Few things destroy as easily as deceit. A relationship based on deceit is not a relationship. It destroys all trust, all love and all hope. Proverbs 15:4 says, “A deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” It destroys and consumes everyone involved. But what happens in self-deceit? The photographer Diane Arbus said, “Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.” That sounds eerily similar to Romans 1.
All men know God because God has made it known to them. God has been clearly seen since the creation of the world (v. 18-20). But this does not seem very close to reality. So is it true? The philosopher Nietzsche did not think so and boasted that, “God is dead.” Time magazine in 1966 did not think so in fact they claimed that “the basic premise of faith—the existence of a personal God, who created the world and sustains it with his love—is now subject to profound attack.” Some in the article even claim, “Personally, I’ve never been confronted with the question of God.” So who is right: Paul or Nietzsche?
Paul states that men suppress or hold back the truth by the means of their wickedness. It is our desire to rebel against God that drives us to damn up the river of evidence that God has revealed to us about himself. All humanity is self-deceived by our desire to live as our own masters. This comes so easily to us that we have no idea we are even doing it. That is why Paul says we are without excuse we know the truth but suppress it. This is our great rebellion—our great self-deception.
But God in his great mercy has given us grace through our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 5-6). He has renewed our minds while we were living in our self-deception. Now we belong to him and he is our only comfort in life and in death. We live in a time of great deception in fact history has always been that way. People will always deceive themselves because it is easy for them to do so. But it is in these times that God calls his church to be light to the truth of his grace.
Posted by Aaron Miner
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Colossians 4: Final Words
What would the apostle Paul write to his Church in Kennett Square? I would imagine that he would give some great praise. I would equally imagine that he would speak a few tough words as well. How would he end the letter? What last charge and encouragement would he say? I imagine it would have many similarities to his letters to the Colossians and to the Philippians.
“My beloved brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, continue in your work towards the poor and needy. You honor the Lord greatly in your service toward them. Continue to be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Continue to love your neighbor as your self.
But I plead with you to remain spotless from the world. The runaway culture of consumerism threatens to pull you from me and to trust in things not in me. Guard your heart and mind from these dangerous influences of media, advertising and peer pressure. Life is more than work, things and fame. Rather whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Finally, I rejoice greatly in the Lord for your concern for the church and for the needy and how your share in their trouble. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen”
Posted by Aaron Miner
“My beloved brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, continue in your work towards the poor and needy. You honor the Lord greatly in your service toward them. Continue to be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Continue to love your neighbor as your self.
But I plead with you to remain spotless from the world. The runaway culture of consumerism threatens to pull you from me and to trust in things not in me. Guard your heart and mind from these dangerous influences of media, advertising and peer pressure. Life is more than work, things and fame. Rather whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Finally, I rejoice greatly in the Lord for your concern for the church and for the needy and how your share in their trouble. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen”
Posted by Aaron Miner
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Colossians 3: The Vision for the Christian Life
For most of us, our capacity to sing is fit for lonely places and showers. Our voices sound particularly sweet when we sing quietly and we are the only ones hearing it. However, If somehow magically gave one of us the natural talent of a world class singer, it wouldn’t necessarily be the ticket to stardom. See, we may have the talent by nature, yet our habits of practicing solely in the shower and mistreating our voices would remain. This gives us insight into the Paul sees the Christian life. I hope you are getting a sense of the vision that Paul has regarding the Christian life This chapter gives possibly the clearest picture.
Each person has been created with beauty, nobility, power and glory inherent in their nature. Yet, all men and women are born into a kingdom that was broken in the fall and ruled by rulers and principalities of darkness. This Kingdom has its own values and practices. The DNA of this kingdom is handed down from Adam and Eve and the practices are learned throughout life.
Jesus’ resurrection is the decisive blow of the Kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness. Now, the Holy Spirit unites Christians to the power, victory and new life of the resurrection. We are given a new nature that is not bound to sin but longs for righteousness. Like the one with the natural ability to sing, we now have the(super) natural ability live righteously.
This chapter shows us how we do it. We starve the old man (flesh, old life, etc) and we feed the new man. We break our practices that belonged to our earthly nature and we put on practices that belong to our new nature. Like the singer who really could sing with the kind of practice, we too can truly live if we take the opportunity to learn to live the new life.
What stood out as you read Colossians 3? It is a good habit to pick out one imperative to consider today and to apply in your life. Remember though. Apply it NOT to earn your approval but as ones who have been raised with Christ and as ones who ARE God’s chosen, dearly loved people.
Each person has been created with beauty, nobility, power and glory inherent in their nature. Yet, all men and women are born into a kingdom that was broken in the fall and ruled by rulers and principalities of darkness. This Kingdom has its own values and practices. The DNA of this kingdom is handed down from Adam and Eve and the practices are learned throughout life.
Jesus’ resurrection is the decisive blow of the Kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness. Now, the Holy Spirit unites Christians to the power, victory and new life of the resurrection. We are given a new nature that is not bound to sin but longs for righteousness. Like the one with the natural ability to sing, we now have the(super) natural ability live righteously.
This chapter shows us how we do it. We starve the old man (flesh, old life, etc) and we feed the new man. We break our practices that belonged to our earthly nature and we put on practices that belong to our new nature. Like the singer who really could sing with the kind of practice, we too can truly live if we take the opportunity to learn to live the new life.
What stood out as you read Colossians 3? It is a good habit to pick out one imperative to consider today and to apply in your life. Remember though. Apply it NOT to earn your approval but as ones who have been raised with Christ and as ones who ARE God’s chosen, dearly loved people.
Colossians 2: Deception versus Truth
Thanksgiving dinner is on the table with all the fixings. The turkey with its golden brown skin and tender meat is ready to be carved. The mashed potatoes are whipped into a creamy perfection and the cranberry sauce is the kind with whole berries just as it should be. Everything is perfect until the host explains that there is just a touch of arsenic in the gravy, but to go ahead and enjoy. Since it is mostly gravy everything should be fine. In the same way deception is often found in small doses mixed into what was once truth.
This is the same message we get from the world and spiritual powers of the world, as well as the warning we read in Colossians 2. Just like the arsenic makes all the gravy poisonous, so does a little deception makes truth a lie. There are examples of this all around us.
- God made us in his image and yet we pervert the beauty of God’s creation. We simply need to look at Hollywood or magazine covers to see this deception.
- God calls us to be good stewards and we pervert that truth by hoarding wealth on Earth.
- God calls us to work hard. So we set out to live an example at work only to come home and find a neglected family.
Segments of truth are taken and perverted or simply stacked out of balance so that truth is no longer truth but deception.
