Titus 2:11-15

Titus 2:11-15 - Daily Devotion - 26 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. 12 It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

15 Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Yuan Vongsavanh

In yesterday’s reflection on Titus 2:1-10, the take-away was how our behaviours should reflect sound doctrine, especially in self-control. Today, in verses 11-15, God through Paul tells us in more detail the reasons why we should have these behaviours.

I read something recently on how we should teach our children, and the importance of delayed gratification. The idea is that we shouldn’t just give them sweets and help them solve every small problem. That might bring them happiness now, but for their long-term growth we should get them to eat vegetables and discover for themselves that if you jump into puddles you’ll have wet socks all day. That is, letting them experience small “inconveniences” now will (God willing) reward us with healthy and capable adults.

From today’s verses, my personal reflection on the “why” of self-control and godly behaviour is: because God our heavenly Father loves us in a way that we simply can’t fathom. Our Father has given us a blueprint of how to behave now, before we see him in the life to come. He knows that we are sinful and so won’t follow it perfectly until we are raised to life again, but the reason he has given it to us is in verse 11: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” The reason is his undeserved love and kindness. And Jesus died for us “to redeem us from all lawlessness,” to purify us and make us his own (v. 14). Our salvation is not based on our “performance” – we can be comforted by knowing we will see him in heaven – but in saving us, he rescues us to live for him, which is really the best possible life we can live and the path to true happiness.

Sometimes we think that godly behaviour is a form of “delayed gratification.” But it’s not that at all – it’s joy! I am so thankful that the work of redeeming us from all the wicked things we’ve done and will do, is already done. Jesus died on the cross to take all our sin and ungodly behaviour onto himself. How can we not trust that our heavenly Father’s plan for us is good and submit to his love and authority? Thank our heavenly Father now for the loving way he has designed our redemption, and ask him to help us live as we should, in joy, to bring honour to Him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yuan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

Titus 2:1-10

Titus 2:1-10 - Daily Devotion - 25 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park


1 But as for you, speak the things that are consistent with sound doctrine.

2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance.

3 Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. 4 In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

6 In the same way, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

7 In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed to have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

One of my constant struggles in life is that I don’t understand colour combinations. I can’t tell which colours are supposed to go with which, so I’m constantly being told, “You can’t wear that shirt with those pants!” Oh… I don’t get it, but OK.

There’s a different kind of combination which is essential for every Christian believer to understand and apply: the behaviour that goes with the truth of the gospel. Paul tells Titus to teach the church “the things that are consistent with sound doctrine” (v 1) – that is, the attitudes and behaviours that are consistent with the Bible’s teaching.

Two main things stood out to me about the attitudes and behaviours Paul lists. First, even though Paul lists virtues for each group (old men, women, etc.), self-control appears in nearly every list. For older women, Paul warns against addiction to wine, which is also a self-control issue – and for young men, self-control is the only issue!

I did a search of the New Testament, and self-control is often linked with being “sober-minded,” and also with remembering that Jesus will return and this present evil age will be destroyed (for example, 1 Peter 4:7). That suggests that all of us need to work hard (and pray hard) to keep a certain degree of seriousness in life. It’s great to enjoy good times with friends, but we need to recognise the danger of becoming flippant and careless in our attitude to enjoyment and fun times. Heaven and hell are real. The return of Jesus is always just around the corner, and salvation is at stake. Keeping those realities in mind will then help us to work at self-control, or discipline – learning to discipline our minds, our bodies, our habits, and our patterns for relating to others.

The other thing that stood out was the reason why it matters whether our behaviour matches the truth we believe. I mean, it matters on a personal level because Jesus warned that those who claim to believe but ignore his word will be shut out of the kingdom (Matthew 7:21-27). But the bigger reason to learn godly behaviour is “so that the word of God will not be discredited” (v 5), so that opponents of the gospel will not be able to criticise us (v 8), and so that we will “adorn the teaching about God our Saviour,” showing people how beautiful and good the gospel of Jesus is (v 10).

Do those reasons motivate you to be godly? If not, have you yet turned to Jesus? And if so, spend some serious time in prayer, reflecting on areas where you need to coordinate your behaviour more with the truth of Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

Titus 1:10-16

Titus 1:10-16 - Daily Devotion - 24 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

10 For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not. 12 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Everett

How do you respond when someone tells you that you’re wrong?

A few years ago, I co-led an event at my church with my old pastor. During the evening, I said something up front which wasn’t quite right biblically. My pastor then corrected me in front of everyone.

