In Luke 7:1-10 we find the story of the centurion’s servant. The centurion was a conqueror and a foreigner, but despite this we find that he is a God fearing man who supports the Jews by building a synagogue for them. He has a servant who is dying so he sends messengers to Jesus to have Jesus heal the servant. He shows great humility and faith in Jesus through his actions and the servant is healed because of his great faith. Faith unequalled in all of Israel according to Jesus.
I think there are a couple of important lessons in this.
First, maybe you are like the centurion, maybe you didn’t grow up in the church and are a new believer, and maybe you are looking at Christianity from the outside and wondering if you can even be a part of this community. Of course you can! Salvation and God’s work in the world is based on faith, not upbringing or culture or works. So don’t worry about your past, because God can work powerfully in your life no matter what is in your past!
Second, maybe you are like the Israelites in this story, you grew up in church or have been a Christian for a while and are maturing in your walk with God. I think for you this story has an encouragement and a warning. I encourage you to be like the Jewish people that the centurion sent to Jesus that were able to see past the fact that the centurion was a foreigner and conqueror and see the faith he had and to then recommend that Jesus help him. We should always be ready to welcome new believers based on their faith, and not judging them the way the world might judge them.
I also warn you to not be complacent or lukewarm like much of the Jewish community was when Jesus was with them. Jesus said that this centurion had more faith than any other in Israel. Many in Israel missed out on being healed and having their sins forgiven in Israel because they were out of tune with God and were not able to see when he was moving. I encourage you to be disciplined in your prayer life and in reading the scriptures so that your relationship with God will not grow stale.
-Chris Mattison
(originally posted Dec 10, 2017)
Reflection Questions
What healings (physical and/or spiritual) have you witnessed?
What do you think Jesus found most amazing about the faith of the centurion?
Would Jesus find anything amazing about your faith? How can you work at growing your faith?
As I was reading through today’s chapter in Proverbs I felt pulled in several directions. There’s so much really good stuff in this one chapter and I had a hard time choosing which of the many wonderfully wise sayings I wanted to talk about.
Verse one was tempting: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” We could think about the wisdom in having connection to a community of wise and trusted others to help us navigate challenges and get their feedback on important decisions.
Verse eight was also tempting: “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.” We could spend some time with that thinking about the effects of gossip and slanderous speech and how much time people invest in reading or sharing gossip about others. In fact, this chapter has a lot of little Proverbs that have to do with our speech. Those who want to live a flourishing life should pay careful attention to what comes out of their mouths.
I finally settled on verse twenty-two: ”He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” I cannot resist taking the opportunity to think with you about how important this is. Dr. Dustin Smith recently published an excellent book Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John. In his book he spends time looking at the book of Proverbs and how it lauds “lady wisdom” as being a very important part of God’s creation. He shows how the book of Proverbs refers to this lady wisdom throughout and builds to a climax in the final chapter with a description of an exemplary wife as the embodiment of wisdom. (You should check the book out, It is available on Amazon in both print and Kindle).
Throughout Proverbs there is a close connection between wisdom and a “good wife”. King Solomon who wrote or assembled much of the material in Proverbs certainly had a somewhat complicated life in relation to women or wives. His own mother, Bathsheba, became his father David’s wife in a very ungodly way. His father committed adultery with her and then had her husband killed in battle to try to cover it up. Talk about family skeletons. Solomon himself took the trapping of being a king way too far and had a whole harem of wives and concubines. As wise as he eventually was, it was a challenge to live out the truth. Perhaps Solomon came to the wise insight of this problem as he reflected on the challenges and costs of having multiple wives and a stable of sexual partners. This might appear to be the perfect life (think Hugh Heffner, the founder of Playboy magazine, constantly surrounded by beautiful young women- isn’t that the fulfillment of every young man’s fantasies?
Yet, at some point in his life, Solomon finally comes to the wise realization that having a large number of sexual partners is in fact, not very satisfying, not very wise and in fact is not the path to a flourishing life. Solomon comes to realize that true joy, true flourishing comes in finding “a wife”, one, singular woman with whom to enter into a lifetime covenant. This was God’s design from the beginning of creation. God created Adam from the earth, but recognized that Adam would not flourish in isolation. He needed a companion, someone alongside him to share his life. So God created Eve and told them to work together to bring flourishing to the earth. This was God design for flourishing.