What traditions or worldly teachings have perverted truth and caused you to fall off course? Are you consumed with thoughts of your 401k rather than the truth of Jehovah Jira? It is easy to see how we could fall prey to such deception. What a privilege it is that we get to celebrate this Thanksgiving knowing the God of absolute truth. The truth is our savior being fully God and fully man, died to pay our debt to sin and rose from the grave to reign forever. That is the absolute truth we can hold in knowing Christ as our savior.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Colossians 1: A Reminder
As Paul starts his letter to the Colossians two things strike me.
1) his love for these people
2) his love for the God’s gospel
In fact I would say that he shows his love to the Colossians through the gospel. It seems strange to me that Paul commends them that the gospel is bearing fruit among them in the opening verses since he retells the gospel to them in verses 15-23 . Normally when I tell someone “good job” I don’t also take the time to explain to them again how the job works. Instead I assume that they’ve mastered the basics and challenge them with something tougher. Paul takes the time to explain how the gospel works. He moves on to other tough issues in Colossians but it’s awesome that he starts with the basics again. He lays the groundwork lest anything become distorted over time in the Colossians’ minds.
I think I should do this more often. I should remind myself of the groundwork. I need to remind myself of the firm foundation God went to extreme ends to build for me. When times are good I often find myself forgetting how desperate my situation was without Christ. When times are tough I often find myself focusing on how to fix my situation. What happens when I keep in focus that Jesus is the image of the invisible God who reconciled me to present me holy in God’s sight? …amazing things like peace, boldness, joy, and compassion.
Posted by Danny Hess
1) his love for these people
2) his love for the God’s gospel
In fact I would say that he shows his love to the Colossians through the gospel. It seems strange to me that Paul commends them that the gospel is bearing fruit among them in the opening verses since he retells the gospel to them in verses 15-23 . Normally when I tell someone “good job” I don’t also take the time to explain to them again how the job works. Instead I assume that they’ve mastered the basics and challenge them with something tougher. Paul takes the time to explain how the gospel works. He moves on to other tough issues in Colossians but it’s awesome that he starts with the basics again. He lays the groundwork lest anything become distorted over time in the Colossians’ minds.
I think I should do this more often. I should remind myself of the groundwork. I need to remind myself of the firm foundation God went to extreme ends to build for me. When times are good I often find myself forgetting how desperate my situation was without Christ. When times are tough I often find myself focusing on how to fix my situation. What happens when I keep in focus that Jesus is the image of the invisible God who reconciled me to present me holy in God’s sight? …amazing things like peace, boldness, joy, and compassion.
Posted by Danny Hess
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Philippians 4: True Joy
How do you feel about all the holiday cheer we’re starting to hear? Does it put you in the Christmas spirit; or does it sound a little flat this year?
For many people, happiness is entirely circumstantial. When times are good, they feel good. When times are bad, they feel bad. But the Gospel offers a different kind of happiness. It’s called joy. Joy transcends circumstances because it is founded on the reality of a relationship with Christ—a relationship that is unshakable and enduring.
Philippians 4 shows us at least four ways to keep our joy even when circumstances conspire to take it away.
First, be agreeable in the midst of conflict. Euodia and Syntyche were two important women in Philippi who clashed. Paul calls them to be like-minded and agreeable because the Lord is near. He is in each of them, and in their fellowship, and that’s cause enough to come together.
Second, be prayerful in the face of problems. Turn your anxiety into piety. The fact that God hears and draws near when we pray will settle your heart, maintain your peace of mind, and preserve your joy.
Third, be virtuous in a world of wickedness. Verses 8-9 address our “thought-style,” which should be pure and noble. While degraded living is built on degraded thinking, a positive and joyful life consists largely in keeping these virtues in the center of your imagination.
Fourth, be content in changing circumstances. The assertion that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is not a mantra for the ambitious, but a reality for the anxious. When times are tough; when we face scarcity and adversity, it’s tempting to despair. But Paul reminds us that we live in Christ, and Christ lives in us, and therefore we can endure all things through Him. And we can do it with joy! After all, if Christ could endure the cross “for the joy set before him,” we can endure whatever comes our way in the same spirit.
Posted by Greg
For many people, happiness is entirely circumstantial. When times are good, they feel good. When times are bad, they feel bad. But the Gospel offers a different kind of happiness. It’s called joy. Joy transcends circumstances because it is founded on the reality of a relationship with Christ—a relationship that is unshakable and enduring.
Philippians 4 shows us at least four ways to keep our joy even when circumstances conspire to take it away.
First, be agreeable in the midst of conflict. Euodia and Syntyche were two important women in Philippi who clashed. Paul calls them to be like-minded and agreeable because the Lord is near. He is in each of them, and in their fellowship, and that’s cause enough to come together.
Second, be prayerful in the face of problems. Turn your anxiety into piety. The fact that God hears and draws near when we pray will settle your heart, maintain your peace of mind, and preserve your joy.
Third, be virtuous in a world of wickedness. Verses 8-9 address our “thought-style,” which should be pure and noble. While degraded living is built on degraded thinking, a positive and joyful life consists largely in keeping these virtues in the center of your imagination.
Fourth, be content in changing circumstances. The assertion that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is not a mantra for the ambitious, but a reality for the anxious. When times are tough; when we face scarcity and adversity, it’s tempting to despair. But Paul reminds us that we live in Christ, and Christ lives in us, and therefore we can endure all things through Him. And we can do it with joy! After all, if Christ could endure the cross “for the joy set before him,” we can endure whatever comes our way in the same spirit.
Posted by Greg
Monday, November 24, 2008
Philippians 3: Natural in friendship
Friendships and relationships generally begin with a merit-like approach. ‘I like this person because I think we can relate. They are impressive in such and such ways… I would generally benefit from being around that person.’ And so, early on in a friendship we tend to want to make sure we are presenting ourselves as reasonable candidates for friendship. That doesn’t mean that honesty isn’t a part of that process, in fact, it is essential for the growth of the friendship. Yet, it is difficult to not consider the merits that you bring to a relationship as it progresses through its early stages. This really is inevitable in day to day friendships where self-revelation is a process. This is where relationship with God is different—revealing ourselves to God isn’t necessary.
Paul had every reason to think that he had merits that made him a worthy friend of God. His Jewish resume as described in vv 4-6 would be difficult to compete with. We too may have merits that might make us think that we are worthy of a relationship with God—volunteer at church, generous giver, extra-ordinary suffering in life, we read the Bible for Everyday faithfully (editor’s note: that makes you worthy of my friendship at least J). Paul looks at these merits and recognizes that to hold these things up to God is insulting. Our achievements are laughable compared to his standards and to cling to them is a mockery of his grace. Friendship that is driven by this kind of merit is more entourage than it is relationship.
