[Practical Application Review – Week 33]
Greetings,
We continue our journey of exploring all 260 chapters of the New Testament, five (5) chapters each week. Let us finish 2 Corinthians and start Galatians.
Schedule – Week 33:
Please read and/or listen to 2 Corinthians 12, 13 and Galatians 1, 2, 3
Even though reading and listening to the Bible being read is valuable, our primary goal is learning to live the Bible (to the best of our ability).
Consider our Practical Application Review process…
For “every” chapter:
Step 1: Select a passage of interest
Step 2: Identify area of teaching
Step 3: Consider a practical application
Now let us explore an example (of our three-step process) for each of these five chapters…
Text #1: 2 Corinthians 12
Passage: (vv. 7-10)
Teaching: To keep Paul humble, he had a thorn in the flesh (from Satan). God refused to remove it and spoke of His grace being sufficient and strength made perfect.
Application: Our Loving God seems to be glorified when we have moments of physical weakness. He then provides a greater spiritual strength. So, I accept the challenges which He will help me endure.
Text #2: 2 Corinthians 13
Passage: (vv. 5-7)
Teaching: Examine yourselves to be certain that you are in the same faith. Jesus Christ is working inside the hearts of His followers. Otherwise, you would be rejected.
Application: I embrace my Lord Jesus and desire Him to always be connected and working with me. I wish to live with Him forever in the Father’s House (Heaven).
Text #3: Galatians 1
Passage: (vv. 13-17)
Teaching: The apostle Paul recalls his past being a person who persecuted the Church of God and even tried to destroy it. At a certain God-moment, Jesus changed everything.
Application: Like Paul, I have been transformed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am still far from perfect, but no longer the person I once was. My desire is to convince others as well.
Text #4: Galatians 2
Passage: (vv. 18-21)
Teaching: We must not rebuild the old sinful things. The focus must be on living for God. Being crucified with Christ, He now lives within us (His followers).
Application: At times, temptation may call me to return to my former self. As a Christian, my life must be filled with Jesus living and moving within me.
Text #5: Galatians 3
Passage: (vv. 21-26)
Teaching: The law (given by Moses) was our pathfinder to Christ. On its own, the law condemns imperfect people. Instead, we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ.
Application: I learned a long time ago that I cannot be good enough on my own. Jesus came to save sinners, and I am eternally grateful to Him. How about you?
“Under the Shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1),
Shawn Episcopo