Solomon came to wisely recognize the truth that having a wife, not 700 wives and 300 girlfriends, is the truly good thing and is a true gift from God and a sign of God’s gracious favor. It is too bad that Solomon did not learn this lesson earlier, as the Bible says his multiple wives turned his heart away from God. But at least in his honest and reflective moment he could come to terms with his own mistakes and sins and see where the truth really is in God’s design. And that is true for all of us. Wisdom is not poured into our brains, it comes by experience and we make many mistakes on the way to wisdom.
As I write this devotion I am getting ready to go on a special trip with my wife. This year we are celebrating 40 years of marriage so we are going to a beautiful place far away to celebrate our life together. During that 40 years we have been blessed with eleven children and fifteen, soon to be sixteen grandchildren. Our marriage has not been perfect. I did plenty of really stupid stuff when I was younger. (And, to be honest, I still do stupid stuff sometimes.) My Karen has been by my side throughout. She loves me, she bore, nursed, fed and clothed and cared for my eleven children. She accompanied me to each place I did ministry, packing up everything and organizing massive relocation projects. She has helped me navigate challenges in my ministry, my spiritual growth, my ongoing education and my ongoing health challenges. I can honestly say that she has made me a better person. Apart from my decision to accept Jesus Christ as my savior and follow him, my decision to marry Karen is the wisest thing I have ever done. She is a daily reminder to me that Solomon’s wise words are 100% true, ”He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”
When I was young, I didn’t understand the wisdom of these words. Even when I was newly married I failed to appreciate just how true these words are. I am speaking this from the perspective of a man married to a woman. A woman’s view of her husband may be different in some respects, but I would say that there is much you can apply in your life as well. The importance is taking the time to truly appreciate the value that your spouse brings to your life and if you are unmarried, consider how truly important the decision on who you will marry is, and when married, the importance of gratitude for the one God has provided for you. They are not perfect just as you are not perfect, but they are a gift from God and a part of a flourishing life so appreciate them, value them, cherish them.
~ Jeff Fletcher
QUESTIONS:
In modern culture, we often use the term life partner when talking about spouses. Why is it so important to ‘partner’ with someone who has the same values as you?
A spouse always influences you. What are traits of a spouse that would influence you to live a godly life?
If you are already married, how can you show love and appreciation for your spouse? How can you influence each other to live a godly life?
Here’s a disquieting fact to start our devotion today: According to the International Brain Injury Association, 5.3 million Americans are living with some kind of disability due to a traumatic brain injury. 5.3 million is the population of South Carolina! Of course there are varying degrees of injury, but most are due to car accidents and sports-related incidents.
And while 5.3 million is a staggering number, I’m willing to bet that there are so many more people living with spiritual battle scars in their minds.
Our minds are such a vulnerable space and it’s one of the enemy’s favorite areas to attack. At least, that’s been my experience. Anyone else struggle with random thoughts popping up that obviously aren’t from God?
But why attack the mind? Why not make the heart the primary target? Because our thoughts turn into words, which turn into actions, which turn into habits, which turn into our character. James, the half brother to Jesus, said it this way, “It is the evil that a person wants that tempts him. This desire causes sin. Then the sin grows and brings death.” (James 1:14-15, ICB) This is why it is imperative to protect this part of our body.
For the apostle Paul, the author of this Epistle, the helmet was the perfect metaphor; after all, he was under house arrest when he wrote this letter. He probably had a lot of face time with a Roman guard who most likely wore some kind of helmet. Each piece of the helmet added another layer of protection against injury or death.
Paul calls this piece of the armor the helmet of salvation. The Greek form of the word for salvation is used only in this verse in all of the New Testament and it means “peace”. As we don this piece of armor, we can have the “peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:7)
Where does this salvation or peace come from? It comes from being in the Word of God daily: reading, studying, meditating, and memorizing it. We need to be intentional about the media that we consume and the conversations that we participate in. We need to be aware of entertaining the thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere. Protecting our minds against the thoughts that flow in and out should be something that is carefully monitored as we go about our daily living.