When Paul is able to release the clutch he has on proving himself in the relationship (a righteousness of his own v. 9), he is able to appreciate the genuine affection and approval that Christ offers Him. And, Paul is able to stop his need to posture before God and can genuinely take interests in the interests of Christ. Now his concern is to know Christ, experience his power and share in his sufferings. This is the natural course of a friendship.
Friendship however is a limiting motif to understand a relationship with Christ. Jesus is also a Captain that goes ahead of us and models a life for us to follow. So Paul describes to us that this life of honest friendship, and sold out posture-less commitment requires training and straining into a new pattern of life (13-14, 17). Yet, even as we seek to attain that new pattern of life, the power and credit still come from the one who will transform our lowly bodies into his new glorious body(21).
Posted by Marc
Paul had every reason to think that he had merits that made him a worthy friend of God. His Jewish resume as described in vv 4-6 would be difficult to compete with. We too may have merits that might make us think that we are worthy of a relationship with God—volunteer at church, generous giver, extra-ordinary suffering in life, we read the Bible for Everyday faithfully (editor’s note: that makes you worthy of my friendship at least J). Paul looks at these merits and recognizes that to hold these things up to God is insulting. Our achievements are laughable compared to his standards and to cling to them is a mockery of his grace. Friendship that is driven by this kind of merit is more entourage than it is relationship.
When Paul is able to release the clutch he has on proving himself in the relationship (a righteousness of his own v. 9), he is able to appreciate the genuine affection and approval that Christ offers Him. And, Paul is able to stop his need to posture before God and can genuinely take interests in the interests of Christ. Now his concern is to know Christ, experience his power and share in his sufferings. This is the natural course of a friendship.
Friendship however is a limiting motif to understand a relationship with Christ. Jesus is also a Captain that goes ahead of us and models a life for us to follow. So Paul describes to us that this life of honest friendship, and sold out posture-less commitment requires training and straining into a new pattern of life (13-14, 17). Yet, even as we seek to attain that new pattern of life, the power and credit still come from the one who will transform our lowly bodies into his new glorious body(21).
Posted by Marc
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Philippians 2: A Journey Together
If we are a part of this grand epic of what God is doing in the world through his beloved Church than what is our job? How do we walk this path?
Paul writes to the Philippians to be like minded, have the same love, and be one in spirit and purpose (v. 2). In addition, they are to do nothing out of selfish ambition, to be humble and to look out of the interests of others (v. 3-4). But let’s be honest, this is not easy or natural. And it can appear eerily similar to being simply self-help. Go and do, you’ll be okay. But that doesn’t work at best it only masks the problems. So what hope do we have?
Our hope in living out the Christian journey is found in verse 1. Paul asks four rhetorical questions. These four questions are interconnected and form a whole thought which forms the basis on which we are actually able to live out what Paul desires us too.
Paul writes to the Philippians to be like minded, have the same love, and be one in spirit and purpose (v. 2). In addition, they are to do nothing out of selfish ambition, to be humble and to look out of the interests of others (v. 3-4). But let’s be honest, this is not easy or natural. And it can appear eerily similar to being simply self-help. Go and do, you’ll be okay. But that doesn’t work at best it only masks the problems. So what hope do we have?
Our hope in living out the Christian journey is found in verse 1. Paul asks four rhetorical questions. These four questions are interconnected and form a whole thought which forms the basis on which we are actually able to live out what Paul desires us too.
- If we receive any encouragement, comfort or hope from our deep personal relationship-union with Christ then we can live this way.
- If Christ’s love toward us gives us comfort and solace then we are able to love others with that same love because his love moves us to action.
- If you have the Holy Spirit then you are tied to other believers in a fellowship of believers by means of the Holy Spirit.
- If you have experienced the affection and compassion of Christ then we have tasted a piece of the final victory.
These realities enable us to walk in unity, humility and love. Paul urges us to do these things because we already are these things. We just need to train ourselves to walk in them. Our motivation is God’s love for us. The characters in epics struggled and fought because they loved something or someone. Nobody sacrifices something dear and precious out of selfishness. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). So let us journey together on this grand epic in love and grace.
Posted by Aaron
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Philippians 1: An Epic of Love
How would you define an epic? Have you ever been a part of one or know of someone who was? When most people think of epics stories, they think of stories like the Odyssey, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Harry Potter. Epics by nature are larger than life, grand struggles between good and evil. We yearn to be a part of something greater than ourselves, something larger than life, but we only really get a glimpse of them in literature or movies. Or do we?
Paul begins to write to his beloved Philippians with this great prayer pouring out his heart to them (v. 3-11). Out of this love, Paul wants to encourage them that the suffering he is facing is for the benefit of the gospel and for them and for the church (v. 12, 18-20). His love for the Philippians and for the church compels him to struggle for the gospel. For Paul this is the epic of the gospel, which God has been fighting since the Fall in Genesis chapter 3. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He calls the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ so that they would stand firm against the all opposition (v. 27). It has been granted to us to receive not just salvation but also to receive our sufferings for Christ’s sake. We too are called into this grand epic of the gospel of Christ.
Towards the end of the movie The Two Towers, Frodo, one of the main characters of the story, tells his friend Sam, that he can’t go on. Sam responds, “Do you remember the tales that really mattered; full of darkness and danger; where you didn’t want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end the darkness passes, the new day comes and when the sun shines it shines even clearer…”
This is a picture of our struggle in this grand epic of the gospel of Christ. The powers against God’s people seem far too great and far too strong. The world appears so hopeless when we see those we love in rebellion against God. Our lives are marked at times with great trial and suffering. This is our part of the epic. But Christ defeated these powers, victory has been won and we must never give up. Paul’s love drove him to fight for the church as Christ’s love for us drove him to the cross. We too can love, persevere and fight for the church because Christ loves us, fought for us and is faithful to us.
Posted by Aaron
Paul begins to write to his beloved Philippians with this great prayer pouring out his heart to them (v. 3-11). Out of this love, Paul wants to encourage them that the suffering he is facing is for the benefit of the gospel and for them and for the church (v. 12, 18-20). His love for the Philippians and for the church compels him to struggle for the gospel. For Paul this is the epic of the gospel, which God has been fighting since the Fall in Genesis chapter 3. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He calls the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ so that they would stand firm against the all opposition (v. 27). It has been granted to us to receive not just salvation but also to receive our sufferings for Christ’s sake. We too are called into this grand epic of the gospel of Christ.
