A Violator Cannot Forgive His Own Trespasses

Scripture: Colossians 2: 13-14

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus is the sacrificial lamb to cleanse us of our trespasses

How foolish for us to think that our good deeds may one day cancel out our trespasses. Our good deeds are defective because we don’t honor God in the way we do them. Are our good deeds done in joyful dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the author of our life? Are we fulfilling the command to serve?

The strength that God supplies is so “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”** Without Jesus’ exalting faith, our deeds signify nothing but rebellion.

God does not save through good deeds.

If we are saved from the consequences of our bad deeds, it will not be because they weigh less than our good ones. It will be because our debt was nailed to the cross of Jesus Christ.

God does not save sinners the way that we think. Jesus, with His suffering, death and resurrection, cancel the record of our trespasses so that they are blotted out. There is no balance, no debt!

The cancellation happened when Jesus was nailed to and died on the cross. God loves us, He will forgive and forget all our sins when we turn to Jesus, who is the light and path to the Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Colossians Chapter 2

**Additional Reading:
1 Peter Chapter 4

Content: The State of Peaceful Happiness

Scripture: Philippians 4: 10-13

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Scripture Commentary: Are you content in any circumstance that you face?

The secret to being content is drawing on Christ’s power for strength. Do you have great needs? And are you discontented because you don’t have what you want? Learn to rely on God’s promise and Christ’s power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you contentment.

If you detach yourself from the non-essentials, you can concentrate better on the Lord.

The Lord will take care of all of your needs

Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in your life. The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it.

Ask yourself, is it need or is it greed? The Lord Jesus Christ fulfills all your needs.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Philippians 4

Call Upon the Lord and He Will Deliver You

Scripture: Isaiah 55: 6-7

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Scripture Commentary: Call upon the Lord; He will answer your cry!

We’ve all said it. “I am going to repent later on.” “I have time. The world won’t end today!” Don’t hold off for there isn’t time to spare. Seek the Lord; call upon him.

Satan places things in this world to misdirect us so that we go about our life knowing that we are doing wrong but thinking that we have time to fix it with God later.

Question: If you were to die right now, is your life “fixed” with God?

Isaiah tells us to call upon the Lord while he is near

God is not moving from us. It is us who are moving from Him. Don’t wait until you have run out of time. Your time began when you were conceived in your mother’s womb, and the clock has been running ever since.

Don’t try to fit God into your mold. His plan and purpose does not conform to yours. The following is from Isaiah 55: 8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Don’t run out of time!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 55

Have Mercy on My Weakness, O Lord

Scripture: Psalms 6: 2, 5, 9

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.(2) For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?(5) The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.(9)

Scripture Commentary: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak

David accepted God’s punishment but he begged God, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD.” He asked God not to punish him in anger. David knew that if God truly punished him with His power, he would easily be crushed.

When you really think about all the wrong you have done in your life, you know that if God punished you for it, you wouldn’t be reading this. If God treated you with justice alone without mercy, you would be wiped out by God’s wrath.

God knows your heart; seek His mercy and give Him your very best

David poured out his heart with tears and complete honesty. Be honest when you go to God. He knows your heart, mind and soul. God knows all and He wants the best for you. You, in turn, have to give God your best.

You know what God’s wrath can be like. Just read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Even Jeremiah asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10: 24).

We don’t know the cause of David’s pain, but whatever the cause, he sought God’s mercy.

You must go to God for everything. He is the healer and a forgiving Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 6

Do Not Despair; God Is With You

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 8-12

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Scripture Commentary: God shows us again and again in the Bible not to despair

Paul reminds us that we often feel like we are losing the battle, living in despair, persecuted, abandoned, struck down, and destroyed. But hope and faith in Jesus Christ redeems us. Our flesh is perishable; it is subject to sin and suffering. God never abandons us, and his love and support will never perish.

Christ defeated death and gives us eternal life. All of our obstacles, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in our lives. Paul suffered as he preached the Good News, but he knew that one day his trials would end. He held onto the promise of God’s rest and rewards.

Trust God to lift you out of your despair; He will never fail you

We all face troubles. It is easy to focus on our pain and the things we hate about our day to day lives. We must push through the negative and concentrate on our ultimate goal.

