Completely Justified

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Take a moment to remember that you are completely forgiven. Thank God for providing this forgiveness through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Mentally list changes that happen over time, for example, the erosion of a mountain. Now, think of changes that occur instantly, like flipping a switch to fill a dark room with light. List a few more instant and slow changes in your journal.

Trusting Jesus as Savior results in instant change. The moment you placed your faith in Him, you were declared righteous.

Now, read Romans 4:25 in your Bible.

“He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” —Romans 4:25

Explore the following:
• What does it mean that Jesus was “delivered up” for our sins? Explain.

Justification means to be declared righteous by God because of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf. The payment for our sin was accomplished in His death, and the promise of eternal life was cemented in His resurrection.
• Believers were once guilty because of our sin, but because of _____through faith in Jesus, we are saved. (See Eph. 2:8-9.)
• Christ’s death and resurrection, not our actions, bring us into right standing with God. List some ways people often try to justify themselves.

RESPOND

Simply put: sin declared us guilty before God, but Jesus’ death and resurrection declared believers as not guilty.
• All believers are justified. Do you sometimes feel unholy, unrighteous, and less than perfect because of your struggle with sin? Journal your thoughts.
• Is there any unconfessed sin in your life? Be honest with God about your struggle and ask Him to help you stand firm against temptation.
• If you have not trusted Jesus as Savior, talk to your parents, Trailstones leader, or trusted person from your church about what it means to follow Jesus.
• For further study on justification, read Romans 5.

BEHIND THE STORY

God’s entire redemptive plan was summarized in today’s Scripture. Evangelism, or the spreading of the gospel, centers on the resurrection. Without Jesus’ death on the cross, there would be no adequate payment for sin. Without the resurrection, there would be no hope and no gospel message. This is why the apostles focused their preaching on the importance of the resurrection. Our lives, our words, and our interactions must center on complete belief in the resurrection and our justification.

THE POINT

Christ’s death and resurrection brought justification to believers.


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The Saving One

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Before you begin today’s devotion, ask God to help you understand more about who Jesus is and what He did for you on the cross.

People stood as enemies against God because of their sinful actions. Jesus’ death provided a way for all people to become friends of God through trusting Him as Savior.

“Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.” —Colossians 1:21-22

Now, read Ephesians 2:12-13 and Colossians 1:21-23 in your Bible. Consider the following:
• In your journal, list characteristics of people’s lives before and after reconciliation.
• Explain in your own words what Paul meant by “you who were far away” (Eph. 2:13).

Our sin separated us from God and the only way to be free from sin was through the blood of Jesus sacrificed for us. Those who don’t accept His gift of grace will spend eternity paying for their sins by being separated from God.
• What did it take for you to be presented to God “holy, faultless, and blameless” (Col. 1:22)?

RESPOND

Redemption is at the heart of what Jesus did for us. At the moment you trusted Him as Savior, you became a friend of God and all of your sin was completely forgiven.
• Do you ever struggle to believe you’re completely forgiven? In your journal, write out Colossians 1:22 and replace you with me. Read it aloud several times and ask God to help you believe the truth of His words.
• For further study on what God did for us through Jesus, read Colossians 1:13.

BEHIND THE STORY

Paul’s ministry focused first on the Jews, then on the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). The Jews were God’s covenant people. Paul mentioned the plight of the Gentiles previous to Jesus’ death on the cross—they were not a part of God’s covenant people. However, the blood of Christ allowed Gentiles access to the blessings afforded by the new covenant: salvation and relationship with God.

THE POINT

We had no hope of being reconciled to God on our own. Jesus paid the price for our sins and provided us access to a true relationship with God.


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The Supreme One

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Prepare your heart for today’s devotion by listening to “Christ is Enough” by Hillsong (Glorious Ruins, 2013). Ask God to give you deeper insight into His sufficiency as you study His Word today.

Define the term reconcile in your own words.

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross—whether things on earth or things in heaven.” —Colossians 1:19-20

Read Colossians 1:15-20 in your Bible and consider these questions.
• List all the characteristics of Jesus that Paul mentioned in these verses. These descriptions of Jesus indicate that there is nothing and no one greater than Him. He is the image of God, Creator of everything, and sovereign over all.
• Rewrite verse 19 in your own words. Pay special attention to the words “fullness” and “dwell.”
• Look at verse 20. What does Jesus’ sovereignty make Him completely qualified to do?

We were created to have a relationship with God, but sin fractured our bond. Only Jesus has the power to restore our relationship with God, to reconcile us.
• Explain in your own words how Jesus heals that relationship (v. 20).

RESPOND

Jesus is uniquely qualified to bring about reconciliation between God and people and the entire universe. The reconciliation He offers is 100 percent complete; you only have to trust Him as Savior, He already finished the work on the cross.
• On a sticky note write the following truths: I am completely forgiven, completely loved, and eternally secure in Jesus Christ. Place the note on the back of your door or your mirror so you can see it every day.
• Journal a prayer of thanks to God for sending Jesus to reconcile your relationship with Him.
• For further study on reconciliation with God, read Romans 5:10.

BEHIND THE STORY

In today’s passage, Paul was addressing the false teachers in the church at Colossae. These people claimed Jesus wasn’t as great as the Colossians thought. Although they didn’t disapprove of Him, they indicated there were others of equal standing with Jesus. Paul refuted this by reminding the Colossians of Christ’s supremacy. Jesus is enough to save and reconcile anyone back to God; there is no need to place your faith in anything or anyone else.

THE POINT

Jesus offered reconciliation through His death on the cross.


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Perfect High Priest

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

As you prepare for today’s devotion, picture Jesus on the cross and then the empty tomb. Thank God for your salvation that comes only through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

“For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.” (Hebrews 7:26-27)

Read Hebrews 7:23-28 in your Bible. Think through the following:
• Record the differences between Jesus and the Levitical high priests listed in today’s Scripture. Make two columns in your journal and list the differences in each.
In order for the high priest to permanently intercede for the people, he had to be holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
• Why was this impossible for the high priests but completely possible for Jesus?
• In summary, what does Jesus offer that the high priests of the Old Testament could never offer?

RESPOND

Jesus is supreme—a new kind of priest—perfect and flawless in every way. He established the new covenant with His blood and acts as our High Priest, continually going before God on our behalf. His priesthood is permanent because He is alive forever.
• Explore this idea: Jesus’ sacrifice paid for all my sins, even the ones I haven’t committed yet. His sacrifice was enough to cover my mistakes forever. How does this help you handle your mistakes? Journal your thoughts.
• For further study on the supremacy of Jesus’ sacrifice, read Hebrews 8–9.

BEHIND THE STORY

When a Levitical priest died, another replaced him. The law of heredity required one of Aaron’s descendants to take over the role, even though he might not have the right qualifications to intercede for the people. However, this was not true with Jesus. He was the only one able to permanently fill the role of High Priest. Though He died, He rose again, defeated death, and will be alive to intercede for His people forever.(1)

THE POINT

Jesus is forever our High Priest. He offered Himself as the final perfect, unblemished sacrifice and is able to save anyone.

(1)Thomas D. Lea, Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews and James, ed. Max Anders, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under “Hebrews 7 – Safe in Jesus’ Praying Hands.”


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The Perfect One

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

As you begin your quiet time, consider this quote from Charles Spurgeon,

“I thought I could have leaped from earth to heaven at one spring when I first saw my sins drowned in the Redeemer’s blood.”

Earlier this Fall, you learned that redeemed means to pay the ransom or price for somebody—like paying for someone to be released from slavery. Keep this definition in mind as you read today’s devotion.

“He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” —1 Peter 1:20-21

Read 1 Peter 1:18-25 in your Bible and explore the following.
Sin enslaved all people and in order to be free from our sins, we would have to be perfect. In a world ruled by sin, we couldn’t save ourselves. We needed a substitute because God needed a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was the only one able to die for our sins, a “lamb without defect or blemish” (v. 19).
• Why was it so important for the sacrifice to be perfect?
• According to verses 18-21, what was God’s plan for redemption?
• Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Why do people need a Savior?
Jesus’ perfect life redeemed us from an empty, sinful life and eternal separation from God. He redeemed us for a relationship with God.

RESPOND

• In your journal, list any sins you struggle with. Now, draw a cross over the list. Let this be a reminder to you that these sins do not control you anymore—Jesus paid the price for your sins on the cross and set you free from their hold on your life.
• Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus to set you free from your sins and redeem you from your empty way of life. Ask God to help you live in His freedom.
• For further study on how meaningless life is without God, read Ecclesiastes.

BEHIND THE STORY

God’s plan for Jesus was not haphazardly constructed—He knew what our redemption would require of Him, of His Son. As John Piper said, “Jesus was always God’s plan A.” God planned for Jesus to come to earth to live a perfect life and die for our sins well before sending Him to us. Note Peter’s use of the words “for you” (v. 20) and “so that your faith and hope are in God” (v. 21). God didn’t initiate His plan from a distance, but made it personal. Think of it this way: Jesus didn’t just die to give all people the chance to know Him; He died knowing that I was one of those people. Jesus died for me.

THE POINT

God raised Jesus from the dead and we can have redemption through His perfect life.


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Sovereign and Eternal One

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Silence your phone, pause your music, and turn off the TV. Find a quiet place where you can focus as you read today’s devotion.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” —Revelation 22:13

Read Revelation 22:12-13 in your Bible and consider the following.
• Summarize verse 12 in your own words.
• All people will experience a final judgment and Jesus will be the Judge. List the words Jesus used to describe Himself in verse 13.

The Alpha and Omega begin and end the Greek alphabet. When Jesus called Himself the Alpha and Omega, He pointed to His eternal and sovereign nature. God was first called the Alpha and Omega (Isa. 44:6; Rev. 1:8), but here Jesus made it clear that He too, is eternal and sovereign.
• Explain what Jesus claimed about His nature and His relationship with God by the titles He gave Himself in verse 13.

Put simply: Jesus has the final say. From the beginning, He was God’s plan to reconcile His people. From the beginning, Jesus knew He would return for all believers and righteously judge all people for their response to how they either received or rejected Him.
• Knowing Jesus has the final say, do you need to change your lifestyle? Why or why not?

RESPOND

Jesus is all the righteousness of God and believers are completely covered by His righteousness. So when you approach Jesus during the final judgment, you can be confident in knowing that Jesus will see His own righteousness instead of your sin.
• Meditate on Jesus as “the Alpha and the Omega” (Rev. 22:13). Praise Him for being the all-powerful, all knowing, ever-present God.
• Have you trusted in Jesus as Savior? If so, journal about the ways He changed your life and examine any areas that need to change. If not, talk to your parents, your Trailstones leader or a leader from your church to find out more.
• For further study on Jesus’ power to save, read Colossians 2:14-15.

MEMORY VERSE

Write Colossians 1:19-20 in your journal. Jot down two reasons it is important for you to memorize these verses.

BEHIND THE STORY

In verse 12, Jesus mentioned bringing a reward with Him when He returns. Revelation 1 also mentioned a reward, referring to the judgment of both the righteous and the wicked. His judgment will reward the righteous and destroy the wicked (Rev. 11:18). Again today’s passage tells us that reward and punishment both occur at judgment “to repay each person according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12).

THE POINT

Jesus is sovereign and eternal.


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Follow Me

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Mentally list the names of people you know who don’t know Jesus. As you read today, ask God to give you a passion to boldly share the gospel with them.

“When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.” —John 1:36-37

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” —Luke 6:40

Read John 1:35-42 in your Bible and think through these questions.
• Highlight the phrase “Lamb of God” (v. 36). Describe what this means in your own words.
• According to verse 37, what happened after the two disciples heard John’s claim?
• Jesus called the disciples to come and they went with Him, but they went beyond following Jesus. List Andrew’s actions after he stayed with Jesus. When Christ changes your life, He changes your identity. Believers are adopted into God’s family, trading in their own agenda for His—and He commands us to go and tell others about Him.
• After only a few hours in Jesus’ presence, how did Andrew demonstrate an understanding of Jesus’ message? How can believers follow Andrew’s example today?
• Read Luke 6:40 and explain the main idea of this verse in your own words.

RESPOND

We are not exempt from God’s missionary mandate. He was sent, and now He sends us. Sound intimidating? Through the saving power of the gospel and the filling of our hearts with God’s Holy Spirit, we are empowered to join God’s rescue mission—one person at a time.
• In your journal, name the people you thought of earlier who don’t know Jesus. Pray over them each day, asking God to help them see their need for a Savior and to give you the opportunity to share the gospel with them.
• For further study on truly following Jesus, read Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman (Zondervan, 2011).

BEHIND THE STORY

In verse 42, Jesus gave Peter a new name: Cephas. In Aramaic, Cephas means rock. God often changed people’s names in the Old Testament to reflect the specific calling He placed on their lives. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus said, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (v. 18). Though Jesus caused the church to grow, He used the disciples to spread His message as the foundation of the church. He uses believers in the same way today.(1)

THE POINT

Jesus, the Lamb of God, calls people to follow Him. Christians must have a passion for and commitment to God’s mission.

(1)Holman Christian Standard Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2010). Accessed via mywsb.com.


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A Holy Challenge

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Find a comfy chair and sit quietly for a few minutes before you begin today’s devotion. Thank God for sending Jesus to die for your sins.

Think about your favorite sports team, the armed services, police, and nurses. These people all have one thing in common—they wear uniforms and their uniforms represent the people they serve. In the same way, when you trust Jesus as Savior, you bear His name; you represent Him. The way you live should call others to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8).

Read 1 Peter 1:22-23 in your Bible.

“By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart. —1 Peter 1:22

Answer the following questions:
• Underline the word “obedience” (v. 22). How did Peter call believers to obey God?
• What does it mean that believers are “purified” (v. 22)? Explain.
• What does the word “earnestly” indicate about the way we should love each other?
• According to Peter, how are believers empowered to love one another?

