Reflections From Our Daily Bible Reading

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 6 - JY

I think or I used think a lot about the present realm is always consist of both evil and good. Even before I was saved. I know the dark stories from growing up in a heavily populated buddhism/taoism town. But I’ve never felt such powerful strength from believing in Christ than doing the rituals back when I was growing up in Malaysia. Now, I understand what the devil main purpose is. He doesn’t want me to get to know God as my Father and being rooted and secure as a son that knows that I have a Father that loves me and that’s always there for me. 

There were time and still there are times, I feel naturally defeated and the last thing I want to do is pick up all these armors and weapons that Apostle Paul was talking about. But the greatest truth as Christian is that Jesus defeated death, nothing can beat and nothing can overcome it. The word and the spirit that was given to me has a huge weight on it and I’ve the responsibility to impact the surrounding with the mystery of the gospel through my life. When I’m at work, I’m not just working, but I’m called to be there for the gospel, for the people. Even when I think they’ve gone so far away from God, God sees them and still says, they are my children, and they don’t know that deep down in them, they are seeking me. I pray that the encouragement from Apostle Paul’s teaching through his tough times, can continuously show me to be victorious even when I’m chained. Because in the Spirit, He has won it for us. He has risen. And one day, we will all be reunited with Christ. I want to be found faithful and living the life that He has called me to. To love Him with everything I have and also to love His people.

Amen. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 5 - JY

The fruitfulness of the light is not put upon its right basis until we come to understand that the light is Christ Himself, who, dwelling in our hearts by faith, is made in us as well as 'unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and salvation, and redemption.

Quote from biblehub.com says that the fruit of light itself is truly allowing Christ Himself, not me, but Him be the Master in my heart, so that in Him, again, not me, I will see fruits of wisdom, righteousness and etc in my life.

Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 

Only through Christ, dwelling in my heart through faith, I can obey and also produce the next part with grace and with wisdom.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a]28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Apostle first gives the picture to us that Christ is the example in this story. He is the way and the only way to be in a relationship. Christ loves the church, and He gave His life for it, so that us might be sanctify, cleansed through it. And not to forget, that’s what He is coming back for. He is coming back for His bride. 

And so with this standard, Apostle Paul shared to us as men to love our wife just as Christ loved the church. He laid his life knowing that we will reject and doubt Him. And yet He still chose to love and die for us because His mission is not finish until He made us all as one with the Father through Him. So with this, in a relationship, even when there’s hardships or confusions, even when one part is rejecting another, as a husband, we lay down ourselves not because we know who’s right or wrong or to prove to one another, whether he or she deserves it or not, because the truth is, we don’t. We don’t deserve all of these. But still He shed his blood on the cross for us, so that we may show one another that love and sacrifice, just like Christ for His bride,  and that’s the main answer and the only answer to sustain and strengthen a Godly relationship and marriage.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 4 - JY

The only way for putting away the fake self and to speak in the truth with faith is through putting on the new self that is given by God with true righteousness and holiness. As I examine myself as how I relate and talk to my friends and about my life, it’s a lot mixture of my old self and also my new self. I find myself, speaking in truth and in life in parts of my life but also finding myself, being deceitful, foolish and reckless in my conversations with friends. Reading this reminds me to constantly speak to myself that He has given a new identity, that is rooted in Christ. I don’t need to feel safe or security, or feel wanted, or feel accepted by the things I see is good with my friends and not being wise in loving them. I have to remind myself that only through speaking in truth and loving my community that is given to me is the fruit from putting on the new self that is given to me. I find myself carelessly speak corruption towards my friends and about myself as well, it is so easy to forget the gift of friendship and the identity God has given to me through grace. I have to remind myself daily that my words carry weight and this weight carries responsibility to build one and another, love one and another. I pray earnestly that I will walk in this with the community that I’ve given to. To not forget my identity as a child of God and also to constantly build up and love on my neighbors.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 3 - JY

I’ve been wanting to start Ephesians again for the past 3 months. As I’m reading into this, I figure out it is important to know and get into the historical background of this letter and re-read Ephesians 3 again. From what I read in some of the good articles online, Apostle Paul was writing this letter during his imprisonment in Rome. And the purpose of this letter is actually, 

“The letter does not seek to correct errors as does his letters to Corinth or Galatia nor is it a teaching epistle.” quote from https://medium.com/@timsoper/ephesians-a-historical-background-260f06d450e3

As I was reading this passage again, I find it interesting that he revealed the mystery that the Gospel carries as he was in prison, quote “

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (verse 6)

This shows me that Paul is not ashamed and afraid of the power of the gospel. Maybe when times, that it looks like a defeat or times when there are full of unknown, one thing we should be sure of is the power of the gospel. He was writing when he was in chains, but he was in total freedom. And he is more a prisoner of that mystery than it was in prison at that time. He did not find it uncomfortable or hard to want to reveal this message even when he was physically not able to.

