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The believer’s works are the inevitable fruit of being justified because a justified person has also been born again through this faith union with Christ. However, they do not contribute in any way to the grounds of our being justified since our justification is a legal verdict rendered by God immediately on the basis of His gracious gift of righteousness. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1, cf. 5:17).

The Christian Ministerial Academy of Costa Rica is structured around six intensive modules per year resulting in a two-year Bible certificate. Each module consists of 3 weeks of preparation, a two-day in person lecture series during week 4, followed by 3 more weeks to complete assignments. I had the privilege of teaching the Bible Study Skills course as our first subject. There were 17 students in attendance.

Indeed, our Lord Jesus is the Ideal Prophet, the Ideal Priest, and the Ideal King. Each of these roles are facets of the diamond of His mediatorial work of redemption. The Puritan William Ames believed that the order of Christ’s mediatorial roles was also important. He states, “The order appears in the appointed way of carrying it out: Christ first taught others, declaring the will of God to them; then He offered Himself; and afterward He entered into His kingdom.”

To our members: In an increasingly separatist, individualistic, and anti-authoritarian culture—where people are averse to commitment and accountability– we are asking the members of GBC to joyfully renew your commitment to one another as new covenant believers of this local church. You are already spiritually members of one another via the new birth and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You have already chosen to make GBC your church home so recall and reaffirm this decision in your heart before the Lord.

Allow me to urge all of you to become more involved in the community of grace this year. Whether it be a gift of speech or a gift of service we must all manifest the grace of God towards others. The encouraging news is that the grace of God is here already! It is hidden away in some of your lives. The grace we lack to have a full and improved Sunday School ministry, local outreach, media ministry, book store, music and youth ministry is all here. Sealed away in the gift that God has made you to be.

This is a great time to reflect upon the joy that flows from true Christian fellowship with one another and the Father and the Son. It is a joy that gives strength. It is a joy that empowers and sustains. It is a joy that comes to each of us via our mutual sacrifices for the gospel. It is a joy that flows from our engagement with other believers. That has been a challenge this year to be sure and will remain a challenge to some degree in the coming months, but I encourage each of you to take steps to ensure that you do not become isolated but rather, pursue spiritual interaction with one another. Pursue fellowship and the joy that flows from it.

I take this opportunity to remind you that we are like Daniel living in Babylon, not like Israel taking the Promised Land. We can seek to do good for Nebuchadnezzar, but we can’t become absorbed, co-opted or compromise the gospel. We should make our voice heard in the political arena, but we are not called to “take over” or make a god out of politics. We must not confuse the two kingdoms and must never compromise the gospel nor our primary mission in this world at the expense of engaging the culture.

The Lord offers Himself to us too, beloved, as the Rock upon which we can stand in each of our daily situations, reflections, and choices. And that Rock is Christ who, though faced with our temptations to crumble, withstood and was faithful for us, triumphing on our behalf.

There are many subtle temptations to seek the recognition and affirmation of men. Not only for those who serve in the most public of ministries but also for those who serve in the quiet back-rooms of church life. But a self-exalting spirit will smother the progress of all true ministry and diminish the glory of Christ.