If you want to be in God’s Shalom peace while you engage in spiritual battle, be sure to wear the helmet of salvation.
-Bethany Ligon
Reflection Questions
How do you think the enemy attacks minds? What about yours in particular?
Describe the progression from thoughts to words to action to habits to character. Give an example that leads to ungodly character. Give an example that leads to godly character. Which type of thoughts do you work at thinking most?
What protection is available to you against the thoughts that lead to ungodliness and death? In what ways can salvation and peace mean the same thing? What can you do (today) to strengthen your protection that God has made available to you?
When was the last time you regretted wearing a pair of shoes? I recently was on the hunt for a pair of gray sandals and I found some that I thought I might like from an online store. I ordered them and at first, they seemed to be very cushy and comfortable. As I wore them throughout the day, I noticed that the straps were rubbing the bottom of my ankle. It never caused a blister, thankfully, but it was just irritating.
Anyone who is on their feet all day can tell you the value of having comfortable and supportive shoes. Whether it be someone in the medical field, law enforcement, military, food service industry, or in the classroom, having a good pair of shoes is a necessity.
But what does having supportive footwear have to do with the Armor of God? A soldier’s boots (or sandals as ancient Roman soldiers would wear) are likely the one piece of their attire that they use for hours on end, every single day. They train with their weapons while wearing their boots. They go on marathon-long hikes while wearing their boots. They eat their meals while wearing their boots. And sometimes, they will even sleep while wearing their boots. If a soldier’s feet are sore or tired or have blisters, he or she becomes limited in what they can do – at least without any pain.
Our verse today talks about being “fitted with readiness”. A soldier must be ready to go at any given moment. Likewise, as believers fighting in a spiritual battle, we must be prepared to take action at any point in time.
And just what are we to take action with? The Gospel of Peace. This gospel includes the message of salvation and the Kingdom of God. As warriors in a spiritual battle, we need to remember whose army we fight for. When we are laser-focused on what we’re fighting for, we can be empowered and strengthened to fight against anyone or anything that is our opposition. So when temptation or persecution comes our way, we can make sure that we are in the ready position, set to take our Commander’s orders.
But also, the Gospel of Peace is something that we should be comfortable sharing with others who have not yet discovered it for themselves. Being ready to explain to others what we believe and why we believe it is another way to wield this piece of armor. Conversations with our friends, family, work buddies, and even random people you encounter in your day-to-day life can sometimes lead to discussions about our faith. When we are ready to share the Good News, we are showing ourselves to be prepared soldiers in the Lord’s army.
So let’s lace up our boots, and get ready to share the Good News of the Gospel of Peace!
-Bethany Ligon
Reflection Questions
The gospel is only called the “gospel of peace” here in a passage about the spiritual war we are in. How would you describe the gospel of peace and why do you think this wording was chosen for this passage?
Do you feel like you are ready to take action to follow your Commander’s orders today? What do you think could happen if you ARE ready? What could happen if you AREN’T ready for action? What could you do now to be more prepared? Do you think you have ever used an excuse of not being ready when God wanted you to do something?
How can you share the gospel of peace with others this week?
Ephesians 6:10-13 – “…Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power…”
If you were to look at the different video playlists I have curated in my Youtube profile, you’d see that a majority of them are workout exercise videos. I have playlists for upper body strength, lower body strength, pilates and barre workouts, HIIT and stretching videos. What can I say, I need variety in my life if I’m going to pursue a lifestyle that includes regular exercise.
But physical strength and endurance is not what the apostle Paul is talking about in the sixth chapter in his letter to the Ephesian church.
Nor is Paul referring to mental toughness. The kind of fortitude that prisoners of war or persecuted believers must endure when they are held captive in inhumane environments.
Paul writes the words, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. These words are almost identical to what we read in Joshua 1, verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua was preparing for a physical battle that had spiritual consequences. We probably are not preparing for a physical battle; however, if we are actively pursuing a life centered on the Gospel message, we are indeed engaging in a battle that has spiritual consequences.
So what does it mean to be “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”?
First, I think it means that we must recognize that if we are going to do anything in the name of Jesus, we are stepping into battle against the devil’s schemes. We become a threat that must be neutralized. A soldier prepares for battle by donning on their tactical gear. We need to do likewise.