And that mystery is to for the Gentiles to know that, by grace he was able to continue and made a minister for God to bring Christ to the Gentiles’ heart. His goal in his ministry is for people that is lost, for people that is seeking for a Saviour, and to let them know that He desires us, and we are invited to be a part of His Kingdom.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

He wants us to know that we are in the same body, to take or have a part or share along with others the promise in Christ which is through the gospel. He is revealing to the Gentiles(us), that the God of all times, has sent His one and only Son for all of us so that even me(that was once blind) can see the light and be in a same relationship with Him.

After the reading this and studying it, I was just reading the prayer again and again. The only way to know and want to know how much Christ loves me is to let Christ dwell in my heart through faith. Even when I fail, I know the only answer is Christ. Even when I fall, I know the only way to stand up is Christ. Even when I am left with nothing, I know the only belonging I can gain from, the depth, the height, the breadth and the length can only be through Christ. Only He holds the key to all the answers that I am searching for. And as I allow Him to dwell in my heart longer and longer, I realized how weak, how sinful, how unworthy I am to deserve this grace. In the midst of all my sins, all my mistakes, all my flaws and all my chains, He still choose to reveal the light, the hope, the forgiveness and the love that I don’t deserve.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 2 - AO

“But God”

“But now” 

I was once stuck in the perpetual cycle of obeying my desires and walking in the counsel of my wisdom - heading down a road of destruction, unbeknownst to myself. Stuck with no way out - but God made a way. 

Today, I am still struggling with my desires and my own counsel of wisdom, but the beauty of it is, I am alive to struggle and fight - in Christ.

To remember that I am free and I no longer need to go down the paths of abandon and fear is truth that I cannot remind myself of enough - because I forget so easily. 

That is why He has placed around me a community that reminds me, I am loved and that I belong. 

As no community is perfect, to learn to be His people, to love His people and together reflect Christ and remind each other to live in the truth, will be a journey of a lifetime. 

He has made it all possible when He reconciled us to Himself. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 2 - MW

How can I not be thankful, knowing that I was once near hell and was brought far away from it by the blood of Christ. How can I forget, I was at the time separated from Christ, having no hope, strangers to the covenants of promise and without God...BUT Jesus has broken down in his flesh, for through him, I have access in one Spirit to the Father. And how can I not be reminded, to share the gospel, the good news to all. In these past few months, many people that I know passed away. Some due to sicknesses, some accident, some even without an explanation. I can't help but to think : Do they believe in Jesus? Are they in heaven or in hell? Dear God, I'm truly thankful for your amazing grace. The more You reveal my sins the more I'm thankful and cherish and treasure this grace. Help me not to just stay thankful and do nothing about it, help me to share this good news to others. May You continue to mold me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. #maywong #Ephesians #Ephesians 2g

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 2 - JY

The more I seek Him, the more I love Him

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I didn’t own this, I didn’t work to earn this salvation. It’s not a result of work, but a result of Grace. Grace is Christ, and He knew that He had to come down to save us even when we were faithful to our flesh. Grace is not something we can earn through a thought, or though any believes. Grace is something, or I would say someone that is we need to learn to know it/Him. The more I seek Him, the more I love Him. The more I seek Him, The more I fear Him. Most of us only know the first part, loving Christ, but how many of us really fear Him. To fear Him, is to tremble at His word. When He said we are made as his workmanship, when He said we are created in Christ for good works, how many of us believe it? To be honest, even sometimes I forget about it. But if I fear God, I wouldn’t take His word lightly. He prepared all of these beforehand, we are actually in the part of walking in them. But sometimes, when disbelieve kicks in, confusion comes in, most of us wouldn’t stand on this truth, that He has our back and also our front. 

