not see the Holy One in ourselves, but it shouldn't keep us from singing, “This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." SabbathMoments
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts places a significant emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life and mission of the early Church. The God of the Bible is three in one (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), so the Spirit is God, and Acts portrays Him as the driving force behind the spread of the gospel, empowering believers for ministry and guiding them in their decisions and actions.
Acts depicts the early Church as a diverse community of people unified in faith. Specifically, Luke highlighted the participation of both Jews and gentiles in the Church as well as the active involvement of women, such as Lydia and Priscilla. We also see the importance of organization within each local church, as elders or pastors provided leadership, stability and care to the church family. United by their common faith in Christ, believers shared their resources and supported one another spiritually and materially in a manner that made the Christian faith very attractive to the watching world. While the early Church multiplied and thrived, its growth wasn't without difficulty. Luke recounts that early Christians faced persecution at the hands of religious authorities, mobs and political rulers. Despite these challenges, the believers remained steadfast in their faith, leaning on one another and on God's protection and sovereignty. And although the persecution was intended to destroy the Church, God's people only grew stronger! First5
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Our sufficiency comes from God.
Romans 5:12-21 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
By one man sin entered into the world through Adam, but Jesus conquered sin and when we abide in Him sin has lost its power and control in our lives. Sin is death BUT greater is Holy Spirit in us than him that is in this world. All of mankind sinned and comes short of God’s glory. BUT in Jesus there is freedom from the sin that entered in Adam. The conscience was given to mankind as a guide for civil living. Without it violence and sin would overcome the world. So entered the 10 commandments, given to Moses, they were perfect but unattainable. Only Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross could overcome the sins of the world. The Law first given to the Israelites brought condemnation to the world but freedom was bought by the precious love of God in His gift of salvation in Jesus the Christ.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whomever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that through Him the world could be saved! (John 3:16-17).
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
We are sufficient in God. Not in the Law but in the Spirit which gives us life. What the Law could not do Christ did. Carla
Paul answers a question he asked in 2:16. He points to God as the source of his qualifications; his confidence does not come from his own abilities, but from the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). This is a reference to the law of Moses. The law does not justify people; it only identifies sin and condemns (Romans 3:20; 8:2). Instead, people are justified by faith (Romans) Faithlife Study Bible
Sufficient means “adequate,” or “competent.” Paul placed his confidence not in himself or his own abilities but in the Lord. This is the answer to the question asked in 2:16, Who is sufficient? The letter is a reference to the old covenant—that is, the Ten Commandments written on stone. The letter kills because all break the law, and the penalty is death. The NKJV Study Bible
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Jeremiah 31:31–34 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD…
Luke 22:20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
Romans 7:6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
“You are the light of the world,” Jesus reminds us.
When we get our act together? No.
When we have enough faith? No.
When we eliminate the hurdles? No.
“You are the light of the world… Let it (allow it to) shine.”
That light is in every single one of us. But I do know this, when the noise (from news or doubt or difficulties) derails me, I don’t honor the light inside.
I think that’s what Jesus meant by not putting the light under a bushel. Sabbath Moments
God, lover of life, lover of these lives,
God, lover of our souls, lover of our bodies, lover of all that exists...
In fact, it is your love that keeps it all alive...
May we live in this love.
May we never doubt this love.
May we know that we are love,
That we were created for love,
That we are a reflection of you,
That you love yourself in us and therefore we are perfectly lovable.
May we never doubt this deep and abiding and perfect goodness.
We are because you are.
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