Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from June 13-19 are provided by Pastor Shan Gian, who serves at Symphony Church in Boston.  Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Jenny, who recently gave birth to their first baby Tyler.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 5:13-14

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Os Guinness, a Christian author, says that there are two types of freedom: negative freedom and positive freedom. Negative freedom is freedom from oppression like political oppression, while positive freedom is freedom for something—freedom with a purpose. The problem in our culture is that freedom is only seen in light of negative freedom. Americans will loudly declare that they have freedom of speech or freedom to do whatever they want to do. Kids can’t wait until they have freedom from being under their parents’ rule or until they have freedom from school and homework.

Paul tells us that we are called to freedom, but he warns us not see this freedom as just negative freedom—freedom from judgment and wrath, because much like how the American culture promotes this, seeing freedom only in this way leads to living just for the flesh. Many of us today think similarly when we see the grace of Jesus Christ as an excuse to sin.

Instead, we should not forget to see our freedom in Christ as positive freedom—freedom with a purpose. Jesus has set us free not so that we can indulge in the flesh, but that we can, through love, serve one another, building up the body of Christ as we bless one another. Because the work of Christ has freed us from having to do good works to attain salvation, we are free to love one another without any fear of judgment or any need to prove ourselves—even to one another.

As we have been called to freedom in Christ, we should celebrate the “negative” freedom since we have been set free from sin and death, but let us also remember to embrace the “positive” freedom and strive to use this freedom for the purpose of building up one another.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 74

Lunch Break Study

Romans 6:5-11

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Questions to Consider

1. According to this passage, what have we been set free from?
2. What do we gain in our freedom in Christ?
3. What does it mean for us to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ?

Notes

1. We have been set free from the enslavement of sin. Paul also says that our old self was crucified with him—meaning that we are free from being stuck in our old destructive patterns.
2. Because we have been set free, we live united with Christ; and since death has no dominion over Him, it no longer has dominion over us either. This means that we can live boldly for Christ, without fear of condemnation or wrath, knowing that Jesus has defeated sin and death on our behalf.
3. Being dead to sin means living in such a way where sin has no power over us. We are still tempted to sin, but we can say no to it because we are no longer enslaved to it—all because of Jesus. On the other hand, being alive in Christ means that we have been set free to live for a purpose, for the glory of Jesus. It means having joy and resurrection life in Christ.

Evening Reflection

How have you understood your freedom in Christ today? Did you experience any “positive” freedom? Take some time to pray and reflect and consider how your freedom can be used by God to bless others.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI QT Devotionals from June 13-19 are provided by Pastor Shan Gian, who serves at Symphony Church in Boston.  Shan, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Gordon Conwell Seminary (M.Div.), is married to Jenny, who recently gave birth to their first baby Tyler.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Being convicted of a crime and doing jail time is probably as low as it can get for any person.  There is so much shame and humiliation that goes with it.  And yet when we look at the recidivism rate (the percentage of former prisoners being rearrested) in the United States, over 60% of ex-convicts end up back in prison.  These are men and women who have experienced the rock bottom of being imprisoned and have then experienced the joy and the freedom of being released, and yet, over 60% of them find themselves submitting again to the yoke of slavery.

You would think that once someone has experienced the sweet freedom of Jesus Christ, they then would not want to go back into slavery.  But Apostle Paul had to instruct the Galatians to not submit again to the yoke of slavery, because they, like us, were so prone to find themselves in slavery again.  The Galatians had been set free from a salvation by good works.  The cross of Jesus Christ had given them freedom, but so many of them had fallen into the temptation of living by their works again, thus submitting themselves again to the yoke of slavery.

We find this temptation at work in our own lives.  If we’ve put our faith in Jesus Christ, we’ve been set free.  We are completely free from having to prove ourselves through our own righteousness and good works.  Yet many Christians often don’t feel very free.  They feel burdened and heavy laden by all that it takes to be a “good” Christian.  Without realizing it, they are submitting to slavery, striving to prove themselves, trying to be good enough for God.

