In his letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks about the freedom believers have through faith in Jesus Christ. He uses the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar as an illustration to show the difference between living under the law and living under God’s promise. This story helps us understand that our salvation is not earned by human effort or religious rules but comes from trusting in Christ alone.
Paul was writing to Christians in Galatia who were being influenced by teachers known as Judaizers. These men insisted that believers had to follow the laws of Moses, such as circumcision, to be truly saved. Paul strongly opposed this message. He reminded the Galatians that salvation is through faith, not through the works of the law. Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the cause of it. They are evidence that someone truly belongs to Christ, but they do not earn a person’s place with God.
To illustrate his point, Paul reminded the Galatians of Abraham’s two sons. Ishmael was born from Hagar, the servant, as a result of human planning. Isaac was born to Sarah, the free woman, as the fulfilment of God’s promise. Paul used this as a picture of two covenants. Hagar represents Mount Sinai, where the law was given, and this covenant leads to bondage because no one can perfectly keep the law. Sarah represents God’s promise, which leads to freedom through faith. Those who trust in Christ are like Isaac. They are children of promise, born not of human effort but by the Spirit of God.
Paul told the Galatians that believers must “cast out the bondwoman,” meaning they must turn away from the idea that human effort can bring salvation. Only those who rely on the promise of God through faith in Jesus are heirs of eternal life. Trying to earn salvation through good deeds is like returning to slavery after being set free.
Even today, many people believe that doing good works or following certain traditions will make them right with God. But scripture teaches that eternal life is a gift, not a payment for good behaviour. Paul wrote in Romans that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This truth reminds us that no human effort can remove sin. Only God, through His mercy and grace, offers forgiveness and freedom in Christ.
Paul urged the Galatians to stand firm in that freedom. To be free in Christ does not mean living carelessly, but living gratefully and obediently because of what Jesus has done. Obedience is no longer a way to earn salvation, it is a response of love. When we follow God’s ways, we do it not out of fear of punishment, but out of joy in belonging to Him.
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Every follower of Christ should take time to honestly consider how their spiritual life is going. Some days we may feel strong and growing, while at other times we may simply be surviving or even withering. Whatever our condition, God’s Word speaks directly to us. In John 15, Jesus uses an image to show how spiritual life works: the vine and its branches.
On the night before his death, Jesus spoke with his disciples and compared himself to a vine. He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” In the Old Testament, Israel was often called God’s vineyard. God planted and cared for them, but they failed to produce good fruit. When Jesus called himself the true vine, he meant that he is everything Israel was meant to be, faithful, fruitful, and obedient. He is the true source of spiritual life. Anyone who belongs to God must be joined to him.
The Father is the gardener who tends the vine. He removes what is dead and prunes what is alive so that it can grow stronger. Jesus explained that those who bear fruit will be pruned so they can bear even more. Pruning may be painful, but it is always done in love. God works in the lives of his people to help them grow, even through loss or hardship. Like a tree branch trimmed by a careful gardener, the believer is shaped by God’s hand to become more useful and beautiful.
Jesus made it clear that real believers always produce some kind of fruit. The ones who show no fruit are like branches that appear connected but are not truly alive. They eventually fall away because they were never part of the vine. True followers of Christ, however, are not cut off. Even when they struggle, God continues his work in them.
To “abide” in Christ means to remain in close relationship with him. A branch stays alive only when it stays connected to the vine. In the same way, spiritual life continues only as we depend on Jesus. Abiding is not about earning our place with God, but about living in daily fellowship with him through prayer, obedience, worship, and trust. It is not a one-time act but a way of life.
Jesus said plainly, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” Just as an unplugged device loses power, a believer who tries to live apart from Christ loses spiritual strength. When we rely on him, his life flows through us, producing good fruit. This fruit is seen in changed attitudes, behaviour, and character. As branches of Christ’s vine, we begin to reflect his likeness.
Another result of abiding is visible discipleship. Jesus said that when we bear much fruit, we show that we are truly his disciples and bring glory to God. Every act of faithfulness, whether serving others, forgiving someone, or obeying God’s Word, shows the world who we belong to. The goal is never to draw attention to ourselves but to honour the Father who gives life to the vine.
Abiding also allows us to experience Christ’s love. Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” His love is not temporary or limited. It is as strong and deep as the love between the Father and the Son. When we keep his commands, we live within that love. Obedience does not earn God’s love, but it helps us stay aware of it. Obedience leads to joy because it keeps us close to the One who loves us most.
Finally, abiding leads to complete joy. Jesus said he spoke these words so that his joy would be in us and our joy would be full. His joy is not shallow or temporary. It remains even in pain. When we stay close to him, we find a deep and lasting peace that cannot be taken away.
The Christian life is not about doing everything right on our own. It is about staying connected to the One who gives life.
Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.
Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, IRS Images, 2025
People throughout history have faced difficult choices between their beliefs and their safety. During the Reformation, three Anglican ministers were told to accept Catholic Church teachings or face death. Two of them, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, refused to deny their Protestant faith. As they were tied to stakes and burned alive, Latimer spoke encouraging words to his friend. He said they would light a candle in England that would never go out. These men died with confidence because they trusted God completely.
