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Micah 6:9—“The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.”

Through Micah, the LORD addressed Jerusalem, exposing the sins that brought His judgment upon its inhabitants. The following verses condemn dishonest measures, deceitful trading, violence, and lies (vv. 10–12). Their outward religious observances could not conceal their persistent wickedness from Him.

“The LORD’S voice crieth unto the city”. God graciously warned His people before executing judgment. His prophetic Word exposed their guilt and summoned them to repentance. We likewise must listen when Scripture confronts our sins, rather than dismiss its warnings or apply them only to others.

“The man of wisdom shall see thy name”. True wisdom recognises God’s revealed character and authority. The wise discern that His warnings come from the holy and righteous LORD, whose claims upon them cannot be ignored.

“Hear ye the rod” calls the people to heed the message conveyed through divine punishment. They must acknowledge “who hath appointed it”. Their coming distress would accomplish God’s righteous judgment.

We must not assume that every hardship points to a particular sin. Nevertheless, trials should prompt us to examine ourselves prayerfully before God. Where His Word exposes wrongdoing, let us repent.

Dear reader, do you resist correction or receive it humbly? Seek forgiveness in Jesus Christ. The God who warns sinners also welcomes the repentant. Ask Him for wisdom to recognise His authority, heed His Word, and turn from every sinful way.

Micah 4:5—“For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

Micah’s prophecy looks forward to the LORD’s glorious reign, when nations will seek His instruction and warfare will cease (vv. 1–4). Against that promised future, verse 5 expresses God’s people's resolve to remain faithful amid a world devoted to false gods.

To “walk” in someone’s name is to live in allegiance to that person and to acknowledge his authority. The nations’ devotion to their gods shaped their conduct. Likewise, those who confess the LORD must order their lives according to His character and commandments. True faith extends beyond religious profession into everyday choices.

“We will walk” declares a determined resolve. Surrounded by idolatry, God’s people must resist the pressure to conform to prevailing beliefs and practices. Others' devotion to their gods gives us no reason to compromise our loyalty to the only true God.

“The LORD our God” signifies their covenant relationship with Him. Their obedience is a response to His grace and faithfulness. Through Jesus Christ, we likewise belong to God and are called to live for His glory.

“For ever and ever” extends this commitment beyond temporary enthusiasm. We must follow the LORD through changing circumstances, opposition, and trials.

Whose approval governs your decisions? Whose word directs your steps? Let us reject every rival allegiance and prayerfully resolve to honour our God, trusting His grace to sustain us.

Evangelistic gatherings in our churches in Singapore are often attended mainly by believers, as few relatives, friends, and colleagues accept members’ invitations. Door-to-door and street evangelism also face limited opportunities and reluctant hearers. This can discourage those who have prayed and laboured. These challenges should prompt us to examine whether we depend too heavily on such organised activities to fulfil our call to evangelise.

Gospel meetings and outreaches remain valuable means of proclaiming Christ and deserve our prayerful support and participation. Yet Scripture presents evangelism as a daily responsibility. When people decline invitations or public conversations, we should seek opportunities to share Christ through personal relationships and everyday encounters. Limited responses should stir us to greater prayer, initiative, and perseverance in bringing the Gospel to others.

Go Where People Are

Our Lord commanded His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). His commission calls the church to carry the message of salvation into the world. We see this exemplified by Jesus, who not only taught in synagogues, but also preached beside the sea, along the road, and in homes. Even at Jacob’s well, Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman about God’s gift of salvation and revealed Himself as the promised Messiah (John 4:7–26). Such an ordinary encounter became a remarkable conversation about the woman’s sin, true worship, and salvation through Him.

Similarly, Paul reasoned “in the market daily with them that met with him” (Acts 17:17). In Philippi, he spoke to women gathered by the riverside (Acts 16:13), then proclaimed the Word of the Lord to the jailer and his household (Acts 16:30–32). In Caesarea, he spoke about faith in Christ before Felix and Drusilla (Acts 24:24–25). While under house arrest in Rome, he received visitors and taught them about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30–31). His witness extended from public places and homes to prisons and official audiences. No matter what our circumstances, we should seek opportunities to speak of Christ wherever God providentially places us.