This is why Paul tells us to stand firm.  We can so easily forget that Jesus has set us free, and without realizing it, we can fall into the slavery of striving to prove ourselves through good works.  Let us reflect today on how we put ourselves into slavery, and let’s also remind ourselves that Jesus has set us free by what He has done, not by anything we have done.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 73

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 10:17-22: And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Questions to Consider

1. How was this young man striving to prove himself?
2. How did Jesus see him?
3. Why was this young man so disappointed by Jesus’ command? Why was Jesus’ response so difficult for him?

Notes

1. This man very clearly was striving to prove himself through his seemingly perfect obedience to the Ten Commandments. He saw himself as righteous because of his own good works.
2. In spite of this young man’s pride and self-righteousness, Jesus looks upon him with love (v. 21). This should encourage all of us because it shows us that even with this young man’s sin and pride, Jesus had a gracious heart of love for him.
3. This young man was disappointed because Jesus points out the one thing that he could not do in obedience—to sell all his possessions, give to the poor and follow Jesus.  On the surface, it may seem that this man’s struggle was greed, but when we look deeper, we realize that what this man lacked was a dependence on God.  He walked away sorrowful because he couldn’t give up everything to follow God.

Evening Reflection

As you’ve been reflecting today, have you seen your tendencies to prove yourself?  But also, how does the freedom of Christ give you hope?  Take some time to pray and celebrate that you have been set free.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 4:21-31 (ESV)

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. 23 But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. 24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.27 For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” 28 Now you brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

When God called Abraham to leave all that he had to follow Him, He promised to make Abraham a father of a great nation; however, Abraham had no son since Sarah was barren.  Having waited many years, they began to waver in their faith in God’s promise. After more than ten years passed and still no son, where Sarah was way beyond the natural-child bearing age, Abraham and Sarah probably began to wonder if they had heard God wrong. Sarah ended up reasoning that perhaps through Hagar, her servant, they would be able to have children. Hagar ended up conceiving, and gave birth to a son, Ishmael. However, Ishmael was not the son who was to fulfill the promise of God. Fourteen years later, Sarah, at the age of 90, gave birth to Isaac—the son that God had promised to Abraham.

Paul uses this story to help us understand the difference between those who attempt to be justified by the law, and those justified by grace. Ishmael, who was conceived by Hagar, is a representation of human effort. Ishmael was the result of a lack of faith in God, being born of natural means. On the other hand, Isaac, who was conceived by Sarah, is a representation of God’s grace. Isaac was the result of faith in God, being born of supernatural means. Now, Paul contrasts these two and brings it into context for the Galatians: Those who want to be justified by the law are descendants of Ishmael, a lineage marked by human effort.  Those who want to be justified by grace are descendants of Isaac, a lineage marked by God’s grace.

Paul reminds us that we are sons of grace, descendants of Isaac, not Ishmael. We are His children by His grace and not by our efforts. But why does he continue to re-emphasize this point about grace over works? Paul seems to know something about our human nature and what we are influenced by. We live in a works-based society and are heavily influenced by that. In fact, if we do not take regular pauses out of our day to remember His grace in our lives, we will fall into the lie that we deserve everything we have, because we have worked hard for it. It is so easy to be influenced by legalism that we are actually told to cast it out of our presence. Legalism leads to spiritual pride. Spiritual pride blinds us to the needs of others around us, to the point where we are unable to extend grace and mercy to those around us. Grace, on the other hand, leads to humility. Humility leads to receiving grace from God and extending grace to others.

Have you accepted His grace? Humble yourself today and remind yourself that you have been made a child of God because of His grace. May this be a refreshing reminder that we are recipients of amazing grace, and may it cause our hearts to leap with true joy!

Prayer

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found! Was blind, but now I see.”

