Author: Anna

  • Psalm 122:1

    “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” — Psalm 122:1

    When the psalmist declares, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord,’” he is recalling the deep joy he felt when the Israelites journeying to Jerusalem invited him to join them on their way to God’s sanctuary. This verse paints a beautiful picture of a people filled with gladness as they encouraged one another to come together and worship the Lord at His tabernacle in Jerusalem. For them, going to the house of God was never a burden or a lifeless routine, it was a privilege and a blessing, a joyful celebration of God’s presence dwelling among His people.

    Today, this verse seems almost the opposite of what we see in many people’s lives. So many are hesitant, wounded, disheartened, or simply uninterested in coming to church anymore. For unbelievers, that may be understandable but when this weariness comes from believers themselves, it becomes especially heartbreaking and discouraging.

    Jesus mentions seven churches in the book of Revelation, yet only two were found walking rightly with Him. The others had fallen into compromise, pride, or spiritual apathy. That shows us how even in the early church so close to the time of the apostles, not every congregation lived in full obedience.

    There was a season when I was deeply hurt within the church. I no longer felt glad to attend; instead, it became a burden. One day, I opened up to my pastor about what I was feeling, and he shared something that stayed with me ever since. He said there are five stages of offense that every believer must overcome in order to grow into spiritual maturity:

    1. Offense toward yourself
    2. Offense toward your family
    3. Offense toward your church brethren
    4. Offense toward your pastor
    5. Offense toward God

    I’ll share more about these stages another time, but it led me to ask a question: Why does offense happen inside the house of the Lord?

    When we read Revelation chapters 2 and 3, we see that out of the seven churches, five were rebuked by Jesus for things He had against them. This means that not all churches are consistently walking in His will or faithfully representing Him. Yet did you notice that Jesus never said they were not His church. Even those struggling with sin, compromise, or spiritual deadness were still His. Their failures did not erase their identity in Christ. Paul echoes this truth in 1 Corinthians 1:2 .

    Paul still called the Corinthians “the church of God” even though their background and behavior were far from perfect. Their immaturity, divisions, and moral struggles did not disqualify them from being God’s people. So why does offense happen in the church? Because every one of us is “in progress.” We are all being transformed into the character of Christ, but none of us have arrived yet. We still wrestle with pride, misunderstanding, hurt, and weakness. The church is not a gathering of perfect people. It’s a place where imperfect hearts are learning to be healed, forgiven, and changed by grace.

    We are commanded and expected to be gather together.

    We are not only encouraged but commanded and expected by the Lord to gather together. Jesus Himself promised that whenever we come together whether we are few or many. He is present among us.

    “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:20

    When Jesus instituted the breaking of bread, He gave a clear command to His disciples:

    “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” — Luke 22:19–20

    The Lord expects His people to gather and remember Him through communion. He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” From that moment, the disciples never stopped gathering together. They met continually to love one another, praying together, and rejoicing in fellowship.

    “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.… And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” — Acts 2:42, 46–47

    The Apostle Paul also reaffirmed the Lord’s command when he wrote to the Corinthians:

    “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.… For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” — 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

    Finally, the writer of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of gathering together:

    “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:25


    Even in the time when the book of Hebrews was written, there were already believers who had begun to forsake gathering together. That is why the writer strongly emphasized the importance of assembling with other believers. We are all commanded and expected to gather, because we are the Body of Christ. A body cannot live if it is separated from itself. Likewise, when believers isolate themselves from fellowship, their spiritual strength begins to fade. Gathering together keeps the body alive, united, and growing in the presence of Jesus, who promised to be in our midst.

    We are commanded to love one another.

    Jesus did not give us a suggestion to love other, but as a command.

    “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” — John 13:34–35; 15:12, 17

    Even when we were lost in sin and had completely forgotten about God, Jesus never forgot about us. He chose to die for us and rise again so that we could be reconciled to the Father. His love reached us at our lowest point even when we were undeserving, broken, and far away. Yet He loved us still.

    When Jesus said, “As I have loved you,” He was saying, “Love others the same way I loved you when you were at your worst.” His love is not earned by our goodness or perfection, it flows from His very nature. He loves because that is who He is. And so, His command to us is to love others in that same way not only when they are easy to love, but even when they hurt us, misunderstand us, or fail us. Because that is exactly what we did to Him, yet He never stopped loving. When Jesus hung on the cross, He looked beyond the pain and saw the joy set before Him, the joy of seeing us restored, forgiven, and reunited with Him forever. That is the kind of love He calls us to give.

    The Apostle Paul and Peter repeated this truth in his letter to the Romans:

    “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” — Romans 13:8

    “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” — 1 Peter 3:8

    “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8

    Paul and Peter both urge believers to love fervently with compassion, mercy, and gentleness. Love is the fulfillment of the law. When we truly love our brethren in Christ we will not harm them through gossip, bitterness, or any action that causes pain. We will not covet what belongs to them, nor allow envy to take root in our hearts. Love naturally keeps us from sin because it seeks the good of others above ourselves. True love also knows how to overlook offense. It means choosing to love rather than to hate, to show mercy instead of judgment, and to seek peace instead of conflict. 

    And the Apostle John beautifully reminds us that love is not just an action, it is a reflection of God Himself.

    “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” — 1 John 4:7

    To love one another is to live like Jesus. It is the true mark that shows who we belong to. When we walk in love, we reveal that we are children of God, reflecting the very nature of our Father. Jesus said, “I do what I see My Father doing.” In the same way, when we love others, we are mirroring the heart of our Father in heaven. God is love, and when His love flows through us, the world sees Him living in us.

    We are commanded to forgive one another.

    Jesus made it clear that forgiveness is not optional, it’s a command for every believer. He said:

    “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” — Matthew 6:14–15; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37

    Then Jesus became even more specific about how we should deal with those who wrong us:

    “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” — Luke 17:3–4

    Jesus teaches that forgiveness must be continual and sincere. We forgive not because people deserve it, but because we ourselves have been forgiven.

    I challenge you to think about how many times a day you fall short before the Lord. How many times you seek His mercy and expect Him to forgive you. If God forgives us every time we repent, how can we withhold forgiveness from our brothers and sisters when they hurt us?

    We often sin against God intentionally or through carelessness, yet He still receives us when we come to Him in repentance. Shouldn’t we, then, show that same mercy to others? Whether their apology seems sincere or not, our responsibility remains the same to forgive. As we have received forgiveness from God, we are also expected to extend forgiveness to others.

    The Apostle Paul also reminds us of this truth:

    “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:31–32

    Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to put away every form of bitterness and replace it with kindness and tenderheartedness. Sadly, many today forget this instruction. I often see on social media people venting their pain and anger about how they were hurt or offended by their church. My heart breaks when I read those posts, because the church, no matter how imperfect is still the body of Christ, purchased by His own blood. None of us are perfect. When failures happen in the church, we must remember that even those within ministry leadership are human and in need of grace.

    I was especially heartbroken when I saw what happened to the Hillsong Church.
    What happens when people do this? when they attack or speak harshly against the church? How can we tell if those actions are from God or from the devil?

    It’s simple. Look at the result. Do their actions lead people to repentance and bring them closer to Jesus? Or do they bring destruction, shame, and division?
    Anything that kills, steals, or destroys comes from the enemy. But everything that gives life, heals, and restores comes from Jesus. God’s heart is never to tear down His church, it is always to build it up and bring His people back to Him.

    None of us are without flaws or struggles. When we speak harshly against others, especially those in the body of Christ, who are we really shaming, the people, or the name of Jesus, whom we serve?

    When we attack the church, we are wounding the very bride that Jesus purchased with His own blood. That is not how the love of Christ behaves. Love corrects, but it also covers. Love restores, it doesn’t destroy. There is always a better way to handle these matters, a way that reflects the heart of Jesus for His church.

