Daily Worship (Jan 12)
Devotional 1: The Gospel’s Power to Save
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Devotional Thought:
Salvation is entirely a gift from God. Paul reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts or achievements. This truth is humbling because it leaves no room for boasting. No amount of good works, moral effort, or religious activity can earn salvation. We come to God empty-handed, receiving His gift by faith. This grace-centered salvation also eliminates fear—we don’t have to wonder if we’ve done enough to please God. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that Jesus has already done everything necessary for our salvation.
Grace reminds us that salvation is not based on who we are, but on who God is. He is merciful, loving, and generous. Like a lifeline thrown to a drowning person, salvation is the work of the rescuer, not the one being rescued. When we trust in Jesus, we experience the power of God’s grace, transforming our hearts and lives.
COMMA Study Questions:
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. I know I could never earn it on my own. Help me to trust fully in Your grace and share this good news with others. Amen.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Devotional Thought:
Salvation is entirely a gift from God. Paul reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts or achievements. This truth is humbling because it leaves no room for boasting. No amount of good works, moral effort, or religious activity can earn salvation. We come to God empty-handed, receiving His gift by faith. This grace-centered salvation also eliminates fear—we don’t have to wonder if we’ve done enough to please God. Instead, we can rest in the assurance that Jesus has already done everything necessary for our salvation.
Grace reminds us that salvation is not based on who we are, but on who God is. He is merciful, loving, and generous. Like a lifeline thrown to a drowning person, salvation is the work of the rescuer, not the one being rescued. When we trust in Jesus, we experience the power of God’s grace, transforming our hearts and lives.
COMMA Study Questions:
- Context: What does the larger passage of Ephesians 2:1–10 say about our spiritual condition before salvation?
- Observation: What two things does Paul emphasize are not the source of our salvation?
- Meaning: Why does Paul stress that salvation is a gift, not a result of works?
- Main Idea: How does this passage emphasize the central role of grace in our salvation?
- Application: Who in your life needs to hear about God’s saving grace? How can you share it with them this week?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. I know I could never earn it on my own. Help me to trust fully in Your grace and share this good news with others. Amen.
Devotional 2: The Righteousness of God
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Devotional Thought:
The gospel is a message of exchange: Jesus took our sin so we could receive His righteousness. As sinners, we stood guilty before a holy God, deserving punishment. But Jesus, who had no sin, willingly took our place on the cross, bearing the penalty for our sins. Through His sacrifice, we are made right with God.
This exchange is not based on anything we have done, but on God’s incredible love and grace. Jesus became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God. This means that when God looks at us, He sees not our sin, but Christ’s perfect righteousness.
Living in this reality transforms how we view ourselves and others. We are no longer defined by our failures but by Christ’s victory. This truth empowers us to live confidently as new creations, reflecting God’s righteousness in our daily lives.
COMMA Study Questions:
Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my sin upon Yourself and giving me Your righteousness. Help me to live in the confidence of this new identity, honoring You in all I do. Amen.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Devotional Thought:
The gospel is a message of exchange: Jesus took our sin so we could receive His righteousness. As sinners, we stood guilty before a holy God, deserving punishment. But Jesus, who had no sin, willingly took our place on the cross, bearing the penalty for our sins. Through His sacrifice, we are made right with God.
This exchange is not based on anything we have done, but on God’s incredible love and grace. Jesus became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God. This means that when God looks at us, He sees not our sin, but Christ’s perfect righteousness.
Living in this reality transforms how we view ourselves and others. We are no longer defined by our failures but by Christ’s victory. This truth empowers us to live confidently as new creations, reflecting God’s righteousness in our daily lives.
COMMA Study Questions:
- Context: What does the surrounding passage in 2 Corinthians 5:17–21 say about being a new creation?
- Observation: What did God do to make us righteous, according to this verse?
- Meaning: What is the significance of Christ being “made sin” for us?
- Main Idea: How does this passage show the transformation that occurs when we trust in Christ?
- Application: What specific area of your life do you need to surrender to Christ, trusting in His righteousness instead of your own efforts?
Lord Jesus, thank You for taking my sin upon Yourself and giving me Your righteousness. Help me to live in the confidence of this new identity, honoring You in all I do. Amen.
Devotional 3: Living by Faith
Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Devotional Thought:
Faith is more than intellectual agreement or temporary trust in God for specific needs—it is saving faith. Saving faith is receiving and resting on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, as He is offered in the gospel. Paul’s declaration in Galatians 2:20 points to this reality. He describes how his old self, ruled by sin, has been crucified with Christ. Now, Paul’s life is no longer about his own strength or effort. Instead, it is Christ who lives in him.
To live by faith means trusting in Jesus’ perfect righteousness, not our own abilities or works. It means relying on His love and sacrifice as the foundation for every decision, every struggle, and every step of obedience. Paul reminds us that this faith is deeply personal—it is rooted in Jesus’ love for us, proven by His willingness to give Himself up for our salvation. This kind of faith is not just the starting point of the Christian life; it is the power source for daily living.
COMMA Study Questions:
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Yourself for me. Help me to live by faith every day, trusting in Your righteousness and not my own. Remind me that You live in me, giving me the power to follow You in all areas of my life. Amen.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Devotional Thought:
Faith is more than intellectual agreement or temporary trust in God for specific needs—it is saving faith. Saving faith is receiving and resting on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, as He is offered in the gospel. Paul’s declaration in Galatians 2:20 points to this reality. He describes how his old self, ruled by sin, has been crucified with Christ. Now, Paul’s life is no longer about his own strength or effort. Instead, it is Christ who lives in him.
To live by faith means trusting in Jesus’ perfect righteousness, not our own abilities or works. It means relying on His love and sacrifice as the foundation for every decision, every struggle, and every step of obedience. Paul reminds us that this faith is deeply personal—it is rooted in Jesus’ love for us, proven by His willingness to give Himself up for our salvation. This kind of faith is not just the starting point of the Christian life; it is the power source for daily living.
COMMA Study Questions:
- Context: What does Galatians 2:15–21 reveal about justification by faith versus the law?
- Observation: How does Paul describe his new identity in Christ in this verse?
- Meaning: What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ”?
- Main Idea: How does this verse explain what it looks like to live by faith in Jesus?
- Application: In what area of your life do you need to stop relying on your own strength and start living by faith in Jesus?
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Yourself for me. Help me to live by faith every day, trusting in Your righteousness and not my own. Remind me that You live in me, giving me the power to follow You in all areas of my life. Amen.
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