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 71-72

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 4:8-20 (ESV):

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

We are all susceptible to having counterfeit gods in our lives. What are counterfeit gods? Timothy Keller explains it as “anything in life [that] is an absolute requirement for your happiness and self-worth.” We can easily jump from one idol to another, thinking that we have overcome idolatry, but actually falling prey to another false god. There are so many false idols in this world that continue to pull for our attention—power, sex, social media, etc.  But often the moment we feel like we have broken free from the grips of one god, we realize we have been enslaved by another god.

The Gentiles whom Paul was writing this letter to must have been shocked to read this letter, accusing them of turning back again to false gods. Though they were once enslaved by pagan idolatry, they thought that they were now true worshippers of God—how could Paul accuse them of such a thing? Yet Paul was talking about a different false god: the Law, given by God himself. These Gentiles may not have been worshipping false gods, which their culture had erected—but they were worshipping the Law. Paul says that the Law has no power to save, but they were treating it as a god who could save them.

But today, I want to focus on Paul’s genuine concern for these Galatians as a spiritual father. Not only as a father, but also as a concerned mother who is in the process of childbirth. He is in deep anguish that his spiritual children are turning to false teachings. When we take an inventory of our relationships with our family, our friends, and the brothers and sisters in our church, do we have a concern for them in this way as Paul did? On the other end, do we have people who are concerned for us in this way? This is the importance of the community of faith. We need those who are genuinely concerned for us and are willing to point out the counterfeit gods in our lives—particularly in this “do-anything-your-heart-desires” world. If we are not actively involved in a local church, we are missing out on an important element of the Christian faith—people who love us enough to point out these false idols.

If I have a false idol in my life which I can’t see or won’t admit to, I would want those who genuinely care for me to point it out graciously. Wouldn’t you? Of course, it’s uncomfortable and we might get defensive at first, but hopefully, we will realize that it is for our good and that these idols can be rooted out. Surround yourselves with people who care for you and take a moment to thank them.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the many spiritual fathers and mothers who have poured into my life, making sure that I am not following after false gods, but that I am worshipping and honoring the true and living God. May You surround me with more people who will care for me in this way, and may you use me to care for others in this way.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 70

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 3:23 – 4:7 (ESV)

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The Gentiles were able to become a part of Israel if they were circumcised and kept the law, identifying themselves with the nation of Israel (Ex. 12:48).  The Judaizers that were trying to get the Gentile converts to be circumcised were trying to be faithful to that command. But Paul is proposing that they have entered into a new season, where the way to come to God was through Jesus. Whether you were a Jew, under the guardianship of the Law, or a Gentile, an outsider adopted into the family, the promise was now fulfilled in Jesus. There is no differentiation between the adopted son and natural born son – both were heirs to the inheritance through faith in Jesus.

If we stop to think about it, there is a very natural progression in human history, particularly with God’s plan in mind. Paul equates this to a child growing up. When a son has not yet reached the age of maturity, though the inheritance is set out for him, he does not have full rights to it. He is still under guardians that discipline and control him. This is the role of the Law before Jesus came into this world. This was the season that God’s people were transitioning out of into a new season, marked by freedom and authority. But the Judaizers were still stuck in this “old season” and could not see where God was going with His redemptive plan.

Just as a child ages and transitions through seasons, so does human history. It is easy for us to forget that there is a plan set in motion from the beginning. Isn’t it amazing to know that things don’t just happen randomly, but there is a God-ordained progression that we are following? I realize that so often, I make decisions in life based on my calculations and plans, and then I ask God to bless my decisions. If I don’t think about it, I might wander through this life aimlessly, just following whatever trend I am met with, or stuck in a particular pattern of thinking. But I realize how important it is to actually know what season we are in, so that we are able to join in on what God is doing. This is a divine season that you and I are in. Let’s seek God together and ask Him to show us what He is doing in our generation, in this season, so that we might fulfill the plans God has set out for us.