    Paul writes to the Galatians:

    “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:1–2

    And to the Thessalonians, he said:

    “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15

    To the Philippian church, the most encouraging of all his letters. Paul wrote:

    “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” — Philippians 2:3–4

    All these passages remind us that we are all a work in progress. We each have weaknesses and imperfections that God is still working on. The answer is not to tear one another down, but to forgive, restore, and bear each other’s burdens in love.

    The Church Is A Source of Comfort and Strength.

    Look at what Paul says about how the church became a source of encouragement, strength, and goodness in his life. In 2 Corinthians 7:5–7, Paul was deeply troubled:

    For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

    God comforted Paul through the arrival and encouragement of Titus. This shows us that God often uses people, our brothers and sisters in the church to strengthen, uplift, and help us in times of need.

    Paul also during his imprisonment wrote about Onesiphorus, a faithful believer who brought him comfort and courage when others had abandoned him:

    “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.” — 2 Timothy 1:16–17

    Paul also expressed gratitude to the Philippian church for their faithful support:

    But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. – Philippians 4:10, 14–16

    The church is the assembly of the people of God. Have you ever wondered why the Israelites were so excited, enthusiastic, and filled with joy when they gathered together in Jerusalem? It wasn’t only because of tradition or festival. It was because their gathering carried prophetic meaning. The Jewish people had been taught that one day they would all be gathered together in the Kingdom of God. Every time they went up to Jerusalem to worship, they were not only celebrating what God had done, they were practicing for what was to come. Their gatherings were a prophetic picture of the future, when all of God’s people would be united in His eternal presence.

    If the church didn’t matter, then why would Jesus die for us? Why would He tell Peter,

    In our time, we too gather in the church and there is deep purpose in that. We gather because it is in the church that we hear and are taught the Word of God. It is in the church that we receive encouragement, grow in our walk with Jesus, and learn to live out the commandments we’ve been given to love, forgive, and serve one another. It is in the church that we are cared for by faithful pastors who watch over our souls.

    But more than that, every time we gather together, we are prophetically declaring our future. The church on earth is a reflection of the church in heaven, God’s people gathered before His throne, worshiping Him day and night. When we come together in worship, we are rehearsing for eternity.

    “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18

    If the church were not essential, why would Jesus promise to build it and why would the apostles dedicate their entire lives to planting, teaching, and strengthening it? Why would they continually encourage believers to assemble together if gathering wasn’t vital to our faith?

    So if you no longer feel glad about going to church, pray and ask God to touch your heart again. That feeling does not come from Him. God’s Word never tells us to turn away from His house. It calls us to come together in faith and obedience. Not attending the gathering of God’s people based on emotion or offense is not biblical, it goes against His commands and His design for His people.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” — Romans 2:4

    Paul is addressing those who believe themselves righteous and look down on others for their sins. They think they are exempt from the condemnation described in Romans 1, because of their ethnic background, traditions or moral way of life. Yet, Paul speak the truth that no one is innocent before God. All are accountable for sin, and all stand in need of His mercy.

    Many Christians today twist the Scriptures for their own gain, using the Word of God to justify selfish desires or to build their own image instead of glorifying Him. But this is not a new tactic. If we look back to Scripture, we see the very first one who twisted God’s Word was Satan himself. In the garden, he twisted what God said to ensnare Eve, and ever since, his strategy has been the same, distorting truth to bring confusion and separation from God. The reason many people fall for these deceptions is a lack of knowledge about the nature of God. When we don’t truly know who God is, we become vulnerable to lies that sound spiritual but are far from the truth. That’s why Scripture tells us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

    As children of God, we are called not just to know His Word, but to reflect His character. The Scripture says, “Be imitators of God, as dear children” (Ephesians 5:1). Our lives show to the world who we belong to. The way we speak, the way we walk, the way we respond in love and truth, all of it declares our true identity.

    When Paul says, do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering. Let’s break each one down carefully, like breaking bread, so that we can fully digest the Word of God. Just as Jesus said, “Eat My flesh,” His words remind us that The Word of God is not meant only to be read or heard, it must be received, chewed on, and allowed to nourish our spirit. The Word of God is food for the soul. When we meditate on it, we are feeding our inner being. Just as physical food gives strength to the body, the Word gives life and health to our entire being. If food is not eaten, it cannot nourish; in the same way, if God’s Word is not absorbed, it cannot transform us. 

    The first word Paul mentions is goodness. In Greek, it is chrēstotēs, which means moral goodness, integrity, benignity, and kindness. Paul calls it “the riches of His goodness,” because God’s goodness is not poor or limited, it is overflowing and abundant. The goodness of God is not just about His righteousness; it is an expression of His great love that draws us closer to Him. God said to Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). His goodness is not just about doing good things, but about a love so faithful and steadfast that it reaches even those who turn away. His goodness gives rain to both the righteous and the wicked. It reveals a God whose mercy extends beyond what we deserve.

    God’s goodness also shows in His foreknowledge and mercy. He knew that Adam would transgress, yet He still gave him the freedom to choose. He knew David would fall into adultery, yet He still called him a man after His own heart. He knew Samson would be overcome by pride and deceived by Delilah, yet He still anointed him with strength and purpose. God sees our failures long before they happen, yet He keeps giving grace and making a way back.

    Even more, God knew that every one of us would fall short, deserving the penalty of sin and death. Yet in His rich goodness, He stepped down from His throne, took on human flesh as the Son of God, and died on the cross for our redemption. Then He rose again to bring us back to Himself. That is the true measure of His goodness, a love so great that it keeps reaching out even when we turn away. This is what Paul meant when he spoke of the riches of His goodness. God never stops making a way for us. Even when our hearts wander, His Spirit continues to tug, gently calling us back home. His goodness is not just something He does, it is who He is!. God love never fails, His mercy never runs dry, and His goodness calling us to return to Him.

    The next word Paul uses is forbearance, which comes from the Greek word anochē. It means toleration, restraint, a holding back, or delaying. Forbearance is the act of refraining from taking action against someone, choosing mercy when justice could be enforced, withholding what is deserved in order to give room for grace.


    This character of God has been retold throughout Scripture. From the very beginning, we see a God who patiently holds back judgment and extends mercy instead. In Genesis, when humanity became filled with wickedness and violence, God said He regretted creating man. Yet He did not bring judgment immediately. Instead, He waited many years, allowing Noah to preach righteousness and warn people before the flood came.

    We see the same heart of forbearance in God’s dealings with Israel. Time after time, they turned away from Him to follow idols, yet He continued to send prophets to call them back. God spoke through Ezekiel revealing His heart, saying, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” His patience was not passive, it was an active expression of love, giving people opportunity after opportunity to repent.

    Even Jonah was familiar with this nature of God, and it was the very thing that made him angry and caused him to run away. He wanted God to judge the Assyrians, not forgive them. When the Lord sent him to warn the people of Nineveh, Jonah resisted because he already knew the nature of God he served. He understood that if the people repented, God would show them mercy. After Nineveh turned from its wickedness and God withheld His judgment, Jonah said to the Lord, “I knew that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.” Jonah wasn’t surprised by God’s mercy, he expected it. He knew that God would rather forgive than destroy, that His compassion always makes room for repentance. Even though Jonah struggled to accept it, God’s heart remained the same full of grace, ready to pardon, and eager to show mercy to all who turn back to Him.

    In the New Testament, Peter reminds believers who were growing impatient for Christ’s return that God’s timing is not like ours. He wrote, “Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” What we often see as delay is actually God’s mercy in action, His loving patience giving humanity time to come home. We grow impatient easily, but praise God that He is not like us. His forbearance reveals a love beyond measure. A love that waits, that restrains, and that keeps the door of grace open just a little longer, hoping that hearts will finally return to Him.

    But this gracious forbearance of God has a purpose—it is never meant to be taken advantage of. God’s patience is not permission to continue in sin; it is an opportunity to repent. What makes this truth terrifying is when people know that God is gracious, yet continue to live the same way. They presume upon His mercy, thinking they still have time because God is waiting.

