Believe and fully enjoy the life of being a child of God through faith.
1) The New Life Enjoyed as Children of God
| When we pass through the narrow gate of the Cross by death and resurrection, the infinite blessing of the gospel is waiting for us. Therefore, there is a new life that enjoys the gospel by knowing more about the glory, the power and the blessing of the gospel. The measurement of God is perfect so that the gospel can be truly a blessing to us. One who believes in him will never put to shame. Encountering the gospel means, that the one has already received the greatest and ultimate eternal blessing. Therefore, there is no reason to be attached to the world. The witness’ life of the gospel is to enjoy to the utmost the gospel. By the grace of God, he gave us a new life so that we could enjoy this gospel by crucifying our old selves on the Cross. With our diseased old self, no one can enjoy even a bit of the glory of the gospel. However, God prepared all the measurements in place so that we could fully enjoy the glory, the power and the blessing of the gospel. He also gave us new life in the gospel of the Cross. So, the only thing that is required from us is faith alone. The distinction of new life is a life with no more condemnation from Satan. Also, as a receiver of this grace, we no longer condemn other people. Because we became children of God, we are co-heirs with Christ to receive the inheritance of God’s Kingdom. The meaning of becoming children of God without condemnation is that the relationship between God and us is built upon neither duties nor fear but upon love because we are so precious to God to be called “worthy of Jesus.” Therefore, we may go forward to the throne of God confidently to have fellowship with the Lord and enjoy this life to fullest. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Romans 8:1-2) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
(Romans 8:14-18) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs– heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
(Romans 8:28-30) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. The gospel allows us to have a holy loving relationship with God by desiring and enjoying the glory of God. Let us ask God to open our eyes to see the glory of God. Let’s press on to be captured by the glory of God.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
2. By going through the Cross, we have the life of Jesus without condemnation. From now on, we could walk boldly towards the throne of God. Let’s pray to live a life of sharing the joyful fellowship with God before the throne of grace. Let us pray to have God’s heart as an heir to embrace all nations for the completion of the mission.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:16)
2) The Blessing of Immanuel : Union with the Lord.
| Through God’s perfect measurement of the gospel; he made us one with Christ by uniting us with him. The life united with Christ through the Cross is the most essential work of God. The new life, beginning with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the Cross is a life joined as one with Christ. Therefore, when the Bible refers to Christ and the church, Christ is described as the head of the church, and the church as the body of Christ. The blessing of Immanuel; which means “God is with us” became fulfilled in each believer through Jesus Christ indwelling in us forever. How can the gospel be more perfect and safer! The blessing is infinite when I am completely united with Jesus Christ. This means we have the same destiny with the Lord when we are united completely with Christ. “The fullness of the Lord becomes my fullness. And we receive suffering with all the inheritance of the Kingdom of God.” Further, the meaning of Christ being the head is that Christ will take care of my entire life. Look at how the head protects, nurtures and takes care of every part of the body. By the Lord uniting with us as one, he is reviving and protecting us. The Lord indwells in us forever. Even when we are lost or fall down in weakness, our Lord is with us. The person who realizes this Truth has already started a life of success. Therefore, what we need to do is to believe in the grace of unity already accomplished on the Cross and just obey by relying on the Lord, the head of our lives. The only desire of those who have been united with Jesus Christ is to glorify Christ through their actions in life, regardless of one’s name is stepped on or rejected. From now on, the only purpose and reason to live is to lift the name of Christ high in my life. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Ephesians 5:22-32) 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
(Colossians 1:26-27) 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Our Lord indwells in us forever. Even when we are lost and helpless, our Lord is with us. Let’s make a wholehearted decision with unshakable faith to never leave Jesus Christ, our head. Let us pray to stand firmly and courageously in the love of God, despite of our situations or circumstances.
And not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. (Colossians 2:19)
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)
2. The only desire for those united with Jesus Christ should be that Christ be magnified in our life regardless of our names being stepped on or disregarded. Let us confess in faith that the reason and purpose of my life is to live only for the glory of Christ’s name.
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)
3) Believe in the Gospel, consider it! Offer it! Keep trusting in it!
| When our diseased selves participated in death with Christ on the cross, the power of sin was broken, and the flesh and Satan no longer hold sway. However, while still in the flesh, the inertia of the old self that remains as a habit can lead us to respond in familiar sin patterns when unconscious. Furthermore, Satan, the ruler of this dark world, relentlessly tempts and deceives, trying to lure and trap us into sin by provoking physical reactions. However, in Jesus Christ, we have a new life, not under the law of condemnation, but living by the grace that sin cannot claim. Faith is the channel of God’s blessing that allows us to live out the Gospel solely by His grace. When God created humans, He granted them free will, enabling them to voluntarily unite with God through love. Choosing God and His complete Gospel of the cross through free will can be seen as a belief worked out in love. Therefore, faith requires an element of decision-making at every moment. It can be expressed as ‘exercising faith’ by using our will to unite with the death and resurrection of the cross. Faith requires a constant, moment-by-moment decision, and this decision can be divided into three elements to specifically and clearly establish faith. Firstly, each individual must continually discover the truth in the Bible that the Gospel has been fulfilled as stated. This discovered truth should become the foundation of one’s faith. Secondly, there’s a need for a shift in perception, considering the discovered truth not only as a historical, objective fact but also as a personal reality realized within oneself. In this way, a transformation of perception occurs from the old self, esteeming faith that acknowledges my death and resurrection with Christ on the cross as the foremost belief in the complete Gospel (consider it!). Then, having regarded the truth of the esteemed Gospel, offer everything – life, future, everything without reservation – to God, the Master. Once considered, there is no choice but to offer (offer it!). Even in the face of threats, attacks, or temptations seemingly unconquerable on our own, continue to trust in the Gospel alone, allowing faith to triumph. (Trust in it!) That way, by having complete faith in the complete Gospel, considering it, offering it, and continuously trusting in it, one lives enjoying the richness, glory, power, and blessings of the Gospel. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Romans 6:10-14) 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
(Romans 12:1-2) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(1 Peter 5:10) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. As church members, we’ve strived and lived by faith, seeking to live well. However, God has provided the principle of life through love that we can trust. To experience this life, we discover truth in the Bible and believe that it has also been fulfilled in our lives. Let’s pray and decide to live with a firm faith, shedding the false notion that self-assurance was faith and seeking a more vigorous faith in God and the truth of the Gospel.
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:16-17)
2. The reason for the lack of change in our lives despite professing belief in the Gospel might be that while we claimed belief, we hesitated to offer our time, resources, plans, and even our lives. Let’s acknowledge that a faith unwilling to offer everything is not genuine faith. Now, let’s decide to live as a witness, glorifying the Gospel by offering everything to God, who spared nothing, not even His Son, for sinners like me.
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)
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