"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath…" —Galatians 5:19-20

Among believers, anger is often one of the most prevalent struggles. It manifests in various degrees, from minor irritations to destructive outbursts that harm relationships, reputations, and even lives. For many, anger seems insurmountable—a recurring stumbling block in their walk with Christ.

The story of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of the most vivid illustrations of how our flesh—our stubborn self-reliance—resists surrendering to God. Jacob’s actions, his initial resistance and eventual clinging to the angel after being wounded, reflect the inner battle many of us experience when God calls us to trust Him fully.

Understanding the Law of the Spirit
When we think of the word "law," we often picture rules or commandments. However, in Romans 8:2, Paul uses "law" in a different sense—more like the unchanging principles of nature, such as the law of gravity. Gravity operates consistently; what goes up must come down. Similarly, the "law of the Spirit" refers to a consistent, unchanging work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer.

To abide in Christ is not merely to say we are His children but to live in the reality of that relationship. The Apostle John makes it clear: those who claim fellowship with God must walk as Jesus walked. This is not a call to imitate Him in our own strength but an invitation to live as He did—fully dependent on the Father.

"… a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12:7b)

Thorns—those painful, persistent struggles—are often misunderstood. They can leave us questioning God’s purpose and longing for relief. Yet, as Paul discovered, our thorns are not arbitrary or purposeless. They are tools of grace, shaping us into vessels of God’s strength and provision.

As believers seeking to live under grace, it is vital to understand how Scripture describes the ongoing battle with sin. Three key terms often arise in discussions of sanctification: the sin nature, sin in our members, and the flesh. Each has a distinct biblical meaning, yet they are interconnected in the believer's life. Let’s explore these terms and their implications for walking in victory through Christ.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” — Romans 6:14

David Kuykendall’s chapter titled The Obedience That Places the Believer Under Grace invites us to embrace the abundant life Christ offers by aligning our daily walk with the reality of our crucifixion, burial, and resurrection in Him. Romans 6:14 reminds us of this profound truth: sin’s dominion has been broken because we are under grace, not law. Kuykendall assumes obedience to the commands Paul outlines in Romans 6 as the key to experiencing this grace-filled life.

"For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God." — Acts 20:27 (BSB)

In life’s fleeting moments, how often do we consider the eternal impact of our interactions? A.B. Simpson’s devotional challenges us to reflect on this deeply. What if every person we encountered—family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers—was divinely placed in our path for a purpose? Would our words and actions draw them closer to Christ?

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” – John 6:66

When God reveals His will to us—through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, or His transformative work in our lives—it sparks a thrill in our souls. This revelation calls us to walk in the light of what we’ve seen. Yet, as Oswald Chambers highlights, there’s a critical juncture where we decide whether we will obediently follow that heavenly vision or retreat into the comfort of our former ways of thinking and living.

When we think back to the moment we first received Christ, it was all about grace. We brought nothing to the table but our need. Yet, as we journey in faith, there’s often a subtle temptation to shift gears—to trade reliance on the Spirit for striving in the flesh. Today’s reflection reminds us of the critical truth: the way we begin with Jesus is the way we continue—with grace and by the Spirit.

We live in a culture that glorifies self-confidence, independence, and personal achievement. The world tells us to believe in ourselves, rely on our own strength, and push through challenges with grit and determination. Yet, Scripture paints a radically different picture. In God’s economy, our greatest liability is self-confidence, and our greatest asset is confidence in Christ.

As we continue our journey through Cain-Likeness to Christ-Likeness by David Kuykendall, Chapter Two draws us deeper into the foundational truth that transformation is not about improving the self-life but about exchanging it for the life of Christ. Kuykendall’s emphasis on our oneness with Christ unveils the key to moving beyond striving and into the sufficiency of God’s grace.

If you’ve ever been weary from trying to live up to an ideal or frustrated by repeated failures, this chapter provides the refreshing reminder that transformation is not achieved by effort but by trusting the life of Christ within.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
—Romans 6:4

In this section of Living in the Garden of Grace, David Kuykendall unpacks the tremendous implications of being baptized into the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are united with Christ in His burial and resurrection, which transforms every aspect of our spiritual lives.

"… you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ…"
—Romans 7:4

When we placed our faith in Jesus, we were baptized into His crucifixion, which means far more than just forgiveness of sins. In this section of Living in the Garden of Grace, David Kuykendall examines two additional features of our crucifixion: being dead to the law and crucified to the world. These truths unveil the depth of the freedom we have in Christ and call us into a life of Spirit-led dependence.

"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"
—Romans 6:3

When we placed our faith in Jesus, an extraordinary transaction occurred—we were crucified with Him. David Kuykendall’s Living in the Garden of Grace unpacks the profound reality of what it means to be baptized into the crucifixion of Jesus. In this section, Kuykendall introduces two key aspects of the believer’s crucifixion: the death of the “old man” and the believer’s death to sin.

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…”
—1 Corinthians 12:12-13a

When we think about baptism, the image of water often comes to mind—a symbol of faith and obedience. But David Kuykendall, in his book Living in the Garden of Grace, highlights a deeper reality: the spiritual baptism into Jesus. This baptism, performed by the Holy Spirit, unites us with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

In an ever-changing world, one truth stands unshakable: God is faithful. This attribute, as A.W. Tozer explains in Chapter 15 of The Knowledge of the Holy, is more than a comforting concept—it is the foundation of our hope and the anchor for our souls. Understanding the faithfulness of God is not only theologically enriching but also deeply practical for our daily walk with Him.

At its core, Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart is a raw expression of love given without reciprocation, of pouring oneself out and being left empty. The song captures the pain of giving "another little piece" of oneself, hoping it will bring fulfillment, yet finding that the giving only deepens the sense of loss. For someone who is operating from the natural man—seeking fulfillment through relationships, accomplishments, or approval—this resonates deeply. It mirrors the relentless striving of the flesh, always giving, always yearning, and never quite finding rest.

Have you ever met someone deeply knowledgeable about the Bible but seemingly disconnected from a personal relationship with God? It’s a paradox that can leave us puzzled. How can someone analyze Scripture, teach it, and even argue its truths, yet miss the relational essence of faith? This raises an important question: Is it possible to know a lot about God without truly knowing Him?

Rock music has always been a powerful medium for expressing raw emotion, and few artists have done this as effectively as the late Ronnie James Dio. Known not only for his soaring vocals and legendary status in heavy metal but also for his humble and kind-hearted nature, Dio was a man who captivated fans with more than just his music. For many, including myself during a time of personal depression, his humility and authenticity stood out in an industry often associated with ego and excess. This quality made his music not only entertaining but deeply relatable.