“THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST” (ROM. 5:1)

If we misunderstand the fullness of our justification by faith, we will inevitably turn to self-effort to achieve sanctification. Romans 7 describes this struggle in vivid terms: a believer, fully desiring holiness, yet continually failing as long as he depends on himself to live the Christian life. The discovery that self-effort cannot produce godliness is painful, yet essential—it is the breaking point that leads us to fully rely on Christ within.

Joash's story begins with promise. As a child king, he is guided by the wise and godly priest Jehoiada, and for years, his reign is marked by righteousness. He leads a revival of temple worship, reestablishes the tax prescribed in the Law of Moses, and sees to the restoration of the temple itself. Yet, his devotion does not endure. When Jehoiada dies, Joash drifts from God, surrounds himself with corrupt officials, and eventually turns against the very people who once upheld him in righteousness.

Ezekiel's vision in Chapter 10 captures a moment of heartbreaking significance—the departure of God's glory from the temple. The imagery in this chapter, with the burning coals, moving wheels, and cherubim, is not merely symbolic but a stark reality of judgment upon a people who refused to trust in the Lord. The temple, once filled with His presence, is left desolate, a reminder that without God's presence, even the most sacred structures are empty.

Job’s response to his friends in chapter 12 is dripping with sarcasm, yet beneath his sharp words lies a deeper truth: human wisdom is limited, and God's ways are beyond our ability to predict or control. Job's friends have reduced suffering to a simplistic formula—righteousness leads to blessing, and sin leads to suffering. But Job demolishes this idea, pointing out that even creation itself testifies to a reality far more complex. It is not human logic that defines God's actions, but His sovereign wisdom and purposes.

📖 “Then the Lord God said, ‘You shall surely die.’” — Genesis 2:17

The first deception whispered into humanity’s ears was, “You will not surely die.” This lie, introduced in Eden, has echoed through history, enticing people to believe that sin carries no real consequence. Yet, the law of spiritual life is as unbreakable as the law of gravity—when violated, the effect is inevitable. Sin and death are not merely linked; they are two sides of the same coin.

📖 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. — Isaiah 40:1-2

There is a special kind of relief that comes when a long-standing burden is lifted, when the weight of debt, shame, or failure is no longer ours to bear. Isaiah’s words point forward to a moment in history when God Himself would accomplish this for His people—not through their own efforts, but through His own provision.

📖 “You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 2:1 (BSB)

Joy is not found in chasing happiness, nor is it dependent on favorable circumstances. It flows from the life of Christ within—the One who is our unshakable foundation and unending source of peace.

To walk in this joy, we rest in His finished work, knowing that we are made right with God. The psalmist declares, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). Christ has given us His righteousness, and with it, He has planted within us a joy that does not wither under trials.

“From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. And when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
(Acts 14:26-27)

Paul and his team had been entrusted to God’s grace as they set out on their mission, and upon their return, they could only testify to what God had accomplished. Their journey was marked by opposition, persecution, and hardship, yet also by miraculous breakthroughs, transformed lives, and open doors for the gospel. The work had been completed—not by their own strength, but by God’s sufficiency.

📖 Devotional Reflection on Romans 14:7

Oswald Chambers reminds us that no believer lives in isolation—our lives ripple outward, affecting those around us. “None of us liveth to himself” (Romans 14:7). This truth challenges the independent mindset that often creeps into our thinking. We were not redeemed to drift through life with a private faith, untouched by the needs of others. Rather, we are intricately connected in Christ’s body, called to reflect His life in every relationship.

Emma sat on the edge of her small garden, hands resting in the damp soil, the scent of lavender and rosemary drifting through the cool morning air. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, and the trickling sound of a nearby fountain filled the quiet space. It was in moments like this that she most sensed God’s presence—not in a dramatic way, but in a quiet knowing that He was with her.

From the moment of our new birth in Christ, God placed His Spirit within us—not as a fleeting influence, but as a permanent, life-giving presence. Yet, many believers live as though they are spiritually dry, striving to produce joy, peace, and strength rather than drawing from the abundant supply already within them. The problem is never a lack of the Spirit’s presence but whether we are allowing His life to rise and overflow.

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." (Romans 8:9)

Deep beneath the surface of the earth, hidden from sight, lies an artesian aquifer—a reservoir of pure, living water. Unlike a shallow well, which must be laboriously drawn from, an artesian well is under such natural pressure that when tapped, the water rises and flows freely to the surface. The supply is not dependent on external conditions; it does not run dry in times of drought, nor does it require human effort to bring it forth. The water is already there, waiting to rise and flow.

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." (Romans 8:9)

The moment we were born again, God placed His very Spirit within us—not as a visitor, but as a permanent resident. This is not a feeling to be chased or a sensation to be measured. It is a truth established by the unchanging Word of God. Whether or not we perceive His presence at any given moment, the reality remains: the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

Dr. Reb Morgan was one of the most respected cardiothoracic surgeons in the country. His hands had mended countless hearts—literally. Patients and colleagues alike admired his skill, but what truly set him apart wasn’t just his precision in the operating room; it was his peace.

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." — Song of Solomon 2:3-4

Many believers spend years longing for God's love, yearning to experience His presence as if He were distant. They sing hymns pleading to be drawn closer, unaware that they already dwell in Christ. The door has been opened, the feast prepared, and yet some hesitate at the threshold, desiring what is already theirs.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us that the church is a beautifully designed body, each member gifted by the Spirit for a specific purpose. The Corinthians were struggling with comparison, envy, and pride—some elevating their gifts while dismissing the contributions of others. Paul corrects this mindset by emphasizing that every gift, no matter how visible or unseen, is vital for the health of the body of Christ.

Luke 5 unveils the authority and compassion of Jesus, revealing His call to follow Him, His power over sickness and sin, and His mission to bring newness to those willing to receive it. Through the miraculous catch of fish, the healing of a leper, the forgiveness of a paralyzed man, the calling of Levi, and the parable of new wine in new wineskins, we see the overwhelming sufficiency of Christ. Each encounter calls for a response—either a recognition of need and surrender or a clinging to self-righteousness and resistance to the life Jesus offers.

“The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.” — Romans 8:2

E. Stanley Jones reminds us that the spiritual life operates according to unchanging principles, just as the natural world does. The same God who designed the laws of gravity, thermodynamics, and motion is the One who governs grace and life in Christ. There is no uncertainty in Him—no arbitrary decisions or shifting moods. Just as the sun rises each day without fail, so does His grace function with perfect reliability.

📖 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
— Isaiah 39:2

Hezekiah, a man who had once seen the power of God deliver him from enemies and illness, found himself caught in a different kind of danger—one far subtler than an advancing army. When the envoys from Babylon arrived, flattering him and recognizing his kingdom, he eagerly displayed all his wealth and defenses. It was a moment of pride, but one that blinded him to the true nature of the visitors. Babylon, the very power God had warned against, was not admiring Judah—it was assessing its treasures for future plunder.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Paul's life was marked by relentless labor—preaching, discipling, planting churches, and writing Scripture. Yet, in all his toil, he makes an astonishing confession: "yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."