The early Christians spread the Word through varied means, as God opened opportunities. The apostles taught publicly and “in every house” (Acts 5:42), while believers scattered by persecution “went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Philip proclaimed Christ to crowds in Samaria and later explained Scripture to a single Ethiopian traveller (Acts 8:5, 30–35). Some believers spoke to fellow Jews, while others carried the Gospel to Gentiles (Acts 11:19–21). Aquila and Priscilla welcomed Apollos and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). Whether addressing crowds, visiting homes, travelling, or speaking privately with individuals, they faithfully communicated God’s truth. Their example encourages us to make use of different circumstances and opportunities to present the Gospel to others.

Recognise the Responsibility of Every Believer

It is the responsibility of pastors and evangelists to proclaim the Word. However, personal witness is every believer’s responsibility. When persecution scattered the Jerusalem believers, “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4) while the apostles remained in Jerusalem. A believer might not preach to a congregation, but he can explain the Gospel to a neighbour. A mother may teach her children. A student may respond to a classmate’s questions about faith or the Bible. An employee may converse with a colleague during an appropriate break. We should not make the excuse, “I am not a preacher.” We should ask the Lord to help us speak faithfully according to the opportunities and abilities He gives.

Pray Earnestly for Particular People

Biblical evangelism is sustained by God, and we depend on Him through prayer. Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). Paul’s conviction that God has not forsaken His covenant nation strengthened his earnest prayer for sinners, particularly the unbelieving Jews.

We should pray specifically for unbelieving family members, neighbours, colleagues, and friends. Ask God to awaken their consciences, remove their prejudices, and grant them repentance and faith. Pray also for opportunities to speak and for courage to use them.

Paul requested prayer that utterance might be given to him, that he might open his mouth boldly to proclaim the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19). If the apostle sought such help, how much more should we! As we bear witness to Christ, we must be prayerful, because only God can give spiritual life.

Build Relationships Marked by Christian Love

Faithful evangelism involves a genuine concern for those who do not know Christ. Paul exhorts believers, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). Such wisdom should govern both our conduct and our conversations with unbelievers. We should show that we care about their lives, listen patiently to their concerns, and respond with compassion. Paul described his loving ministry among the Thessalonians: “we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). He gave himself sacrificially to those whom he taught. Likewise, our concern for others should be expressed by showing hospitality, offering assisting, and attending to their needs.

Such kindness must be sincere and continue even when people decline our invitations or show little interest in the Gospel. Their response should not determine whether we care for them. We must prayerfully look for other opportunities to explain their need of Christ and His saving grace.

Continue Beyond the First Conversation

Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that for three years he had warned people “night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). His ministry showed persistence, personal concern, and costly affection. One invitation or conversation is seldom enough. There may be questions that remain unanswered, or misunderstandings that require correction. Some people need repeated opportunities to hear and consider the truth.

When someone is willing, explain the Gospel or a passage of Scripture to him, answer his questions, or arrange for another conversation. Share a tract or sermon, then follow up with him. One’s faithful persistence should not become harassment or pressure. Respect a person’s refusal to continue, remain gracious, and be ready to speak when another opportunity arises. 

Explain the Gospel Clearly

Always be ready to present the Gospel clearly (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). We must also be ready to explain who God is, why sin brings guilt and judgment, and how Christ saves through His death and resurrection. Do not hesitate to call sinners to repentance and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

Micah 2:1—“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.”

Micah exposes the deliberate wickedness of powerful people in Judah. Instead of using the quiet hours of night to remember God, they plotted evil upon their beds. At daybreak, they carried out their schemes. The following verse identifies their crimes: coveting and seizing fields and houses, thereby oppressing families and taking their inheritance.