Towards the end of the movie The Two Towers, Frodo, one of the main characters of the story, tells his friend Sam, that he can’t go on. Sam responds, “Do you remember the tales that really mattered; full of darkness and danger; where you didn’t want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end the darkness passes, the new day comes and when the sun shines it shines even clearer…”
This is a picture of our struggle in this grand epic of the gospel of Christ. The powers against God’s people seem far too great and far too strong. The world appears so hopeless when we see those we love in rebellion against God. Our lives are marked at times with great trial and suffering. This is our part of the epic. But Christ defeated these powers, victory has been won and we must never give up. Paul’s love drove him to fight for the church as Christ’s love for us drove him to the cross. We too can love, persevere and fight for the church because Christ loves us, fought for us and is faithful to us.
Posted by Aaron
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ephesians 6--Ready for Battle
There is a clear pattern for me when it comes to this passage. When I am close to the front lines of the battle for God’s Kingdom, the truths of this passage in vv 10-20 make so much sense. When I am making decisions that will dent the Kingdom of darkness, I feel the effects if I am not prepared for battle. However, when I am not near the battle lines, I feel the cultural distance of this passage.
Let’s face it. “Armor of God” doesn’t fit with our western sentiments. It makes a ton of sense outside of the west where people see things much more through spiritual lenses. However we wear lenses in our glasses that were developed out of enlightenment thinking and modern philosophy. Our lenses are shaped by philosophical forces from the 17th century that suggests that the only things we can know for certain are the things that we can see and touch and that they are the only true forces within reality. Kant, Hume and other philosophers didn’t deny a spiritual world, but basically paved a cement ceiling between this world and any other—and so effectively turned the attention of our thinking towards measurement and evaluation based upon naturalistic and tangible realities. Products of their thought are Marxism, liberal theology that discounts God’s ability to speak through scripture, as well as feelings-based Christianity.
In contrast to that, we are to arm ourselves everyday against the devil’s schemes against us. We are to take our stand and recognize that our spiritual lives are a struggle against the Kingdom of Darkness in the heavenly realms. On one hand, this can be encouraging to us, for if we find a certain struggle in our faith, it may mean that we are living our lives in such a way that it is bringing upon the opposition of God’s mortal enemy. In a sense, the struggle (the right ones) may indicate to us that we are right where we are supposed to be. This passage reminds us that as we follow Christ, we will be opposed as he was opposed. This helps teach us to wage that battle as Christ did.
On the other hand, if our spiritual lives present no struggle at all, we should ask if our lives are presenting any threat to the Kingdom of Darkness. Could it be that the devil’s scheme in the materialistic lie of modern philosophy has already had such a corralling impact on you that he has you where he wants you—safely distant from the battle lines? If you do not believe in him, he has no need to draw out any other schemes against you and risk alerting you to himself and his opposition to you. Or
A final note--You are not called to win in the battle against Satan. This passage calls you to simply stand firm in your faith when the day of evil comes. The battle has already been won by Jesus in his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54-57). We can make our stand in confidence that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” (Ro 16:20).
Or to quote an Irish poet, “And the battle has just begun, to claim the victory Jesus won.”
Let’s face it. “Armor of God” doesn’t fit with our western sentiments. It makes a ton of sense outside of the west where people see things much more through spiritual lenses. However we wear lenses in our glasses that were developed out of enlightenment thinking and modern philosophy. Our lenses are shaped by philosophical forces from the 17th century that suggests that the only things we can know for certain are the things that we can see and touch and that they are the only true forces within reality. Kant, Hume and other philosophers didn’t deny a spiritual world, but basically paved a cement ceiling between this world and any other—and so effectively turned the attention of our thinking towards measurement and evaluation based upon naturalistic and tangible realities. Products of their thought are Marxism, liberal theology that discounts God’s ability to speak through scripture, as well as feelings-based Christianity.
In contrast to that, we are to arm ourselves everyday against the devil’s schemes against us. We are to take our stand and recognize that our spiritual lives are a struggle against the Kingdom of Darkness in the heavenly realms. On one hand, this can be encouraging to us, for if we find a certain struggle in our faith, it may mean that we are living our lives in such a way that it is bringing upon the opposition of God’s mortal enemy. In a sense, the struggle (the right ones) may indicate to us that we are right where we are supposed to be. This passage reminds us that as we follow Christ, we will be opposed as he was opposed. This helps teach us to wage that battle as Christ did.
On the other hand, if our spiritual lives present no struggle at all, we should ask if our lives are presenting any threat to the Kingdom of Darkness. Could it be that the devil’s scheme in the materialistic lie of modern philosophy has already had such a corralling impact on you that he has you where he wants you—safely distant from the battle lines? If you do not believe in him, he has no need to draw out any other schemes against you and risk alerting you to himself and his opposition to you. Or
A final note--You are not called to win in the battle against Satan. This passage calls you to simply stand firm in your faith when the day of evil comes. The battle has already been won by Jesus in his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54-57). We can make our stand in confidence that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet.” (Ro 16:20).
Or to quote an Irish poet, “And the battle has just begun, to claim the victory Jesus won.”
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Ephesians 5: God My Father
I drive with my wrist and the funny thing is I never realized it until someone pointed it out to me one day. I drive with my wrist because my father drives with his wrist and I am my father’s son. Similarly, I often miss the ramifications of being God’s child. How many children turn out to be so much like their parents just by the nature of the relationship? I see much of my own father in me whom I tried so hard to please as a child growing up. I took on much of his character simply by spending time with him and trying to please him. Is this true of our relationship with God? Do we spend enough intimate time with God that we start to naturally become like him?
Paul then calls us to live a life of love just as Christ did. This changes my perspective to action. This is not about just my relationship with God, but it affects the way I treat others. Christ gave his life so that God would receive honor and glory. I don’t know if any of us will be called to lay our life down in a single moment like Christ did, but I know I am called to lay down my life every day. What does that look like in our daily routine? Is my life a pleasing aroma to God?
Paul takes the rest of the chapter to lay out some instruction on how to live our lives so that we are a pleasing aroma to God, but it starts with us being child-like imitators. I could never say it any better than how Eugene Peterson says it in The Message.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Only by spending intimate time with God can I imitate God, and “Love like that”.
Posted By Jim
Paul then calls us to live a life of love just as Christ did. This changes my perspective to action. This is not about just my relationship with God, but it affects the way I treat others. Christ gave his life so that God would receive honor and glory. I don’t know if any of us will be called to lay our life down in a single moment like Christ did, but I know I am called to lay down my life every day. What does that look like in our daily routine? Is my life a pleasing aroma to God?
Paul takes the rest of the chapter to lay out some instruction on how to live our lives so that we are a pleasing aroma to God, but it starts with us being child-like imitators. I could never say it any better than how Eugene Peterson says it in The Message.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Only by spending intimate time with God can I imitate God, and “Love like that”.
