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My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

– James 5:19-20 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

It is unnerving when we understand that the sinner that James is referring to is a believer. It seems that to passively watch while other members of the household of faith drift from the gospel is not acceptable. We are called to engage with others in such a way that we are willing to leave the ninety nine to go after the one who strays, for God rejoices when his sheep are brought back.

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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

– Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Today’s commentary by Corinne Baur, RRCA Running Coach and author of Running by THE BOOK.

Research shows that 80% of heart disease is preventable with better lifestyle choices: what we eat and how we treat our bodies is either life-giving or life-stealing. How much more does our spiritual diet affect our spiritual hearts? What we fill our minds with overflows out of our hearts. Therefore we are commanded to guard our hearts, carefully monitoring what we allow in so that what flows out is pleasing to God.

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My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

– 1 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Paul makes a very strong point: the standard of judgment is not up to us– it is up to God. Yet we are prone to judge ourselves by motives that others don’t see, but judge others by their actions. Paul tells us here to wait until the final day, when God will judge the motives and intentions of the heart. Until that time, be wary, for we can deceive ourselves. It is God who will make the final decision on the affairs of the heart, which is a comfort and a concern.

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“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

– Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Notice that you don’t leave your offering if you have something against someone else; it is if you feel that someone has something against you. What a great act of humility it is to go to someone and ask them if there is something that you have done to offend them. Yet this is the kind of worship that God requires–we are to be at peace with all people as much as it is up to us.

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Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

– Psalm 32:5 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

If we believe that God forgives our sin through Jesus Christ, then we should be some of the first people to confess our sins to the Lord and one another. But one of the great problems that Christians face is that vulnerability with other Christians has caused hurt and abuse. This is not a good understanding of grace. To humble ourselves and confess our failures to the Lord is our privilege, to forgive each other is transformative to all of us and recognize that we all need a Savior.

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So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

– Genesis 37:23-24 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

When we look at this passage a little deeper we see some reasons why Joseph’s brothers would hate Joseph to the point of betraying him. Notice that Joseph was wearing his robe when he came to his brothers. Joseph was showing off his father Jacob’s favor yet again. Joseph reminds us that pride can cause a huge amount of pain in our lives. It will take a long path of humility before Joseph and his brothers can be reunited again.

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