Lenten Journey
Week 7 featured author: Stephen raj
Lent is a sacred invitation to draw near to Jesus and allow His cross to change us. Over these seven weeks, we will slow our pace and prepare our hearts for Easter through simple, daily rhythms of prayer and surrender.
As we repent, reflect, and worship together, we are asking the Lord to form Christ more deeply within us and lead us into lasting transformation.
Week 7: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
Welcome to Lent Week 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Galatians 3:10–14 ESV
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
REFLECT
This is a powerful and foundational passage for the Christian life. It reminds us that relying on the works of the law—our own efforts and self-righteousness—ultimately leaves us under a curse. Why? Because none of us can fully keep everything written in the law.
Scripture makes it clear: “The righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; it demands perfect obedience. But we, in our weakness, fall short. As Romans 5:6 says, “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Here is the good news: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. What an incredible exchange! He took our place so we could receive the blessing promised to Abraham. Through Jesus, that blessing is now available to all—Jew and Gentile alike—by faith.
What kind of love is this? A love that doesn’t ask us to earn it, but simply to receive it.
Our role is not to strive for righteousness through works, but to approach God in faith. Our own righteousness can never measure up, but His grace is more than enough. Let us receive this gift, walk in this freedom, and continually reflect on the overwhelming love God has poured out on us through Jesus Christ.
PRAY
Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the curse of the law. Thank You for loving us even when we were weak. Help us to let go of striving and self-righteousness, and to fully trust in Your grace. Teach us to walk by faith and to receive Your forgiveness, freedom, and promise through Jesus.
Amen.
Week 7: No longer slaves
Welcome to Lent Week: 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Galatians 4:1–7 (ESV)
“I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
REFLECT
We do not belong to a guardian—we belong to a Father.
Paul paints a powerful picture: before Christ, we were like children under guardians and managers. Though heirs, we lived without the freedom and intimacy of sonship. A guardian may guide and protect, but they can never replace the love, security, and closeness of a father.
God didn’t leave us in that place. At just the right time, He sent Jesus to redeem us—not just to free us, but to adopt us. This is more than rescue; it is restoration into relationship.
And God didn’t stop there. He placed His Spirit within us as a living assurance of our adoption. The Holy Spirit cries out from within us, “Abba! Father!”—a deeply personal, intimate expression, like saying “Daddy.”
The Holy Spirit is not only power—He is presence. He reminds us who we are. He affirms that we are no longer slaves to our past, our fears, or the world’s systems. Even when we still feel the effects of past bondage, His voice speaks louder than every lie.
You are not a slave.
You are a son.
You are a daughter.
You are an heir of God.
So walk in that identity today. Let the voice of the Spirit be louder than the echoes of your past.
PRAY
Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem me and bring me into Your family. Thank You that I am no longer a slave, but Your child. Help me to walk in the fullness of that freedom and not return to the mindset of my past. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit, and let His voice be louder than every other voice. Remind me daily that I belong to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Week 7: Hope
Welcome to Lent Week: 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Ephesians 1:15–23 (ESV)
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
REFLECT
In this passage, Paul prays a powerful and intentional prayer for believers.
Paul specifically prays that the “eyes of our hearts” would be enlightened.
The hope to which we are called
The riches of our inheritance in Christ
The immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe
Often, we celebrate salvation—and rightly so, because it is the greatest gift. But we are also called to live daily on this earth, facing challenges, pain, uncertainty, and spiritual battles.
Paul’s prayer reminds us that we are not left to navigate life alone. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us. Christ is not distant—He is seated in authority, above every power, every name, every struggle.
And even more, all things are under His feet.
This changes how we live.
Life may not be easy—but it becomes anchored.
Instead of being crushed by circumstances, we can stand firm, grow, and thrive.
Why?
Because we know who is on the throne.
Every challenge, every attack, every burden we face is already under His authority.
PRAY
Father, give me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus.
Open the eyes of my heart so I may truly see the hope, the inheritance, and the power I have in You.
Help me trust that Jesus is on the throne—above every challenge, every fear, and every attack I face.
