Daily Spiritual Reflections

​​What a wonderful question to explore! What has been your turning point in life? Whether you have faith in Jesus Christ or are still contemplating, take a moment to reflect on this significant experience. 

As a Christian who fully believes in the deity of Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour, I have been blessed in several ways. First and foremost, I learned to forgive, which is the most important value of being a Christian. Not only that, but to forgive means to forget every slightest thing that someone has caused you pain. The Book of Luke, specifically chapter 6, verse 37 says, "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Let's jump to the last phrase of the verse: "Forgive and you will be forgiven," which speaks of Jesus's compassion for people. He forgave us by sacrificing His own life when He died on the cross in atonement for the sin of mankind. 

What is the sin being spoken of here? And why is it significant in the life of a man and a woman? Because every one of us is created by God in His exact image (Gen 1:27), He gave us the life that we enjoy now, prepared everything - the things we see around us; the air we breathe, the water we drink, we can go on and on, yet most of us don't appreciate these gifts from Him. The worst thing that most people do is deny God despite the visible proofs that are right before our eyes. 

The sin that is deplorable to God is the sin of not believing in God as the Almighty, not accepting Jesus Christ as the Son of Man. When one accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit indwells in the person to become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Another verse that affirms the Holy Spirit in a person's body says, "the Spirit of God dwells in you," (Romans 8:9), making the indwelling an essential characteristic of a Christian. If you have accepted Jesus Christ with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and strength, you have the right to be called the sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:14), receiving the new identity as adopted sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:4-7). What a privilege to be called son or daughter of the Most High God!

​What is the turning point of your life? When you are no longer spiritually disconnected from the love of God, when you no longer forsake Jesus's teachings of love and forgiveness. God is love, His love endures forever, yet until you have accepted Him, you are in a state of rebellion and separation from Him, which is considered a sin. Sin creates a barrier between  person and God, due to disobedience thereby preventing the person from experiencing the fullness of life God intends.

To know who we are in Him is to recognize that our value, purpose, and destiny are no longer defined by the world but by God’s grace. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new identity means we are forgiven, redeemed, and called to live as God’s children, no longer slaves to sin but heirs of His kingdom (Romans 8:15–17).

Yet, with this identity comes the unavoidable choice of allegiance. Scripture makes clear that neutrality is not possible. Joshua challenged Israel, “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Similarly, Jesus declared, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Our identity in Christ calls us to reject competing loyalties and embrace wholehearted devotion to Him.

Living in this reality means daily surrender. Paul testifies, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This decision to serve Christ is not a one-time declaration but an ongoing commitment of faith, obedience, and love. When we walk in Him, we reflect His character and fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

Ultimately, the question of identity and service cannot be separated: to know Christ is to serve Him. As Jesus Himself said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). True life and lasting purpose are found only in choosing Him.

Reflection:
In practical terms, this means asking ourselves daily: Who is truly directing my choices—Christ or the world? Our identity in Him should shape how we speak, forgive, love, and prioritize our time. Serving Christ is not about perfection but about consistent surrender, trusting that His Spirit empowers us to live out our new identity with joy and faithfulness.

Imagine a man standing at the edge of a burning forest, shouting to everyone inside: “Come out! Save yourselves before it’s too late!” Some hear him and run to safety; others laugh and stay behind. That image captures the ministry of John the Baptist and later Jesus Christ. Their central cry was clear: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

We live in what Scripture calls the “last days”—a time marked by deception, lawlessness, and hearts growing cold (Matthew 24:12). In such a time, the ancient call of repentance is not outdated; it is more urgent than ever.

John the Baptist: A Prophetic Warning
John was a voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for Christ. His message was direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). He warned that judgment was near-" The axe is already at the root of the trees” (Matthew 3:10).

Think of a doctor showing you an X-ray with a spreading disease. He doesn’t mince words because your life is at stake. That was John’s approach. Repentance was not a suggestion; it was life-or-death.
Application: John challenges us to examine our lives honestly. Are we bearing fruit in keeping with repentance, or are we merely religious on the outside?

Jesus: Repentance as the Doorway to Life
When Jesus began His ministry, He picked up John’s cry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). But Jesus went further. He wasn’t just pointing to the kingdom—He was bringing it.
Picture someone stranded in the desert, dying of thirst. Another person comes and offers water. Repentance is not just turning from thirst-inducing sand; it is reaching for the water of life Jesus offers.

Application: Repentance is not only saying “I’m sorry” but turning to Jesus in faith, surrendering our will, and walking in obedience.

Repentance in the Last Days
Peter writes that God delays judgment out of mercy, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is God’s gift for salvation, but also His call for daily renewal in preparation for Christ’s return.

A groom preparing for his wedding doesn’t live carelessly; he prepares with anticipation. Likewise, repentance is preparing our hearts for the coming of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Application:
o Repentance today means turning from hidden sins—pride, unforgiveness, complacency.
o It means living ready, not tomorrow, but today.
o It means being light in a dark world, showing fruit that proves we belong to the coming kingdom.

The last days intensify the need for repentance. John warned of judgment, Jesus offered life, and together they call us to turn back to God. The question is not whether we’ve heard the message, but whether we’ve responded.

Will you be like those in the burning forest who laughed and stayed—or will you run toward the safety of Christ? The kingdom is near, and the King is coming. The time to repent is now.

Living Out Unity: Reflections on John 17

John 17 captures the heart of Jesus in prayer just before His arrest, with a central plea: unity among believers. “That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You... so that the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21, ESV). Jesus desires a unity that mirrors the perfect relationship within the Trinity—deep, selfless, and rooted in love and truth.

