Daily Reading Week 2
Sunday
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Discover:
Thinking about the mysteries of life after death, it's easy to get caught up in the details of what our existence might look like. Yet, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that our focus should be on the transformation that awaits us, rather than the specifics of our future dwelling.
Paul speaks of our resurrection bodies as being like seeds. Just as a seed must die to produce new life, so too must our earthly bodies undergo a transformation to inherit the imperishable. This analogy beautifully captures the essence of hope and renewal that we have in Christ. We may not know the exact nature of our resurrection bodies, but we can trust that they will be gloriously different and far better than what we have now.
God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has provided us with glimpses into our future state. These glimpses are not meant to satisfy every curiosity but to assure us of His good intentions and trustworthy nature. We know that our final state will be magnificent, for it is prepared by the One who loves us deeply and knows what is best for us.
The true beauty of heaven lies not in the specifics of our existence there but in the presence of Christ. In Him, we find the fulfillment of all our desires for goodness, truth, beauty, and love. The longing we have for a world beyond this one is ultimately a longing for Christ Himself.
Respond:
1. How does the promise of resurrection and transformation impact your perspective on life and death?
2. In what ways can you stand firm in your faith, as Paul encourages, amidst the challenges you face?
3. How does knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain motivate you in your daily life?
Monday
Genesis 1:1-31
Discover:
In the account of creation found in Genesis 1, we see the unfolding of God's handiwork. Each day, God spoke into existence the heavens, the earth, and all living creatures, culminating in the creation of humanity. As the crowning jewel of His creation, we are made in the image of God, set apart with a unique purpose and identity.
Although humanity is the crowning jewel of God's creation, we are not its end goal. Everything God made was for His glory. Each star in the sky, every creature in the sea, and all of humanity were designed to reflect the beauty and majesty of their Creator. Our greatest purpose is to glorify God by mirroring His holy character in our lives.
As Christians, we have been born again by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live lives that reflect God's holiness. Though we do so imperfectly, the desire to grow in holiness and to serve our Creator is a testament to the transformative power of God within us. This transformation is not for our glory but for the glory of the One who made us and saved us
Our motivation to live a holy life is rooted in the desire to bring further glory to God's name. When we reflect His love, kindness, patience, and righteousness, we point others to Him, showcasing the beauty of His character. This calling to holiness is not a burden but a privilege, an invitation to participate in God's glorious plan for creation.
Respond:
1. What does it mean to you to be created in the image of God?
2. How can you reflect God's creativity and stewardship in your daily life?
3. In what ways do you see God's intentionality and purpose in the world around you?
Genesis 2:4-25
Discover:
Biblical Christianity emphasizes God's grace, His unearned favor shown to His chosen ones, and His initiative to save people from their sins. However, to fully grasp His grace, we must consider His historical interactions with humanity. We need to look back to the period before salvation was necessary to truly understand God's grace.
Today's passage highlights the prohibition in the first covenant God established with humans. This covenant of works, also known as the covenant of creation or covenant of life, involved God's command to Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Perfect adherence to this covenant would have affirmed Adam and Eve in life, granting them righteousness before God and eternal life. We understand this through both the warning of death for breaking the covenant and from Romans 5:12–21. In Romans, Paul compares the first Adam to the last Adam, Jesus Christ, explaining that Christ’s obedience results in justification and eternal life for believers. Thus, if Adam had obeyed, he would have secured similar blessings for his descendants.
Calling the first covenant with Adam a covenant of works does not imply it lacked grace. It was by grace that God created and formed a relationship with our first ancestors. However, the grace leading to salvation was absent in the pre-fall state. We refer to Adam's covenant as the covenant of works because human effort was required to attain its blessings. Obedience in being fruitful, exercising dominion over the earth, and avoiding the forbidden tree would have earned eternal life for Adam and his descendants (Genesis 1:28; 2:15–17). This differs from the covenant of grace established after Adam’s sin, where eternal life is granted through God’s grace, not human works.
As we know, Adam and Eve violated the covenant of works, resulting in sin for themselves and all their descendants, except for Jesus (Genesis 3). Human nature was corrupted, affecting our minds, bodies, hearts, and souls (Romans 3:9–18). No sinner can fulfill the obedience God requires in the covenant of works, so salvation must be achieved through another means: grace alone.
Respond:
1. How does understanding the distinction between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace deepen my appreciation for the grace of God in my own life
2. In what ways can I strive to reflect God's character and obedience in my daily actions, knowing that my salvation is secured by grace rather than my own works
3. How can the realization that salvation is a gift of grace, and not something earned, influence the way I view others and share the message of the gospel with them?
Tuesday
Wednesday
Genesis 3:1-24
Discover:
When Adam and Eve broke the covenant of works, creation was thrust into turmoil. Pain and futility became part of the created order, causing men and women to encounter significant sorrow and hardship as they attempt to fulfill the mandates of work and child-rearing. Furthermore, human nature was profoundly corrupted. Instead of naturally gravitating towards fellowship with the Lord as before the fall, our inclination from youth is towards disobedience.
The entry of sin signifies that without God's intervention, we are incapable of obeying our Creator as He commands. It also implies that without the Lord's intervention, we lack even the desire to obey Him. Thankfully, God did intervene to ensure that the death He promised Adam for eating the forbidden fruit would not be eternal for those He loves. Additionally, He initiated a covenantal intervention, as highlighted in today’s passage
Genesis 3:15 presents what is traditionally known as the protoevangelion, or the “first gospel,” marking the initial revelation of the covenant of grace. Under the covenant of works, blessings were to be achieved through human efforts; perfect obedience to God could lead to eternal life. However, under the covenant of grace, blessings are attained through a grace principle, where someone else earns the blessing of eternal life, and we partake in it not through our deeds but through faith alone. God's grace under this covenant produces obedience in His people, but such obedience does not earn eternal life (Romans 4; James 2:14–26.
