Joshua 20 - 10.30.24
Scripture
Then the Lord said to Joshua “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.” (Joshua 20:1-3)
Observation
In Deuteronomy 19, God had given instructions to Moses about the cities of refuge. Now Joshua has conquered the Promised Land, and he is in the process of designating cities. God asks him to designate the cities of refuge. In the Old Testament, the law is “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24), which means retaliation is allowed and expected for every sin. If someone is murdered, the law required the murderer to be killed in retaliation. (Exodus 21:12). However, God provided provision for an accidental killing. Someone who killed someone accidentally can flee to one of the designated cities of refuge, and once inside the city’s boundaries, he cannot be killed. He is free to return home once the High Priest of the time dies, and can no longer be killed.
Everything in the Old Testament is a shadow (Colossians 2:17) of Jesus and God’s plan of redemption through Him. The cities of refuge are a shadow of Jesus, to whom we can run and be safe. Once covered by His blood, we are safe from the wages of our sin. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and Jesus died for us. In the New Testament, Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and his death has freed us from the penalty of our sins.
In writing this Observation, I drew inspiration from my mother, Susamma Chacko, and her book “Jesus in the Old Testament”.
Application
Jesus is our refuge to which we can run into, everytime we fall. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7-8). We were bought with a price (1 Cor 7:23). It cost God everything to save us - the blood of his Son, Jesus. Let us live a life that acknowledges the price He paid, bringing glory to His name.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for reminding me that you are the city of refuge that I can run into. You have paid the price for my sin. Your blood has washed me. Your death and resurrection has set me free. Help me to live a life that is worthy of the calling you have placed on my life (Ephesians 4:1), bringing glory to your name. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
1 Corinthians 6 - 10.29.24
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."
OBSERVATION: Paul wrote this letter to address the church in Corinth regarding how they were still living like they were a part of the world's system. The main issue Paul addressed is how they were tolerating the worst kind of immorality. Paul wrote that their body's were not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Another thing he addressed was the way the believers were treating one another unjustly, and taking their disputes to the pagan court system rather than taking the matter to a wise person among them who was able to arbitrate between them.
They had been washed, sanctified, and justified. Now it was their responsibility to start living according to their new identity in Christ!
Paul wrote that Jesus had liberated them to be free, and he exhorted them to use this opportunity to serve one another through love rather than an opportunity to serve their fleshly desires. They had been made free, not to violate God's will, but to glorify Him by doing His will.
Paul wrote, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be brought under the control of anything."
APPLICATION: "Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to the yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1).
The most profitable way for us to exercise our freedom is by being a slave to God and servants of one another in love. To most people, this may sound contradictory and absurd, but according to the Lord : To be set free from the bondage of sin, we must become servants of God and one another.
PRAYER: Thank You Lord Jesus for the freedom that You purchased on the cross for us. The way to experience that freedom is by living godly lives before You. That is true freedom! Thank God that, although we used to be slaves of sin, we obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching we were transferred to, and having been liberated from sin, we became enslaved to righteousness. (Romans 6:17,18).
- Robin Orefice
1 Corinthians 5 - 10.28.24
Scripture
1 Corinthians 5:12-13a NLT
“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside;”
Observation
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church here and scolding them for allowing a man who is proudly living in sexual sin, to continue to be part of their church and fellowship. He urges them that they need to kick him out of their church because this man’s sinfulness may spread to others in the church. The church shouldn’t be acting like non-believers do. They know better and are held to a higher standard, so they better start living according to God’s Way!
Application
“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
It’s a verse that Christians and Non-Christians like to throw around a lot. We either like to quote that one, or we like to use the phrase, “Don’t judge me. Only God can judge me.” They are phrases often misused by the Christian and Non-Christian alike. But, in this chapter Paul instructs the reader that there is a proper time and place that we as Christians need to judge.
You see, often time Christians will judge non believers for their sinfulness, pointing their finger at them, telling them they’re going to Hell. But we as Christians shouldn’t expect non-believers to be living godly lives when they may not know any better. Paul says in verses 12-13 that it isn’t his responsibility to judge those outside the church, that’s for God to handle. Instead, it is our responsibility as Christians to judge those inside the church who are sinning. Just remember, we must do it in a loving and gentle way.
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”-Galatians 6:1
Listen, no one likes to be called out for their wrongdoings, but we need to remember that God has called His bride/His Church to a higher standard of living. We are to be holy, set apart, and we are to be living godly lives. If we get called out for our wrongdoings, and it’s true, admit it. Ask for God’s forgiveness and turn away from our sins. If we see a brother or sister in Christ struggling in sin, approach them humbly, gently, and lovingly. Correct them and bring them back to living godly lives. We are to be a light and set the example of how Christian living should be to those around us.
Prayer
Father God, please forgive me of any arrogance and pride. Forgive me for ever thinking that I’m never in the wrong. Forgive me if I ever carry a “holier than thou” attitude towards others. Help me to not judge non believers so harshly. Let me remember that I was once in their shoes, but ONLY through Your grace, I was saved. Help me to point others, (Christians and Non-Christians) back to You. Give me the words to do it in a loving and gentle way. May Your Church continue to grow, thrive, and be what You called us to be in this world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi