Daily Encouragement

May 24, 2009 - Church Discipline

Both of the letters to Corinthians by Paul had to do with discipline. Paul urged the church to discipline those who were unruly and sinful. He himself warned them he intended to visit the church and face those who still would not repent and created problems in the church by accusation against Paul or spreading false teaching.

Here at the end of the second letter, he reminded them again that he would be bringing judgment against the trouble makers. He had ample proofs of his apostleship. Now he intended to exercise the authority God had given to him to judge those who continued in sin.

Those who had judged Paul would be now asked to examine themselves whether they were in the faith. (v. 5)

Paul preferred gentleness and peace. He encouraged them to greet each other with a holy kiss. (Usually man to man and woman to woman) As he close, He gave them a benediction from the triune God.

We trust that all our churches will be of one mind and have good comfort. But when it is necessary, church discipline should be administered by the men of God and the congregation.

May 25, 2009 - The Power Of God's Grace

Meditation on Galatians 1

The Galatians had turned away from the Gospel of God's grace. They were influenced by those who insisted on salvation by keeping the law. They did not believe that God's grace was sufficient enough to save them from sin and hell. Paul condemned the false teacher who led them away. (v. 1-10)

Paul himself was saved by grace alone. He was the toughest guy in his days who was against Christians. He prosecuted Christians and forced them to deny Jesus. He was zealous to destroy Christianity and put Christians in jail. Yet he was converted on the road to Damascus. No one could have expected that. Paul said that God had set him apart from his mother's womb and called him by His grace. (v. 15) Can you believe that? God's grace is powerful enough to save the toughest and hardest man, and turned him around to be a preacher of the gospel.

So let us not give up our witnessing to some of hardest souls. God may have chosen them already by His great grace? Never, never give up!

May 26, 2009 - Stand Up For The Truth

Meditation on Galatians 2

It seems to me that Galatians chapter 2 recorded a very critical moment in the history of the Christian doctrine. When Peter and possibly James, two most prominent leaders of the early church both were leaning toward accommodating the Jews who insisted on the necessity of circumcision and avoided to have fellowship with the Gentile believers at Antioch. Even Barnabas, Paul's best friend who introduced him to Christian fellowship and ministry was carried away by that action. Such action indicated the inconsistency of their belief that people were justified by faith and not by the work of the law. The action of these leaders of the early church showed hypocrisy. (v. 1-13)

At this moment, the doctrine of faith was in serious compromising position. Paul saw what was happening. He had no choice but stood up for the Gospel truth. The whole issue must be dealt with openly in the church. So he confronted Peter in the presence of all the believers to point out that the church should not impose upon the Gentiles to keep the law and practice of the Jews which had nothing to do with salvation. (v. 14-16)

It was not easy at all for Paul to stand up against the establishment. But we were so thankful that he did. By speaking up, he preserved the crucial belief of justification by faith alone. For Christ had died for us.

When there is a doctrinal issue at stake, we must stand up for Christ's sake.

May 27, 2009 - The Greatest Promise

Meditation on Galatians 3

This Scriptures tells us that God had made a promise to bless Abraham and his seed long before the Law of Moses was given. And God was going to honor that promise that through the singular seed of Abraham, all of his descendants will be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-7) That seed is Christ. (v. 16) All of us who believes in Christ will also become the heirs of that promise. Therefore we receive righteousness by faith just like Abraham received righteousness by faith. (v. 6)

From the beginning, Paul points out that by faith we also receive the promise of the Holy Spirit which is included in the blessings to Abraham. Through the experience of the Galatians and the reasoning of the Scriptures, we are fully confirmed that Christians have received the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith and not by keeping the law.

All Christians then should rejoice in the fact that they already have the Holy Spirit to abide in them. None of us needs to do any more good work to receive the Holy Spirit. There is no such thing as the second blessings for the Christians as some who claim. Every one who becomes a Christian is because the Holy Spirit has already come into his life. God's promise to Abraham and his descendants by faith in Jesus is so very great and rich in blessings.

God has already saved you as a Christian and He has fulfilled His promise to bless you with the dynamic work of the Spirit. Just trust in Christ's full redemption and allow the anointing, comfort, conviction, teaching and guidance of the Spirit to work through you.

May 28, 2009 - An Heir Of God Through Christ

Meditation on Galatians 4

Prince Charles of England and his children are either the heirs of the throne of Queen Elizabeth or some high positions of England with real estate and treasure. They are heirs because of their birthrights. Likewise, Christians are the heirs of God because we are the adopted sons of God when we accept Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. For we have been given the right to become the children of God. (v. 5-7, cf. John 1:12)

As heirs, we shall inherit all the riches in God's kingdom, not because of our work or our fulfillment of the law, but because of the promise of God who has fulfilled it through Isaac and to those who have faith in Christ.

But the Galatians seemed to have turned away from such right and promise of God. They were deceived by those who kept going back to the bondage of the law for salvation. Paul was very puzzled by that. (v. 20) He reminded them of their former loyalty to him and the example of Abraham's two sons, one was born in bondage under the law and the other was born free because of God's promise. (v. 21-27)

Therefore we should just rejoice as the children of freedom who would freely inherit all the spiritual riches in heaven. Praise the Lord!

May 29, 2009 - Walk By The Spirit

Meditation on Galatians 5

The Scriptures condemns two extremes: Legalism and Lawlessness. Since Jesus has set us free from the law, Christians should not go back to keeping the law of circumcision or Jewish customs in order to be saved. On the other hand, Christians should not use our freedom to walk in the flesh and commit sinful acts. How can a believer avoid the misuse of his freedom in Christ?

The solution is to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. (v. 25) Since we recognize that we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires when we were baptized in Christ, we are now led by the Spirit. As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can produce the fruit of Spirit. (v. 22) And we can have victory over the flesh. All these are possible by faith in Christ through the love Christ has given to us. (v. 6)

So tune your ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and let God direct you to love your neighbors. (v. 14)

May 30, 2009 - Restoration Of A Brother

Meditation on Galatians 6

There is an important task any Christian should do. That is to restore a brother or sister who has committed transgression. (v.1) In this sinful environment, Christian(s) may easily slip. In fact the Scriptures want us to keep watch on ourselves lest we may fall also. Therefore we should bear one another's burdens. Else where in Romans 15:1, the Scriptures says "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failing of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (ESV) This is to fulfill the command of Christ of loving one another. (v. 2)

However in the restoring process, we are reminded to do it in a spirit of gentleness. That means we should not be boastful, but be kind and sensitive to the weak brother or sister. But then the weak one should not always depend on others to bear his burden. Each one should learn to bear his own burden. (v. 5)

Some brothers or sisters may be deceived by wrong doctrine today. They have become a stumbling block for others and there by committing sin. We should take the responsibility and courage to correct them and bring them back to the fold.