I have no memory of what I said. But I do remember how I felt – a bit embarrassed, but also annoyed and defensive. After all, was what I said really that bad? Why did he need to correct me in front of everyone?

We heard yesterday in Titus 1:5-9 Paul’s encouragement to Titus to appoint faithful leaders for the church.  Our passage today shows us why that’s so important – there were many false teachers in Crete – “rebellious” people, “full of empty talk” (v10). And it seems their teaching was making it into Christian households (v11). Paul says that faithful Christian leaders needed to rebuke this false teaching (v13).

That’s actually what my pastor had done a few years ago. He wanted me, and our church, to be ‘sound in the faith’ (v13), so he corrected me. It was the loving, faithful thing to do. Today, there is still lots of false teaching around – and it’s possible that we ourselves might need to be graciously rebuked and corrected. So, how do you want to respond if your Bible study leader corrects you? Or if your pastor rebukes you? Are you prepared to see it as gracious act of love?

Why not spend some time praying for the humility to accept correction, and for God to help our Christian leaders protect us from false teaching.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is one of our Student Ministers.

Titus 1:5-9

Titus 1:5-9 - Daily Devotion - 23 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife,[B] having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination.

7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. 8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

This always feels a bit awkward – when I’m the one explaining passages about standards for elders in the church. Whatever I say, it’s pointing squarely back at me as the person it applies to most of all. You’ll be glad to know that I’ve only got one wife, anyway (and I’m sure she’s glad to know that too!).

But of course, this passage doesn’t just apply to full-time paid ministry staff, or even just to those who have an official role or title of leadership in a church. The qualities and areas of godliness that Paul talks about should be the longing of every Christian, which we are all striving to grow and progress in through prayer and self-discipline. The reason Paul focuses specifically on elders is because the more responsibility a person has in the church, the greater impact their godliness (or ungodliness) will have on Jesus’ sheep and Jesus’ reputation in the community.

I think that’s what Paul means by saying an elder must be “blameless” (v 6) and “above reproach” (v 7). He doesn’t mean there’s a group of people in the church who should be perfect and sinless – that’s none of us! He’s talking about the kinds of things that are likely to lead to scandal in the church, things which will knock the church’s mission and ministry off course and bring shame on the name of Jesus.

I’ve got two suggestions for spending time in prayer to apply the passage now. First, pause on the lists of fleshly and godly attributes in verses 7-8: Is there a fleshly tendency that you need help to put to death, or a godly trait that you haven’t yet learned to put on in Christ? The fleshly: being self-absorbed, quick-tempered, you get drunk, you are violent or greedy. The godly: being hospitable, loving what is good, being self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Maybe you could share something from that list in your Growth Group prayer time this week.

Secondly, we are searching for a new assistant minister to bring onto our staff team next year. Pray that God would bring us someone who is so filled with Christ-like character that their ministry with us will bear much fruit and resound to Christ’s glory.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

Titus 1:1-4

Titus 1:1-4 - Daily Devotion - 21 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In His own time He has made His word evident in the proclamation entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.

4 To Titus, my true child in our common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Vivian Abdala

Titus is one of the personal letters that Paul wrote to an individual ministry coworker. He wrote this to Titus, who Paul had left in charge of the church in Crete, to help him in his role of pastoring the church.

Here are some of my reflections from the opening to the letter.

First, Paul’s purpose is clear: to promote and strengthen “the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness” (v1). What a great thing to be known for! It challenges me to pause and consider whether my own words and actions reflect that same aim. Am I intentionally helping others grow in faith and in their understanding of truth? Am I encouraging my brothers and sisters to live that out in godliness? We often praise Paul for his devotion to God, but what stands out is how selfless he is in his goals. His ministry was never about building his own name—it was about honouring God and strengthening others.

One of the things that struck me when I first began reading the Bible was how intentional God is. His promises were not random; they were planned. That realisation gave me a deep confidence that God’s Word can be trusted. Our hope is rooted in something eternal and deliberate, not uncertain or improvised.

Secondly, there is a deep affection between Paul and Titus that comes through in this passage. His greeting carries warmth and care. It reminds us that Christian faith is relational—it is meant to be lived out together. We are not called to walk alone, but to encourage and spur one another on toward godliness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vivian is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

James 5:13-20

James 5:13-20 - Daily Devotion - 20 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today’s passage has sometimes been misused by people who say that Christians should never get sick, or that if they have enough faith they will always be healed. That is not what James is saying, and it’s not what the Bible teaches.