RESPOND

Our relationships with others point to our relationship with Christ. Do we truly love others from a pure heart? Do we love them as He loves us? This may sound difficult, or even impossible, but this is the life God calls us to live.

• In your journal, create three columns with the headings God’s Love, My Love, and Love Better. Under the appropriate heading, record ways God demonstrated His love to you, how you show love to others, and the names of people you need to love better.
• Glance at the names you listed in the third column of your journal page. Ask God to help you have the courage to seek or extend forgiveness in those relationships. Pray for those people to see God’s love as well.
• For further study on loving others, read 1 John 3:16-24.

BEHIND THE STORY

Peter used two different words for love in today’s passage: phileo and agape. His call for believers to love one another indicates a love that is genuine and strong. The word deeply reiterates this and connects with the idea that Christians “love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

THE POINT

Living on mission for God requires us to love others out of a pure heart, just as God graciously chose to love us.


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Unlimited Access

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Take a minute to journal a few the times you recognized God’s presence in your life. Thank Him for constantly being with you.

Before Jesus’ death on the cross, people were separated from God because of their sin. Priests interceded for the people by offering yearly sin sacrifices, but the people did not have direct access to God. Read Matthew 27:50-54 in your Bible.

“Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split.”—Matthew 27:51

Explore the following and write your answers in your journal:
• List the events that occurred when Jesus died.
• The high priest was the only person allowed beyond the curtain that separated the people from God’s presence. Why is it important that the temple veil was torn? What is the significance to you today?
• In your own words, explain the guards’ exclamation in verse 54.
• Describe the guards’ reaction when all of these things occurred. Imagine you were at the cross, would your reaction be like the guards’?

RESPOND

Before Jesus’ death, people only had access to God through the priest. Now, Jesus is our High Priest—constantly interceding for us at the right hand of God in heaven.

• Meditate on today’s Scripture. Praise God for giving you direct access to Him through Jesus.
• Prayerfully consider what Jesus’ death on the cross means to you personally. Then, record your thoughts in your journal.
• Does Jesus’ death on the cross affect the way you live your life? On a scale of 1-10, how much does His sacrifice affect your daily life?
• For further study on the temple veil, read Exodus 26:31-35 and Hebrews 10:19-21.

BEHIND THE STORY

Prior to Jesus’ death, God’ presence was confined to the Most Holy place in the temple. The veil mentioned in today’s passage separated the “holy place and the most holy place” (Ex. 26:33). Only the high priest had direct access to the presence of God on one day—the Day of Atonement. The curtain splitting from top to bottom indicated that God tore it. He removed the barrier between Himself and His people— an action made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

THE POINT

Jesus provided a way to reestablish the relationship between God and us.


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Full of Life

Posted by Karah

PAUSE

Close your eyes and think of things people often use to fill their lives, other than Jesus. Ask Him to help you see how to fill your life with Him as you study Scripture today.

What comes to mind when you hear the word thief? Think of famous thieves from movies, TV shows, or books and jot down some of their characteristics in your journal.

Now, read John 10:9-11 in your Bible.

“A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” —John 10:10

Ask yourself:
• How do believers “enter” (v. 9) through Jesus?
• What did Jesus mean by “life … in abundance” (v. 10)? Explain.

When we repent and believe, Christ gives us a new life, an abundant life. Therefore, every genuine Christian believer has been redeemed from an empty existence to a full life in Christ. Jesus didn’t just call us to this kind of life—He lived out an example through His perfect fellowship with God. We have to remember that having life in abundance doesn’t mean we will have everything that we want—it means we have everything we need in Christ Himself.
• In plain terms, explain what Jesus said in verse 11.

RESPOND

Jesus’ blood sacrifice for our lives has supreme value. Our lives should be lived in testimony to that—He is far more precious than earthly wealth.
• In the margin, list a few things you tend to value above Jesus. Confess those struggles to the Lord, and ask Him to help you recognize His value and give Him the highest place of honor in your life.
• Consider “The Point” for today’s devotion. Ask yourself: What do the words empty way of life mean to me personally? Journal your thoughts.
• For further study on the value of Jesus’ sacrifice, read John 15:13; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 10:10; and 1 Peter 1:19.

BEHIND THE STORY

The Greek word zoe translates as life. The word for life was used at least 36 times in the Gospel of John, which accounts for over 25 percent of references to life in the New Testament. Bible scholars even suggest that life summarizes John’s main theme— Jesus provided physical, spiritual, and eternal life. Only He can give us new life.(1)

THE POINT

Jesus is the unblemished Lamb who redeems us away from an empty way of life.

(1)Kenneth Gangel, Holman New Testament Commentary –John, ed. Max Anders, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2000), under “John 1 — the Lamb of God” and “John 10 — the Good Shepherd.”


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