    Remember the parable of the ten virgins. All of them fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom, but only five were wise enough to bring extra oil. The other five were foolish, they were unprepared when the bridegroom arrived. The waiting period was given to all, but only half used it wisely. In the same way, God’s forbearance is the time He gives us to return to Him, not to indulge in our own pleasures. His patience is not weakness; it is grace extended for a season. One day, the door will close, and those who wasted their time will realize too late that His waiting was mercy calling them home

    God’s forbearance is a reflection of His deep mercy and His desire for relationship, not judgment. He restrains His anger, gives space for repentance, and shows a patience beyond human comprehension. His forbearance is His love holding back justice so that grace can have its chance. It is the love of a Father waiting with open arms for His children to come home.

    The third word Paul uses is longsuffering, from the Greek word makrothymia, which means patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, and perseverance. Longsuffering is the ability to endure difficulties, offenses, or suffering for a long time without giving up or growing angry. We know how deeply God hates sin, not because He hates people, but because sin corrupts us that He created in His image and separates us from His presence.

    Throughout the Scriptures, God continually reveals this longsuffering nature. From the very beginning, we see hearts turning away from God who created us in love. Adam chose to transgress God’s command rather than face separation from Eve. That one decision opened the door for sin to enter the world, and since then, mankind has continued to choose creation over the Creator.

    Israel, God’s chosen people, reflected this same rebellion. Though He delivered them from Egypt with mighty power, parted the Red Sea before their eyes, and fed them in the wilderness, they continually turned to idols. They exchanged the glory of the living God for lifeless images made by their own hands.

    During the time of Samuel, when the people of Israel rejected God as their King and demanded a man to rule over them, Samuel was grieved. But how much more must God have been grieved? He who created us fearfully and wonderfully, only to see them choose human leadership over Him?

    God Himself expressed this pain through the prophets. He said through Ezekiel, “I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me.” Through Hosea, we hear Him cry, “My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.” And through Micah, His broken heart pleads with His people, “O My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Testify against Me. For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage.” (Micah 6:3–4).

    Even today, humanity continues to grieve God’s heart. Yet in His longsuffering love, He still chose to leave His throne, take on human flesh as the Son of God, and die for the very sins that wounded Him. Then He rose again, offering forgiveness and calling us back into His loving arms.

    And yet Paul says, “Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering?” How could we despise a God who has done nothing but love us? who reaches out to us again and again, even when we turn away? What greater sin could there be than to ignore such love? We are commanded not to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit, for He is the very presence of God dwelling within us.

    Now we truly understand Paul’s words: “not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.” The goodness of God’s character draws us near and satisfies our souls. His goodness is not an approval of sin but a revelation of His desire to see our lives transformed. When we grasp the depth of His patience, mercy, and love, the only response worthy of Him is worship, repentance, and gratitude. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.”

    The city of Corinth was one of the great cities of the ancient world. A thriving, prosperous, and fast-growing community. It was home to a rich mix of people from many nations and served as a major center for sports, government, the military, and business. Every two years, thousands of people gathered at the temple of Poseidon for the Isthmian Games, a massive festival of athletic competition second only to the Olympic Games and were a celebration of athletic skill, endurance, and discipline. The games were deeply woven into Corinthian culture, and the people took great pride in them. The Apostle Paul understood the deep passion the Corinthians had for sports. He used that same enthusiasm to help them clearly grasp and visualize the message he was teaching, comparing the Christian life to running a race. When Paul spoke of “running the race” and striving for the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24–27), his words instantly connected with them. The Corinthians knew what it took to train hard, to stay disciplined, and to give everything for the sake of victory. Paul drew on that familiar image to show that following Christ requires the same determination, focus, and endurance. Yet unlike the athletes who competed for a temporary reward, believers run for a prize that is incorruptible, far greater than anything this world can offer.

    Corinth was also filled with temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses such as Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, Isis, Serapis, and Asclepius. Most prominent of all was the worship of the Corinthian Aphrodite, the goddess of love, whose temple was served by more than thousand “hierodouloi“, women who worked as prostitutes and priestesses. This kind of worship wasn’t new, it only changed the names and the places If you look back at the Old Testament, the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth was the same thing. Sexual acts were part of their rituals and were seen as worship. Even in Ephesus, people practiced similar things to honor their gods. For the Corinthians, this way of living—partying, drinking, and sexual immorality was completely normal. It was what defined their city. And the truth is, the same sin that ruled Corinth still rules many hearts today. Sin runs deep in human nature and continues to manifest itself in every generation.

    When Paul says, “To the church of God which is at Corinth. He was addressing the assembly of God’s in a city filled with idolatry and immoral practices. What makes this so radical is what the Lord Jesus told Paul in Acts 18:9–10, “Do not be afraid, but speak, for I have many people in this city.” Corinth was a place filled with corruption, idolatry, and immorality, yet God declared that He had many people there. Let that sink in for a moment.

    Many people still hold an unbiblical expectation that the church should be full of perfect people—those who always smile, act politely, and do everything right. But that mindset completely misses the heart of the gospel. The Corinthian church, the very one where Jesus said, “I have many people in this city,” was full of issues. They struggled with moral failure, false teaching, divisions in leadership, misuse of spiritual gifts, disorder in worship, and rebellion against authority. Yet despite all their flaws, they were still called the church of God. Jesus came for sinners, that’s the heart of His gospel. Salvation is for anyone who recognizes their need for a Savior, anyone willing to turn from their sinful nature and come into the kingdom of God. Jesus never waits for us to be perfect, and He doesn’t expect us to have it all together. His grace meets us right where we are, in the middle of our brokenness and mess. That’s what He did for the Corinthians, and that’s exactly what He’s still doing for us today.

    Then Paul affirmed the Corinthians with these words: “To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” Notice the words to be are inserted by translators. The Corinthians were called saints, not called to be saints despite all their corruption, and sin. Paul wasn’t blind to their struggles and fall short, but he wanted the Corinthians to remember who they were in Christ. They were sanctified, set apart for God’s purpose. The Greek word hagiazō means “to sanctify,”, “to separate from profane things or dedicate to God.” It also carries the idea of being made holy and freed from the guilt of sin.

    But how could people with such a broken past be called sanctified? The answer is found in the book of Hebrews 10:10. “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”. Our sanctification doesn’t come from our own good works, because as Scripture says, “There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). It comes from what Christ accomplished on the cross. Paul reaffirmed this truth to the Corinthians when he wrote, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Paul wanted them to understand that their new identity was not defined by who they used to be, but by what Christ had done for them.

    There is no one in this world who can truly transform our life in a way that pleases God apart from Christ. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory. So if you think Jesus expects you to come to Him already clean, think again. Do you think Jesus would have died on the cross to pay for all our sins, if He were unaware of our transgressions and uncleanness before God? Of course not. He knew exactly our spiritual conditions. What He desires is not perfection but repentance.

    To repent means to change our mind, to turn away from sin, and to turn toward Him. It’s a willingness to be changed by His power. A humble heart that submits to His will and purpose for our lives. All Jesus wants is for us to come to Him, just as the Corinthians did, and follow Him. As Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He is the one who cleanses, sanctifies, and makes us new and our job is to believe and follow Him.

    Then Paul continues, “with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2,). Paul corrects their mindset by reminding them that they were called saints not because of their own goodworks, status or spiritual achievements, but because they believed in and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord. He made it clear that this calling was not exclusive to them, it included everyone who calls on the name of the Lord in everywhere.

    What made some of the Corinthians think they were the only true saints was their abundance of spiritual gifts. They had prophets, spoke in tongues, and experienced many manifestations of the Holy Spirit. But this caused pride to creep in. Some began to believe that their gifts made them more spiritual or superior to others. Have you ever met Christians who look down on others because they don’t speak in tongues or don’t show the same spiritual experiences? That same attitude existed in Corinth.