Prayer: Father God, we don’t want to miss out on what You are doing in this season. Help us be attentive to your Holy Spirit so that we might fulfill the gospel mandate for this generation.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 68

Lunch Break Study

Read Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV):  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Question to Consider

1. In light of the morning devotion, does this “season of grace” we are in mean that there is no more need for the law?
2. What can this passage tell us about the Law?

Notes

1. The Law is not discarded in this season of grace. It’s important to realize that the Law is still very important, as it is the guiding principles that we are to live by. When a child is young, he is told not to touch the hot stove and is restricted/restrained from doing so. When the child has reached maturity, he is no longer told not to touch the hot stove, but he understands the governing principle. So also, we are to understand the Spirit of the Law in this season, as God’s instruction to us on how to live.
2. The Law is still important. Even though it doesn’t have the power to save us, it is still given for our benefit and we are to pay careful attention to it. It is working with grace for the benefit of the believers.

Evening Reflection

Are you actively trying to understand what God is doing in your life, your church, and your community? We can easily spend our entire lifetime without having a clue as to what God is doing in our world or even in the communities. Just as the Judaizers were oblivious to what God was doing, we can also be unaware of what God is doing. Let us approach God with humility and ask for understanding so that we will not miss out on what God is doing.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 3:21-29 (ESV)

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[g] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

The giving of the law seemed contrary to the promise of God that salvation was purely by grace. Is salvation by human effort or by God’s grace? So this is a valid question: Did God mess up? Is God contradicting himself? Paul is saying, “Absolutely not!” Law and grace do not contradict one another, but actually complement one another in God’s plan of salvation for His people. Philip Ryken uses this baseball analogy as an illustration to help us understand this:

“For two glorious summers, the Chicago Cubs taught baseball fans the fundamentals of Reformation theology. First, the Cubs made a trade for Vance Law and started him at third base. Then a few months later, they brought first basemen Mark Grace up from the minor leagues. There they were, right next to each other in the batting order: Law and Grace. They were in the proper order too, first Grace, batting in the fifth position, and then Law. For as Paul explained to the Galatians, God gave grace to Abraham before He gave Moses the law. And there they stood on the baseball diamond – Grace and Law – holding down opposite corners of the infield. Opposing batters would smash the ball to third, where Law would knock it down and throw it over to first for the out. Law to Grace to retire the side. Law and Grace are not opponents; they are teammates working together for the salvation of God’s people. The law leads to grace, which is to be found only in Christ.”

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt the tension between the law and grace, where you felt captivated by the amazing grace given to you, but felt like you had to repay that grace by making sure you follow all the rules.  It’s not meant to be that way. It’s always been about grace. The law is not meant to be a vehicle for salvation, but it is meant to reflect our sins to us and redirect us to the grace of God. Again, it is the perfect teammate to grace, working side by side for the salvation of God’s people. Today, be confident in His grace, and hold onto His law, knowing that both are working for your good.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for Your law that not only teaches me how to live this life the right way, but also magnifies Your amazing grace in my life. May I daily seek to meditate upon your word and Your law, knowing that it has been given to me for my benefit.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 68

Lunch Break Study

Read Psalm 119:97-104 (ESV): Oh how I love your law! It is my mediation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.

Question to Consider

1. What is the psalmist encouraging us to do?
2. What are the benefits of holding onto the law of God?
3. What is your experience of the law of God? What is your perception of it?

Notes

1. The psalmist encourages us to meditate on the law of God day and night because it is for our benefit.
2. It give us wisdom and understanding. If God created us and designed us, His law is meant to be a manual on how we are to live this life with the most joy and fulfillment.
3. Self-Reflection.