So, what is he saying? Well, he starts by encouraging us to pray in every situation in life. But from verse 15 on, the key is to notice how much he talks about sin, forgiveness, and bringing back someone who is wandering away from the truth. Through the whole letter, James’s biggest focus has been on the double-minded Christian – the person who keeps going back and forth on whether they believe (1:6-8), the person whose faith is just empty words (2:14-19), the person who is in the church but wants to be friends with the world and who lives for their own desires (4:1-4). That person is in perilous danger unless they repent.

This last section is a final call to do everything possible to bring people like this to repentance. The sick person in verse 15 is someone who is afflicted in some way because they are double-minded and wavering in their faith – just like Israel in the time of Elijah. James reminds us of 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18, when Elijah prayed for drought because the Israelites couldn’t decide whether to worship the Lord or Baal. That led to his famous confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, when Elijah pleaded with the people: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). Then, after God revealed his power, the people recommitted themselves to him – and Elijah prayed again for rain.

So James’s promise is not guaranteed healing from every sickness. It’s that if someone is afflicted because of double-minded faith, if you can bring them to genuine confession, then through your prayer and their repentance they will be restored – most importantly, spiritually restored and forgiven, and even physically restored.

So, what should we take from this passage? First, if you trust in Christ, your prayers are SO much more powerful than you imagine! “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” (v16) – and James is talking about the ordinary believer, who is righteous through Christ. So pray always, pray with confidence, because God loves to answer the prayers of his children.

And second: Let’s burden ourselves in prayer for those we know who have wandered from Christ or are shaky and wavering in their commitment to him. Is there someone you know like that? Pray for them now. Ask God to bring them back – and ask him to give you the boldness and love to reach out to them, to gently warn them and urge them back to Christ.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

James 5:7-12

James 5:7-12 - Daily Devotion - 19 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. 8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Ashel Singh

Recently, I’ve been trying to make a really good smoothie – a balance between being healthy while also tasting good. I’ve tried so many variations, but now I’m at a point where I’m ready to give up. I’ll probably just keep visiting Boost juice and settle for paying $11 for a smoothie that it isn’t really healthy.

This passage makes me think how, as believers in Christ, we’re called to be steadfast, to show patience as we wait for the return of Jesus. We are to stay the course and finish the race. That means being ready to persevere and wait, just like a farmer has to wait after preparing their field and sowing their seeds – the harvest doesn’t happen immediately. God’s design encompasses a time-lapse between the work accomplished and the result granted.

In today’s world, we’re surrounded by the illusion of instant gratification – if you follow a particular method, you will get maximum output for minimal input, and with minimal delay. But James points to the example of God’s people in the Old Testament, where many times they needed to wait for years or even generations. Moses wandered forty years in the wilderness after taking Israel out of Egypt, King David waited for more than fifteen years to become king after he was anointed – and during that time he was fleeing from Saul. James talks about Job, who lost everything he had and had to wait without answers until God finally restored him. Prophets like Jeremiah didn’t live long enough to see the fulfilment of God’s promises. In all this, God was teaching his people patience and the importance of depending on him and submitting to him.

We too will suffer trials, we will be persecuted, bad things will happen in our lives. During these times we are called to wait patiently. But we can also rest in hope, because we know that Jesus died for us and rose again, so we know that he will return. That is when we will experience the true and eternal blessing that God has promised those who trust in him – and God’s promises are everlasting, trustworthy and precise.

So James encourages us to be patient “until the Lord’s coming” (v7). Let’s encourage one another to faithfully endure our trials patiently, without compromise, discouragement, giving up or turning away from God. Let’s remind one another that Jesus will return, and in the meantime, let’s serve the Lord and one another, meditating on the Word and trusting in his gracious control over our lives.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashel is a member of our Fairfield Evening congregation.

James 5:1-6

James 5:1-6 - Daily Devotion - 18 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire.

You have hoarded treasure in the last days. 4 Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Gus Cameron

My first reaction to reading this was to think, “This isn’t about me!” I’m not that rich, I’ve never forgotten to pay someone to mow my lawns or harvest my fields, and my house isn’t all that luxurious compared to all the new places around here.

But when I think about what my great, great grandparents would think of my lifestyle, I need to admit that I am so rich. They lived in tiny, thatched-roofed, stone-walled houses lit by old burning lanterns, heated by wood fires, and had just one pair of hand-me-down shoes! I think I am a lot richer than I realise. Imagine what the Apostle James would think of our rich lives if he could see how we live today!