Second, “be(ing) strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” means that our own efforts, our intelligence, our will power, our connections, our resources are insufficient protection for what we are up against. If it were up to only us, then our efforts would be whooped before we even really got started.
Once we acknowledge that we are in a battle and we are without adequate protection, what are we left with? We will only be successful in spiritual warfare with our faith. A faith that says:
We believe that God is who He says He is.
We believe that nothing is impossible for God.
We believe that God is faithful to His people.
We believe that God will fight for us.
We believe that God has already won the ultimate battle.
When we cling to these truths, we are “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” and we can withstand any kind of opposition that we are tasked to face and endure. And we will be victorious.
For whatever battle you might be facing today, remember that you are not alone. You serve a God who loves you and has empowered you with His Holy Spirit to stand firm and do great things. Keep the faith and believe.
-Bethany Ligon
Reflection Questions
How strong are you – physically, mentally, and spiritually? Of these three areas in which do you spend more workout time developing? How does one go about strengthening spiritual muscles? Why are spiritual muscles important?
What do you believe about God and His Son Jesus and how does believing each statement help prepare you for spiritual battle?
What do the devil’s schemes look like? When does he win battles? What can you do to stand against him in God’s power?
The world’s most powerful navigational tool, the compass, has been around in some form for over 2000 years. Originally used in divination, it found its way to navigation a few centuries before the age of exploration. When blinded by snow, when tossed at sea, when wandering through a dense forest, it works without fail for all who seek direction. When unobstructed by friction or gravity, the magnetized metal responds in the same true way to of the Earth’s gravitational field, aligning with poles of the Earth. This means that a compass is actually influenced by two directions at once, polar opposites. It seems silly to say, but you cannot travel in the direction of north and south at the same time. All of these elements ring true in our faith.
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I [Wisdom] hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.” – Proverbs 8:13-14
It is equally foolish to say that we can move in the direction of God and evil and be on the same course. They are truly polar opposites. To love God is to hate evil (Psa 97:10). To honor God is to give up pride (Jam 4:6). To pursue God makes the pursuit of anything else secondary (Matt 6:24). We can acknowledge the fact that our journey will not be perfect, but the direction we are pointed is true, faithful, and unchanging. It doesn’t adjust with time or relativism (Isa 40:8). Be conscious of the friction and the pull that is in the present evil age that will skew your target. Chart a course from God’s word and prepare yourself because there is more than one force at work.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12
The military command of “standing firm” is far from passive (Eph 6:13). In 2 Samuel 23, we see a captivating glimpse of David’s mighty warriors. Many of them, like Eleazar (v. 10), are not commended for their brilliant offensives, but holding their ground to the very end to eliminate enemy forces. Likewise, the grace we accept from God is through faith, not deed (Eph 2:8-9), and by seeking and finding Him, we have already arrived at the destination in some sense (Eph 2:19-20). Therefore, we cannot rest our laurels because there are all-out assaults coming. It is not a battle of mortality, flesh and blood, but a battle against rulers, authorities, powers of darkness, and even spiritual forces for the spoils of eternity. We are to armor ourselves with truth, peace, faith, salvation, righteousness, holding close to the Spirit and ready to wage war until the end.
In conclusion, today’s lesson is two-fold. First, make sure that you are allowing God’s direction to guide you as you move. Know that when you are moving towards God, you are fleeing from evil influence, relative morality, and sin and towards a loving God and restored perfection (2 Tim 2:22). Second, once we arrive in grace, our job is to stand our ground. We are to set a fortress around our hearts (Pro 4:23), as both a guard and a vigil, petitioning for God to intercede and help us withstand the battle. Like Paul, our prayer should be for fearlessness (Eph 6:20), eyes-locked on the prize , so we can stand firm in the truth of the Coming Kingdom.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
Towards God or towards evil? What does each path look like? What is at the end of each path? Which direction are you pointed?
What or who has turned you around before, pointing you in the wrong direction? What are you leaving behind you when you move towards God?
What acts as your compass? How valuable is your compass to you? Have you ever been lost without it?