The third minister, Thomas Cranmer, made a different choice at first. Fear overwhelmed him, and he wrote a letter saying he no longer believed Protestant teachings. He gave in to pressure from Catholic authorities, even though he still held his original beliefs privately. His fear of what people would do to him became stronger than his fear of God. This would change before his death, and he too was executed.
These men’s lives show us two paths. One shows the kind of faith we should aim for, where we trust God no matter what happens. The other reminds us how easy it is to take the easy way out when things get difficult.
The book of James was written to Jewish believers who were scattered across the Roman Empire during a hard time. They faced many challenges and needed encouragement to stay faithful. James wrote to teach them how to handle trials with confidence and how to live out genuine faith in their daily lives.
Some people today say they are not religious, only spiritual. They want to emphasize a personal connection with God rather than just following rules. While the desire for a real relationship with God is what we seek, religion itself is not a bad word. True religion combines belief with action. It means your faith shows up in how you live. James teaches us what pure religion looks like throughout his letter.
The main message of the first chapter is about having joy that does not waver. True faith means staying steady and joyful even when life is hard.
James starts by introducing himself as a servant of God and Jesus Christ. Even though he was the half-brother of Jesus, he does not boast about this connection. Instead, he shows that he is under God’s authority just like everyone else. This is important because it shows that joy comes from being secure in God, not from having a special position or status.
Horatio G. Spafford wrote “It Is Well with My Soul” after experiencing profound personal tragedy. In 1873, his four daughters drowned when their ship, the Ville du Havre, sank in the Atlantic Ocean while his wife survived. As Spafford later crossed the same waters to meet her, he penned the hymn’s moving words, expressing steadfast faith and peace in God despite his overwhelming loss.
James tells his readers to count it as complete joy when they face different kinds of trials. It should be as the hymn says; it should be well with my soul. This seems like a strange instruction. How can difficult times bring joy? The answer is that trials test our faith, and when our faith is tested, it produces steadfastness. Being steadfast means staying firm in what you believe and not being moved by outside pressure or voices telling you to change.
When we stand firm on God’s word, we can share an important message with the world. We tell people that destruction is coming for those who reject God, but salvation is available through Jesus Christ. Even though all people are sinners, God sent Jesus to save us. Jesus looked toward the cross with determination and did not hold back. He endured suffering for the joy that was ahead of him. Now he sits at God’s right hand. Because Jesus endured, we can endure too.
As we go through trials, our faith makes us more complete . I’m speaking of our faith given as a gift from God. This does not happen overnight. We are not finished products yet. Everyone has areas where they need to grow. Each trial God allows brings us closer to being the people he wants us to be.
Growth can be painful. Trials hurt, even when we understand that God is using them for our good. That is why James gives us instructions for the times when we feel weak. If we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. God gives generously to everyone who asks, and he does not scold us for needing help. He is a kind father who loves giving good gifts to his children.
We must ask without doubting. People who doubt are like waves tossed around by the wind. They have no firm foundation. They are double-minded and unstable in everything they do. When good times come, they seem to have faith. When hard times arrive, their faith disappears. This is not real faith at all.
Another reason we can have joyful steadfastness is because we can look forward to rewards from God. Yes, we should not focus solely on rewards, we should do the right thing because it is right. We do want our hearts to change and not just our behavior. But it is also true that rewards are actually good and biblical. God designed us to want rewards, and James teaches us about this.
Those who remain steadfast under trials will receive the crown of life. God promises this to those who love him. The crown of life means eternal life with God. It means a life full of joy and celebration, free from sin, sickness, and death. This is a life beyond anything we can experience now, better than our best days on earth.
When we face suffering, we can think about this promise. God is for us, not against us. He wants us to experience life in his presence, free from pain and addiction, free from disease and death. Even in our darkest moments, we can remember that our trials are temporary but God’s reward lasts forever.
The story of Thomas Cranmer does not end with his denial. The confidence of Latimer and Ridley lit a fire that led to Cranmer’s change of heart. He realized he had feared people more than God. He publicly declared he was wrong to deny his faith. As he began preaching the gospel clearly again, he was burned at the stake one year later in the same place his friends had died. When the flames were lit, he held his hand out first, saying it should be punished first because it had signed the letter denying his faith. This shows how someone can become steadfast even after failing.
I don’t think any of us will not be burned at the stake for our faith. But each of us will face trials. The book of James gives us comfort to rejoice, to seek God’s rewards, and to resolve to be godly and act now. This is the heart of true faith: joyful steadfastness in trials.
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
The final words of the Apostle Peter in his second letter remind believers of two vital truths: the need for spiritual growth and the call to remain faithful. In 2 Peter 3:18, he urges followers of Christ to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” This instruction comes as both a warning and an encouragement for all who walk with God.
