 |
|
| |
|
OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for April 2025
May 1, 2025
Galatians 6:11 – Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Thought: Several verses in Paul’s letters suggest that he had difficulties with his eyesight. Often, he would use an amanuensis to transcribe his letters for him. He would sign them to provide authenticity to the epistle. The letter to the Galatians Paul wrote entirely by his own hand. Paul wanted these churches to understand his deep concern for them and to realize the seriousness of the situation. “Mine own hand” were powerful words.
Romans 16:22
May 2, 2025
Galatians 6:12 – As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Thought: Persecution is never something pleasant to experience. Often it involves intense pain. Sometimes persecution can lead to a person’s death. The Judaizing teachers of Paul’s day emphasized the need of the Gentiles to be circumcised. They did this for two reasons. First, they could “make a fair shew in the flesh.” They could boast of the number of Gentiles they caused to be circumcised. Second, this teaching enabled them to escape persecution.
Galatians 5:11
May 3, 2025
Galatians 6:13 – For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Thought: Paul points out two things about the Judaizing teachers. First, they are circumcised, but they do not keep the law. Circumcision was the “the sign” of the covenant. In other words, circumcision bound the person to the law. This did not concern the false teachers. Second, the only reason they wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised was so they could glory in their flesh. They could boast themselves as defenders of the law.
Romans 2:20-24
May 4, 2025
Galatians 6:14 – But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Thought: Paul did not glory in the flesh, that is the number he converted. He only gloried in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul understood that he that plants and he that waters are nothing. It is God who gives the increase. Earthly glory is part of the world. All of that Paul had crucified when he obeyed the gospel. Notice that two things were crucified. “The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Paul’s focus was only on the things of God.
1 Corinthians 1:29-31
May 5, 2025
Galatians 6:15 – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Thought: The Judaizing teachers taught that unless a man was circumcised after the manner of Moses, he would not be saved. Paul, taught that neither circumcision or uncircumcision availed anything. What mattered in the Christian dispensation is that a person was “a new creature.” A new creature died to his sinful lifestyle. A new creature buried the old man of sin in baptism. A new creature put on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:3-5
May 6, 2025
Galatians 6:16 – And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Thought: There are four main points Paul makes in this verse. First, he notes an action. “And as many as walk.” The word “walk” means to live one’s life. Second, there is an authority. “According to this rule.” The word “rule” involves a measuring device. It is a standard, the Word of God. Third, we read about the awards. “Peace be on them, and mercy.” Fourth, he uses an autonym. “Upon the Israel of God,” that is, the church.
Philippians 3:16
May 7, 2025
Galatians 6:17 – From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: The false teachers constantly troubled Paul. Their efforts among the churches caused some members to trouble Paul. In this epistle, Paul set forth a powerful defense of the gospel. He boldly defeated the claims of the Judaizing teachers. Thus, he asserts: “From henceforth let no man trouble me.” Paul also had the scars to prove his faith. He had been beaten, whipped, and stoned. These were often produced by the Judaizers themselves.
2 Corinthians 11:23-25
May 8, 2025
Galatians 6:18 – Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Thought: Paul closes the epistle with the desire that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with them. This grace involves “divine help.” Paul wanted this grace to be internalized by the Galatians. He wanted the LORD’s grace to be with their spirits. If God’s grace was fully appreciated in the minds of the Galatians, it would manifest itself in their lives. At the present, it would manifest itself in the rejection of those who would nullify that grace.
2 Corinthians 13:14
May 9, 2025
Ephesians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Thought: Paul was very close to the members of the church of Ephesus. He was also close to the leadership of that church. At the opening of this epistle, Paul reminds the church of his apostolic authority. He was made an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. He describes the members of the church with two words, “saints” and “faithful.” The first word emphasizes the purity of their lives. The second word stresses their steadfast service.
Colossians 1:2
May 10, 2025
Ephesians 1:2 – Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought: Paul wishes two blessings upon the faithful in the church at Ephesus, grace and peace. Grace involves divine help. Peace involves the inner tranquility of the soul due to one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. He longs for these two blessings to come from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace are part of the divine nature of God. Blessings that come forth from them are pure and perfect. There are no better givers.
1 Peter 5:10
May 11, 2025
Ephesians 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Thought: God is to be praised. Paul does so in this verse with these words: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The apostle gives one reason for his praise. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Forgiveness, knowledge, protection, and prayer are some of these blessings. Notice that Paul says these blessings are located “in heavenly places in Christ.” If one is outside of Christ, he has no spiritual blessings. They’re in Christ.
