Today's Passage - Galatians 3 17-22

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 3:17:22   "... Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.  But the scriptures shut up all things under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. "    In today's world, people seem to be imprisoned in a circle - this is not the circle of sin, but the circle of cultural values.  Cultural values, indeed, directly influence all of us living in this world, which cannot be separated from our thoughts and actions. For example in U.S., the value systems of the east and west coasts are quite different.  When going to church, people in the east coast are dressed in suits and ties while those in the west coast in denims all because of the cultural differences.    The values of this world are founded on power and glory.  Power is to have authority over others while glory is to satisfy one's own desires.  Living in this world, we are constantly influenced by such cultural values with the needs to have control over others as well as satisfying our own desires. These inadvertently cause predicaments and conflicts in the society and with its people.  On the surface, these do not seem like sin, but in reality we are being trapped in this circle of cultural values with our thoughts and actions entangled in these sinful behaviors.   The Bible, therefore, says, "God imprisoned everything under the sin".    If we do not take heed and watch out, we would fall into the trap of sin going astray away from God. We need to come before God asking for His illumination.  We pray that God would open the eyes of this world recognizing that these cultural values are actually lies from our enemies trying to imprison us in sin.  Let us repent and return to God because it is only through believing in Jesus Christ, we would be rewarded with this gift of salvation.                                                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for we can receive this promise of grace and salvation only through Jesus Christ.  May You help us recognize our situation and receive Your grace and blessings with humility. With thanks we pray, in the name of victorious Jesus, Amen!