Semper fi

I've been going through Galatians, and here are a few of the things I've been learning:

1. My goal is to please God. It is not about people or about myself. 

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10)

"Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good" (Galatians 4:17-18)

2. The Gospel is authentic.

"I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preach is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11)

3. Christ lives in me now. 

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

4. By faith, I am adopted in God's family. 

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)

5. I am free in Christ.

"It is freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery' (Galatians 5:1)

6.  Faith is expressed through love and the fruit of the Spirit. 

"The only that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6b)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

7. Love God and love others. Don't give up. 

"The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life" (Galatians 6:8)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:9-10).

8. May I boast in Christ.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through which the world has been crucified to me, and i to the world." (Galatians 6:14)


Classes begin again in two weeks, and it kind of crept up on me. It feels like I just started my break, and now it's quickly fading away. Yesterday, a friend gently reminded me how I really really needed to prepare my heart for this upcoming new year. Fittingly, God has been teaching me through Galatians these simple truths. Let me live my life knowing that I am God's child; He will carry me through every  storm. May I trust in God's strength and faithfulness so that He alone will be praised. It's not about making a name for myself; it's not about winning the approval of my friends, my family, my professors. It's all for God. When I do well, may I give all the credit to God. When I don't, may I remember His faithfulness. I know I will struggle, I will feel defeated, and so I lay all my insecurities at the feet of the cross. At the cross, Christ died for our sin, and rose victoriously so that we can be free. Free from sin, free from shame, free from insecurity.

Abba, Father. You are so perfect, so gracious, so loving, so faithful. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be face to face with You in heaven, but until then, may I never lose zeal for You. Grow in me a desire to serve You alone. I offer you my life, use me as a walking example of Christ. Make me the visible representation of the invisible God. Father, I commit the next year in Your hands. Purify me daily so I can grow to be more like You.  Amidst the studying, the exams, etc., give me Your eyes to see and care for the the brokenhearted and the lost. I am ready to do Your will.