Devotional
Personal Responsibility for Our Actions
Galatians 6:2-4

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Unlike under the Law of Moses, where the fallen person would be cut off, under grace, sin disrupts that person's communion with God but the church in all meekness needs to reprove, comfort and sympathise with that person, praying to the Father for enduring grace of all. Every person needs to examine his own work - putting aside pride - for it was pride that brought all men to sin. At the judgement-seat of Christ,  everyone will need to give an account of him- or herself (Luke 16:2; Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4-6) for we have been saved for doing the good works of God, not doing our own pleasure (Eph 2:10).

We note here also that the Bible speaks of the Law of Christ as having been implemented after Christ's resurecction. This is not the Law of Moses under another name, but a different law, although it contains many elements of the Law of Moses, along with  ordinances that preceded, such as not killing another person. In some cases the law is extended and intensified. For example murder is considered to have been entered into if one is angry with a brother, and more so if he insults his brother (Matt 5:21, 22). And adultery is connected with a heart that is lustful (Matt 5:27-30).

2026-01-17
Devotional
Hymn
Jesus! what a Friend for sinners

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Saviour, makes me whole.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in him;
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my strength, my vict'ry wins. [Refrain]

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows o'er me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul. [Refrain]

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night o'ertakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry. [Refrain]

Jesus! I do now receive him,
More than all in him I find,
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am his, and he is mine. [Refrain]

 

John Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918)
Posted: 11 Jan 2026