Evening Reflection

How do you treat “the law of God?” Do you disregard the law because it’s all about grace? Or have you become legalistic and you are unable to receive or give grace? Tonight, ask God to help you to hold onto the radical middle—understanding that the law and His grace is what works together for our benefit.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 3:15-20 (ESV)

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. 19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

When I was a child, my dad would often have to go on business trips, sometimes very long trips to Taiwan. I didn’t like that he was away and thought that if only he had a private jet, he could come back much faster. So, one day, I promised him that I would grow up to make a lot of money and buy him his own personal private jet. I guess he didn’t believe me, because he wanted proof of it, a written contract if you will. So I drew an airplane on a piece of paper, signed my name on it, and handed it to him. I hope he doesn’t find that contract, because I don’t think I will ever be able to honor it.

A promise from God is not as fickle as a promise we make to one another. We might go back on our promises, or even due to circumstances simply be unable to fulfill it. But God always follows through on His promises. If man-made promises, in the highest degree, are contractually binding, how much more binding is a covenant that God makes with people?

With those lens, it’s important to see that the promise of grace precedes the giving of the Law. Paul argues that the gospel he has shared with the Galatians about the free grace of God through Jesus Christ was not a new invention that he came up with; rather, it dates all the way back to Abraham. He recounts to them God’s promise, that through the offspring of Abraham—not offsprings—He would bring blessing to all the nations on the earth. The offspring that He referred to is now revealed as His Son, Jesus. The Law is not a set of rules that is in competition to grace; rather, it is subordinate to grace. It is merely a subset in the grand scheme of grace that God had already set into motion, long before Moses was even born. Paul takes it a step further by showing that the Law was given through a middle-man, but the promise of grace was given directly by God to Abraham. Trust in His promise today, for He is trustworthy!

Prayer: Father God, Your promises are true. Thank You for Your grace and Your promise to love me. Help me to be confident in that promise when I feel unlovable, for Your words are trustworthy and true.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 67

Lunch Break Study

Read Genesis 22:15-19 (ESV): “And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.’”

Question to Consider

1. Read Genesis 22:9-14. How did Abraham obey God by not withholding his son from God?
2. Who is the offspring God is referring to?

Notes

1. God called Abraham to sacrifice his one and only son, Isaac, which would have meant that God wasn’t going to keep His initial promise made to him; yet Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, trusting that God would somehow keep the promise.
2. Abraham must have thought that the offspring that God was referring to was Isaac, and it was through the line of Isaac that the nation of Israel was formed. But ultimately, it is referring to Jesus, through whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

Evening Reflection

Philip Ryken says, “Salvation in Christ does not rest on a law that we inevitably break; it rests on a promise that God cannot break.” As you close the day, spend some time thanking the Lord for His promise of salvation to us. May you find a new joy in this amazing grace.

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 3:10-14 (ESV)

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Have you ever tried to use something that it wasn’t designed to do and found it to be incredibly inefficient and frustrating? I was once at a house where the showerhead wasn’t working (or so we thought). I ended up crouching in the tub trying to cup the water that came out of the faucet and splash it on myself to rinse off the soap. It was incredibly inefficient and a lot of water was wasted.

Paul is asking the Galatians: Do you really want to be saved by following the works of the Law? Do you really want to go that route? First of all, if you want to be justified by your works, you need to obey the entirety of the Law, which is impossible for man to do. Second, that’s not what the Law was meant to do. The Law was never meant to be the avenue through which humanity would be justified before God. So then, what is the purpose of the Law? Imagine coming home after a long day of gardening. In the bathroom, you look in the mirror and see how dirty you are. Does looking at the mirror make you clean? Of course not. No matter how intently or how long you look at the mirror, it cannot cleanse you. Instead, you turn on the water to wash your face so that you can be cleansed. The Law is a mirror that reveals the stain of sin that we all have; and only Jesus, who became a curse for us by hanging on that tree, is the one that can cleanse us permanently.

