Victory in Christ

In his letter to the Christians at Philippi, Paul gave some very tough orders.  “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,” (Philippians 2:14)  He continued on telling them why they were to do this.  “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:15-16)  Paul’s words here are just as fitting for us today.  As Christians we also should shine as lights in this world that is filled with so much darkness.

Today’s reading: Philippians 1-4

Salvation is a gift from God.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)  If someone offers you a gift, you could reject that gift.  But more than likely you will accept it.  In order to receive the gift, you have to make some effort.  This is similar to salvation.  We could reject it, but to accept it we must have a working faith.  “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!  Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.  And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?  For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:14-26) James is not saying that we can earn salvation by any amount of work that we do. He is simply saying faith on our part takes action to receive the gift of salvation.

Today’s reading: Ephesians 1-6

We know that Jesus died and was raised from the dead to give each of us the opportunity for salvation from our sin.  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Colossae he reminds them when they had been joined with Christ. “having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12) Paul also explained this in his letter to the Romans. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5) Walking in that “newness of life” is one of the great blessings of being a Christian. We can know that our sins of the past have been washed away and forgotten. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) As a new creation we also have responsibilities to live our new life following His Word and not go back to being that old sinful man.

Today’s reading: Colossians 1-4; Philemon

Even though their ship was being struck by a terrible storm, Paul assured everyone on the ship that they would survive because God had promised. “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” (Acts 27:25) God is always in control and if we are following Him we can know that He will take care of us. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If we are following Him we also can live without fear. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) But that does not mean our life will be free of troubles. Peter tells us how to respond to those troubles. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬)

Today’s reading: Acts 27-28

We have all heard the saying, “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”  We read of one who “almost” decided to become a Christian.  “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)  Almost a Christian will not get us to heaven.  Being a Christian takes every bit of our being.  “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Today’s reading: Acts 24-26

Paul explained his example of working hard, not to benefit himself but to use what he gained to help those less fortunate.  “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)  If our giving is with the proper motives, we please God and show our trust in His continued care for our needs.  “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Today’s reading: Acts 20-23

Jesus was the ultimate example for us to strive to live like. We can never be perfect like He was, but we can do our best to follow what we know about how He lived. “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’” (Romans 15:1-3)

Today’s reading: Romans 14-16

Chapter 12 of the book of Romans gives several pointers on how we can live as Christians should.  Things like love genuinely, serve the Lord with zeal, strive to live in harmony with everyone, and more.  Verses 19 and 20 even tell us how to handle someone who does us wrong.  “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’  To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’” (Rom 12:19-20)  The meaning of “heap burning coals on his head” does not mean that we cause this person to have to go to the hospital with third degree burns.  He is telling us that sometimes if we do good to those who are doing us wrong, their conscience may get the best of them and cause their repentance.

Today’s reading: Romans 11-13

In chapter 8 of Paul’s words to the Romans, we can find great encouragement. The blessings described there are not for everyone, but come to “them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) By living this way we are not promised a perfect life or a life without some struggles, but we are promised that all things will work together for good. (8:28) When things are not going our way and we start to doubt, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31) It is up to us to study His word, to believe it, and to follow it. If we do our part, Paul explains how nothing can keep us from His blessings.  “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

Today’s reading: Romans 8-10

Everything we have is from God. Just like Abraham, we have nothing to boast about. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” (Romans 4:2) Since he was not justified by his works, was a strong faith all he needed? James 2:14-26 tells us that our faith must be accompanied by works to back it up.  Talking again about Abraham, James 2:22 explains, “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;”  We should live in a way in which our works will show our active faith in the Lord.

Today’s reading: Romans 4-7