This unity is not just theological; it must be visible and tangible. In the body of Christ, unity is reflected when believers prioritize what unites them—faith in Christ, the gospel message, and the mission of God—over differences in culture, background, or tradition. It requires humility, forgiveness, and a commitment to walk in love (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Practically, we demonstrate this unity in several ways:

Shared Worship and Prayer – When believers from different backgrounds worship together and intercede for one another, it showcases a bond beyond human preference.

Serving Together – Unity is built through shared mission. Collaborative outreach, community service, and caring for the needy together strengthen bonds and display Christ’s love.

Intentional Fellowship – Hospitality, meals, and small group gatherings break down barriers and foster genuine relationships.

Peacemaking and Reconciliation – Addressing conflict biblically (Matthew 18:15-17), seeking understanding, and offering forgiveness are powerful acts of unity.

Celebrating Diversity in Christ – Honoring each other's unique gifts and cultural expressions within the framework of biblical truth reflects God’s multifaceted design for His Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

In John 17, Jesus prays not just for unity, but for a visible unity that points the world to Him. Our love for one another is not optional—it is our greatest witness (John 13:35).

A Journey into the Promise of Salvation
In a world clouded by confusion and drifting in moral fog, humanity has always longed for direction, for truth, and for life that does not end in despair. From the beginning, the human heart has asked: Where do I go? What is real? Why do I exist?

Then came a voice—unmistakable, piercing the centuries and the silence. It was not merely a philosophy or a prophet’s cry. It was the voice of Jesus of Nazareth, declaring in no uncertain terms:
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
This was not just a statement. It was an invitation. A promise. A revelation of the path to salvation.

Jesus did not say, “I know the way,” but “I AM the Way.” The path to God is not a set of rituals, rules, or religious performance—it is a person. The way back to the Father is not paved with our efforts but with the steps Jesus took toward the cross.

Through His incarnation, He walked among us.
Through His crucifixion, He opened the door of reconciliation.
Through His resurrection, He cleared the path of death itself.

To follow Jesus is not to climb a ladder toward God, but to walk in the footsteps of the One who came down to walk beside us.

In a culture drowning in relative truths and conflicting opinions, Jesus offers absolute truth—not as a concept, but as a person. He is the Truth that reveals the heart of the Father. He is the Truth that exposes sin and heals it with grace.

The truth is this: We are sinners. We are lost. We are dead in our transgressions.
But the greater truth is this: Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32)
In Him, the truth is not a hammer to condemn, but a key to unlock the chains of guilt, shame, and fear. The promise of salvation is that in Jesus, we are not defined by our past but by His finished work.

Jesus doesn’t merely offer survival—He offers life. Not only life after death, but life before death. Life in abundance. Life filled with the Spirit. Life with meaning and joy and power.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
This life is rooted in His victory over sin and death. Through faith in Him, we are born again—not to a religion, but to a relationship. Not to temporary hope, but to eternal inheritance.
To believe in Jesus is to pass from death to life, from darkness to light, from despair to hope.

In Jesus, the Way is opened, the Truth is revealed, and the Life is given.
Salvation is not earned; it is received. It is not a destination we achieve, but a promise fulfilled in Christ. It is the Father's gift to all who would believe:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

The journey is not about striving harder, but surrendering deeper.
Not about finding your truth, but trusting His.
Not about clinging to life, but receiving it.

When Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me,” it was not an exclusion—it was an invitation. A call to step off the treadmill of self-salvation and into the embrace of the Savior.
The way is open.
The truth is spoken.
The life is waiting.

Will you walk the path, believe the truth, and receive the life?

Jesus' ministry is characterized by preaching, teaching, and healing. These three elements are interwoven and central to his mission. He preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, taught in synagogues and to crowds, and healed the sick, demonstrating God's power and compassion.

Preaching: Jesus' preaching involved proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, calling people to repentance and faith as the Bible says in Mark 6:12, "So they set out and preached that the people should repent." This aspect of his ministry focused on announcing the arrival of God's reign and inviting people to enter it.

Teaching: Jesus taught using parables, sermons, and direct instruction, explaining the scriptures and God's will. He taught in various settings, including synagogues and open-air gatherings, offering guidance on how to live a life pleasing to God, as shown in Matthew 4:23, Jesus "went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.".

Healing: Jesus' healing ministry demonstrated God's power over sickness and suffering. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and restored wholeness to individuals, showing God's love and compassion for humanity. Matthew 9:35 tells us about Jesus preaching, healing and teaching the people, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness."

How Jesus Taught His Followers to Heal
Interconnectedness: These three aspects of Jesus' ministry are not separate but rather work together. His preaching often involved teaching, and his healings served as a tangible demonstration of the power of the gospel he preached. All three aspects of his ministry point to the kingdom of God and the transformative power of God's love and grace. Acts 1:8 clearly states Jesus's instructions, "Jesus instructs his followers to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, emphasizing preaching the gospel.

Romans 8:14 states, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." This verse emphasizes that being a child of God is not just a matter of birth or profession, but rather a result of being guided by the Holy Spirit. It highlights the transformative power of the Spirit in the lives of believers, leading them away from sin and towards God.

"Led by the Spirit of God":
This phrase signifies a life guided and influenced by the Holy Spirit, not a forced or coerced state, but rather a willing and joyful submission to His leading, according to Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

"Children of God":
This indicates a close, familial relationship with God, characterized by love, acceptance, and inheritance. It signifies that believers are not just servants or subjects but are adopted into God's family.

Key takeaway:
The verse emphasizes the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, leading them to live in accordance with God's will and experience the blessings of sonship. It's a declaration that those who embrace God's Spirit and allow it to guide them are, in fact, His children.

How is your walk with God? Do you consider yourself child of God? Are you being led by the Holy Spirit in your daily life?