As we buy our iPhones, save our superannuation and worry about being overweight from eating too much, we need to take James’ warning to heart. I know too many people who have been tempted away from Jesus and church by the love of money, as the desire to work and holiday more means they give less and less time to their relationship with Jesus and his people.

In Matthew 19:23 Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” But when the disciples respond, “Who then can be saved?”, Jesus also said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” While the riches of this world so easily distract us from Jesus, God is more than able to work in our lives to bring us to himself.

Rather than reading a passage like this and thinking about how it doesn’t apply to me, we should hear the warning to keep depending more and more on our gracious Heavenly Father. Give thanks for all the wonderful things God has given us, and pray that he would protect us from the love of money, from selfishness and greed. Pray that he would help us love the Lord Jesus more deeply each day and help us to remember that the riches of the kingdom of God are infinitely greater than the gold and silver of this world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gus is one of our Assistant Ministers.

James 4:13-17

James 4:13-17 - Daily Devotion - 17 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” 14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.

REFLECTIONS

Written by George Mihas

I work on the wharfs at Port Botany. Being on a rotating roster, we have blocks of rostered days off. So we always ask each other, “What are you doing on your 5 days off?” One will say, “I’m going to my holiday house down south – there is going to be lots of drinking.” By the way, that is a very common boast at my work – “I had 5 beers last night,” or “I drank so much on that particular day.” Their attitude is, “You only live once, so make the most of it.”

Since I started at my job 16 years ago so many of the people I work with have died – some suddenly, some slowly. Yet everyone plods along, not fearing death that is at the door. Some of the guys who retire are quite wealthy. After 40 years of shift work, they are now ready to relax and enjoy themselves – but suddenly they get cancer and die. It happened last year to a guy from my gang. My own father worked hard and retired, then got sick straight away. He lived the worst year of his life and died while we pleaded with him to repent and receive the Lord.

“Who are you” – says the Lord – “who plan to do this or that?” The Lord warns us that our life is a mist – not only in this passage, but the same warning appears in other parts of the Scripture (see Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5; 102:3). If we don’t recognise that our life and our future plans are in the Lord’s hands, it is the height of arrogance against God.

My company has just mentioned that “automation” is coming. A lot of the guys who are ready to go and start living are rubbing their hands together and planning what they will do with the money. They are not saying, “If the Lord wills, I will do this or that.” There is no talk of God on their lips. It’s so sad to work with 600 people and there are only 3 or 4 people who mention God at all. The majority are blinded – and it’s so easy to “go with the flow” and become desensitised to our environment.

But for us who know Christ and who know the right thing to do, let us ask him to help us learn to be humble in the way we talk about what we plan to do. And let us pray for opportunity to witness to our friends, so that they might humble themselves before the Lord.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.

James 4:11-12

James 4:11-12 - Daily Devotion - 16 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Today’s passage is a short but sharp one for me. And to think through this passage, I first have to remind myself of what Jesus said about the law, in Matthew 22 verses 37-40:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Knowing that the whole of the Old Testament law hangs off love – loving God, and loving others – helps to explain the contrast that James is talking about in this today’s passage. Slander, speaking against another brother or sister, or judging them – these are acts that are in opposition to loving them.  And so, James says, by opposing love for your brother or sister, you are really opposing God’s law. In fact, by opposing God’s law, you are considering yourself above the law, as if you were its judge. And if you are judging God’s law, you are putting yourself in the position of God. As James indicates: Only God has the power and authority to save and to destroy. Do you have that power and authority too? That’s an emphatic: “No, you don’t!”

So today’s passage tells me straight: love my brother and sister in Christ. Don’t slander them, don’t speak against them, and don’t judge them – in fact, don’t do anything that would be considered contrary to loving God and loving them.  But here’s the hard truth for me: the people I’m most tempted to slander or speak ill of or even judge are often the people I love the most, the people I’m closest to. I see all of their faults, and in the stress of the day-to-day challenges, sometimes I don’t filter my words and my bad feelings come out.

The word for me today is: “love them, don’t slander them.” When I'm with them – or with anyone – Christ calls me to speak words of encouragement, forgiveness, kindness, not to be harsh.  And if I need to give a word of correction or rebuke to anyone, I first need to stop and examine my heart, to see if I’m motivated only by love, so that I speak in a manner that lines up with God’s law. That’s a challenge we all need God’s help with.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

James 4:1-10

James 4:1-10 - Daily Devotion - 14 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures.