Paul says justification does not come by the law, but by faith in God. For Abraham, it was faith in God’s covenant with him. For the Israelites, it was faith in God’s provision of the Law and the sacrificial system[1]. And now Paul tells us that Jesus is the final and perfect sacrifice upon which we place our faith, so that we might receive the blessing of God and His Spirit. Faith isn’t only for the life to come, but for this life as well. Faith in our own ability to maneuver through life can easily supersede our faith in God. But we come to realize that living a life of faith in God is so crucial because it is the only currency that God honors. Are you living a life of faith in Him? Ask Him increase your faith and He will surely do so.

Prayer: Father God, help me see the ways that I have succumbed to legalism and help me turn from legalism towards your grace. I pray for an extra measure of faith so that I might live this life placing my faith in You rather than my own abilities to be a good person. Help me to take steps of faith, not just for the life to come, but for this life as well. May my faith in You dictate the way I live this life.

[1] The sacrificial system was actually what would cleanse them from their sins, not the Law.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 66

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Question to Consider

1. What is the reward of faith?
2. What does it mean to have faith in God in this passage?
3. Do you believe that God has prepared a heavenly city for you?

Notes

1. It’s important to note that we will not always see the fruit of our faith in this life time. We might see a promise of God from afar, but may not ending up receiving the fullness of the promise. Nevertheless, we know that faith, particularly faith in God will not let us down.
2. They had faith that God was leading them somewhere better. Ultimately, they did not see this earth as their home, a place for them to settle in, but they saw it as a place they were merely passing through. They were able to let go of the things of this earth because they knew that their true home awaited them.
3. Often we get distracted by the things of this world, but when we once again realign our purpose and vision to the city of God that awaits us, we will be once again ready to make decisions in this lifetime based upon faith in God.

Evening Reflection

“Legalism is more subtle and more pervasive and, in the end, more destructive. Satan clothes himself as an angel of light and makes the very commandments of God his base of operations. And the human heart is so inveterately proud and unsubmissive that it often uses religion and morality to express its rebellion. As Romans 10:3 says, ‘In seeking to establish their own righteousness, they would not submit to the righteousness of God.’ The pursuit of righteousness can lead to perdition. So Galatians admonishes us: Know why the law was given and don’t be bewitched into pursuing it in a way that leads to death, but only in a way that leads to life.” – John Piper

Editor’s Note:  The AMI Devotional QT from June 6-12 are written by Phillip Chen, college pastor intern at Church of Southland. Philip, a graduate of University of California, San Diego, is currently studying at Talbot School of Theology.  He is married to Esther.  

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Galatians 3:1-9 (ESV)

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

If I were to give you a cup of water with a drop of poison into it, would you drink it? I certainly hope not. That one drop of poison has contaminated the rest of the water and it is no longer fit to drink. In this passage, Paul is vigorously defending the fact that salvation is purely by grace, not by human effort, which is a bizarre idea for those who grew up in the Jewish faith. In fact, there is a passage in the Mishnah—a collection of Jewish customs and traditions—that says, “Heedfulness leads to cleanliness, and cleanliness leads to purity, and… saintliness leads to the Holy Spirit.” Perhaps that is why the Judaizers were so intent on trying to convince the new believers in Galatia that belief in Jesus was not enough, but that they needed to observe the Mosaic Law as well.

For Paul, it doesn’t matter if you inject 1% or 90% of human effort into the gospel message—salvation is no longer by grace if tainted with human effort. Ephesians 2:8 says, “By grace we have been saved through faith.” And it is not our own doing; it is the gift of God. If Jesus, the perfect, sinless, spotless Lamb has declared that our sins are washed away because of His works, then we are arrogant to think that our works—as flawed, sinful people—are needed to complete the process.