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush spoke to the emergency workers in Ground Zero through a megaphone, finding a response that resonated with the entire country and even more, the world, “I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked down these buildings will hear all of it soon.” A historical 92% of the country approved of the job he was doing, bringing together a country that was fraying at the seams in the previous election cycle. It is hard to imagine something similar happening today; no matter who is the president-elect in November, half of the country will be instantly dissatisfied with the results. These are typical terms we accept in our government, but also this “majority rules” culture has historically found its way into boardrooms and even churches. Let me quickly lower the tension by stating that today’s devotion is not about politics or presidents. It does not upend or chastise any church form of government. Its sole purpose is to examine the expectation of unity laid out for the church body, as it might be equally unimaginable.
This spirit of unity was on the mind of Jesus before being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. He prays for his disciples and all believers when he leaves us the following words, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11b)” Jesus knew his departure to the cross would scatter His apostles, create infighting, and feed doubt. Fortunately, with the exception of Judas, each of them found their way back to a unified front. Having seen Jesus Christ raised to life, they each waited for the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They each dedicated their lives to sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God. They each shared in martyrdom or exile for the sake of Christ.
In the same manner, I have seen churches unite during revival, when facing tragedy, or during persecution from the outside. It is easy for the dross to fall away when the metal is hot, but what about when the metal starts to cool? What does unity look like in maintenance mode? Within the day-to-day routine of uniting relationships, mulling through ministries, and discerning what is best for a body of believers? In Ephesians 4, Paul describes this as “walk[ing] in a manner worthy of the calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
While there could be a devotion on each of the elements of this verse, let’s quickly unpack the key points given to Ephesus. First, walking implies that it is not a quick process, but instead requires some dedication to go the distance (Eph 2:10). Next, humility is the acknowledgement that self-reflection should be the first step in the process, making adjustments and amendments when necessary (Matt 7:3-5; Phil 2:3), and gentleness is the grace that is extended to my brother and sisters during this same process, as imperfect people try to discern the will of God (Col 4:6). Additionally, we are required to commit to patience and love, easily spoken but in reality, conflict makes us more unbearable to one another (Col 3:12-14; Matt 18:15-20). In the body of believers, this is similar to taking the last rep of weight training, it burns the most, but it is the one that produces the result. Finally, eagerness to maintain unity means we stay focused on what unites us (Rom 14:19), defending against the six things the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-19), and keep our mission far away from doctrinal nuances or extra-biblical preferences.
Unity takes far more work than building a majority. It isn’t a compromise or consensus because there are no losers. We grow as one together. We move towards one another as we move towards our Heavenly Father. Today, let us be extra mindful in our prayer time to dwell on the topic of unity and ask God to reveal our vision and repair divisions that may exist. May we live out the prayer of Jesus and the petitions of Paul to become one like our God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
Where and when have you experienced or seen the beauty of a united church body?
Dedication, humility, gentleness/grace, patience, love, focused on what unites. How can you exhibit these qualities today? How can you use them to increase the unity of your church? What can happen when just one is missing?
As President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is uniquely positioned in American history as the only leader of a broken country. No matter who he chose to serve in his cabinet, how empathetic his staff was to his role, how much they helped to shoulder the load or strengthened his areas of weakness, no one can truly understand the weight borne by the Commander-in-Chief, whose presidency was the bookends to rebellion. A great example of this can be seen in Vicksburg, a Union siege took out the Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi which was a key route for reinforcement and supplies. While this battle represented a great public triumph for Lincoln’s side, it also held personal tragedy. Lincoln received the report that his brother-in-law, a Confederate general, was killed in battle. It was stated by those surrounding him they never saw the president more moved during the war than when he received this news.
Likewise, David’s emotions in victory are complex. Tens of thousands of men look to their king to champion their victory, no doubt hearing stories of how he famously danced in the streets as the Ark made its way into the city. Instead, they see the lament of a father’s cry. Great leaders, more than anything else, are human; however, the weight of leadership will undoubtedly tip the scales in favor of fostering commitment, vision, and hope for followers, rather than abandonment trials and tragedy. Joab’s words seem insensitive, “You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. (2 Sam 19:6) ” but they are actually encouragement to a leader who has made a personal sacrifice to acknowledge that tens of thousands of others had done the same.