4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says:

“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Omar Dewan

Over 5 years ago, I was reading the Bible with a friend who was helping me as I investigated Christianity. I can’t remember how this topic came up, but one question I asked was whether it was “allowed” that a rich Christian could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a Lamborghini, stick on lots of St Barnabas and Jesus stickers, and use that to prompt conversations with non-believers. What an effective evangelism tool that would be, right?!

I was reminded of this conversation as I read today’s passage from James 4, because it points towards how I would now answer the Lamborghini question. Part of the answer comes down to the “passions at war” within us (verse 1), with the key point in verse 4: “You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.” So really, aside from whether it is actually the most optimal use of money (the economist in me says definitely not), is buying a St Barnabas-branded Lamborghini really an act of submission to God, or is it using God to indulge in the rich person’s worldly passions and desires?

Last year I wrestled with my own worldly desire in the form of career and promotions. I had been consistently performing at the next level at work, however factors outside my control meant that only a very small number of people got promoted. I was very disappointed, but through discussions with fellow brothers in Christ I was encouraged to understand what the drivers of my passions were. I recognised that my pride was a key driver in my desire for a promotion and was challenged, in line with verses 7 and 10, to submit and humble myself before God. He is the ultimate, good author and ruler of the world, who has given us His Spirit to dwell in us (verse 5). Ultimately, I reflected on the incredible source of joy and peace that truth brings – much greater than what any career promotion could ever promise. Surely, thanks be to God for that!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18 - Daily Devotion - 13 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Val Dewan

During a gathering with work colleagues, the topic of making big life decisions came up. My friends in this group are currently going through a season of making many big decisions and changes, such as buying homes, moving jobs or growing families. One colleague asked us the usual question: “Are you happy where you live right now? Are you happy with the local school?” My colleague’s question clearly comes from a place of “earthly” wisdom – he was curious to know if I shared his values in prioritising an academically-driven school, which he thought would set a successful path for his children’s future. His questions made me think: Did I make all the decisions to where I am today out of what I thought would lead to “success” in my future, or were they rooted in God’s word and wisdom?

In this passage, James highlights the stark differences between the wisdom that comes from above and the so-called “wisdom” that comes from human hearts. This “wisdom” is tainted by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition,” leading to evil, chaotic lives. The passage challenges me to reflect on whether my decision-making is always drawn from the wisdom that is from “above,” which has the hallmarks of being pure, sincere and humble. I know that too often I fall short, because I do make decisions that are similar to those of my success-driven and ambitious colleagues. For example, it would be easy for me to doubt and be worried that the location of my school catchment may not bring out the academic potential that I desire in my children. Or I might worry that I am not making enough “big moves” at work that would set me up financially. James rebukes me for the times I think this way, because it is a worldly way of thinking, rooted in my own ambition and jealousy. How much better is making decisions that are rooted in God’s wisdom, that leads to lives that are not full of evil practice, but rather “full of mercy and good fruit.” I have been challenged to keep asking God to open my heart and seek HIs wisdom – and I pray that you will do the same and be encouraged that seeking God’s wisdom is seeking what is pure, peace-loving and good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Val is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

James 3:1-12

James 3:1-12 - Daily Devotion - 12 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. 4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.

5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

I’ll let you in on a secret of mine. Well, it’s not really a secret, but something I learned a few years ago that I consider a bit of a superpower. Ready to hear it? Here it is: I try not to speak. That’s it, that’s my little superpower: not speaking. It has everything to do with today’s passage, so I’ll try to explain why.

According to James, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it can boast of great things.  It’s like a ‘fire’, can set the course of an entire life on fire, and it itself is set on fire by hell. Stop and think about that for a second – my tongue, my words, my utterances have destructive power. That’s an amazingly scary thought!

So how do I deal with that? Well, I try not to speak. And in my life, it has been really helpful. My friendships seem to work better, it’s easier to do my job, my wife seems happier with me, and it gives space for my kids to open up.

But the passage today doesn’t tell me to totally stop talking – actually, James is urging something more significant than that. He says: “With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father”; and we who have been made in God’s likeness should be blessing our fellow brothers and sisters. In fact, we who are being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of our Lord should naturally be uttering God-glorifying words.