Galatians 3:27
May 12, 2025
Ephesians 1:4 – According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Thought: This verse reveals one of the blessings found in Christ. Those in Christ have been chosen in Him. The phrase that follows often causes some confusion. It says that Christians were called “before the foundation of the world.” Those who teach Calvinistic predestination use this as a proof text. However, individuals were not chosen. A group was chosen, that is, those who are “in Christ.” Those “in Christ” are “holy and without blame before him in love.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
May 13, 2025
Ephesians 1:5 – Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Thought: Paul notes a second blessing found “in Christ.” We have been adopted into God’s family. In this verse, Paul specifically uses the words “predestinated us.” God did not by His good pleasure elect certain people to be saved and condemn all of the rest to be lost. God’s desire is for all to be saved. Thus, He predestined all who are “in Christ” to be saved. The individual has a choice in the matter. Biblical predestination never negates man’s freewill.
Joshua 24:14-15
May 14, 2025
Ephesians 1:6 – To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Thought: A third blessing enumerated by Paul is that Christians have been “accepted in the beloved.” Everyone enjoys being accepted. What a blessing to be accepted by God even though we were sinners. Notice, again, we are accepted “in the beloved.” One must be in Christ to be accepted. Those who truly understand and appreciate this blessing will praise God for His wonderful grace. It is only through divine help, grace, that one can be saved.
Ephesians 2:8
May 15, 2025
Ephesians 1:7 – In whom we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace.
Thought: Redemption involves freedom. Can you imagine being a slave and someone pays a hefty price for your to release? This is exactly what Jesus did. The price that was paid was His blood. His blood didn’t just release us from sin, it completely forgave our sins. Paul notes that this is part of the “riches” of God’s grace. It is one element of God’s divine help on man’s behalf. This redemption, however, is found “in Christ,” and in Him alone.
Colossians 1:14
May 16, 2025
Ephesians 1:8, 9 – Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.
Thought: When many people think of Christianity, they only think in terms of blessings. Others think of it in the way that they are made to feel. Yet, God’s salvation involves both His wisdom and prudence. Paul says it involves the revelation of “the mystery of his will.” There is a knowledge and an understanding that must be possessed by those wanting the blessings of God. This isn’t a man-made assertion. It’s “according to his good pleasure.”
1 Corinthians 2:7
May 17, 2025
Ephesians 1:10 – That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.
Thought: We often speak of a particular president’s time in office as “his administration.” This refers to the complete period of time he was in office. In like manner, there have been three spiritual dispensations or administrations since the beginning of time. In the final dispensation, the Christian Age, God has sought to “gather together in one all things in Christ.” This is the mystery of the gospel. God wants all united as one “in” Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:11
May 18, 2025
Ephesians 1:11 – In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
Thought: Another blessing that those in Christ have is an inheritance. This inheritance is a home in heaven in the hereafter. Can you imagine the inheritance God has provided for us in the land beyond the vale? Magnificent, glorious, beautiful, exquisite, and pure are a few words that come to mind when describing it. This blessing is also tied to God’s plan of predestination. It is comforting to know that anyone in Christ can possess this blessing.
1 Peter 1:4
May 19, 2025
Ephesians 1:12 – That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Thought: The blessings that Paul has listed up to this point should cause all Christians to praise the glory and the majesty of God. These blessings were poured out because we “first trusted in Christ.” Faith, trust, confidence, and belief are the foundations of the Christian life. Faith is what moves and motivates us to obey and remain faithful in our position in Christ. No, salvation is not by faith only, but it is impossible to be saved without it.
Acts 16:30-31
May 20, 2025
Ephesians 1:13 – In whom ye also trusted after that ye heard the word of the truth of the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Thought: Paul notes three things that are essential elements of salvation. First, salvation involves “the word of the truth of the gospel.” Without the saving message of God’s Word, no man would know of God’s plan. Second, the Word must be heard. It is essential for the gospel to be proclaimed. Third, hearing develops belief. Faith brings obedience. Then, the convert was “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,” that is, received the gifts of the Spirit.
Acts 19:2-6
May 21, 2025
Ephesians 1:14 – Which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Thought: The first century was a unique time for the church. The church was established, but the complete revelation from God to man had not been completed. The apostles were give the ability to lay their hands on others and impart the Holy Spirit unto them, that is, various miraculous gifts. Thus, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. It was a confirmation of their conversion and a downpayment, an earnest of their inheritance.
Acts 19:2-6
May 22, 2025
Ephesians 1:15, 16 – Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
Thought: Paul followed the example of the Lord in prayer. He prayed often. He prayed for others. When he heard of the faith and love of the Ephesians, he prayed. The prayer that he offered was a prayer of thanks. Note that he specifically spoke of the Ephesians to God when he approached His throne. All of us should be thankful for the positive qualities manifested by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should give thanks instead of being jealous.
1 Samuel 12:23
May 23, 2025
Ephesians 1:17 – That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
Thought: One of Paul’s deepest concerns for his brethren in Christ involved their acquisition of knowledge and wisdom. These two things he prayed for often when he approached the Father. Paul knew that knowledge brings growth and strength to the lives of God’s children. He also knew that knowledge and wisdom would protect believers from the false teachers that were in the world. God’s children should never reject knowledge but seek it diligently.
Colossians 1:9-11