How does this apply to us? One common thing we do that is actually a reflection of a misguided belief of a merit-based salvation is the way we approach God when we have sinned. When we are faced with our sin, we tend to hide or run away. Some of us find ways to punish ourselves or make things better before coming to God. Other times, we are so hard on ourselves that we cannot forgive ourselves for our mistakes. Some of us even believe that though God started the salvation process, we need to take over in the sanctification process. Perhaps we do this because deep down, we feel that we need to earn the right to stand before God. But today, remember to run to Him and His perfect grace, for He is the One who has saved us and is continuing to save us.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for your perfect grace. I pray that today, You would remind me of Your extravagant grace that You have extended to me, and that the affections of my heart would be a response to that grace, rather than an effort to earn it.

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 65

Lunch Break Study

Read Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV): For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Question to Consider

1. How does Paul define grace? How would you define grace?
2. What are ways that we rely on our works?
3. What should we do with the grace that has been given to us?

Notes

1. Grace is merely a gift; it’s not a result of what we have done to earn it.
2. It could be about the degrees we have, our career, our good works, or even the people we know. Paul, in Philippians 3, lists off a number of personal accomplishments that he could boast in, but he finds all of that as contributing nothing to his salvation, because it is only by grace that he is saved.
3. We were created for good works – our good works is not a requirement for salvation, but it is not optional. It is not a contribution to our salvation, but a fruit of our salvation.

Evening Reflection

We are not very different from the Galatians. We have seen and experienced God’s grace in our lives, but somehow, we find ourselves slowly shifting towards a performance-driven faith. Perhaps it has to do with living in a performance-driven world, but we must remember that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation; it is purely by His grace—in the past, present, and future. Have you shifted to a performance-driven faith? Ask God to remind you once again of His wonderful grace.

Editor’s Note:  Today’s AMI QT Devotional is provided by Jabez Yeo.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

John the Baptist, when told that his younger cousin Jesus, whose ministry began later than him, was baptizing more people, said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (Jn. 3:30).  It is always heartwarming when you see a teacher or a coach who sincerely wants his student and player to surpass him.  That’s also what happened with respect to the main actors who dealt with another heresy in the early church.

As the church entered the 4^th century A.D., it continued to fight against heresies that were similar but subtler than adoptionism (i.e., the belief that Christ was adopted as God’s son at His baptism).  One such heresy was Arianism, which proposed that while the Trinity was made of three “divine beings,” only one, the Father, was without beginning and truly God. Arianism relied heavily on Greek philosophy, which believed that any change for God was improper, for to change is always for better or worse. Thus, Arius did not believe that Jesus was fully divine because “if Jesus is the incarnation of the Logos and if the Logos is divine, then God’s nature would be changed by the human life of Jesus.”[1]

In response, Alexander, the bishop of Alexandria, noted that if Arianism was true, true divinity did not unite with humanity in Jesus and, thus, humanity is not saved. Furthermore, Alexander used Arianism’s arguments against itself, stating that Arianism denied the “immutability of the Father by saying that He was not always Father but only became so by creating a son after some time.”[2]  Through the efforts of Alexander and other theologians, the Nicene Creed was formed to guard orthodox belief against Arianism.

Surprisingly, Alexander’s main contribution to fighting Arianism was not through his words but through his lifestyle of discipleship. Church history details that Alexander once saw children imitating certain church rites and that the “baptizing bishop” amongst them was a young boy named Athanasius.[3] Alexander decided to take Athanasius under his wing, and a life-long friendship began that was filled with godly instruction.  Athanasius would soon become the theological superior of his mentor and was used by God to hammer the final nails in the coffin of Arianism.

As Christians today, we must never forget the importance of discipleship. Let’s pray that God would use us to impact those younger than us so that they will do even greater things for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the people You placed in my life who helped me to know You. Thank You for sharing Your wisdom and guidance with me through them. Lord, use me in a similar way with the brothers and sisters younger than I. May they do even greater things for Your kingdom as a result. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] Olson, Roger. The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform.

[2] ^Ibid.

[3] http://www.prca.org/books/portraits/athan.htm

Bible Reading for Today: Psalm 64