Old Testament reading: Joshua 4-6
Like that of Noah, the account of Jericho’s destruction serves as a marvelous illustration of how God’s grace is appropriated through man’s faith and works of obedience. In Joshua 6:2, God said, “I have given (past tense) Jericho into your hand,” yet Joshua was not then in possession of the city. By God’s grace Joshua and Israel were given God’s law (marching, etc., vv 3-5). When Joshua and the people obeyed God’s law, they received the promised reward – “the wall of the city will fall down flat” (v 5). No Israelite would have ever claimed victory by meritorious works or the result of their own effort. They knew why the wall fell. It fell by grace. Yet, God’s grace was not appropriated until after Israel obeyed – “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled seven days” (Heb 11:30). There is no grace without faith, and there is no faith without works of obedience.
New Testament reading: Titus, Philemon
Philemon is the most overlooked piece of inspired New Testament literature. When is the last time you heard anyone quote from it, much less preach from it? It contains the beautiful account of Paul’s relationship with Philemon, and the change of relationship between the Philemon and Onesimus, his former slave. Paul encouraged him to consider God’s providence in all the heartache and difficulty caused by Onesimus’ departure: “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 15-16). We also see that Paul was not afraid to influence Philemon by way of reminding him of what he owed Paul, his very own life. “Your own self” is commonly understood to be the saved condition of his eternal soul, which was brought to Christ through Paul’s work and preaching. Consider also Paul’s confidence in Philemon, “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (v 21).
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