“Woe” announces divine judgment. Though these oppressors possessed enough influence to accomplish their desires, they remained accountable to the LORD. Their ability to commit injustice gave them no right to do so. God saw both their secret planning and their public actions.

The words “devise iniquity” remind us that sinful conduct often begins with cultivated thoughts. Covetousness, resentment, and selfish ambition can become settled intentions when entertained rather than confessed. We must therefore guard our hearts and bring our desires under Scripture’s authority.

“Because it is in the power of their hand” exposes their abuse of opportunity. Wealth, position, and influence should serve righteous purposes. Using them to exploit others invites God’s displeasure.

What occupies your mind when you lie awake? Do you nurture grievances, imagine revenge, or plan selfish gain? Turn to Christ for forgiveness and cleansing. Replace sinful schemes with prayerful consideration of how to honour God and help others. Let each morning find you ready to practise righteousness rather than yesterday’s carefully cherished sin.

Galatians 6:5—“For every man shall bear his own burden.”

Each of us is accountable to God for the life He has entrusted to us. Paul’s words remind us that we cannot discharge our responsibility by comparing ourselves with others or by relying on their faithfulness.

At first glance, this verse may seem to contradict Paul’s earlier command: “Bear ye one another’s burdens” (v. 2). There, he calls believers to help one another under the weight of trials and spiritual struggles. In verse 5, he emphasises each person’s own responsibility. Christian fellowship involves both willingly helping others and faithfully attending to our own duties before God.

This instruction follows the command to examine our own work (v. 4). Instead of finding satisfaction in another person’s weakness, we must consider how we ourselves are living. We cannot answer for another’s conduct, nor can another answer for ours. “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

This personal accountability does not mean we must bear life’s difficulties without help. We need the prayers, encouragement, and practical support of fellow believers. Above all, we depend on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who invites the weary to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28).

Let us therefore fulfil our responsibilities diligently, without pride or comparison. Let us also receive help with humility and offer it with love. As we bear our own responsibilities before God, may we remain ready to support others in theirs.

Galatians 6:4—“But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

It is easy to measure our spiritual lives against others. We may feel satisfied when we notice their weaknesses, or discouraged when their gifts seem greater than ours. Paul instead directs us to examine our own work.

The word “prove” means to test or examine. In the preceding verses, Paul warns against the self-deception of thinking too highly of ourselves (v. 3). His remedy is honest self-examination. Rather than using another person’s failure to make ourselves look better, we must consider our own conduct before God.

The standard for this examination is not our own opinion but God’s revealed will. Are we walking in the Spirit? Are we showing His fruit in our relationships? Are we helping to restore the fallen and bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 5:22–23; 6:1–2)?

Paul says that such a person may have “rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another”. This is not an invitation to boast of personal merit. It describes the quiet satisfaction of a life honestly examined, rather than the false confidence that comes from comparing ourselves with others. Any good found in us is the fruit of God’s grace, for without Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Let us, then, bring our thoughts, words, and actions before the Lord. Where His Word reveals sin, let us repent. Where His grace has brought about obedience, let us give Him thanks. Freed from prideful comparison, we can serve others with humility and joy.

Galatians 6:3—“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

Pride is a subtle and dangerous form of self-deception. A person may imagine himself spiritually superior to others, yet fail to recognise the sinfulness and weakness of his own heart. Paul warns that such a person deceives himself.

This warning follows the apostle’s instruction to restore a fallen brother “in the spirit of meekness” (v. 1) and to “bear ye one another’s burdens” (v. 2). An inflated opinion of ourselves makes us reluctant to do either. We may condemn those who stumble, as though we could never fall, or consider their burdens beneath our attention.

When Paul speaks of a man who thinks himself “to be something, when he is nothing”, he exposes the emptiness of self-importance. He does not deny that God has given His people gifts and responsibilities. Rather, he confronts the pride that claims credit for them and looks down upon others. Whatever grace or ability we possess comes from God. As Paul asks elsewhere, “what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Pride blinds us to our need for Christ and hinders our service to His people. The Gospel humbles us, for we are sinners saved by grace, not by our own merit (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Let us therefore examine ourselves honestly before God. When a brother falls or struggles, do we stand at a distance in judgment, or draw near in humble love? Remembering our own dependence upon the Lord, let us gently restore the fallen and willingly help those who are burdened.