Posted By Jim
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Ephesians 4: New Creation
What a challenging chapter! I’d challenge you to reread the first three verses and the end of the chapter starting at verse 25. These verses remind me of 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The first three verses are the new that’s coming: patience, gentleness, humility, etc. The last verses speak of throwing away the old: malice, falsehood, bitterness, etc.
It’s not a job for the immature that is for sure. Verses 14-16 look at the fact that we need not be infants any longer in our faith. If we want to be no longer blown around we need to build ourselves up in love. This means putting off that old self and continually putting on the new self. Can you image how much better life would be when patience reigns over bitterness and gentleness over malice?
Guess what? It’s not just our quality of life that is at sake here either. Verses 10-13 & 16 remind us that the whole body of Christ is in this. We work together and use our gifts. We build each other up in love. As Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I’m encouraged that you are reading blog and spending time in God’s word. As we continually spend time with God we will naturally be transformed more into God’s likeness.
Posted by Danny
It’s not a job for the immature that is for sure. Verses 14-16 look at the fact that we need not be infants any longer in our faith. If we want to be no longer blown around we need to build ourselves up in love. This means putting off that old self and continually putting on the new self. Can you image how much better life would be when patience reigns over bitterness and gentleness over malice?
Guess what? It’s not just our quality of life that is at sake here either. Verses 10-13 & 16 remind us that the whole body of Christ is in this. We work together and use our gifts. We build each other up in love. As Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I’m encouraged that you are reading blog and spending time in God’s word. As we continually spend time with God we will naturally be transformed more into God’s likeness.
Posted by Danny
Ephesians 3: Our Significance
So, how does it feel to be part of the most important organization in the history of the world? Are you feeling good today?
You have plenty of reasons to. After all, you’re part of the church.
You’re not a member of the World Champion Phillies. You’re not on the faculty of Harvard. You’re not the principle violinist of the New York Philharmonic. You’re not an oil sheik with OPEC.
You’re significance is far greater. Your stage is far larger. Your stock is far more valuable. You’re part of the church.
Ephesians 3 tells us that the mystery of God’s eternal plan has been revealed in the church. That is, that Jews and Gentiles alike are the objects of God’s love, and have together become shareholders in all the promises of God. So God’s incredible salvation is now on display, and we are that display! The church is God’s showcase, his “wisdom exhibit,” showing the whole universe just how smart a savior he is.
That fact drives Paul to prayer. He just wants you to know who you are in Christ. He wants you to feel the power of God’s Spirit within you; to be rooted deeply in God’s love; to somehow grasp the ungraspable and be filled with the immeasurable. He wants you full of God, pulsating with confidence and radiating glory.
So meditate deeply on God’s love today. Then his showcase will shine. Then his display will dazzle.
Posted by Greg
You have plenty of reasons to. After all, you’re part of the church.
You’re not a member of the World Champion Phillies. You’re not on the faculty of Harvard. You’re not the principle violinist of the New York Philharmonic. You’re not an oil sheik with OPEC.
You’re significance is far greater. Your stage is far larger. Your stock is far more valuable. You’re part of the church.
Ephesians 3 tells us that the mystery of God’s eternal plan has been revealed in the church. That is, that Jews and Gentiles alike are the objects of God’s love, and have together become shareholders in all the promises of God. So God’s incredible salvation is now on display, and we are that display! The church is God’s showcase, his “wisdom exhibit,” showing the whole universe just how smart a savior he is.
That fact drives Paul to prayer. He just wants you to know who you are in Christ. He wants you to feel the power of God’s Spirit within you; to be rooted deeply in God’s love; to somehow grasp the ungraspable and be filled with the immeasurable. He wants you full of God, pulsating with confidence and radiating glory.
So meditate deeply on God’s love today. Then his showcase will shine. Then his display will dazzle.
Posted by Greg
Monday, November 17, 2008
Ephesians 2: Grasp this
“I pray that you may have power to grasp…” (3:16)
This chapter hold out almost every aspect of the believer’s experience of meeting God through Jesus Christ by faith in the gospel. Paul will pray in the next chapter that the believer’s have power to grasp all these dimensions of Christ’s love. The truths are as follows:
· We were dead in our trespasses and sins. We had submitted ourselves to the kingdom of this world, were submitting ourselves to its rules in thought and in deed; and were therefore enemies of God and objects of his wrath.
· Jesus himself takes the wrath instead of us (1:7) God who was rich in mercy made us, who have faith in Jesus, alive. We bring nothing to the table. If we did, we could boast.
· God has given us a new heavenly identity and a new heavenly destiny (5-7). This changes everything.
· Out of our new heavenly identity and on our way to our heavenly destiny, God has already prepared good works for us to do (10). We are his workmanship. He has made us to be a new creation that would do his work in remaking this world.
· The blood of Christ is the effective end of any hostility that can be held between any races. If Jesus can die and show grace to reunite enemies to his father, there is a solution for every racial problem. In that day, it was the divide between Jews and Gentiles (11-18).
· All people can now pray to the father—a royal priesthood- through the Spirit (18).
· Believers are throughout the world being made into a new living temple stretching to every culture in every place through every time in order to demonstrate a living body of people who would bring the rightful praise to God the Father and Jesus the Christ. Each person who is united to Christ by faith is a piece of the wall of this temple that stretches throughout the world and is united and held together by the very Spirit of God. This temple can never be defiled because is cleansed by the once and for all blood of Jesus Christ and kept holy by the Holy Spirit who dwells there (19-22).
Oh, for strength to grasp that…
Posted by Marc
This chapter hold out almost every aspect of the believer’s experience of meeting God through Jesus Christ by faith in the gospel. Paul will pray in the next chapter that the believer’s have power to grasp all these dimensions of Christ’s love. The truths are as follows:
· We were dead in our trespasses and sins. We had submitted ourselves to the kingdom of this world, were submitting ourselves to its rules in thought and in deed; and were therefore enemies of God and objects of his wrath.
· Jesus himself takes the wrath instead of us (1:7) God who was rich in mercy made us, who have faith in Jesus, alive. We bring nothing to the table. If we did, we could boast.
· God has given us a new heavenly identity and a new heavenly destiny (5-7). This changes everything.
· Out of our new heavenly identity and on our way to our heavenly destiny, God has already prepared good works for us to do (10). We are his workmanship. He has made us to be a new creation that would do his work in remaking this world.
· The blood of Christ is the effective end of any hostility that can be held between any races. If Jesus can die and show grace to reunite enemies to his father, there is a solution for every racial problem. In that day, it was the divide between Jews and Gentiles (11-18).
· All people can now pray to the father—a royal priesthood- through the Spirit (18).