    Paul wanted them to understand that spiritual gifts are not a measure of maturity or superiority. Speaking in tongues doesn’t make someone greater than another believer. Paul addressed this directly when he said that love is what truly builds up the church and that every gift has its proper place and limit (1 Corinthians 13:1–13). He reminded them that the grace of God was not confined to their church or their abilities. The same grace that saved and worked through them was the same grace extended to all who believe in Jesus Christ.

    The epistles of Paul to the church in Corinth are one of my favorites because they reveal the true spiritual condition of humanity. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians are filled with correction and that’s what we all need. We need preaching that convicts the heart and draws us closer to Jesus. This is why prosperity preaching often makes people spiritually asleep and comfortable in sin.

    Corinth stands as living proof that Jesus never called anyone to be perfect. He calls us to repentance. He knows our weaknesses, and that’s why the only thing He asks of us is to believe in Him and follow Him. When you truly believe in someone, you act on what they say. If someone told you that broccoli could heal a disease, you’d probably start eating broccoli. It’s the same with Jesus. When you believe in Jesus and hear His words, “Go and sin no more,” your heart begins to change. You no longer want to live in sin. And the more you walk with Him, the more you understand His great love for you. That agape love that transforms you from the inside out until you begin to hate sin not out of fear, but out of love because you understand, it was sin that crucified Christ on the cross and you never want to see Him crucified again.

  • Proverbs 12:4

    “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” — Proverbs 12:4

    This passage describe a two character of a wife. One who brings honor and one who brings shame. But when we take a closer look at the original Hebrew meaning of the word “excellent,” we discover something really interesting about how God describes a wife as “excellent”. The Hebrew word used here is ḥayil (חַיִל), a word that carries the meanings of strength, might, efficiency, wealth, and army. Interestingly, ḥayil is a masculine term often used in Scripture to describe warriors, armies, and men of great wealth.

    For instance, Gideon is called a “mighty man of valor” (ḥayil, Judges 6:12), and the same word is used to describe Pharaoh’s armies or forces in Exodus 14:9. It even refers to Boaz, who is described as a man of great wealth (ḥayil, Ruth 2:1). King David also uses the word ḥayil to describe power in 2 Samuel 22:33. Now we see that an excellent wife is described with the same word “ḥayil” meaning she is valiant, strong like an army, and full of wealth and power. She is the crown of her husband.

    This is very different from how society often defines a “virtuous woman.” In many cultures, a virtuous woman is expected to be weak, overly submissive, quiet, and without a voice or the right to question. But the Bible gives a very different picture. This kind of woman is strong, capable, and wise. She is described as a crown. And what does a crown symbolize? A crown represents honor, power, and authority. Her character lifts her husband up, just as a crown magnifies the stature of a king.

    Are you also aware of another powerful Hebrew word — ʿēzer (עֵזֶר) — used in Genesis 2:18 when God says, “I will make a helper suitable for him”? Unfortunately, the English word “helper” often sounds subservient, as though Eve was created simply to assist Adam like an assistant or servant. But ʿēzer is actually a military term, used throughout the Old Testament to describe God Himself as the defender and rescuer of His people. For example, Moses said that God is our help (ʿēzer), and Psalm 33:20 declares, “O God, You are my help (ʿēzer).” Far from implying weakness, ʿēzer carries the meaning of a strong ally, a warrior, helper, someone who protects, supports, and stands alongside, even to the point of self-sacrifice.

    Let me give you an example from the Bible of women who stood beside their husbands. One of my favorites in Women in the Bible “Noah’s Wife”. She wasn’t given any lines in Scripture, but her faith and actions spoke louder than words. Imagine standing beside your husband, assigned by God to build an ark because a flood was coming at a time when there had never been rain on the earth! Building this enormous ark took almost a hundred years. If you are a wife, you know that when your husband receives an assignment from the Lord, it isn’t always easy. There will be confusion, doubt, and opposition. Yet during Noah’s time, when no one had ever seen rain, his wife strengthened her husband and faithfully worked beside him. She was strong like an army, unwavering, determined, and steadfast. Just like a woman of valor. When Scripture mentions her as Noah’s wife, it doesn’t diminish her; it honors her. When God joins a husband and wife, He no longer sees them as two but as one. When Noah was praised, she was praised. His accomplishments were her accomplishments. Remember, when Adam failed, Eve was part of that story and when righteous men succeeded, their wives were often part of that victory.

    Now, let’s turn to the New Testament. Another example is Priscilla, the wife of Aquila. The Apostle Paul often praised Priscilla, even mentioning her name before her husband’s. That tells us how active and dedicated she was in serving the Lord. Priscilla and Aquila worked together in ministry and even had a church in their home. Have you ever wondered, if Priscilla had not been so active and faithful, would Aquila have become the great man of God and servant of God that he was? Her character, perseverance, and willingness to assist her husband in fulfilling God’s calling made her a true crown to him. Her strength, wisdom, and devotion were so evident that Paul himself recognized the honor and power of her life.

    So do you really think God would create a woman to help a man rule and take care of the entire earth who was weak and unable to stand beside her husband in such a great task? Would He design her to be illiterate and confined only to household duties while her husband sacrifices his life to fulfill God’s calling? Of course not! That image of womanhood is what the world expects but it is not what God designed.

    How can you ask God for a wife who is virtuous or excellent, a woman who will be your crown, if you haven’t renewed your mindset about God’s true design for women, instead of what the world has taught? After the fall, we entered a spiritual battle and the fight continues today. In a battle, a warrior needs someone strong and capable standing beside them, not someone weak and fearful. God created woman to be an ʿēzer a warrior helper. As a warrior, she must be steadfast, and courageous, standing side by side with her husband in the fight of faith. The battle is fierce, but she was created for it.

    If we desire to be virtuous and excellent women, we must understand that these two words describe a woman’s character. This kind of character is not something we are naturally born with. A virtuous woman is not self-made. She is shaped by God’s hand and molded through His Word and His Spirit. So how can we develop this kind of character? We must first seek God and spend time in His Word. It is God who teaches, corrects, and guides us to become women of godly character. As the Scripture says, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).
    Now we can understand that an excellent wife is trained by God and is truly a gift from Him.

    Unfortunately, not all wives are excellent or virtuous. The passage continues, “But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones”. This kind of wife becomes to her husband like a cancer in his bones, causing deep pain and weariness from within. A woman without godly wisdom or self-control brings ridicule upon herself and sorrow upon her husband. Just as decaying bones bring constant agony, so a wife with corrupt or careless character brings distress and dishonor to her home. 

    A foolish woman who brings shame has never allowed the Lord to shape her character. She follows her own desires and emotions instead of submitting to God’s will. Her self becomes her lord.


    We also see examples in Scripture of women who brought shame and destruction because they turned away from God and His guidance. Shame first appeared in the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam transgressed against the Lord. The Scripture says, “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Their disobedience brought shame, just as a woman today who continues in wrongdoing toward her husband brings shame instead of honor.

    Sarah also felt shame when she realized she had acted in unbelief by giving Hagar to Abraham, trying to fulfill God’s promise in her own way (Genesis 16:2–5). Yet even then, God sought her out. Remember when the Lord asked Abraham, “Where is Sarah thy wife?” (Genesis 18:9). Just as He sought Adam in the garden, God’s question revealed His mercy and desire to restore.

    Delilah brought shame, destruction, and sorrow into Samson’s life when she betrayed him for silver. The Scripture says, “And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him” (Judges 16:19).

    Job’s wife spoke foolishly in a time of sorrow, saying to her husband, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). Imagine the weight of her words. Job was already in deep grief and pain, yet instead of offering comfort, she added to his sorrow. She became as “rottenness in his bones.” In that moment, a husband might feel regret and ask himself, “Why did I not choose a woman who understands God’s character, His sovereignty, and His purpose? a woman who truly loves the Lord?”

    Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, also led her husband into great wickedness. Scripture says, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25,). She murdered the prophets of God, seized Naboth’s vineyard through deceit, and even caused the prophet Elijah to flee in fear. Jezebel became a snare to Ahab. She not only encouraged him to commit evil but also turned his heart away from the God of Israel, the one true and living God. Her life stands as a warning of how a woman without the fear of the Lord can bring destruction not only upon herself but also upon her husband and household.

    This passage reveals that choosing the wrong woman can make a man’s life miserable, destroy his reputation, and even bring him to ruin. Solomon himself experienced this and wrote, “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26, KJV). A seductive or ungodly woman is like a trap, she draws a man away from God’s purpose and leads him into bondage.  

    What do we learn from these two types of wives, and what are we called to do? For every man and woman, it is very important to have an intimate relationship with Jesus first before entering into marriage. But if you are already married and find yourself here, searching the Scriptures and desiring to be transformed by God, know this, it is never too late.

    All of us, whether man or woman, have areas in our character that need change, that’s why we all need Jesus. We must continue to walk closely with the LORD Jesus, because while we walk with Him, He slowly transforms us from within. He heals our past traumas and wounds and removes all the junk that has built up in our hearts like unforgiveness, bitterness, and pride. Through His Spirit, He teaches us to understand His will and purpose for our lives.

    In time, as a woman allows God to refine her, she becomes ready for the man God has prepared for her. A woman who can truly become a crown to her husband instead of a cancer that destroys him. Everything we have learned and discussed about being women of strength and courage should lead us to use that character to help, serve, and assist our husbands. Our role is to stand beside them like a warrior in battle, offering strength and support, but not to take the lead. The same is true for men. Before God entrusts a woman to him, He must first heal, prepare, and align that man with His purpose. God designed us to complement, not compete; to help fulfill His purpose together, side by side.

  • I Peter‬ ‭3:1-2

    “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” — I Peter‬ ‭3:1-2‬

    In this verse, the Apostle Peter is speaking specifically to married women, not to unmarried women. The word “submissive” comes from the Greek word hypotassō, which means to place under, to subject oneself, to obey, or to submit to another’s authority. The context of this submission is within marriage This instruction is directed toward wives in relation to their own husbands, not to men in general. The Bible does not call women to be subject to all men, but only to their husbands, the one they are united with in covenant before God.

    To grasp this word more deeply, we can look at how it’s used elsewhere in the Bible.

    When Jesus was a child, He was subject to His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51). Even though He was the Son of God, He chose to obey them not because they were greater, but to fulfill righteousness and demonstrate perfect obedience. Likewise, children are called to honor and obey their parents because parents carry wisdom and experience that guide their children in the right path. This obedience is for protection and growth. Yet, Scripture also commands parents not to provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). God gives authority not for abuse, but for loving guidance and care.

    Peter uses hypotassō again when instructing believers to submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13–14). Why? Because government, though imperfect, is established by God to maintain order on earth (Romans 13:1–2). Even when Christians faced persecution and injustice, Peter still encouraged submission not as blind obedience, but as a testimony of faith and trust in God’s sovereignty. To resist lawful authority brings consequences, but to submit with a right heart brings peace and honor to God.

    Peter also uses the word submission when addressing servants toward their masters (1 Peter 2:18). This is one of the most sensitive passages in Scripture, but Peter was not endorsing slavery. Instead, he was teaching believers how to live righteously in a fallen system without losing faith or dignity. We see an example in Hagar, when she fled from Sarah’s harsh treatment, the angel of the Lord told her to return and submit (Genesis 16:9). God did not ignore her suffering; He promised to bless her and her descendants. This shows that submission never goes unnoticed. God sees, judges, and vindicates in His perfect time. Likewise, the Bible commands masters to treat their servants justly, knowing that they too are subject to the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 6:9).

    Now we begin to understand why subjection is so important, not only because God commands wives to be in subjection to their own husbands, but because it is a principle for everyone. As 1 Corinthians 14:33 reminds us, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” Wherever there is divine order, there is harmony, righteousness, and peace.

    Wives are not commanded to submit to their husbands because they are less, inferior, or weak. Women are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). There is no inferiority in God’s creation, after God created woman, He said that everything was very good. Yet after the fall (Genesis 3:16), the relationship between man and woman became strained. What was once harmony became a battle for control. That is why God said to Eve, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” This was not a command for domination, but an instruction for order within marriage, so that husband and wife could live together in harmony under God’s design.

    The New Testament reveals this truth even more clearly, showing us that marriage is a reflection of Christ and His Bride, the Church. Just as the Church submits to Christ, so wives are called to submit to their husbands. And just as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for her, so husbands are called to love their wives with the same sacrificial and unconditional love. Remember, God said that man was given authority to have dominion over the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). God’s intention for marriage was never for Adam or any man to dominate his wife, but to lead her, love her and protect her, just as Christ loves and protects His Church. When a wife submits to her husband, she is not merely yielding to a man, but honoring God’s design.

    Remember, when Eve stepped outside of that order and acted independently of her husband, the result was the destruction of God’s perfect design. Through her disobedience, sin entered the world. Later, Sarah’s lack of submission to God’s timing led her to give Hagar to Abraham, producing Ishmael and even today, the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac live in conflict. Rebecca took matters into her own hands by deceiving Isaac and teaching Jacob to deceive his own father  create division and strife between the brothers.

    These stories in Scripture remind us of a simple but serious truth: whenever we step outside of God’s order, chaos always follows. The command to live in submission wasn’t only given to believing husbands and wives. It applies even to those living among unbelievers. Apostle Peter continues in saying, “Even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”

    In Peter’s time, many women had come to faith before their husbands. His instruction was meant to guide them on how to live righteously, even in a home where their spouse did not yet believe. Their godly character not their disputes was meant to draw their husbands toward believing to the LORD Jesus Christ.

    Many of us are not in submission to God anymore. We no longer prioritize reading His Word or spending time in prayer with Him. Because of our lack of knowledge of God’s Word, we end up being destroyed. How can we expect to make the right decisions in life without the guidance of God’s Word? The same applies to marriage. We are clearly instructed, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). The moment we turn away from God’s Word, we open the door to disobedience and where there is disobedience, there will always be chaos, confusion, and destruction.

    Wives are commanded to be subject to their own husbands. But how can we claim that Christ has saved us if there is no transformation in our lives? You cannot win your husband to the Lord through constant conflict, disrespect, or disobedience. Those attitudes do not reflect the character of Jesus Christ. Instead, Peter teaches that a wife can win her husband “without a word” through her conduct by living with gentleness, purity, and a quiet spirit that honors God. And this kind of character isn’t just for wives, it’s for everyone who follows Christ. We are not called to be rude, wrathful, or impure, but to walk in humility, patience, and love.

    Paul echoes this same truth in 1 Corinthians 7:16, asking, “How do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?” Yet he also makes it clear that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is “not under bondage in such cases, for God has called us to peace.” And let’s be clear, submission does not mean enduring abuse or harm. God never calls anyone to stay in a place of physical or sexual abuse. That’s not peace! God is not the author of confusion. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Peace cannot coexist where sin and abuse are present. God’s commandments were given so that we could live in harmonious relationships where peace, love, and joy reign among one another. These commands were never meant to be twisted or used against their true purpose, but to protect us and to keep our relationships in His divine order. Above all, true submission begins with submission to God. When we surrender our hearts to His Word and walk daily in His Spirit, He fills us with wisdom and discernment to know what is right, what is safe, and what is pleasing to Him.

    Submission to our husbands is submission to God and His order.

  • Romans 1:4

    “And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 1:4

    Paul begins, before this passage, by saying that Jesus is the offspring of David according to the flesh. Paul emphasizes that Jesus came from a royal lineage the fulfillment of God’s covenant with King David that from his line would come One whose kingdom would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Paul is declaring that Jesus is both fully human and fully God.

