Our Blog

Read Galatians 3:22-25.

"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster" (v. 25).

How did you come to faith in Christ? Most of us have a story of people who helped us, sermons that convicted us, circumstances that influenced our decision. Seldom have I heard people say that the law of God had a part in bringing them to faith. But in our reading for today, Paul says that it was the law of God that served as a tutor to bring each of us to Christ? How does that work?

Paul himself answers that question in Romans 7:7. The law of God showed Paul that his life was missing the mark. We all needed someone or something to get our attention that we were on the wrong road. It is so easy to deceive ourselves into thinking that all is well – that we are as good as we need to be. It is God's Word that becomes the mirror to show us what is truly in our hearts.

Have you looked in the mirror today? Not the one that shows you if your hair is out of place, but the one that shows you what your priorities are; that shows you whether your goals in life reflects God's plans for you. If so, did your look in the mirror make you change anything in your life? James 1:24 reminds us that many people look at the mirror of God's law, see their faults, then forget what they saw. They fail to listen to the tutor, so ultimately fail the course. (Gordon L. Snider)

Lord, help me to listen to my tutor today!

Read Ephesians 4:14-16.

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (v. 15).

Don’t be tossed around by every doctrinal breeze. Keep focused on the scriptures and the beliefs that spring from them.Being led astray in what one believes will soon carry him astray from proper practice.

One way of keeping focused is for believers to talk openly about ideas and proposals that arise. When decisions are to be made in a church, for example, those who make up the congregation should be frank in speaking about the ideas presented, especially if the proposed changes might turn the church away from biblical principles. Speaking the truth clearly, “in love,” helps focus on truth and avoid the pitfalls of erroneous doctrines.

The same can be true in personal relationships. The Bible seems to indicate that we should be willing to “speak the truth in love” if we see a brother going astray. Warning him about the direction he is taking will be a blessing to him. Once a pastor recalled a time when he began dating a young woman who did not possess Christian character. He had a rather difficult time of it before realizing his danger and cancelling the relationship. Later a friend told him how glad he was for the break-up. “Why didn’t you speak to me earlier?” the young man asked. “You would have saved me a lot of heartache.” (Steven E.Hight)

Speaking truth in love helps us stay on track.