Lutheran Devotional 2nd July 2025, Wednesday Message
TOPIC: Tempted by the World
Galatians 6:1-2, 14-18 – Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. … But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
There is a temptation we don’t hear too much about nowadays, and that’s a shame—because it’s hitting us harder than ever right now. That’s the temptation of the world—the temptation to get what we want by grabbing for earthly power, turning away from Christ and His cross.
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This temptation hits us whenever we see a problem and the first thing we ask is not, “What does the Lord want me to do?” but rather “How can I manipulate circumstances and people to get what I want to happen?” Do you see the difference? The first question is what we ask when our hearts are centered on Jesus; we are paying attention to Him, and we are looking for His commands and direction. The second is what we ask when we are running our own lives according to our own wisdom; God is an afterthought, if we even think of Him at all.
Against this, Paul says, “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” For Paul, Jesus is number one; Jesus is His Lord, and he’s going to follow and love Him above anything else.
And Paul has good reason, because Jesus is God Himself, who became a human being so that He could lay down His life to rescue us all from the power of evil. Jesus didn’t grab for power; He didn’t manipulate, and He didn’t cut shady deals. Rather He kept His eyes on what God the Father wanted Him to do, and that’s what He did—every step of the way, all the way to the cross. And He trusted the Father to raise Him from the dead, impossible though it seemed. Now Jesus lives forever, and so will we—all of us who trust in Him as our Lord and Savior. That’s a gift that the world cannot give.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, keep my eyes and my heart set on You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
When have you been tempted to use the world’s methods to get what you want, instead of asking the Lord for help?
If you follow Jesus above all else, what attitude is the world going to have to you? Are you willing to make that sacrifice?
How about Jesus? How will He feel about your choice?
Today’s Readings:
1 Kings 12-13
Acts 11
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