· Believers are throughout the world being made into a new living temple stretching to every culture in every place through every time in order to demonstrate a living body of people who would bring the rightful praise to God the Father and Jesus the Christ. Each person who is united to Christ by faith is a piece of the wall of this temple that stretches throughout the world and is united and held together by the very Spirit of God. This temple can never be defiled because is cleansed by the once and for all blood of Jesus Christ and kept holy by the Holy Spirit who dwells there (19-22).
Oh, for strength to grasp that…
Posted by Marc
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Ephesians 1: Our Spiritual Blessings
What does the Christian life look like? It is often presented as two extremes: continual fight, struggle and submission, or a bountiful utopia of blessing and joy. Which one is correct? Or can they both touch on important aspects of the Christian life. We must remember that the God gives us great blessings because he loves to, but he also gives us discipline, sufferings and work to do.
Galatians, which dealt with a specific controversy in the church, has a very different tone than Ephesians. Paul begins Galatians rebuking them, but he starts Ephesians off discussing the spiritual blessing that we have in Christ. So what are some of these blessings? The first blessing is an often debated topic in verses 4-5, lest we get sidetracked on theological issues, let’s summarize it as that salvation is of God so that we Christians are no longer our own but belong to our savior Jesus Christ. Secondly, our sins are forgiven according to the wealth of his grace which he lavishes upon us (v. 7-8). Thirdly, we have an inheritance of which the Holy Spirit is the guarantee until we acquire it in its fullness when Christ returns (v. 11-14). These blessings center around our relationship with God in Christ and that Christ himself is our greatest blessing.
So what is the middle ground between the struggle and the blessings? We have a hope founded on the riches of our inheritance in Christ (v. 18) and the greatness of God’s power (v. 19). The power gives us the ability to live for Christ and suffer with him while also giving us joy and strength during the good times. This hope however is an installment of the ultimate fulfillment that we receive when Christ returns. We have then a future hope but also hope for the present.
Posted by Aaron
Galatians, which dealt with a specific controversy in the church, has a very different tone than Ephesians. Paul begins Galatians rebuking them, but he starts Ephesians off discussing the spiritual blessing that we have in Christ. So what are some of these blessings? The first blessing is an often debated topic in verses 4-5, lest we get sidetracked on theological issues, let’s summarize it as that salvation is of God so that we Christians are no longer our own but belong to our savior Jesus Christ. Secondly, our sins are forgiven according to the wealth of his grace which he lavishes upon us (v. 7-8). Thirdly, we have an inheritance of which the Holy Spirit is the guarantee until we acquire it in its fullness when Christ returns (v. 11-14). These blessings center around our relationship with God in Christ and that Christ himself is our greatest blessing.
So what is the middle ground between the struggle and the blessings? We have a hope founded on the riches of our inheritance in Christ (v. 18) and the greatness of God’s power (v. 19). The power gives us the ability to live for Christ and suffer with him while also giving us joy and strength during the good times. This hope however is an installment of the ultimate fulfillment that we receive when Christ returns. We have then a future hope but also hope for the present.
Posted by Aaron
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Galatians 6: Community and Brotherhood
The movie Castaway brings up an interesting question: What would do if you were stuck by yourself on a deserted island? Could you survive without anyone else? For some it might be heaven, for at least a little while. However, Genesis 1-3 puts humanity solely in the category of needing community; both within a family structure but also with a larger societal structure. Why do immigrants seek out other immigrants from their homeland? They need the support from the community to survive.
When God created humanity, he made us for the purpose of being in relation to him—the vertical—but also horizontally in relation to other people. In Galatians 6, Paul touches on proper horizontal relationships when he exhorts the Galatians to live in such a way that they restore those captive to sin (v. 1) and bear each other’s burdens (v. 2). Paul breaks down the idea of boasting—setting themselves up as a means of comparison to boast about (v. 3-4). Constantly comparing yourself to your neighbor does not build community but often leads only to jealousy and bitterness. Instead, Christians are to live their lives in such a way that sows the grace and love of Christ to others and thus reap eternal life (v. 8-9). Let us then do good to everyone—especially those in the church (v. 10). Living in community comes with obligations and rewards. God calls us to love each other, but somehow in our families and in our churches this becomes incredibly difficult. So how do we live this way?
Our first step is to have a deep, personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot mistake receiving the benefits of being in a church and being involved in church as a replacement for loving and trusting in Christ personally. Out of this vertical relationship all other relationships flow. As we are conformed to Christ’s image our relationships with others begin to change and we become more gracious, patient and loving. Secondly, we must practice gracious corporate living. The grace we receive from Christ is the grace we must give. Only in community are we truly living the Christian life—there are no Christian hermits or lone rangers. Our interactions with other Christians give us encouragement and strength to face our burdens that we face. As we help carry the burdens of those around us God begins to change us and we conformed into Christ’s image.
Posted By Aaron
When God created humanity, he made us for the purpose of being in relation to him—the vertical—but also horizontally in relation to other people. In Galatians 6, Paul touches on proper horizontal relationships when he exhorts the Galatians to live in such a way that they restore those captive to sin (v. 1) and bear each other’s burdens (v. 2). Paul breaks down the idea of boasting—setting themselves up as a means of comparison to boast about (v. 3-4). Constantly comparing yourself to your neighbor does not build community but often leads only to jealousy and bitterness. Instead, Christians are to live their lives in such a way that sows the grace and love of Christ to others and thus reap eternal life (v. 8-9). Let us then do good to everyone—especially those in the church (v. 10). Living in community comes with obligations and rewards. God calls us to love each other, but somehow in our families and in our churches this becomes incredibly difficult. So how do we live this way?
Our first step is to have a deep, personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot mistake receiving the benefits of being in a church and being involved in church as a replacement for loving and trusting in Christ personally. Out of this vertical relationship all other relationships flow. As we are conformed to Christ’s image our relationships with others begin to change and we become more gracious, patient and loving. Secondly, we must practice gracious corporate living. The grace we receive from Christ is the grace we must give. Only in community are we truly living the Christian life—there are no Christian hermits or lone rangers. Our interactions with other Christians give us encouragement and strength to face our burdens that we face. As we help carry the burdens of those around us God begins to change us and we conformed into Christ’s image.
Posted By Aaron
Friday, November 14, 2008
Galatians 5: All the Freedom in the World
What would you do if, with one spell, you were freed of all of your obligations and were completely free, bound to no one or no thing? It is an intriguing concept that, no doubt, has been the theme of a few sci-fi novels (I don’t read them, so this is just my ignorant impression). Do you remember what happened to the Israelites when they were given their freedom from Pharaoh? They wanted to go back. There is security in bondage—even if it is abusive at least there is security in it.
