DCLM Daily Manna 13 January 2021 Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi
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Topic: A New Creature
Text: Galatians 6:11-18 (KJV)
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (To the Galatians written from Rome.)
Key Verse: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature” (Galatians 6:15).
MESSAGE:
The 19th century theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, identified two kinds of religion – Religion A and Religion B. The first is “faith in name only”. It is the practice of attending church without genuine faith in the Lord. Religion B, on the other hand, is a life-transforming, destiny changing experience. It is a definite commitment to the crucified and risen Saviour, which establishes a relationship between a forgiven sinner and a gracious God.
Apostle Paul in our text summarised his epistle to the Galatians. He reminded them of the chief aim of his writings – to warn the Galatian converts of the pretence and error of false traditionalists who were advocating a return to circumcision and observance of Jewish ceremonies before one could be saved. He emphasised the need to become new creatures by faith in Christ’s finished work at Calvary rather than parading empty religion and observances that cannot save. He committed them unto the grace of God while praying for the preservation of their faith.
Those who believe in outward religion without inward change are present in our day. They market what they refer to as “articles of faith” and involve in practices and rituals that cannot transform those who are engaged in them into new creatures. The devil will be delighted to have people outwardly committed to religion while living an inwardly corrupt and defeated life.
If we are to produce genuine believers, zealous of good works, who act as salt and light in our corrupt world, we must preach and lead people into the experience of the new birth. And as believers, we are called to shun all attempts of religious people to pull us away from the confidence and assurance we have in Christ.
Thought For Today: Christ came to reestablish a relationship between God and man and not to set up a religion.
The Bible Reading One Year: Genesis 38 – 40
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.