So for me, I can't really stop at not talking – I need to be thinking about how my words can be useful for glorifying God. To set my tongue to building people up, not tearing them down. It’s very much a work in progress for me, and there are still plenty of times when I fail at it, and when I just think it’s better that I don’t speak.  How have you been going with your words? Is there anything you need to repent of? Is there anything that you might need to work on this week – like choosing not to speak, or choosing to speak words that bless when you feel the urge to use different words? Please pray with me towards this – we all need God’s help.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park morning congregation.

James 2:20-26

James 2:20-26 - Daily Devotion - 11 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? 21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24 As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today’s devotion is a bit longer than normal, because the passage has a major puzzle, and I think it’s important not to leave it as “the elephant in the room.”

In today’s verses, James continues his big point from yesterday: that faith which is not expressed in deeds of love is dead. It’s not just that faith without actions is weak or less mature. It’s stone-cold dead. It’s not real faith in Jesus at all – it’s just empty words, and it’s worthless (v 20).

James gives two examples of Old Testament believers who are examples of how genuine faith transforms a person’s actions. It’s striking how James chooses two people who are SO different, at least in the eyes of the world. Abraham was always respected as a great hero of faith. But James puts the Canaanite prostitute Rahab right up alongside him. In Joshua 2, Rahab came to believe in the Lord and commit her life to him, and because of that, she helped the Israelites conquer her own city to gain the Promised Land. I love how God gives dignity and honour to people like Rahab.

But the puzzle is what James says in verse 24: “As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.” How does that fit with what Paul says in Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law”? Part of the answer is that Paul is focusing on the legal basis for our forgiveness, whereas James is talking about what God will say on the day of final judgment. On that day, God will uncover the hypocrisy of those whose faith was mere words, but he will also show how the genuine faith of Christ’s people bore the fruit of repentance and obedience in their lives.

Perhaps the most helpful thing to keep in mind is that Paul and James were warning against opposite errors. Paul was concerned about self-righteous people – those who think they are good enough to deserve God’s favour. To them, the gospel says: “You can’t earn God’s forgiveness! You can only receive it as a gift through faith, on the basis of Christ’s work for you.”

But James’s letter is a warning against nominal or insincere faith. He is concerned about “pew-sitters,” people who think as long as they say the right things in church, they can indulge in whatever selfish, sinful behaviour they want. To those people, James says: “God’s verdict on the last day will reveal how dead your faith is, because your own works will condemn you.”

James would have loved Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s famous book The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer warned against the false gospel of “cheap grace,” which promises forgiveness without any need for us to repent. But the true gospel of grace offers complete forgiveness to the “broken spirit,” while at the same time graciously inviting us and drawing us along the costly path of repentance and discipleship.

Spend a moment reflecting on Abraham’s example: He was credited as righteous the moment he believed God’s promises. But that faith was fulfilled or completed by what he did – by a life learning to express that belief in wholehearted obedience. Examine your own heart: If you long to follow that same path – if you want nothing more than your faith to shape everything you do – then be encouraged! Ask God to “perfect your faith” in your actions. But if not, you should be afraid! Listen to the warning, and get in touch with one of the ministers so we can help you get serious with God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our Senior Minister.

James 2:14-19

James 2:14-19 - Daily Devotion - 10 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? 17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Elise Le

When I used to work at Bankstown Hospital, I was surrounded by a melting pot of religions. I had colleagues who identified as Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and many more. When I asked about what they believed, they mostly responded with “Oh, I’m Buddhist because my parents go to temple” or “I only go to church when it’s Christmas”. You may have come across someone like this – someone who identifies with a religion but their beliefs are not reflected in their everyday lives. For some, it seems easier to keep faith separate to the manner in which they conduct their lives.

In today’s passage, James emphasises that good deeds must flow out of our faith into our lives. Good deeds go hand in hand with our faith; the two cannot be separated. We might think to ourselves, “Well, I'm not like those other people you talked about. I go to church; I read my Bible and I pray”. These are all wonderful things and are given to us as a gift from God to strengthen us in faith and dependence on Him. But the good deeds James focuses on are particularly about actively loving and serving our brothers and sisters. James says that if we do not meet the needs of our brother or sister, if we don’t care about the vulnerable, then our faith is dead.

None of this changes the fact that we are saved by grace alone. We can never deserve or earn God’s love. It is because of the grace and love that has been shown to us through Jesus’ death that we can extend that grace and His love to others around us.