    Then Paul continues, “And declared to be the Son of God.” The word declared in Greek is “horizō,” meaning to ordain, determine, or appoint. Have you ever noticed this or asked the question, Why did Jesus have to be declared, ordained, or appointed to be the Son of God? Isn’t He already the eternal Son of God?

    There was no Son in heaven in the human sense before the incarnation. From the beginning, the Word of God existed eternally in the Father. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word was in the Father, His very expression, His divine self-revelation yet not yet revealed in human form as the Son, just as your word is not separate from you but comes out from within you.

    Then, in the fullness of time, that Word stepped into His own creation. The angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The child conceived in her womb would be called the Son of God. In that moment, the invisible Word took on visible flesh. John wrote, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” This is where we begin to understand why Jesus was determined, declared, and appointed to be the Son of God, when He took on humanity. In taking on flesh, He humbled Himself, just as Paul said in Philippians, “though He was in the form of God, He made Himself of no reputation and was made in the likeness of men.” He was born of a woman, born under the law, so that He could redeem us who were under the law and make us sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:4–5).

    Through His incarnation, the Word was revealed as the Son, God in human form so that we, through faith in Him, might become children of God. As John writes, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the sons of God (John 1:12).” And Paul adds, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:2).” This is one of the most important parts of God’s redemptive plan. He had to put on human flesh for a reason. First, the earth He gave to the sons of men for dominion and authority (Psalm 115:16). Second, without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). God has no blood, but man does. This is also what we can understand in Colossians 1:18, when Paul says that Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead.” Why He is “firstborn from the dead”? Paul explains this in the book of Romans through Adam’s transgression, death came upon all men (Romans 5:12). Adam brought sin and death into the world, and because of that, we were all spiritually dead. In Luke 3:38, Adam himself is called “the son of God,” yet he died because he transgressed God’s command. His disobedience brought separation and death to all humanity.

    Then came Jesus, the second Adam who obeyed perfectly, even unto death mark a new beginning for mankind. He became “the firstborn from the dead.” This is where we begin to understand what Paul meant when he said, “Declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness.” For the Lord Jesus was not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13). A body was prepared for Him by God Himself, as it is written, “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me” (Hebrews 10:5). And Paul also declares, “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47). This is where we understand that God was preparing a holy body and a pure blood. A body not continuing the corrupted flesh of Adam who transgressed. He created a new, undefiled flesh, made from heaven, and placed it in the womb of Mary. That is why the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary because He was forming a body that would become the perfect sacrifice for sin, one that would satisfy God’s wrath against man’s transgressions. And this is where we truly understand the words of John the Baptist, who declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Jesus was like a Lamb that is pure, spotless, and holy prepared by God Himself to bear the sins of all mankind

    God not only prepared the body of Jesus to bear our sins, but He also declared Him to be the Son, so that through Him we all obtain sonship. “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29) Through Jesus Christ, we were adopted into the family of God, redeemed by His blood and accepted in His grace. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself…” (Ephesians 1:5)

    Now we can fully understand more clearly what Paul meant when he said, “by the resurrection from the dead.” Because the power of the resurrection of the Lord destroyed the power of death, which is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). When He rose, we rose with Him. As Paul said, As Paul said, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: [We are no longer counted under Adam’s lineage] old things are passed away [Paul refer to Adam’s transgression that brought sin and separation from God] behold, all things are become new [in Him we have obtained a new life, new nature, and restored fellowship with our Heavenly Father] (2 Corinthians 5:17).

    Jesus was declared to be the Son of God for you and me. The purpose of His sacrifice was not only to redeem us from sin, but to restore our rightful position as sons and daughters of God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brought us back into fellowship with our Abba Father, so that we might dwell with Him in His Kingdom forever.

    Now, because you are a child of God, you have direct access to the Father in every situation whether in need, in struggle, or in confusion. Everything you will ever need can only be found in Him, for God alone is our source, our provider, and our help. Do not be deceived into thinking you are far from God. Jesus has brought us near to the Father. We are no longer distant or separated. This right cannot be taken away from us, it is a gift, not of our works, but by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

    The only way to lose this fellowship is to reject or turn away from the truth, but for those who believe and remain in Him, our place as sons and daughters is secure forever.

  • Acts 23:11

    “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” — Acts 23:11

    Paul had long desired to go to Jerusalem, even though many believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, warned him that trouble and imprisonment awaited him there. Yet, Paul’s heart was so determined. He was willing to face suffering if it meant fulfilling God’s purpose.

    When he arrived, James advised him to demonstrate that he was not teaching against the Law of Moses by taking part in a Nazarite vow at the temple. Paul agreed, showing his respect for Jewish customs and his desire to avoid unnecessary offense. But as he worshiped in the temple, some Jews from Asia recognized him and stirred up the crowd. They accused Paul of teaching against the Law and even claimed that he had brought a Gentile into the temple that something strictly forbidden by Jewish custom. This accusation was false, but it was enough to ignite a violent mob.

    The uproar grew so fierce that Roman soldiers had to intervene. They arrested Paul to protect him from being killed by the crowd. Even then, when he had given the chance, Paul asked to speak to the people. He shared his testimony how he once persecuted the brethren until the LORD Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, changing his life forever.

    When the crowd became so violent that Paul was nearly torn to pieces, the tribune quickly ordered his soldiers to take him into the barracks for his own safety. After such a chaotic day, Paul found himself in a place of uncertainty and silence. Alone in that moment, he must have wondered if he would even survive the night. Then the Scripture says, “But the following night the Lord stood by him.”

    Have you ever wondered why the Lord didn’t appear to Paul that same night?Because Paul was still in a state of shock, his emotions overwhelmed, his mind in turmoil, and his body exhausted from the chaos. Sometimes when a situation that took our entire being by surprise, we find ourselves in that same place. Our hearts racing, our minds spinning, unable to even process what’s happening. By the following night when Paul may have been calmer but quiet enough to reflect, and to feel the full weight of uncertainty about his situation. Maybe he was wondering what would happen next, whether this was the end of his ministry. And it was in that quiet night, a place filled with uncertainty about what would come next, that the LORD Jesus “stood” by him as He promised to all His disciples,

    … lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew‬ ‭28:20‬ ‭

    We all face moments like this when life suddenly falls apart. Maybe it’s the unexpected loss of a loved one, a marriage that breaks down, a child diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, or the devastating news that your business is collapsing. Whatever the situation, it leaves us in a place filled with uncertainty and fear. But remember what happened to Paul. When he was perplexed and uncertain of what would happen next. Jesus stood by him to remind him that he was not alone. The battle belonged to the LORD. The King of kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty God, was standing with him. The very presence of the Lord was Paul’s assurance that God was with him despite the troubles he faced. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans:

    “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31

    That same LORD Jesus who stood by Paul also stands with us today. In every storm, every heartbreak, and every moment of uncertainty, the Lord Jesus is always strengthening, comforting, and assuring us that His presence never leaves nor forsakes us.

    Then the Lord Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, Paul.” These were not new encouraging words. The Lord Jesus had spoken the same phrase several times before in a moment when hearts were troubled or afraid.

    He said, “Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you,” to the man who was paralyzed and healed by His power (Matthew 9:2).

    He said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid,” to His disciples when they were terrified, seeing Him walk on the sea (Matthew 14:27).

    And before His crucifixion, He said to them, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

    How could Paul not be of good cheer when it was the Lord Himself who spoke those words? When Jesus says, “Be of good cheer,” it’s not merely a suggestion, it’s a comforting command backed by His divine authority. The very Word of God carries power to bring to pass what it declares. When the Lord speaks, it happens. So when Jesus told Paul to take courage, strength and peace filled his heart. The same voice that calmed the storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead now spoke directly to him. Absolutely, Paul was of good cheer, because the presence of God stood beside him and comfort him.

