December 7, 2021

WASHED, SANCTIFIED, AND JUSTIFIED

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Encouraging Words

The preceding verses to this one calls out all of the things that we were before we became followers of Christ. We were fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, and all other sorts of people that lived our lives apart from God. Anything, no matter how big or small, that separates us from God is bad and needs to be removed from our lives. As we enter into His family through baptism and chrismation, we are cleansed from these past sins and made whole before our Lord. Glory be to God!

December 6, 2021

WE ARE NOT JUDGES

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Personal Challenge

There are some in the church today that believe it is their responsibility to be judges of those in the world. That is not true. Only God can be the true godly and righteous judge. We are called to be beacons of light into a dark world, shining His light to all. This is bringing His Gospel to the lost. We cannot do this and be judges at the same time. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 5, 2021

FOOLS FOR CHRIST

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

Personal Challenge

What is the most important thing in our lives? Is it Jesus Christ? If it is not, then something of this world is. Does the world look at us and our everyday behavior, and call us a fool because we have given ourselves over to Him and live as He would live? If not, then we are living for ourselves and not God. I must search my own life and identify those areas where I have not submitted to my Lord and seek forgiveness for holding on to the things of Egypt rather than yielding to the promised land. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 4, 2021

Saint of the Week

St. Clement of Alexandria

December 3, 2021

SELF-DECEPTION

1 Corinthians 3:18

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Personal Challenge

We so often confuse knowledge with wisdom. It is one thing to be very learned and full of a lot of information about things, even important things, but it is entirely something else to have the wisdom to know how or when to apply that knowledge. We have become a people of the information age and are experts at collecting a lot of information. But if we do not have the wisdom of God within us, and most importantly, are willing to listen to that voice of wisdom, then we are fools before God and man and deceived. It is more important to know God intimately than to know volumes of information about Him. He wants us to become fools in this world for Him so that He can make us wise in Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 2, 2021

SURPRISES AHEAD

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Encouraging Words

Just as we can never, in our finite state, know and understand the greatness of our God, we will never know until we enter into His Kingdom, the wonderful things that He has prepared for us. We do not just live our lives in the present day for the gifts that He has bestowed upon us, but we live in the hope of all that He has prepared for us into eternity. Glory be to God!

December 1, 2021

GLORY IN THE LORD

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

Personal Challenge

Being in a church that has rubrics that are followed on a regular basis, it can be easy to slip into a mindset where we begin to think that the adherence to those rubrics is what saves us or gives us righteousness. Not so! The rubrics are there to teach us discipline. It is like going to the gym. There are all forms of exercising equipment available to us. The equipment does not do anything to help us tone and shape our bodies unless we develop the discipline to use it properly. In our churches, it is Christ Jesus who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is living in Him, practicing His teachings , and developing the discipline of walking in Him that makes us His children. Through Him, and Him alone, that we have glory. Glory be to God!