This is the God we believe in, He is not a God that only provides, only loves, but He is the alpha and omega, He knows everything inside and out. And most of us are just knowing God as the God of Healer, the God that provides, yea these are part of Him, but this is not all of Him. He is everything, everywhere, and He wants us to know Him, He wants us to seek Him more. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 3 - JC

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3:14-19 When I was younger I used to think that Paul prayed for the church of Ephesus to be able to grasp how great God love was for them in their minds. To just know in thought how much He loves them. But, reading this passage again this time around brought a new revelation. Knowledge and understanding of God and His love doesn't grow by just thinking about it or just praying about it - the understanding grows with experience. In Paul's time, persecution was part of the Christian's daily life. Not just persecution that leads to death but spiritual and physical opposition and hostility that were almost unbearable. I can only imagine what would go through someone's mind through these times. However, It is in the midst of trials and tribulations we can truly experience God's sovereignty and love. The agony could increase, but it only expands the border of God's love that is drawn in our minds. I believe that Paul earnestly prayed for strength over the Ephesians so that no matter what they faced they would be able to go through it, thus seeing the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love. To see how far God's love can go for them. If we have faith in our hearts, are rooted and grounded in love, and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can face difficulties and see that there is no situation where God's love cannot touch. Recently, I've been reflecting more on myself and my fears. It's not fun realizing how much fear I am affected by and thus seeing a deeper level of my own shortcomings. But, this can only be an opportunity to allow the Gospel to affect the deepest and most intimate parts of my being. With faith, love, and the power of the Holy Spirit I will be able to declare with confidence that His love is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than any fear that may have made its way into the depths of my soul. There is indeed no mountain high enough or valley low enough where God's love cannot touch and transform.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 1

My head kinda hanging right now, wonder where will Joash and I be, didn’t realize changing church change so many things in our lives, it’s not really a too worry thing it’s just changes have to be made. But I’m still functioning normally, (I think so) I go to work, do house chores, pay bill, visit in laws… Everything still looks pretty normal, nothing really kicks in yet. Because of that, we have plenty of time to consider our options: where we can travel and work, since we have no kids yet. At the same time, I now have lot of time to just lie down and chill, wasting time on youtube. Predestined? hahahahahaha…. When I read this chapter, I feel so grateful that God predestined us to be His children. Me? Really? Someone who waste her time on youtube? I mean, I’m not even close to being like Paul, minister to people, preaching the gospel, impacting lives in so many countries… Feeling grateful and at the same time feeling shameful for not doing my best for the One who shed His blood for me. God predestined to send Jesus to died for us, not because we are good. Because He wants to, because He can, in verse 6: to the praise of his glorious grace… So even right now, though we are facing uncertainty about our future, it doesn’t really matter at all. We need not worry because we have an assurance of our eternity, which matters much more compared to all these tiny issues. What a great chapter!! So affirming and assuring. What a great God we have, that He purchase filthy rags with His precious blood. My prayer for all of us, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. #maywong #Ephesians #Ephesians 1

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 2 - JC

In an era where self-centeredness is a virtue, we are all striving to earn and maintain a status quo. Communities are suffering and the individual is prospering. We are encouraged to do our thing and let others have their own opinions, no matter how different it is to ours. There is no discussion between individuals to come to the truth together but a nod of approval, which looks like they’re listening but they aren’t.

God’s promises recorded in the Bible were always directed to the community - to the people group, or in the NT, a church. Paul emphasizes in verses 19 to 22 that we are part of God’s household, a body, and all different parts of His temple. Unfortunately, we all take His promises as a means of encouragement and confirmation that God is with ‘me’ and He is taking care of ‘me’. To invest in the other or not may seem like an option, but there is a commandment to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ Out of this love we build one another, serve one another, help those in need, sharpen one another, and learn to be sacrificial, which are all qualities found in the Cross. To become like Christ we need a community and can never be done alone.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious foil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. -Psalm 133:1

This unity that is good and pleasant can only be a reflection on the unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 1 - JC

Since the birth of Christ, His wondrous works, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension He has given to us the Holy Spirit, ‘who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it’ (v14). In His mercy and endless grace our salvation is sealed by the Holy Spirit, which cannot be undone by man. With faith as small as a mustard seed we can see the ‘immeasurable greatness’ (v19) in His power. 

However, for some reason and most of the time, we always try to take control over our lives. Also, as a Christian, no matter how long you’ve gone to church, there are always areas that we try to control and determine. Our fleshy nature absolutely needs and requires certainty, but this can only be on God’s side of the court. Granted, it’s easier said than done. Plus, there is the tension of being wise or trusting in His leading. But, I believe that this tension loosens the more intimate we become with Him. Spending time in His Word, meditating, and never ceasing prayer all help in us becoming even more sensitive to His voice and knowing His heart. 

All God requires is for us to love Him and have faith. Once we take His hand and gaze on His face we are lead to places we can never fathom with our own imagination. There can’t be anyone who would refuse such a promise, but we resist. 

