Pause

The Bible tells us that God was at work in Jesus, bringing about God’s will in the world.

But you may wonder just what that looks like. What was God up to in the life of Christ?

This time you have chosen to give yourself to quiet devotion may give you a clue. See if you can learn more about God now.

Listen

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Think

Through Paul’s writing, we can see the influence his faith in Christ had on Paul’s life. Jesus came to bridge the divide between humanity and God, showing love to all people, without exception. Paul learned from that example. Though he had a history of prejudice to others, he grew in his faith and changed into a person who wanted to share God’s love with all people.

We don’t all struggle with the same divides Paul faced, but we do all have our own prejudices. We judge others based on how they dress, who their friends are, what classes they take, or where they go to school. We sometimes judge people on where they live, what their parents do for a living, or what beliefs they have. Jesus came to show us that all people are children of God. His example changed Paul and it can change us too.

Susan Reed

Pray

Loving God, my heart can be full of anger and prejudice at times. Help me to be changed by your love so that I might love and accept others more graciously. Amen.

Go

Whatever you are facing,
No matter how hard the road,
Christ is still in Jesus,
Helping to carry your load.