Sometimes at church, we may see the person who is sitting alone and think “Oh someone will come and talk to them,” or someone might tell us about a need and we think, “I couldn’t be bothered.” I too am naturally inclined to do the things that are convenient for me. But we should be convicted by the passage, to deeply care for others even when it might cost us our effort, time and money. Jesus loved and served us by giving his own life for us, and if we really do trust him, we will want to live out his love for the sake of others and the gospel.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elise is one of our Ministry Apprentices.

James 2:8-13

James 2:8-13 - Daily Devotion - 9 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

10 Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. 13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Alex Chen

This passage initially looks intimidating: “If you really fulfill the royal law in Scripture,” “keeping the whole law and not stumbling at even just one point” – if you do, you’re guilty. It ends with the message that judgement is coming, and a brief saying about mercy. It’s not an easy read to psych yourself up on a Monday morning.

But this passage in James is an always-needed reminder for our lives in light of Jesus. We know that Jesus was the one who fulfilled the law perfectly and obeyed every commandment. He gave his life in mercy by taking God’s judgement for us at the cross. From this we are called to fulfill the royal law – the law that king Jesus said sums up all of the law: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (see Matthew 22:39). This love is counter-cultural. In our world of marketing, social status, and outward looks, we can stand out by loving the lowly, the vulnerable, the outsider. As we saw earlier in the chapter, we can be counter-cultural by not showing favouritism.

But this reminder about obeying the law – all of it – isn’t just a demand for outward obedience. Instead, we’re encouraged to wholeheartedly love God and act out of that love with all our heart, soul, and strength. We’re encouraged to listen to God’s words of mercy to us in the gospel and live them out, rather than let them sit in us as mere words. As receivers of mercy, let us show mercy to others, not judgement. Mercy triumphs over judgement.

For many of us, Monday mornings mean a lot of thinking about all the things we have to do this week: perform tasks, check in with people, help out where we’re needed, try to keep on top of things. But today, as we listen to this passage from God’s Word, it would be wise to pause and make sure we have the right starting point: Christ’s work for us. It’s good to check whether we’ve got blind spots – maybe we’re doing some good things but ignoring wrongs in other areas of life. It’s good to see who is around us that we can show love to. Who – of my family, friends, or the strangers I meet – can I show mercy to, rather than judgement? Pray that we would not let God’s loving work for us sit idle and inactive, but that we would let it overflow to our neighbour. Let us live in light of Jesus’ mercy to us, knowing that he will return.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex is one of our Student Ministers.

James 2:1-7

James 2:1-7 - Daily Devotion - 7 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

1 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

REFLECTIONS

Written by Tim Mitry

This passage shows me that God does not measure people by worldly standards, like wealth, status, reputation or respectability. So then, why do we measure people by worldly standards?

I’m reminded that God regularly undermines people’s expectations. There are so many examples from the Bible, such as how God chose Israel to be his Holy, special people despite them being the smallest nation (Deuteronomy 7:7), or the humble birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul also talks about how God chooses to bring many people to faith who are of lowly and ordinary circumstances (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

This is a type of ‘upside-down’-ness in God’s kingdom that baffles the world. James reminds us in verse 5 that God chose the “the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him”. Now I’m not sure that we are guilty of doing what James says quite so blatantly in our church services – telling poor people they can’t sit down and giving rich people a special chair. But what goes on in our hearts when we see people who look respectable or unrespectable? If I didn’t share Jesus’ good news with people because of their appearance or social status, or if I only welcomed some types of people to church, I am convicted that I would be a “judge with evil thoughts” (verse 4).

Praise God that he is not like that with us! And pray that he will make our hearts more like his.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim is one of our Ministry Apprentices.

James 1:22-27

James 1:22-27 - Daily Devotion - 6 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23 For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Sarah Cameron

If I asked you to think of an example of someone being a hypocrite, it probably wouldn’t take long for something to pop into your head. A celebrity speaking about saving the environment while they take an excessive number of plane flights, or a politician who campaigns for family values when secretly they’ve been having an affair, or a work colleague who complains about others being lazy while cutting corners themselves. It can be infuriating and discouraging when someone says they believe one thing but then do the opposite.

Sadly, the Christian community is not immune. It’s even worse, I think, when we hear about Christian leaders and church members who claim to follow Jesus speaking and acting in ways that are abhorrent to God.

In today’s passage we see that we’re right to be frustrated about people’s lives and actions not lining up with what they say they believe, because it’s something God doesn’t want either. But, although it’s easy to point it out in the lives of others, what James has to say in these verses are for all of us.

