Today's Passage - Galatians 5:7-12

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 5: 7-12     You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?   That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."    I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.   Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.   As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!   Why is the cross offensive to some people? Often time, we follow God according to our desires, and why is it necessary for us to confess our sins?  Wouldn't it be terrific if we do not talk about sins?  God wanted us to confess our sins because He is a God of justice and we, as sinners, cannot stand justified in front of Him.  Therefore, we need to confess our sins and receive  the redemption that God has prepared for us in Christ Jesus with humility.  As a result, we are able to come before Him openly without fear.   Why then is our total submission to God necessary? Would it suffice if we give our free offerings to the church as well as being a good person performing good deeds as the Buddhist suggests? In reality, God looks not only to our outward actions, but our total submission to Him also.  Making offerings,  performing good deeds and being  a good person do not really reflect  the changes in  our lives, nor do they represents that we are truly Christians. God demands our total submission to Him and follow Him.    Why do we need to follow His commands?  Would it be sufficient if we just mind our own business and do our own things in this day and age?  In fact, it is His desires that not only we are saved, but perform His will that is preordained for us.  We, therefore, need to come before God and follow His commands so that we no longer walk on our own ways but do what is righteous in His sight so that His glory may be manifested in our lives.    Why do we need to love one another? Wouldn't it be nice if we just mind our own business? In saving us, it is God's desire for us to grow together in Christ, help and be responsible for one another.   May God help us love one another just as Christ loves us, and this is exactly God's desire.  Jesus said your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. We need to follow Christ not according to our own will but His,  and this is the very nuisance of the cross.  We need to make sacrifice and give up ourselves to fulfill His will.  May God's spirit help us to carry His cross and follow Him from this day onwards.                                                                           Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank You for Your sufferings on our behalves.  May we follow You with a heart to withstand suffering.  Let the cross no longer be a sign of nuisance to us , but a way to glory instead.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!