Sin and Satan work together to keep humanity bound to wickedness and estranged from the Lord. Thus, the first revelation of the covenant of grace promises the ultimate defeat of our adversaries. In Genesis 3:15, God graciously establishes a conflict between the offspring of the woman and the offspring of Satan. The term “offspring” is a collective singular, referring to both a group and an individual. Christ is ultimately the seed of the woman, and we see grace in the fact that it is He, not us, who accomplishes the work needed to defeat the devil. He crushes the serpent’s head, delivering the decisive blow in the conflict. In Christ, we become the seed of the woman, sharing in His victory. God crushes Satan under our feet because Christ vanquished him on the cross (Romans 16:20a).
Respond:
1. How do you see the effects of sin and brokenness in the world around you?
2. In what ways can you seek God's grace and forgiveness in your own life?
3. How does the promise of redemption through Christ give you hope amidst brokenness?
Thursday
Romans 8:18-39
Discover:
In Romans 8:18-39, the Apostle Paul paints a picture of the future glory that awaits not only us as believers but also the entire creation. It reminds us that Jesus' mission was not limited to saving our souls; it encompasses the redemption of our physical bodies and the restoration of all creation.
From the beginning, God declared His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31). His love for the world is evident, and He is unwilling to let it remain in its current state of decay and suffering. Jesus' redemptive work is comprehensive, aiming to transform and renew everything He has made. This is the hope we hold onto — that one day, we will be resurrected, living forever in God's presence as both spiritual and physical beings, just as He intended.
The promise of resurrection for those in Christ testifies to God's commitment to redeeming both our souls and bodies. In the resurrection, we will experience the fullness of life as God designed it, enjoying eternal fellowship with Him. Our bodies will be glorified, free from pain, sickness, and death, reflecting His intention for humanity.
Likewise, the earth itself will be transformed and made new. Creation, which currently groans under the weight of sin, will be liberated from its bondage to decay (Romans 8:21). In this renewed world, we will witness the Lord's goodness and glory more clearly than ever before. Every aspect of creation will reflect His magnificence, fulfilling the purpose for which it was made — to glorify Him (Colossians 1:16).
This promise of redemption and renewal gives us hope as we navigate the challenges and sufferings of this present age. We are assured that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). As we eagerly await the fulfillment of His promises, let us live in anticipation, striving to reflect His glory and share His love with the world around us.
Respond:
1. How does the promise of future glory impact your perspective on current struggles?
2. In what ways do you experience the work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
3. How can you live with greater confidence in God's love and purpose for you?
Friday
Revelation 21:1-7
Commentary:
In Revelation 21:1-7, we are given a vision of our ultimate hope as Christians—a new heaven and a new earth where we will dwell with God, fully restored and complete. This passage reminds us that our hope is not merely for a disembodied spiritual existence, but for a resurrected body that perfectly glorifies God and reflects His holiness.
God designed us as whole beings—body and soul—and at the resurrection, we will finally experience the fullness of this design. Our bodies will be transformed and glorified, free from the taint of sin and the limitations of our current existence. In this new state, we will perfectly glorify God, living in harmony with His will and reflecting His awesome holiness in all we do.
Sin will be no more, and with it, the fear of suffering and pain will vanish. Revelation 21:4 assures us that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The struggles and trials of this life will be but a distant memory, replaced by eternal joy and peace in the presence of our Creator.
This promise of complete restoration should fill us with hope and anticipation. As we journey through life, facing challenges and hardships, let us keep our eyes fixed on this ultimate hope. It is a hope that sustains us and gives us strength to persevere, knowing that a glorious future awaits us
Respond:
1. How does the vision of the new heaven and new earth inspire hope in your life?
2. In what ways can you live in anticipation of God's promises being fulfilled?
3. How does the assurance of eternal life with God influence your daily decisions and priorities?
Saturday
John 14:1-14
Discover:
In John 14:1-14, Jesus offers comfort to His disciples, assuring them of His constant presence and the promise of eternal life. As He speaks of preparing a place for them, He emphasizes that He is the way, the truth, and the life. This passage invites us to place our faith in Jesus as the sole means to eternal life and a relationship with the Father.
Amidst the uncertainty and fear the disciples felt as Jesus spoke of His impending departure, His words brought reassurance. He promised them that He was going to prepare a place for them and would return to bring them to Himself. This promise extends to us as well, offering hope and assurance of our eternal home with Him.
Jesus’ declaration that He is the way, the truth, and the life underscores the importance of faith in Him. He is the path to the Father, the embodiment of truth, and the source of life. In a world filled with uncertainties and fleeting promises, Jesus remains the steadfast anchor for our souls. Trusting in Him ensures that we are on the path to eternal life and in a right relationship with God.
His words in this passage encourage us to trust in His promises, even when we face fear and uncertainty. Jesus assures us that we are never alone. His presence is with us, guiding and sustaining us through every trial. As we place our faith in Him, we find comfort and strength, knowing that He is preparing a place for us in His Father’s house.
Respond:
1. How does Jesus' promise of preparing a place for you impact your understanding of eternal life?
2. In what ways can you deepen your faith and trust in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life?
3. How can you find comfort and assurance in Jesus' presence during times of uncertainty?