I pray that in these moments the Holy Spirit will allow us to taste just enough of His glory for us to let go at once and follow Him, just like the fishermen who abandoned their livelihood at the call of the Shepherd.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 1 - AO

According to the Counsel of His Will

This past week has probably been one of the hardest by far since my transition back home with the family. Tough decisions had to be made and I had to wrestle with the question, “Is this Your will?” 

I have reached the point in life where I don’t believe in sheer coincidences but neither do I over read into its purpose. With confidence in His sovereignty and control, whether the purposes of an incident is revealed or not, I have been given the grace to wrestle and reach the conclusion that He has allowed all things in accordance to His good good will. And overtime, we will either know or find our when we get to eternity - not that it really matters. 

From way before I came to being, His will has already been in control - and I am caught in the midst of it, given the privilege to enjoy it all. 

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Jesus who dies shall be satisfied Let earth and Heaven be one! 

Oh Christian, remember, the One who called you to salvation, the One who created and sustains you - the One who commands the sun to rise and the rain to fail - Who knows you to the deepest, darkest crevasses of your heart- loves you and He is still working His will in your life and the lives of everyone around you. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galatians 6 -MW

I was taught in Sunday school that we are to become more and more like Jesus, to trasform into His beauty, His likeness. It’s just impossible, doesn’t feel this can be accomplished by anyone in this earth, He is Jesus, God, it will take me forever to be like Him, this is mission impossible. Then when I read about Paul, ~wow~ This guy, he is just so determined and sure to follow Jesus all his life after what he experienced on the way to Damascus. I wish I can be like him at least 10%.

Next, I get to know this amazing dad (father in law) who does not grow weary of doing good to people. I dont know how he gets to have such big heart, always caring for those who seems to take advantage of him, shelter strangers that soon he calls them his son, giving food to somebody who is nobody soon be his friend, giving so much without the gaurentee of returning kindness to him. Who does that? I believe sometimes he feels disappointed, maybe feel like giving up too, but his action (so far) never show any sign of weariness. It is my privilige to be able to see his doing to others, and experience the goodness that he gave and is still giving.

It is hard to be Christ like. After seeing a real life person, my dad’s life, he make it even harder to be like Jesus. How am I able to do good to everyone? And especially to those who are of the household of faith. This is not easy. Why do we have to do this bible reading…arg… so struggling and yet so good to the soul.

Dear God, would you come and change my heart? It seems to be difficult to be like Jesus, would you come and mould me to be like you?

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 5 - MW

Verse 2-6: …if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you…every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law, you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcised counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

“ at least he/she said the sinner’s prayer” I often hear this statement in a funeral or in a desperate need of situation whose family member has a cancer patient, or even a child that stray away from the gospel. We always hope that when they pray the sinner’s prayer, God would just melt down and welcome them into eternity. 

I used to believe in that fantasy world, just get my friends to church, get them say those lines, and boom, they are saved. 

Whether we said the sinner’s prayer or not, whether we are baptized or not, whether we give offering or not, whether we lift our hands and bow our heads or not, that doesn’t mean we can go to heaven. Only believing in Jesus and whatever you do, do it in the form of love unto God and people. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galatians 6 - AO

What is your Theology?

As someone who finds reformed theology consistent with biblical truth, it is painful when you see erroneous beliefs. Before you decide how intolerant I am, do note that it doesn’t make sense if you say one should accept all belief systems because we are all children of God- because the moment you even thought about it, you’ve rejected mine and violated yours; I’ll just leave this here.

There is an exclusivity. True. But truth has to be exclusive. There can be a million lies but only ONE truth. This is also the topic for another day.

Unfortunately, many of us (those who believe in reformed theology- or any other for that matter- simply when we read more bible and read one or 2 more commentaries than others) pride ourselves in having right doctrine and correct biblical understanding. We almost feel like we have the license to become bible cops, going out to arrest bad theology by issuing dirty and judgmental looks and giving critically unloving comments.

Ever heard someone say the world is less judgmental than the church? Well it’s true. They’re judgmental in their own ways but within the church the hypocrisy is strong - we fail to practice what we preach yet we expect non-believers to be like us. We look at one another seeing if we are living up to a certain standard and should we fail, we condemn ourselves and we condemn other; or worse we fail to remove the plank from our eyes and can only see the dust in our neighbors.

We find ourselves more like the Jewish Christians trying to dictate how someone needs to act in order to be accepted - in order to be Christian. We almost create this “goodness” mold by the way we react and accept one another. And if they don’t fit - well too bad. 

