Highrock Church

Paul wants to let us in on a secret. It's a secret that God has kept since the beginning of the world, a secret revealed only with the life of Jesus. And what is that secret? That God wants to unite all people as one, into one family of grace. Whatever else might divide us, Jesus seeks to bridge that gap to bring us together. And that united family is supposed to be the Church, but does the Church even embrace that vision? And what are we to do about it?

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For Reflection:

- What is the "mystery" that Paul says has now been revealed?

- How did God use Paul's past violence and prejudice to advance God's plans? Does this give you hope about your past mistakes? Why or why not?

- How might God be inviting you to reach across social boundaries and divides?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for including me in your family through the grace of Jesus. Through your Spirit, help me to extend that grace and inclusion to others.

What do we need to do in order to earn God's approval? How should we look at others who do little or nothing to please God? Human beings are great at dividing over our differences, especially if we feel we look better in the comparison. But we all start from the same place, utterly powerless and in absolute need of God's undeserved love and favor. In this aspect, we are all the same — united by our absolute need for God's grace!

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For Reflection:

- Why is it important to understand that salvation is a gift of grace rather than something we earn?

- Are you ever tempted to doubt God's generosity (v7)? How might this doubt affect how you live and the choices you make?

- How does knowing that you are God's workmanship (v10) affect the way you view yourself?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for your amazing grace that made me alive in Christ — help me live each day as your masterpiece, giving others a glimpse of your beauty.

Writing from prison, Paul sends a letter to describe God's ultimate purposes for all of Creation and for our lives — to bring all things into unity in Christ (Eph 1:10). Paul emphasizes that this plan is rooted in God's generous heart for us. He then prays that believers would grow in their knowledge of God, understand the hope of their calling, appreciate the riches of their inheritance, and experience the immeasurable power available to them through Christ, who now reigns above every authority.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- How does knowing that God adopted me into the family shape how I see myself? What about the fact that it gave God great pleasure to do so (v5)?

- What are some ways that I would like God to bring unity to the brokenness in the world I experience (v10)?

- How might God be inviting me to be a part of restoring unity through Christ?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for choosing, adopting, redeeming, forgiving, and sealing me through your grace. Show me how to be a part of your plans to heal this broken world.

In closing his letter, Paul encourages us to help carry one another's burdens but then encourages us to carry our own burdens. Which is it? Do we carry one another's burden or just our own? In-between independence and codependence, Paul maps out a space for interdependence, or community. The goal is to help one another become full, participating members of a community who walks through life together, without comparison, without pride, and without any sense of superiority to others. In short, it is the way of the cross.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- How do I typically respond when I see someone else struggling with sin?

- Whose burdens might God be calling me to help carry right now?

- Are there areas where pride is preventing me from being able to ask for help?

- What does it mean for me to boast only in the cross of Christ?

- Prayer: Lord, help me to love myself and others without comparison, drawing my worth from the cross of Jesus.

Paul here challenges the Galatians for abandoning the gospel of grace and turning back to a system of earning God's favor through obedience to the law. He reminds them that their own experience points to the truth — they received the Holy Spirit by believing the good news about Jesus, not by obeying a set of rules. In addition to their own experience, the very writings of Moses point to Abraham's relationship with God being based on faith, long before the Law was even given. We are all children of God by faith and by faith, all the spiritual descendants of Abraham. It is all about grace and faith.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- In what ways am I tempted to rely on my own efforts rather than God's grace?

- How does Abraham's example challenge common assumptions about salvation?

- What do I think and feel about Christ taking on the curse (all the consequences of sin) for me?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me a life based on the firm foundation of your grace rather than the shifting sand of my faithfulness.

Paul recounts a significant confrontation with the apostle Peter in the city of Antioch. Although Peter initially enjoyed fellowship with the Gentile believers there, he backed away when Jewish believers from Jerusalem arrived. These believers from Jerusalem argued that the Gentiles needed to follow the Jewish religious laws in order to be acceptable to God. Rather than stick to his convictions, Peter backed down from fear of criticism, and Paul therefore challenged him. How often do we also back away from our convictions due to fear of criticism?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Are there situations where fear of others influences me to act against my convictions?

- How am I tempted to believe that God's love for me depends on my performance rather than Christ's work?

- Are there barriers or divisions I need to overcome in order to better reflect the unity we are called to by God?

- Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I allow fear, pride, or hypocrisy to shape my actions. Help me live in a way that better reflects the truth of the gospel.

Paul opens this letter with a strong warning. The Galatians were being misled by people teaching that additional religious requirements were necessary in order to be accepted by God. In response, Paul declares that there is only one gospel and anyone who brings a different message should be rejected, even if they were an angel from heaven. The gospel is God's message, not a human invention; it starts not with what we must do but with what God has already done for us in Jesus.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why do you imagine that Paul was so concerned about the Galatians turning to a different gospel?

- What does Paul's conversion demonstrate about grace, the heart of the gospel?

- Paul will explain much more about the gospel in the rest of this letter but at this point, how might you explain the good news of Jesus to a child or to someone who was hearing about Jesus for the first time?

- Prayer: Lord, help me trust completely in the grace and goodness of Jesus.

Paul concludes his letter with a final warning, a call to self-examination, and a blessing so poetic that we still use it today in our gatherings. Paul urges the Corinthians to take seriously the issues he has addressed throughout the letter. Rather than focusing on judging Paul, they should examine themselves to see whether they are truly living in the faith. He exhorts them to embrace the joy that God has for them and to mend their broken relationships, like a fisherman might mend a broken net. May we examine ourselves in hopes of such joy and healing!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What does it mean for me to "examine" myself in light of 2 Corinthians 13:5?

- How do I tend to respond when God uses correction to shape my character?

- Am I helping build up the people around me, or am I tearing them down? What practical steps can I take to pursue unity and peace within my church and relationships?

- Prayer: Lord, may my life reflect the grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Paul continues his boasting from the previous chapter, but only to illustrate how pointless it is. Instead, Paul declares that he will boast only in his weaknesses, such as his unnamed "thorn in the flesh". Why? Because his weakness makes God's power at work in him all the more visible. Our talents and strengths can be used by God but they also can redirect credit from God to us. Instead, God's power is most perfectly displayed in our shortcomings. We may not be enough, but God is more than enough!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why do you imagine that God chose not to remove Paul's thorn in the flesh?

- Supposed a child asked you, "What does it mean that God's power is made perfect in weakness?" How might you answer them?

- How has God used your weakness, limitations, or struggles to serve others or to bring you closer to God and others?

- Prayer: Lord, help me depend on your strength in my weakness and demonstrate your power and love in and through my struggles and limitations.

Have you ever felt like your relationship with God has gone quiet or just . . . a bit boring?

What if the mystery of God was never meant to run out? What might change if you got curious about God again or in a different way?

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