There is no such thing as a great man of God, only weak, pitiful, faithless men of a great and merciful God.
Paul Washer
When Pavlo and I started having a serious relationship, we have agreed that no matter what, we have Jesus as the foundation of our relationship. But being a Catholic and him as a baby Christian, we had a lot of bumps on the road. Not only on our different behaviours but also on what we know about God.
We believe in the same God but did not have the same information and learnings. It had created a disturbance in our relationship. However, we did agree on having Jesus as our foundation. So we discover them together. And where else should we look for the answer? Nowhere else but in the Bible.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of 1 Corinthians 3. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Romans 1:24-32: How To Know How Sufferings Relate To Satan?
Here are three things to ponder.
Awareness that we are still carnal
Perfect bodies are given, to the believers who have long suffered faithfully to Jesus’ second coming. For now, we have to grow in faith in Christ so that our carnal desires will not overpower our spiritual being. Paul wrote clearly that the Corinthians were still not ready for they acted basing on their flesh (1 Corinthians 3:3). We have to humble ourselves to accept that were are sinners and can never be perfect while on earth. No matter what we do, all our human righteousness is useless and worth as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Once we have this awareness of our sins, accept that we need a Saviour, and it is only Christ that can save us, then we are saved through God’s grace.
Focus on your task and stop comparing
People have a bad habit of comparing themselves to others. I am guilty of this. What it gave me was animosity with the person I compare myself to. Although most of the time it was unintentional. Nevertheless, it created a negative impact on how I deal with that person. Like in Corinths, believers compared themselves to other believers (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
When we do not change, this mentality will create a gap in our relationship with others, especially on believers.
As Kent Hovind (YouTube Channel) mostly says in his teachings, stop poking your head up and looking at what others are doing. Instead, keep your head down and do the ministry what God wants you to do. This is a helpful mindset. Because it will keep you from being distracted from what you should be focusing on.
Everyone will gain according to their works
If you are a genuine Christian you know that good works won’t save you. Yet as Christ-followers, we are called to do good works for Jesus’ teachings and ways to be displayed to unbelievers through us. The more we get knowledge of God’s word, through the help of the Holy Spirit, the more we have the responsibility to live it out to the world. And this is where we will reap our reward, on how faithfully we followed God’s will for us.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- Have you acknowledged that you are a sinner?
- Do you accept that you need a Saviour? Accept Jesus Now.
- Do you ever compare yourself to others?
- What made you feel?
- Was there a change in your treatment with that person?
- How are you living out God’s word?
Prayer
Almighty Father, we praise your name. O Lord, we know that no good works of ours will be enough to save us from our sins. Therefore, we thank you for your saving grace through Jesus Christ. We also give you thanks for the Holy Spirit that guides us as we learn your words.
May we receive understanding and perseverance to live out the scriptures so that we can be your instruments here on earth.
We pray in Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