But that is exactly what Paul rebukes. When we see our brothers and sisters struggling with sin, we are to carry their burdens with them and not stand from afar telling them to do better. We stoop low and help them do better. Words when words are needed but action at all times - whether physically carrying their burdens or labor in prayer with them until  they are set free. 

That was my error as a young believer. The standards I wanted myself to live up to, I expected those around me to do the same. I could not stoop low to carry the burdens with them because I did know how to get back up. I still thought it was within my own will to do better - and failure to get up again is purely my own. 

But the Gospel came and it changed everything. When I understood the One who stooped so low to carry not just my burden but my sins altogether that I am considered sinless, it was no longer an option of whether I wanted to, I am obligated to - to be just like my Jesus, to love and to labor. 

I learnt, that theology that stays in the head puffs up - making one prideful. True theology, works itself into ones heart by the grace of God through the working of the Holy Spirit and removes all pride, giving us a spirit of gentleness to restore the broken people around us.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Ephesians 1- JY

Adoption

‘Inheritance’ was mentioned 3 times in this passage. 

1 Peter 2:9 said this

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

The first reference of inheritance is referring to us being predestined according to His purpose and His will. We are adopted into the Kingdom of God and predestined to inherit an everlasting inheritance. This does not make any sense for the world we live in. This sounds crazy. Moreover, the second reference for inheritance is that if we put our faith in Christ, the inheritance is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Okay, wait a minute, so first some everlasting inheritance is given to me before I was born, and then now you are saying it is sealed with the Holy Spirit? Wow. Sealed. That is a strong word.  And then lastly the third reference for inheritance is that I might have the wisdom and knowledge to solve or to figure out this glorious inheritance that was given through Christ and was sealed with the Holy Spirit. Okay, I’m overwhelmed.

Predestination according to merriam-webster means the belief that everything that will happen has already been decided by God or fate and cannot be changed. Everything that will happen has already been decided by God and it cannot be changed. And the inheritance here I believe it is talking about salvation. Salvation is more than just believing that Christ is our saviour. Salvation is so much more than that. It is ultimately a promise from God that we are adopted through Christ. This adoption into His Kingdom has already been decided by Him. This adoption promises an everlasting relationship with Him. Even when we are unfaithful, even when we sin, even when we fall, He is still faithful to us. Okay, after we understand that we are chosen to this inheritance, we got to understand the second thing, Christ. It is Christ that gave us this inheritance and it is sealed through the Holy Spirit. Pretty straight forward, your inheritance is secure because it is on the hands of the one that came down for us and was hung on that tree for us. His commitment to us is real. And this inheritance that He promised to give us when we put our faith onto Him is real too. It is not a whack promise, it is a serious one. We got to get this, this adoption was given to us and was decided before it happened not through some magical power of God, it happened through His one and only Son. See it? It was decided with Christ in it. Even when He knows that it takes Him to give us his inheritance, He still chose to. This is a serious one relationship for sure! Okay, after we know that we are chosen and we are now secure in Him, we need to get the last one as well. Knowing it. There is a reason why He didn’t unpack all His plans and will to us right away. And instead, we are now in the position to ask for wisdom and knowledge, and also an eye in our hearts to see the riches of His glorious inheritance. This is a serious relationship, that is all I can think in my head right now. He pursued us with everything and now He is just waiting for us to see the riches of his glorious inheritance that is in us and also His greatness power toward us. The calling, the purpose, the reason why we are here right now all lies in us. And all He is asking us to seek Him, so that we can see that power in us. I’m not saying that we are all guarantee to become rich or what, but I’m saying that every single work that we do, it has a purpose in it, to seek Him and pursue Him, to love Him.

Even after I read this passage, I still feel like I’m scratching the surface of the revelation He is showing to us. Can’t wait to see how the book of Ephesians is going to speak to me personally.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 4 - MW

The word “adoption” in verse 5 gives me so much emotions in writing this.

verse 5: to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Caught in so much emotions because my sis and I were adopted. What I heard from my sis was we were seperated because she was too naughty and was influencing me to do bad stuff. So the family decided to let another family to adopt her instead.

To be adopted sounds negative, I used to think or feel rejected because my parents did not want me, I’m not good enough or whatever reason it is, it gives a negative perspective. In my sis case, she’s not a good girl, her behaviour was not pleasing to the family and she was “kicked out” from the family.

In christianity, it actually tells people that we are not good enough, “ You are a sinner” “ You need to repent, you need a Saviour” Yes, we are sinners and need God, we are not worthy, we are not the perfect lamb…

But if we repent…

God adopts us even we are still sinners, even we still lie sometimes, even we still curse when we are mad.

Verse 7: so you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.