Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 FRUITFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

Galatians 5:13-16

‘For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for those are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.’
-Galatians 5:17
 

 When God Almighty created Adam, He created Adam with a glorious body. The desires of Adam’s body and his spirit were in line with the intention of the Creator. However, God had given Adam a will of his own and a choice of what he may consume and what he should not. Eve first, and then Adam, made the wrong choice, thus pushing the whole humankind over the precipice into the abyss of sin.
    Nevertheless, God had a plan of rescue. From the beginning He had designed a plan to save the fallen human race through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. When the Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth, He summarized His teachings in two Commandments: “Love God, love your neighbor.” – Matthew 22:40. He also told His disciples “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” – John 14:15.
    Paul, in his epistle to Galatians, is reiterating the principle of brotherly/sisterly love in Christ. Once a person is genuinely saved, the Holy Spirit will create the change in the character and personality of the person from head to foot. He/She has become new altogether- “…. a new creation…” - 2 Corinthians 5:17. The manifestation of the fruit of the spirit such as: Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control will become clearly visible in the personal life of the saved person. The believer should still be cautious because he/she is wrapped in the flesh which is of the fallen nature and therefore is prone to foolishness and sin.
    How can a believer guard against the lust of the flesh? Apostle Paul gives us a solution in the epistle of Ephesians. Truth, Righteousness, Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God are the tools in the hands of the believer to overcome the lust of the flesh. – Ephesians 6:14-17. Even though these are freely given to us by the Lord, we should not rely on our own strength. Instead, we should constantly submit to the Lord in prayer and supplications for His leading and companionship. A prayerful life is, therefore, essential for us to ‘walk in the spirit.’- Ephesians 6:18.
    A believer should not be self-conceited regarding his/her ‘spiritual walk.’ On the contrary, we should be very humble. There will always be areas for correction and improvement in our life. Jesus Christ is our ultimate model. All of us should strive to imitate Him in word and deed. None of us may rise to the level of Father Damien or Mother Theresa. The good Lord, who watches over all of His flock, will reward us all justly on the Last Day.
 

Prayer
Dear Lord, please help us in our daily walk to bear fruit for the heavenly kingdom so that those around us will glorify Your blessed name.
Thought for the Day: ‘As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ – 1 Peter 4:10  

Abraham Mammen, Sehion Mar Thoma Church, Dallas 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more