Peter’s audience faced hardship and confusion. False teachers had spread distorted ideas, leading some away from the truth. Peter’s desire was to protect these believers from losing their stability in faith. He reminded them that the best defence against error is growth. I’m speaking of growth in God’s grace and in understanding who Christ truly is. This growth begins with a firm commitment to God’s Word. Reading, studying, and reflecting on Scripture help believers know God’s character and promises.
The Bible reveals how He is present with us, answers prayer, strengthens us in trials, and keeps us faithful through difficulties. Forgetting these promises can make believers vulnerable to doubt, so Peter calls them to remember what God has said and live by it.
Growth also comes through prayer. Many people find prayer difficult because they feel alone while doing it, but prayer is a real conversation with God. It draws us closer to Him and teaches us trust. Sometimes prayers are answered exactly as asked; other times, God allows challenges to continue so that we can grow in patience and faith. Either way, prayer shapes our hearts to depend on Him.
Worship and fellowship are other ways that God’s grace helps us grow. When believers gather to sing, study, and share life together, they encourage each other and are reminded of God’s faithfulness. The early church devoted itself to these same practices. The early believers practiced teaching each other, breaking bread, prayer, and fellowship. In these they found strength in unity. These same habits remain essential for the church today.
Peter also warns against being influenced by the world’s thinking. The Apostle Paul gave a similar message in Romans 12, where he told believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing their minds through God’s Word. Only Scripture has the power to cleanse our thoughts and guide us toward what is good and pleasing to God. As our minds are renewed, we begin to see life as God sees it and can better understand His will.
Growing in grace means becoming more aware of God’s kindness and influence in our lives. Grace is not only unearned favour, it is also God’s active work in turning us to Christ, strengthening our faith, and helping us live in a way that reflects His character. Through prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship, God’s grace shapes us into people who show love, patience, humility, and faithfulness.
Alongside grace, Peter emphasizes growing in knowledge, knowing Christ personally. This knowledge comes through reading the Gospels, where His life and teachings are recorded, and through daily prayer, where we experience His care in our own circumstances. As believers see how God answers prayers and provides for needs, they come to trust His wisdom more deeply.
Peter ends his letter by directing all praise to Christ, saying, “To him be the glory both now and forever.” Spiritual growth is not only for our benefit; it brings honour to Jesus. When we live in a way that reflects His truth and kindness, we give glory to the One who saved us. The Christian life, then, is a journey of continual growth.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
In 2018, the town of Paradise, California, was almost completely destroyed by fire. Over 150,000 acres burned, more than 18,000 buildings were lost, and 85 people died. The film The Lost Bus tells the true story of one man, a bus driver named Kevin, who risked his life to save others. When flames surrounded the area and parents couldn’t reach their children, Kevin drove into the fire to rescue twenty-two students and two teachers. The bus was damaged, the tires were melting, and the air was filled with smoke, but he refused to stop. For five hours, he fought through the fire until everyone was safe.
This story is a picture of what the church is meant to be. A community on a rescue mission. Like Kevin’s bus, the church is not meant for comfort or ease. It is not a cruise ship for passengers but a rescue bus heading into danger for the sake of others. Jesus is the one who drives that bus. He entered the fire of sin and death to save people who could not save themselves. His church continues that work by going after those still trapped in the flames of life’s struggles, whether in broken families, illness, or despair.
The Bible’s message, especially in Romans 12, teaches that being rescued by Christ also means becoming part of His rescue team. Believers are not saved to sit still. Once we are on the bus, we each have a part to play. The ride is free, but the calling carries responsibility. Every Christian has gifts and talents meant to serve others in the body of Christ.
The first lesson of Romans 12 is selflessness. A follower of Jesus cannot live for pride or attention. The Apostle Paul reminds believers not to think too highly of themselves but to see their lives through humility. All abilities and opportunities come from God. Without humility, unity cannot exist. The church only works when people think less about themselves and more about one another.
The next lesson is oneness. The church is called “the body of Christ,” with many members working together. Each person has a role, and no one can do everything alone. Just as the parts of a body have different functions but one purpose, the church must move together under Christ’s direction. Saying “I love Jesus but not His church” misses the truth that the church is His body. To reject it is to reject part of Him.
Selflessness leads to unity, and unity makes ministry possible. Romans 12 lists several kinds of gifts: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy. Each believer receives a unique mix of these gifts to strengthen the church. Serving is not meant to be a burden but a blessing. People should use their gifts with gladness and eagerness. A servant who helps unwillingly or a leader who leads without energy harms the body’s health.
Some people say they can be Christians without belonging to a church. But that is like saying, “I’m a musician without a band,” or “I’m a soldier without an army.” A Christian without a church community loses the support, accountability, and purpose that God designed for believers to share. Every Christian belongs in the body, and when someone is missing, the whole church becomes weaker.
The early followers of Jesus understood this. Historians note that the church grew quickly because every believer served. When plagues struck, others fled, but Christians stayed and cared for the sick. Their faith was shown through their actions, and people noticed. Real service draws people toward God more than words alone.
The heart of this message is simple: we are saved to serve.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.
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