Teach me to walk in that truth daily.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Week 7: Humility
Welcome to Lent Week: 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Philippians 2:3-11
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
REFLECT
This passage is radically counter-cultural. While the world teaches us to prioritize self-love and individual ambition, Paul reminds us that selfish ambition is destructive to the Body of Christ.
The Great Exchange
How do we overcome our natural pride? By putting others first and considering them more significant than ourselves. Paul provides the ultimate example in Jesus:
The Contrast: While many in the world aspire to become like gods, the true God took on human flesh.
The Sacrifice: He considered us so precious that He humbled Himself to the point of death—even the shameful death of a cross.
The Call: This powerful love serves as our blueprint. We are called to lay down our lives for others and show patience toward brothers and sisters who are still in the process of spiritual growth.
The Reward of Humility
Humility and sacrifice never go unnoticed by the Father. Because of Christ’s obedience:
God has highly exalted Him.
He has been given the Name above every name.
Every knee will eventually bow to His lordship.
The Bible teaches that leadership is found in servanthood. While Moses was known as the meekest man on earth, we have something even greater: Jesus living inside us. If you are seeking this level of love and humility, He is faithful to provide it.
PRAYER
Father, Please help me to love difficult people—those who hurt or persecute us. Help us to pray for them sincerely. We recognize that we cannot love or forgive in our own strength.
Give us the Spirit of Christ without measure. In true humility, let us consider others more significant than ourselves and be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Week 7: The Preeminence of Christ
Welcome to Lent Week: 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Colossians 1:15-22
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Preeminence of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.
REFLECT
Reflecting on the preeminence of Christ forces a necessary shift in our focus: we move from "me" to "Him." While we often claim "it’s all about Jesus," the weight of pride and the desire for praise often reveal our internal struggle. This passage serves as meditative worship, humbling us with the reality that everything—visible and invisible, earthly and heavenly—was created both by Him and for Him. He is the glue holding all of existence together.
What makes His preeminence so radical is that it was achieved through surrender. The fullness of God chose to dwell in Him not just because of His power, but because of His humility. Through the sacrifice of the cross, He reconciled a broken creation to Himself. We, who were once hostile in mind and alienated by our actions, have been brought back. Through His death, He presents us as holy and blameless—the ultimate gift of a new life.
PRAY
Lord, help us understand how to worship You truly. Align our hearts and minds with the preeminence of Christ, especially as we navigate a world and a fallen nature that constantly try to claim Your glory for themselves. Wash us daily with Your Word. May we live in constant gratitude, reflecting on the sacrifice of Your body and blood through which we are redeemed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Week 7: Nailing it to his cross
Welcome to Lent Week: 7
Author: Stephen Raj
READ
Colossians 2:8–15 (ESV)
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
REFLECT
The very nails that pierced Jesus’ hands were simultaneously "piercing" the document that condemned us. The debt died when He died.
Paul warns believers not to be taken captive by human philosophies, empty deceit, or traditions that are not rooted in Christ. Some were pressuring the Colossians to follow Jewish rituals, such as circumcision, thinking this was necessary to please God. Paul’s message is clear: do not lose your freedom by submitting to teachings that come from human authority rather than from Jesus.
In Christ, we are complete. The fullness of God dwells in Him (v. 9), and in Him, we have been spiritually circumcised, put off the body of the flesh, and raised through baptism into new life (vv. 11–12). We are forgiven, our debts canceled, and the very legal record that condemned us was nailed to the cross with Jesus (v. 14). His death disarmed every power and authority that sought to control us, triumphing over them completely (v. 15).
This passage calls us to live in the fullness of freedom that comes from understanding who we are in Christ. The Old Testament warns that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge—but here, Paul shows us that knowing our identity in Christ brings liberation, victory, and life. Let us embrace this truth daily and walk fully in the freedom Jesus has won for us.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Help us to be ever aware of our freedom and fullness in Christ, even in the lowest moments of our lives and in our failures. Guard us against being deceived by the vain philosophies and empty deceit of this world, especially when we are at our weakest. May we always fix our eyes on the cross, remembering that Jesus has already won the victory for us.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Jesus is alive