Jesus freed us from the abuse of the sinful nature. Paul is particularly concerned with sinful bondage to religious ceremony and tradition. Religion becomes sinful when it becomes a mechanism that replaces works for the approval we can only find in God. In short, religion becomes sinful when it is used as a means to avoid God.
Religion is the easy way of having the security of bondage AND the affirmation that comes from faith. But Paul says you can’t have both. God gave the Israelites a new vision when he led them out of bondage in Egypt. Go take the promised land! But they didn’t have the courage to enter into the new life that God had promised (Num 13-14). Similarly, Jesus has given us a new vision and direction by which we may indulge our freedom—love. We are to take our freedom and use it to serve one another in love.
Jesus was fully free and he bound himself to us allowing our sinful nature to drag him to the cross and to the grave. The Spirit liberated him from that grave and seated him in heaven for eternal life. Paul speaks of the fruit of this Spirit. The Spirit that we have is the Spirit that binds us to Jesus in his freedom. Because we are bound to Him, we can walk in his freedom and enjoy love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness.
Jesus freed us from the abuse of the sinful nature. Paul is particularly concerned with sinful bondage to religious ceremony and tradition. Religion becomes sinful when it becomes a mechanism that replaces works for the approval we can only find in God. In short, religion becomes sinful when it is used as a means to avoid God.
Religion is the easy way of having the security of bondage AND the affirmation that comes from faith. But Paul says you can’t have both. God gave the Israelites a new vision when he led them out of bondage in Egypt. Go take the promised land! But they didn’t have the courage to enter into the new life that God had promised (Num 13-14). Similarly, Jesus has given us a new vision and direction by which we may indulge our freedom—love. We are to take our freedom and use it to serve one another in love.
Jesus was fully free and he bound himself to us allowing our sinful nature to drag him to the cross and to the grave. The Spirit liberated him from that grave and seated him in heaven for eternal life. Paul speaks of the fruit of this Spirit. The Spirit that we have is the Spirit that binds us to Jesus in his freedom. Because we are bound to Him, we can walk in his freedom and enjoy love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and gentleness.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Galatians 4: Know God
In Galatians 4 Paul is frustrated with the Galatians falling back into their old way of life. What is it about the old way that pulled the Galatians back to past practices? We read in Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” The past had a gravitational pull on the Galatians that moved them away from Abba and back to their past ways. I suspect that they simply returned to what they knew. They returned to their traditions and rituals.
What is it that we know from our old lives that has a gravitational pull on us? Some of us may come from a very legalistic background that causes us to be judgmental. Some may face daily battles with addictions. Others may have trust and relational struggles due to broken relationships. These issues we know as a result of a fallen world have a gravitational pull on us.
I believe the main fix to this battle is to know God. Know God better than our past practices.
Find out who God is and know that he is everlasting, unchanging and more powerful than any gravitational pull from our old lives. Even from today’s reading we know that God is Abba or Father. We know he loves us enough to send his only Son and we are his heirs. Secondly, live in community, share your struggles and celebrate your wins with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. James 5:16 says “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results.”
Posted by Jim
What is it that we know from our old lives that has a gravitational pull on us? Some of us may come from a very legalistic background that causes us to be judgmental. Some may face daily battles with addictions. Others may have trust and relational struggles due to broken relationships. These issues we know as a result of a fallen world have a gravitational pull on us.
I believe the main fix to this battle is to know God. Know God better than our past practices.
Find out who God is and know that he is everlasting, unchanging and more powerful than any gravitational pull from our old lives. Even from today’s reading we know that God is Abba or Father. We know he loves us enough to send his only Son and we are his heirs. Secondly, live in community, share your struggles and celebrate your wins with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. James 5:16 says “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results.”
Posted by Jim
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Galatians 3: By Works or By Grace?
Do you feel like a Son of God or a Worker of God? Paul lays out a rather extensive criticism of the Galatians’ current mindset. Apparently they had started living out Old Testament traditions again. I imagine that would be easy to do. Paul targets the heart of the matter right at the beginning of the chapter. The Galatians were using these traditions as good works to win God’s favor.
Many of us are far enough from Old Testament tradition to avoid the specific trap the Galatians fell into. Anyone get the urge to slaughter a lamb to appease God’s wrath towards your family’s sin this morning? I thought not. However, we still fall prey to that same mentality. I constantly battle with making sure when I send time with God that I’m actually spending it with God and not just doing things out of a sense of duty.
I had not been married too long before I discovered the difference between developing a relationship with my wife and spending time around her. Reading a book next to my wife does very little for our marriage. Speaking about what happened in our day and how that affects us does great things for our relationship. My wife needs me to spend time engaged with her, not just around her.
Are you spending time around God doing religious things or spending time with him? Are you acting like a worker or a son? Are you trying to become good enough before you come to God? Read verse 21 again. Life does not come through living out the law. Instead, Paul says that we are God’s children (v. 26). Let’s live like it. Our salvation comes from being God’s children not from our traditions or performances.
Posted by Danny
Many of us are far enough from Old Testament tradition to avoid the specific trap the Galatians fell into. Anyone get the urge to slaughter a lamb to appease God’s wrath towards your family’s sin this morning? I thought not. However, we still fall prey to that same mentality. I constantly battle with making sure when I send time with God that I’m actually spending it with God and not just doing things out of a sense of duty.
I had not been married too long before I discovered the difference between developing a relationship with my wife and spending time around her. Reading a book next to my wife does very little for our marriage. Speaking about what happened in our day and how that affects us does great things for our relationship. My wife needs me to spend time engaged with her, not just around her.
Are you spending time around God doing religious things or spending time with him? Are you acting like a worker or a son? Are you trying to become good enough before you come to God? Read verse 21 again. Life does not come through living out the law. Instead, Paul says that we are God’s children (v. 26). Let’s live like it. Our salvation comes from being God’s children not from our traditions or performances.
Posted by Danny
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Galatians 2: Goliath vs Goliath
The two biggest leaders within the early church were Peter and Paul. They came head to head on the issue of the gospel. This is the once and for all Super Bowl of Theology. Paul speaks of it plainly as if it were the simplest thing to do. In a sense it was. Paul was clear on the gospel in his own mind, and the thought of the gospel being perverted disturbed him more than a conflict with Peter would; so it really was natural and plain for him to confront Peter directly on the gospel.
This reveals two important truths that empower us when we are in conflict.
1. The real issue in this situation was whether Peter was “walking in line with the truth of the gospel” (v. 14). Our growing clarity in what “walking in line with the truth of the gospel” means will give us a growing sense of morale direction. Also, our growing commitment to “walk in line with the truth of the gospel” will give us the moral footing to make a stand when it counts.