If you claim to follow God, it’s not enough just to listen to what he says, but your life needs to show it. Living God’s way is where you will find true freedom and blessing.

I found it interesting that verse 26 narrows in on our speech. We know that words are powerful. A single word can start wars or change the course of your life. It’s not surprising then that how we use our words matters, because our words show what’s in our hearts.

After reading this passage I’ve tried to think about one concrete way I could change how I use my words this week, and one way I could change my actions so I’m living consistently with what I believe. It’s not going to be easy this side of heaven, but we know God has promised his Holy Spirit will help us live for him. Pray God would use our lives and our speech to bring blessing to those around us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.

James 1:19-21

James 1:19-21 - Daily Devotion - 5 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

As soon as I read the first verse, I thought: “Argh – why did I get this passage?” Be slow to speak? It’s my job to speak, and I’ve always got too many words! But of course, it’s also my job to listen – and that’s something God calls all of us to do.

I realised, though, that the big problem James is addressing isn’t talking too much. It’s anger – and what’s going on in our hearts. I can relate uncomfortably well with the three things James links together: not listening, opening your mouth too fast, and being hot-tempered. I wonder if you know that feeling of sudden, hot anger surging up inside you – and then shooting off your mouth with words that you regret later? It’s like Jesus said in Luke 6:45: “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

One common piece of advice for parents, when your kids do something that makes you mad, is to breathe deeply and count to 10 before you respond. But it turns out that we need to practise that in all our relationships – and not just counting, but genuinely listening to the other person to see whether we’ve really understood them.

As I reflected more, the thing I loved most in these verses was the way James doesn’t just say, “Do better!” Behind these instructions, there’s a deep awareness of how the gospel transforms us so that we want to love what God loves and we want to hate what God hates. After he tells us not to get angry, James gives the reason: “for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires” (v. 20). That’s why I don’t want to lose my temper and be hot-headed – because I want to be righteous in my behaviour! Does God desire patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control? Of course he does (Galatians 5:22-23) – so, because Jesus has rescued me, that’s what I want too.

That’s how God works in us, as we understand and believe the gospel. And in v. 21, it applies to all the “moral filth” that the world and our own sinful natures tell us to indulge in. If you’ve received Christ as Lord, you may still struggle with those desires. But that’s the point: you’ll struggle against them! You know that your precious Saviour loves righteousness, so you’ll never be happy or unconcerned and carefree with a life of wilful sin.

That new longing for what God’s loves doesn’t come from you. It comes from humbly believing the gospel of Jesus – “the word planted in you, which can save your souls.”

Does that longing describe you? Whatever business you need to do with God – with your words and anger, or anything else – do it now, and also share it with a minister or close friend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.

James 1:13-18

James 1:13-18 - Daily Devotion - 4 February 2026
St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Andy Rowlands

This passage in James brings together two things that might seem a bit unrelated: temptation and God’s good gifts. But putting them together helps me to see how often I’ve despised God’s good gifts, rather than thanking him for them. This passage highlights sin and shines a bright light on how we try to dodge our responsibility for it. We can’t blame others for our own sin, least of all God!

When I’ve given in to the same temptation repeatedly, it is easy to start blaming the people or things that seem to prompt my evil desires to spring to life. From there, it is only a small jump to say “God is tempting me”, especially when we struggle to control those desires. But here, James reminds us that the problem is within us. When I sin, I cannot blame God, for he has given me good gifts – perfect gifts, which I twist to my own evil desires. It is my own evil desires that lead me to sin, and that brings about death in me.

And because the problem comes from within me, the solution must come from outside me. Verse 17 gives me two encouragements. First, that God is good, and that he does give good gifts! Even though I might be tempted to think that some things that God gives may not be good, I can trust that they are good and that he has a good purpose for them, even if I don’t understand it yet. And second, God does not change! And because he does not change, he can change me.

Our good and perfect God, who does not change, has changed me by giving me new life through the word of truth, through Jesus, and he continues to change me. He has promised to work in me, day by day, as I put off the old self and put on the new, being conformed to the image of Christ. And so, when I am tempted, I know that I can turn to him for help. It is not easy to turn to God first, but remember: Our heavenly Father always gives good gifts. He has given us the best gift of all through Jesus, in accepting us and making us new!

So when we face temptation, let us depend on him more and more, even when we do not yet see why his gifts are good. Because God never changes in his goodness to us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andy is one of our Student Ministers.