    No wonder all the disciples wrote about being joyful in suffering because in their moments of deepest pain, the presence of the Lord was closest to them. It was the Lord Himself who strengthened and comforted them. Even when they were thrown to lions, burned alive, pierced with swords, or murdered under the scorching sun, they did not waver in their faith. Just like Stephen, who saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, they faced death with peace and courage because the Lord Jesus was with them.

    Then the Lord Jesus said, “For as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” The Lord was assuring Paul that his mission was not over. Though danger surrounded him and death seemed near, Jesus made it clear that Paul would not die until he had fulfilled his purpose to preach the gospel in Rome, even before Caesar himself. This promise was not only a word of comfort but also a declaration of destiny. No scheme, persecution, or power of man could stop what God had ordained. Paul’s life was in the Lord’s hands, and his calling would be completed exactly as God had planned.

    Furthermore, we all know that Paul never truly had the opportunity to preach freely in Jerusalem, because as soon as the people learned of his conversion, they plotted to kill him (Acts 9:26-30). Yet the Lord Jesus knew how deeply Paul loved his own people. Paul’s desire was always to teach and preach to the Jews first before going to the Gentiles, as we read in Acts 13:46

    “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’”

    We all know as we read the writings of the Apostle Paul to the churches in Asia, that his main purpose in life was to testify to the gospel, for he knew that it is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Paul’s mission of preaching the gospel always began with the Jews and then extended to the Gentiles. This deep burden and desire to preach are clearly expressed in his letter to the Romans, where he wrote,

    “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”— Romans 1:14-16

    We also know that Paul had long desired to visit the believers in Rome, though he had never yet been able to do so. At the time he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, Paul was in Corinth, near the end of his third missionary journey. He was preparing to travel to Jerusalem to deliver a collection for the poor saints there (Romans 15:25–26). Because of this upcoming trip and the dangers that awaited him, he had not yet been able to go to Rome in person. He expressed this longing in his letter, writing,

    “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.” — Romans 1:11

    “For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.” — Romans‬ ‭15:22-24‬ ‭

    This is where we learn an important lesson that we must be mindful of what we pray for and truly understand what we are asking of God. Paul’s desire to go to Rome was fulfilled, but not in the way he might have imagined. He went there not as a free missionary, but as a prisoner. Yet for the Apostle Paul and for the rest of the disciples beatings, imprisonments, and persecutions were nothing new. Even before coming to Jerusalem, Paul had already declared to the brethren in Tyre,

    “For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13 (NKJV)

    Being a follower of Jesus comes with a cost. It does not promise a life of comfort or freedom from pain and struggle. In fact, Jesus Himself warned us that persecution would come, saying, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” — John 15:18

    As believers, we often face trials, rejection, and opposition not because we have done something wrong, but because we belong to Jesus. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the Lord Jesus stands with us. His purpose for our lives will always prevail as long as we continue to walk closely with Him refusing to give up or turn away. Just like the Apostle Paul, whose faith never wavered since his conversion, we too must remain steadfast. Paul was fully determined to finish the task the Lord had given him, no matter the suffering he faced. His life reminds us that following Jesus is not about avoiding hardship, but about trusting that His presence and purpose will sustain us through it all. Amen

  • Joshua 9:14 

    “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.” — Joshua 9:14 

    The Israelites were continually triumphant in their battles, defeating their enemies across the land of Canaan with the help of God, who fought alongside them. After the fall of Ai, “the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites” joined forces to fight against Israel (Joshua 9:1–2).

    However, not all the Hivites joined this alliance. The inhabitants of Gibeon, also Hivites, chose a different path. Knowing they could not stand against Israel’s God, they devised a clever deception (Joshua 9:3–15). They dressed in worn-out garments, carried old sacks and cracked wineskins, and brought moldy bread to make it appear as though they had traveled from a far country. Their goal was to trick Israel into making a peace treaty with them.

    When the Gibeonites met with Joshua and the leaders of Israel, the evidence seemed convincing. The Israelites saw their tattered clothing, examined their provisions, and even tasted the bread to confirm their story. Everything their senses perceived appeared genuine. But there was one thing they failed to do, they did not seek the presence and counsel of God.

    As a result, Israel was deceived into making a covenant they were not permitted to make, contrary to God’s instruction in Deuteronomy 7:1–2 (NKJV):

    ““When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.”

    Yet when the truth came out, Joshua and the leaders honored their vow to the Gibeonites, understanding that faithfulness to one’s word was required by God. Deuteronomy 23:21 (NKJV) says,

    ““When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭23:21‬ ‭

    The Gibeonites were spared but placed in servitude to Israel, serving as woodcutters and water carriers (Joshua 9:16–27).

    From this passage, we learn a valuable truth. The Israelites trusted solely in what their senses perceived and what their judgment concluded but not in what God could reveal. And we often do the same. We rely on tangible evidence, assuming our senses and reasoning are sufficient to make choices, enter agreements, or form opinions without pausing to seek God’s counsel. The Israelites’ oversight was not ignorance, but independence, the quiet assumption that they could handle the matter on their own.

    This kind of story should not be unfamiliar to us. How often do we fall into that same trap? Many believers today enter into relationships, partnerships, or major life decisions without first seeking God’s guidance. They are led by emotions, appearance, or logic. By what feels right, looks good, or seems reasonable. Yet later, they find themselves facing painful consequences they never expected.

    Have you ever wondered why we fall into this kind of trap over and over again? It’s because we have lost our sense of God’s presence. Let us look at the life of King David, who faced similar situations in his life. King David, “a man after God’s own heart,” never made a move without inquiring of the Lord. Whether in times of battle or personal struggle, he always sought God’s direction and depended fully on Him.

    David’s heart carried the highest honor for God, and he was very sensitive to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Even when he had the opportunity to kill king Saul prepared and encouraged by his loyal servants, he refused, saying,

    “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed.” — 1 Samuel 24:6 

    The conviction of the Holy Spirit guided David to honor God’s will above his own desires. Even when he sinned, his prayer revealed what mattered most to him,

    “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” — Psalm 51:11 

    David didn’t ask God to preserve his kingship, wealth, or family. His greatest concern was the presence of God that dwelt with him. This is the kind of heart we all need, a heart that fears being separated from God’s presence. David understood that the Holy Spirit was his connection to God. The Holy Spirit drew him closer to God, guided his decisions, and convicted his heart when he was tempted to sin that crushed God’s heart.

    Why don’t we have that same sensitivity today? Because many are spiritually dead.

    “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” Ephesians‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭

    Our sins separate us from God. But Jesus Christ tore the veil that once separated us from the Father. Through His blood, we have been brought near again to God.

    So how do we restore that fellowship with the Father? The Word of God gives us the answer,

    “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” — Acts 2:38

    When we repent, believe in the LORD Jesus Christ and baptized our sins are forgiven, then we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us, giving us life and restoring our spiritual sensitivity.

    “That the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” — Romans 8:11

     Jesus said, “We must be born again” — born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5–6). We all need to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only raise us from the dead, but He is also our connection to God, for He is God.

    As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, not just some truth. He is our Teacher, our Guide, our Comforter, and our Helper. He convicts us when we are tempted to sin and strengthens us to walk in righteousness.

    He is everything we need in order not to be deceived by the world or by our own understanding. The Holy Spirit is the divine sense we need, the spiritual awareness that keeps us connected to God’s will, discerning His voice above every other.

    When we lack the awareness of God’s presence, we easily depend on our own understanding. We act without praying, speak without listening, and decide without seeking the Lord’s counsel. That’s when we fall into traps we could have avoided, not because God was silent, but because we weren’t sensitive to His Spirit.

  • Acts‬ ‭20:26-27

    “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” – Acts‬ ‭20:26-27

    Apostle Paul was giving his final message to the elders in Ephesus as he prepared to go to Jerusalem. He already knew, through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that imprisonment and hardships awaited him there. Paul knew that his time to depart and to be present with the Lord was drawing near. Paul was setting things in order, ensuring that the work of God would continue even after his departure.

