In a world obsessed with upward mobility, Jesus models a radical vision of love that stoops low. Chapter 3: The Servant Heart of Christ walks us through John 13:4b–17, where Jesus—the eternal Son—wraps a towel around His waist and washes His disciples’ feet. This shocking act is both a pointer to His cross and a pattern for our lives. Jesus lays aside His garments as He would lay down His life, teaching that greatness in the kingdom is found not in position but in posture.
From the root of adoption in Christ (Galatians 4), this chapter turns to the visible fruit of discipleship: humble service. True gospel growth produces a life shaped by the basin and towel. As the Spirit forms Christ in us, we don’t just imitate Jesus—we participate in His servant-hearted love. This chapter invites readers to worship Jesus as the Servant King, reflect on where they need to grow in humility, and take up the challenge to serve someone this week in a hidden, sacrificial way. The journey from identity to imitation continues—bearing fruit that looks like Christ.
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Prayer – Asking with Confidence as God's Children
In Prayer – Asking with Confidence as God's Children, we learn that Jesus doesn’t just teach us how to pray—He shows us who we are when we pray. Luke 11:1–13 reveals the heart of our Father and invites us to pray with childlike trust. Jesus urges us to ask, seek, and knock—not to pry open God’s hands, but to receive the gift of His presence by the Spirit. This post helps us respond in prayer, not from performance, but from our identity in Christ.
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Repentance – Seeing Our Sin and Savoring Christ
In Repentance – Seeing Our Sin and Savoring Christ, Psalm 32 invites us to experience the joy of confession and the freedom of forgiveness. David describes the weight of hidden sin, the relief of being honest before God, and the blessing of being covered by grace. Through Jesus, our transgressions are lifted, our sins are covered, and our guilt is removed. This post explores how daily repentance renews our communion with God and fills our lives with gladness.
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Fruit – Living the Gospel through the Word
In Fruit – Living the Gospel through the Word, James 1:22–27 challenges us not to just hear the Word but to do it. A Gospel-shaped life is one that looks intently into the perfect law of liberty—Jesus Himself—and becomes a Gospel-lover, Gospel-liver, and Gospel-giver. This post calls us to gaze deeply at Christ, respond in love, and live out the fruit of real discipleship.
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Rooted in Sonship – Our Identity as Adopted Children of God
Many of us live as though our identity must be earned—through success, appearance, or religious effort. The Galatians felt similar pressure: prove yourself by works of the law. But Paul offers a radically freeing truth in Galatians 3:26–4:7: your identity is not achieved but received. You are a child of God by grace, adopted through Christ and sealed by the Spirit. In this post, Pastor James Pavlic unpacks the deep theological and pastoral truths of adoption in Christ. Using the imagery of clothing, inheritance, and sonship, Paul reveals that believers are united to Christ, clothed in His honor, and filled with the Spirit who cries out, “Abba, Father.” Key themes include: Our identity in Christ as sons and daughters through faith. The Spirit’s witness in our hearts that we belong to God. The relational transformation that flows from adoption. How discipleship flourishes when rooted in sonship, not performance. This reflection helps readers move from spiritual orphanhood to gospel-rooted confidence. It concludes with personal reflection questions, a pastoral prayer, and a practical challenge to meditate on Galatians 4:6 and live from the secure identity we have in Christ.
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The Gospel Tree: Rooted in Grace, Bearing Fruit in Christ
Many Christians long to grow but feel directionless in their discipleship. Psalm 1 gives us a vivid picture: the life of a disciple is like a tree, planted by streams of water. In this opening post of the Tree Spirituality series, we explore the gospel vision of being rooted in Christ, nourished by His Word, and bearing fruit through His Spirit. Far from a self-made spirituality, this is a life planted by grace. Jesus Himself is the Blessed Man who stood in our place, bore our curse, and now makes us fruitful trees in His kingdom. If you’re longing for stability, growth, and deeper communion with God, begin here—with the Gospel Tree.
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Introduction to Tree Spirituality
“Tree Spirituality” invites readers to move beyond one-hour-a-week Christianity and sink their lives into the rich soil of the gospel. Drawing on Christ Presbyterian Church’s Identity Framework, adoption, dependence, Trinitarian worship, redemptive perspective, and kingdom discipleship, this series of articles trace a discipleship journey from deep roots in union with Christ to visible fruit in service, community, mission, and hopeful endurance. Like the tree of Psalm 1, believers who abide in Jesus, the True Vine, are nourished by grace and empowered by the Spirit to flourish for God’s glory and their neighbor’s good. Whether you are a new believer or a seasoned saint, this pastoral guide shows how gospel-shaped rhythms can transform the quiet places of the heart, the routines of home, and the callings of everyday life.
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