From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 5:55 AM

Subject: 1-18-24 THOUGHTS

1-18-24   THOUGHTS

Correction to the WORD STANDARD  was a New Testament theme.  Below is an example of leadership correcting itself.  One strong man correcting another.  It was done publicly.  The fact of the correction is worthy of our thought, but more, consider the fact that it did not destroy LOVE!  Paul and Peter marched  right along taking care of their assignments in the Kingdom.  I see no evidence that this event caused problems with their love for each other or the cause of Christ!  Verse 20 is most powerful!  We need to think about it often and deeply.   "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Gal 2:11-21    But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.  12  For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.  13  The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.  14  But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?  15  "We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;  16  nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17  "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be!  18  "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19  "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21  "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

My Prayer:
Lord, help us to be crucified with Christ to the degree that Christ is our life.  Defeat self in us, and let humble, Christ powered boldness spread love in this world.  Remove double-mindedness from us, and help us to focus on spiritual things.  Help us to be good children, lifting up the name of Jesus and spreading the joy of His salvation.  Teach us to give in loving compassion.  May we learn the joys of giving, O God.           We pray in the Savior’s  name,    Amen.