    For us to understand what Paul means when he says, “I am innocent of the blood of all men,” we must look back to what God told Ezekiel. The Lord made Ezekiel a watchman on the wall, someone who stood alert, ready to warn the people when danger was approaching.

    ““So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” – Ezekiel‬ ‭33:7-9‬ ‭

    If a watchman saw danger coming and said nothing, then he was guilty of what happened when the enemy attacked the city. But if the watchman did warn the people, and they still chose not to listen, then they were responsible for their own decision. The watchman’s responsibility was simply to deliver the message.

    In the same way, God appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman to hear His word and deliver it to the people. Ezekiel’s duty was to warn the wicked of God’s coming judgment and call them to turn from their sinful ways. If they refused to repent, they would die in their sins, but Ezekiel would not be held accountable for their decision. He would be innocent of their blood. However, if Ezekiel failed to warn them, he would be held responsible. God said He would require the blood of that person at Ezekiel’s hand.

    This is the same message Apostle Paul trying to convey to them when he declared that he was innocent of the blood of all men. He meant, “I have done what God entrusted me to do. I have warned you, for my responsibility is to declare everything that God has given me to speak. Your responsibility is to respond to what God has called you to do.” Paul faithfully carried out his duty and fulfilled his calling as a true watchman of the gospel.

    He explained this earlier in Acts when he said:

    “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts‬ ‭20:20-21‬ ‭

    Now let’s look at what Paul says: “I testify to you this day.” Paul never held back from declaring or testifying to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to anyone whether Jew or Greek, including the believers in Ephesus. He boldly preached the gospel that has the power to save from the coming wrath of God, because he understood that the world we live in is already under judgment.

    Did not Jesus Himself say,

    “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” — John 3:18

    We are all guilty before God. From Adam until now, all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). Yet there is only one way to escape that wrath and that through faith in Jesus Christ.

    For us to fully grasp what the Apostle Paul is communicating to the elders of Ephesus, we must see that it reflects the same message he faithfully proclaimed wherever he went. We can read an example of this in his preaching to the people of Athens.

    “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”” Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭

    Here, Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and testified to them about the one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, Who does not dwell in temples made with hands. He declared that God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because a day of judgment is coming. God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [the Lord Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained [For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16)].

    We all know that there is no other way for any of us to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus Himself preached this truth when He said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). And again, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Why? Because when Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sins, a debt we could never pay ourselves. His death brought life to all who believe, which is why He also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). The Scripture declares, “Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). When Jesus died, He tore the veil, symbolizing that He removed the separation between us and the Father caused by sin. Now we can boldly come before God’s presence, and that is the greatest gift of all. We all receive reconciliation with the Father. When we have the Father, what else do we need. Our Father in heaven loves us so much, He will not withhold anything that draws us closer to Him: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

    Now we can better understand Paul’s words when he said, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). The “whole counsel of God” means proclaiming the full truth of the gospel, the importance of repentance and the invitation to receive the salvation offered through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the call to turn away from sin and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the cry of a sincere and repentant heart that says,

    “Father, I am done living for this world that keeps dragging me into sin and destroying me inside. I am turning away from my old life and turning to You. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I may be broken, but I will trust You to make me whole.”

    Only God can transform our lives, only God can teach us how to live good because only God is good. If we want to learn how to live rightly, we must follow Jesus. If we want to know how to love, we must learn from God. And if we want to learn how to forgive, we must first receive forgiveness from Him. For we are all sinners in need of mercy.

    We are all called by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, “for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). You and I are responsible to testify and share this gospel. God has entrusted us, like watchmen, to blow the trumpet and warn others that the wrath of God is coming. Without Jesus, people face eternal separation from God in Hell. But remember our responsibility is to declare the gospel, not to enforce it. In Acts 17, after Paul preached the gospel in Athens, some people hesitated and mocked, but Paul did not force them. He simply departed, knowing he had done his part. Our job is to faithfully proclaim the call of God, and it is up to each person to respond to that call.

  • Acts 20:24 

    “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24 

    Apostle Paul was giving his final message to the elders in Ephesus as he prepared to go to Jerusalem. He already knew, through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that imprisonment and hardships awaited him there. Paul knew that his time to depart and to be present with the Lord was drawing near. Paul was setting things in order, ensuring that the work of God would continue even after his departure.

    When Paul said, “But none of these things move me,” he was speaking about the hardships and trials he knew awaited him in Jerusalem. Paul understood that being a disciple of the Lord Jesus comes with a cost. Did not the Lord Jesus Himself say,

    “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you”  –
    John 15:18

    One of the greatest character traits I admire the most and that both you and I should imitate from Apostle Paul is his willingness to endure all hardships for the sake of the gospel. Paul never allowed persecution, pain, or suffering to silence his faith or weaken his commitment to the mission he was called to fulfill. Whether beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, or rejected, his focus remained steadfast.

    “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” II Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-28‬

    The reason Apostle Paul was able to endure so much and remain faithful was because his mindset was fixed on the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. With this understanding, we can see why his life on earth was no longer dear to him. He said, “nor do I count my life dear to myself.” Apostle Paul lived with the conviction that his life no longer belonged to him, it belonged completely to Jesus Christ. As he declared, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” From the day he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul died to his old self. He no longer lived for his own desires or ambitions; his mind, heart, soul, and strength were completely poured out in service to the Lord Jesus.

    The world could no longer entice him because he knew that this present world is temporary and destined for judgment. He wrote to the Corinthians:

    “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” – ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭

    And while preaching in Athens, Paul boldly declared:

    “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”” – Acts‬ ‭17:31‬ ‭

    Apostle Paul was already living with the kingdom of God in view, knowing that everything apart from Christ would one day perish. That’s why he considered it useless to pour his heart, mind, and strength into worldly things that do not last. His life was fully consumed by the eternal purpose of God.

    Didn’t he elaborate on this when he said that all the things he had accomplished, he counted them as rubbish or waste?

    “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8

    Paul’s greatest desire was not fame, comfort, success, or anything this world could offer but everything that is found in Christ. He longed not only to have knowledge about Jesus but to obtain an excellent and personal knowledge of Him to truly know His Lord through intimate fellowship. Paul’s pursuit was not driven by earthly ambition but by a burning desire to draw closer to Christ in every way.

    “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” — Philippians 3:10 

    All his goals were centered on one pursuit: to know Jesus and to experience the power of His resurrection. He desired to share in the fellowship of His sufferings, to be conformed to His death, and ultimately to live fully for the glory of the One who redeemed him.

    Apostle Paul’s fervent love and affection for the Lord Jesus Christ were exceedingly deep, so consuming that it filled his entire being. Every thought, desire, and action flowed from his devotion to the LORD Jesus Christ. As Paul beautifully declared,

    “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians‬ ‭2:20

    Now we can understand what Paul meant when he said, “so that I may finish my race with joy.” Despite all the hardships he had to face, Paul was determined to complete the course and fulfill the ministry God had entrusted to him with joy. Why? Because he never gave the world a chance to distract him from his calling. Nothing could turn his heart away from the purpose God placed before him.

    Paul was so determined to remain faithful that he kept his body and desires in full submission to the will of God. As he wrote:

    “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” — 1 Corinthians 9:27 

    And why did Paul have such joy? Because he knew that at the end of his race, he would see the Lord Jesus, the One he desired and loved the most. His heart longed for that glorious moment when he would finally stand before his Master, face to face, and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Paul’s joy was the joy of a faithful servant filled with excitement and anticipation to be with his Lord, knowing that he had fulfilled his calling. This is what he meant when he said, “and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

    We all know that Apostle Paul finished the task that was given to him, as he reminded and encouraged Timothy with these powerful words,

    “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” II Timothy‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭

    Paul’s message to Timothy is also a message to you and me. Each of us has a task from God that we are called to accomplish. Just as Paul was faithful to finish the ministry entrusted to him, we too are called to fulfill what God has placed in our hands.