Athletes push themselves to the finish line, even when they’re tired and sore. Push yourself toward Jesus Christ. Let your faith guide you. Let Christ strengthen you. Do not let fatigue, pain, or criticism stop you from reaching the end.

Don’t forsake your eternal life because of the intensity of today’s pain. Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Corinthians Chapter 4

Be Strong in the Grace That Is Jesus

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2: 1-5

You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.

Scripture Commentary: The grace of Jesus is with you

Live by the grace that saves you, the grace you don’t deserve. Trust completely in Christ and his power. Do not try to live for Christ in your strength alone.

If the church lived by this advice, it would expand greatly and well taught believers would teach others and commission them, turning them into teachers also. Disciples must train before they pass on their faith. We complete our work when new believers can bring others to Christ and make disciples of them.

Jesus is the power and the glory

Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.

Our suffering is worthwhile. We will reap what we sow when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, bringing people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him. God will supply the strength to endure his mission.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Galatians Chapter 2

Christians Are Sealed By The Spirit

Scripture: Romans 8: 8-11

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Scripture Commentary: The Holy Spirit intercedes for us

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God sent to guide us God’s only son, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself as payment for our sins. If we ask for forgiveness and accept Christ, we receive God’s mercy.

Some of us struggle to fully accept Christ. We say we accept him, but then we live in the flesh and not in the spirit. Have you ever questioned your Christian identity?

A Christian is anyone in whom the spirit of God lives

We all have God in us, but we also have Satan. Do you try to go back and forth? Are you playing the dangerous game of walking between good and evil?

Trust Christ with your salvation and acknowledge him as Lord. The Holy Spirit will come into your life. If you are waiting for a certain feeling to know that the Holy Spirit is there, it will never come. You will know because Jesus promised it.

Read the entire chapter:
Romans Chapter 8

Additional posts on the Book of Romans:
Jesus Freely Died For Your Sins
Backbiters: There Is a Price for Being Disobedient
Being Saved Is Being Under Grace

With Christ Your Deliverance Is at Hand

Scripture: Luke 4: 18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recoverance, of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Scripture Commentary: Your deliverance is come

Jesus quotes from Isaiah 61:1-2 where Isaiah pictures the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon. Isaiah views this deliverance as a Year of Jubilee with debts cancelled, slaves freed, and property returned to original owners.

The release from Babylonian exile did not bring the fulfillment expected by the people. Their oppression continued. Isaiah was probably referring to a future Messianic age.

Commit your future to Jesus; He is the firm foundation

Jesus boldly announced, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He proclaims himself the catalyst of Isaiah’s good news. However, Jesus’ hometown rejected him as a prophet and grappled with the meanings of his words.

People around you will struggle to understand and accept your Christian lifestyle. Don’t be fazed by this. Leave your past behind and commit your future to Jesus Christ. Your life will grow from a solid foundation.

Read the entire chapter:
Luke Chapter 4

Read other posts on the Book of Luke:
I Once Was Lost but Now I’m Found
How Do Your Use Your Worldly Goods?
Lord, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom

The Ways of the Lord Are Right

Scripture: Hosea 14:9

Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Scripture Commentary: Walk in the ways of the Lord

The ways of the Lord are right. God’s love and forgiveness comes at the price of faithfulness. It is a worthy price for eternal love and eternal life. God shows mercy in his dealings with Hosea. Hosea opens an appeal to listen, learn, and benefit from God’s Word. Are you listening? Are you open to learning from God?

When your will is weak, God will give you strength. When you are confused or your conscience is burdened with guilt, remember that God loves you. He cares for you continually. His compassion never fails. When your shortcomings and awareness of your sins surmount you , God can lift you out.

God is compassionate; He wants to forgive you

When friends and family desert you, co-workers don’t understand you, and the world pressures you to stumble off the path to righteousness, God can set you straight. Even when you are tired of being good, God remains compassionate. He wants to forgive you.

Forgiveness is the key word. When God forgives you, he judges your sin but not you as a sinner. He shows mercy to you, and you have the opportunity to start anew with a clean slate.

If you are lost, find your way by turning from sin and following God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Hosea Chapter 14

Other Posts from Hosea:
Return to God and Ask His Forgiveness
Return To the Lord Your God
The Rebellious Will Stumble