The words of Jesus could be thought equally cutting and unfeeling, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:60).” Our ministries do not stop because we face conflict or personal tragedy. Conversely, I would say this is when our ministry and testimony are spotlighted. By the standards of the world, this conflict provides permission to act selfishly, but when we bear our burdens with the Kingdom of God at the forefront, we lean on God and lead others to the Good News. Paul makes mention of this in Ephesians 3. He tells the church at Ephesus not to worry about his suffering, because it is for their sake and to the glory of God. The same circumstance is both a victory yet a personal hardship. Paul instead lifts those he leads in prayer, asking for the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide those for whom the letter was intended, and likewise, encourage us today. No matter what scale Paul used, no matter what was placed in the balance, the weight of the Kingdom of God far outweighed any loss. This sentiment is again echoed from his prison cell to the church at Philippi when he states:
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” – Phil. 3:8,10
While we may not be ready to ask for suffering like Paul, tragic circumstances are the nature of this world. It may be an unfamiliar posture, but our grief, our battle, and our dire circumstance is an opportunity to demonstrate the assurances we have, to revel in the joy and love of God. We must look for opportunities to pray for and encourage others who may be participating in the same battle, asking God to give them the strength to see the victory too. Yes, we must bear, and even welcome, hardship for the sake of the Kingdom of God because, with the help of God, we can lead within it, bringing others to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
What do you learn about leadership from David? From Paul?
What do you think of the statement: “No matter what scale Paul used, no matter what was placed in the balance, the weight of the Kingdom of God far outweighed any loss.” Do you see this in Paul’s life? Do you see this in your own life?
Who will you pray for strength to see the victory?
In 2 Corinthians 2 Paul teaches us how we should forgive as Christians. Paul expresses the idea that the people who grieved him should not be met with revenge, but instead with reconciliation.
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”
Unfortunately, some Christians today have a false definition of forgiveness. We have all heard the saying “I can forgive, but I can’t forget”. When you forgive someone, you don’t keep track of their wrongdoings. This is a way we show love as Christians. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 states:
“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”
Why is Paul so willing to practice forgiveness? It’s because he has been forgiven by God through Jesus. When we feel it’s “too hard” to forgive someone we have to remember how often we are forgiven ourselves.
Forgiveness needs to become part of our new nature. As image bearers of God, we need to become forgiving like God is. We need to recognize that forgiveness is part of God’s nature (Exodus 34:6-7), just as many people in the Bible recognized that God’s nature was forgiving (Numbers 14:17-19). If God is forgiveness we need to be forgiving. Forgiveness was the mission of Jesus Christ, let that be our mission as well.
-Brooke Cisneros
Reflection Questions
When have you forgiven someone else? How did that make you feel?
What is the problem with unforgiveness? What is the connection between unforgiveness and being “outwitted by Satan”? (see verse 11)
Explain how God has forgiven. Have you accepted His forgiveness through accepting His Son? If so, how can you pass forgiveness on to others? If not, why not?
1 Corinthians 15 is a chapter all about resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15 there were people within the church who don’t believe in the resurrection and feel like it’s not an important belief of being a Christian.
Unfortunately, this is still a belief held by some people today. There are people in the world that teach that the death and resurrection of Christ never really happened, instead it’s just a made up story. Some people even try to water down the gospel and come up with scenarios that are more “plausible” than Jesus dying and being resurrected. This is an incredibly dangerous thought process as the validity of the resurrection gives us purpose as Christians.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul reminds those that don’t believe in the resurrection that there is evidence it happened. There were hundreds of eyewitnesses that saw Jesus alive after being publicly executed by the Romans. Paul then goes on to explain that without the resurrection we are all lost. In 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 Paul says
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.”
Paul is essentially saying that without the resurrection our faith is pointless. We are unable to be saved and our loved ones are unable to be raised from the dead. Paul then goes on to remind us that the resurrection is real! The resurrection of Jesus reminds us of what’s really important in our lives, to glorify God during our lives on Earth.
-Brooke Cisneros
Reflection Questions
Why does it matter if you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ or not?
Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
How can you put into action verses 57 & 58, Paul’s concluding words on the resurrection and the difference it should make in our lives?
Seek Grow Love 