Galatians 6:1—“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Paul follows his teaching on walking in the Spirit with an instruction concerning a fellow believer who falls into sin. Spiritual maturity reveals itself in how we respond to another’s failure. The works of the flesh include strife and envy; the fruit of the Spirit includes love, gentleness, and meekness. These graces must govern our efforts to help the fallen.

To be “overtaken in a fault” describes someone caught in a transgression. Paul neither minimises the offence nor permits the church to ignore it. He commands restoration. The word “restore” conveys putting something back into proper condition, as when mending a net. Our aim should be the sinner’s recovery to faithful obedience and fellowship.

“Ye which are spiritual” refers to those who walk under the Spirit’s direction and whose character bears His fruit. They must approach the erring brother “in the spirit of meekness.” Harshness, humiliation, and self-righteousness contradict this command. Gentle correction, however, must still speak truthfully about sin and call for repentance.

“Considering thyself” guards the helper against pride. We, too, are vulnerable to temptation and depend continually on God’s preserving grace.

When someone falls, resist gossip and contempt. Pray, approach humbly, and offer biblical counsel. Where appropriate, involve the church’s appointed shepherds. Seek restoration patiently, remembering how graciously Christ deals with you. Let His mercy shape how you correct others.

Romans 3:24—“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” 

Having declared that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (v. 23), Paul announces God’s gracious provision for guilty sinners. Those who cannot establish their own righteousness may be justified through Jesus Christ. Faith receives this blessing, as the surrounding verses repeatedly affirm.

To be “justified” is to be declared righteous before God. Justification does not mean that God overlooks sin or regards our imperfect obedience as sufficient. He pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous on the ground of Christ’s righteousness, imputed to us and received through faith alone.

We are justified “freely by his grace”. “Freely” excludes any payment or merit on our part; “grace” identifies God’s undeserved favour as its source. Neither religious ceremonies, moral achievements, nor works of charity can purchase this verdict. Even faith contributes no merit: it receives Christ and rests upon His finished work.

Yet what is free to us costs our Saviour. Justification comes “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. By shedding His blood, Christ paid the ransom for our deliverance from sin’s bondage and condemnation. His sacrifice satisfies divine justice, so that God remains just while justifying those who believe (vv. 25–26).

Therefore, abandon every attempt to earn God’s acceptance. Come to Christ empty-handed, trusting in His sufficient redemption. Let this grace silence boasting, comfort your troubled conscience, and move you to grateful obedience.

Romans 2:29—“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 

Religious privileges and outward observances cannot substitute for a heart renewed by God. Throughout Romans 2, Paul exposes the folly of possessing God’s law while disobeying its commands. Circumcision, though divinely appointed as a covenant sign, offered no protection from judgment to those who transgressed the law.

Against this background, Paul declares that true Jewish identity involves inward reality. Physical descent and the covenant sign must not be mistaken for personal faithfulness to God. The outward mark could distinguish a person before men, but it could neither cleanse his heart nor secure divine approval.

“Circumcision…of the heart” recalls God’s command to put away inward stubbornness (Deuteronomy 10:16) and His promise to circumcise His people’s hearts so that they would love Him (Deuteronomy 30:6). What sinners need is inward renewal through the Holy Spirit. Possessing the written law cannot produce this transformation on its own.

Such inward religion seeks praise from God rather than men's admiration. A person may impress others through biblical knowledge, public prayers, or scrupulous observance, while remaining proud and unrepentant before God.

Therefore, examine what lies beneath your religious profession. Baptism, church membership, and Christian upbringing are privileges, but none can replace the new birth. Have you repented and trusted in Christ? Does your private life reflect submission to His Word? Seek the Spirit’s renewing work, and live to please Him who searches every heart.