Authentic Freedom

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm... and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1)

Two things jump out from this verse. First, this verse is teaching us that Christ has set us free. But what kind of freedom is Paul talking about? In Gal 5:13 Paul says, "But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature." So clearly freedom is opposite to sinning. We are not set free so that we can sin all we please. Rather, I believe true freedom is the ability to do what we were created originally to do, which is to love and obey God. As Christians we now have that power through our new nature and by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The second thing this verse is teaching us is that we must not believe in the lie of sin's slavery. When Paul says "and do not let yourself be burdened by a yoke of slavery", he's basically saying that we must not believe the lie that we are not free. Sometimes the influence of sin is so great, the temptation so irresistible that we feel imprisoned in our sins. But if we are truly Christian, this verse is basically telling us "don't let yourself be fooled into believing the lie"; Christ has set us free!

All true believer have been set free from the bondage of sin and therefore has the power to live a life pleasing to God. It's just that we are so use to the old way of indulging in sin that we find it so hard at times to break out of the old way and to believe that we've been set free from the power of sin. But we have been set free and Paul is telling us to stop believing in that lie that we are in bondage to sin.

So let us not make any more excuses. Next time we're tempted, let us remind ourselves that Christ through his death has broken the power of sin and given us the Holy Spirit to resist and overcome all temptations. Let us cry out to Christ in our moments of temptation!

Posted by Pastor James

"Paul in Jerusalem"

-Although Paul was told not to go to Jerusalem, he decided to go anyways to see James. Considering the problems that could have occurred due to their differences, I thought it was brave of Paul to do what he did. Although Paul represented the Gentiles and James represented the Jewish Christians they were able to praise God together. They welcomed each other with open arms and showed each other respect and kindness for the good works they were doing for the Lord.

I believe this passage challenged me to think about my openess to Christians outside of our church or my realm of friends. If I were James, would I have welcomed Paul with open arms considering our differences? How can we learn to put our differences behind and consider the more important issues that bring us all together?

Posted by Esther Kim

Paul the Witness

Paul sure took advantage of every opportunity to share the gospel. Even though he had been held on false charges for several years, when he stands before the king, his primary aim is not for his own release through gaining the king’s favor, or to “ingratiate himself with the authorities", but for the king’s conversion.

Paul had a plan as a missionary and years in prison was not part of it. Yet he didn’t lose sight of his purpose as a missionary, and still preached the gospel wherever he happened to be. When our lives are thrown off course – maybe for years – will we be able to trust God’s plan and that he would give us “words and wisdom” in any situation?

doing the loving in the all the right places

"all the jews and greeks who lived in the province of asia heard the word of the Lord" (acts 19:10).

in today's reading, mr stott makes an interesting observation when he states that religious people are best evangelized in religious buildings, but secular people are best evangelized in secular buildings.

i guess there's something to be said about sharing the gospel with unbelievers but not necessarily in a church setting, where "religious" culture and language may be unfamiliar and intimidating and off-putting.

we need to be culturally "sensitive" even when we relate to people who are of the same culture as we are.

we can all learn from the apostle paul who was the master evangelist. he was wise enough not to feel that persuading non-religious people into the synagogue just to hold dialogue with them was the most important thing.

instead he met them where they were most comfortable. by argument, by persuasion, by irrefutable evidence, and surely by the example of his own life, he proclaimed the message of salvation.

he is the example and pattern for our own evangelism. it is inspiring to think that by this strategy, "all the jews and greeks who lived in the province of asia heard the word of the Lord" (acts 19:10).

Mission in Macedonia

One thing that really stuck out to me regarding this reading was when the author described how the Gospel united people across racial, social, and psychological lines. It makes you think of how far apart some Christians are from one another while still proclaiming the same God.

I thought the way John Stott explained the different attitudes of those willing to hear the reason of the Scriptures versus those who adamantly rejected it also offered a clear remedy for some of our own shortcomings and obstacles. We need to adopt a more "serious attitude to the Scriptures," as the Jews in Berea diligently did. The power of the Scriptures is lifechanging and has shown itself to be the most effective conversion method for unbelievers and the spiritual sustenance for all Christians. The ending quote of my passage was fitting that I thought everyone should have a chance to reflect on.

" A characteristic of the true religion is that it suffers itself to be examined into. " --Bengel

The Jerusalem Council

By reading of today's reading, we can see glimpse of what struggles and issues that early churches had to face in planting and expanding of churches in worldwide. We see there was a group of people who insisted the gentile converts to conform to the law of Moses, mainly circumcision, to be saved. I do appreciate how the issue had been handled by and among apostles and the Council. Stott mentioned that it was the combination of prophetic witness ( Book of Amos) and apostolic experience (Peter's ministry to the Cornelius', Paul and Barnabas' ministry to the gentiles)to convince the council. We know the result by reading of Act 15:19-29. The Gospel of grace is for everyone, the circumcised and the uncircumcised.
Like Stott said, through this ordeal, God taught not only our forefathers but to us that Gospel of grace is for everyone who put his or her faith in Christ. We don't need any additional laws and rituals to complete our salvation.
Another aspect the brought forth a positive outcome was that the Council created guidelines not to enforce Jewish law on the gentile converts to avoid any conflicts in fellowship with one another.

Philip and an Ethiopian Leader

As Christians we should have that desire to share the gospel with others. But even though God pushes us into places or to people the opportunities just pass us by and our encounters with others are ‘short and sweet.’ I feel Philip was open, obedient, and patient to be led by God.

While reading the passage I thought about this verse:
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."