2. Paul had nothing to lose in his conflict with Peter. He had already lost his life (20). To make a stand with the possibility of defeat wasn’t such a big deal. He had already lost and had been taken up into Christ’s win. So he can plainly and with great abandon risk all for the gospel.
Posted by Marc
This reveals two important truths that empower us when we are in conflict.
1. The real issue in this situation was whether Peter was “walking in line with the truth of the gospel” (v. 14). Our growing clarity in what “walking in line with the truth of the gospel” means will give us a growing sense of morale direction. Also, our growing commitment to “walk in line with the truth of the gospel” will give us the moral footing to make a stand when it counts.
2. Paul had nothing to lose in his conflict with Peter. He had already lost his life (20). To make a stand with the possibility of defeat wasn’t such a big deal. He had already lost and had been taken up into Christ’s win. So he can plainly and with great abandon risk all for the gospel.
Posted by Marc
Monday, November 10, 2008
Galatians 1: The Gospel in the letters of Paul
We are beginning a series called The Gospel in the Letters of Paul. This chapter couldn’t kick this one off more drama. Paul wishes the eternal experience of hell upon the person who would pervert the gospel—including himself. Paul couldn’t use language that was any stronger. Paul basically said, even if someone like Peter came and preached another gospel, bring on hell.
The truth of the gospel was that important. Paul gives us a small, though complete enough explanation of what his gospel is in verse three and four, “…the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of God, the Father.”
This is the gospel in its kernel form. The truth of Jesus’ voluntary atonement for our sins has implications beyond the imaginations of all theologians. It is this kernel that Paul defends because if it is lost, the church is lost. The truth of the gospel is more important than any person. It is the lifeblood of the church.
Over the next six weeks, we will have the opportunity to learn more about this gospel. Our series will run six weeks as we read Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians before returning to finish this series with Romans. Let me encourage you to ask questions of your reading such as: What is the gospel in Paul’s words? What difference does it make in a life? How do good works fit in? What should a believer’s experience of grace be? How does the Holy Spirit work in the life of a believer?
As you find your answers to these questions, I encourage you to chime in through our comments on the blog and allow others to benefit from your learning.
Posted by Marc
The truth of the gospel was that important. Paul gives us a small, though complete enough explanation of what his gospel is in verse three and four, “…the Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of God, the Father.”
This is the gospel in its kernel form. The truth of Jesus’ voluntary atonement for our sins has implications beyond the imaginations of all theologians. It is this kernel that Paul defends because if it is lost, the church is lost. The truth of the gospel is more important than any person. It is the lifeblood of the church.
Over the next six weeks, we will have the opportunity to learn more about this gospel. Our series will run six weeks as we read Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians before returning to finish this series with Romans. Let me encourage you to ask questions of your reading such as: What is the gospel in Paul’s words? What difference does it make in a life? How do good works fit in? What should a believer’s experience of grace be? How does the Holy Spirit work in the life of a believer?
As you find your answers to these questions, I encourage you to chime in through our comments on the blog and allow others to benefit from your learning.
Posted by Marc
Sunday, November 9, 2008
2 Corinthians 13: Spiritual Integrity
If you could impart one word of wisdom to another, what would that be? What is it that you wished someone would have imparted to you when you were younger? Paul has been preparing Corinth for his third visit. So what does he want them to do and understand before he gets there?
Paul’s desire for the church in Corinth is for them to live holy lives. His fear is that they would still be quarreling, jealous, angry, divided, slandering, gossiping, arrogant, and disorderly. He again brings up his strength in weakness theme that we discussed in chapter 12. We started off 1 Corinthians talking about integrity and at the end of the saga Paul’s desire for them has not changed. He wants them to have spiritual integrity that is founded in the power of Christ (v. 3).
Paul’s charges them to examine and test themselves (v. 5). So here are four application questions to ask and examine ourselves with:
- What are we to do? Simply we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Deut 6:5, Lev 19:5).
- Where are we to do it? We are to do it everywhere, with our family, work, neighborhood/community/world, and church.
- Why should we do it? We should do it because we have a Savior who loves us and died for us so that we could live in his power and therefore because we belong to him and love him.
- How are we enabled to do it? We are enabled to live holy lives out of our love for Christ, and out of our weakness and reliance upon God. There is power when we acknowledge and confess our weakness to God because we belong to him already. As a wife expresses love to her husband just because she loves him so should the church express love towards our bridegroom. When we are filled with God’s love for us, we are then able to love him in return (1 John 4:19). This is true spiritual integrity.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
2 Corinthians 12: God’s Discipline and God’s Love
There is this old children’s hymn that I remember singing when I was young and I now have come to truly appreciate its simplicity and depth. The hymn, Jesus Loves Me, has this great line, “Little ones to him belong; they are weak but he is strong.” To summarize it: I am not my own but belong to my savior Christ Jesus, and though I am weak and frail I live by the power of Christ. Even Paul comes to grips with this reality in 2 Corinthians.
In Chapter 12, Paul discusses how God gave him this amazing vision of which he cannot discuss. But the problem with this great gift of God, is that it puffs up and in order for Paul’s sinful self to be checked and not allowed to run wild God sends Paul another gift—a thorn or splinter (v. 7). It is something to constantly remind Paul of his weakness and frailty (v. 8). But it is also a tremendous act of fatherly love towards Paul. It is discipline and it is painful but it is tremendous love nonetheless. What God provides is strength and not just any strength; it is resurrection strength.
If we look closely at what is going one, we see a parallel between Christ and Paul. Christ was crucified in his weakness, in his humanness (Mark 15:31, Col 1:22), but he refused to save himself. God does not save Christ from death but remains silent until he climactically resurrects him from death. For Paul, his weakness is his death, it is sharing in Christ’s death, but that then allows us to live in his resurrected power (v. 9) for we are resurrected with Christ. God’s power being perfected in our weakness means that when we die to ourselves we have a real power—a life giving power.
So when we are faced with our problems and frailty, where do we turn? Is our hope in science, medicine, last Tuesday’s election? Do we turn to a false religion of good deeds or legalism? Or do we turn to our Savior who actually has the power to save? We are not as strong and powerful as we think, so let us come as little children in our frailty and weakness, and thus truly and powerfully live.
Posted by Aaron
In Chapter 12, Paul discusses how God gave him this amazing vision of which he cannot discuss. But the problem with this great gift of God, is that it puffs up and in order for Paul’s sinful self to be checked and not allowed to run wild God sends Paul another gift—a thorn or splinter (v. 7). It is something to constantly remind Paul of his weakness and frailty (v. 8). But it is also a tremendous act of fatherly love towards Paul. It is discipline and it is painful but it is tremendous love nonetheless. What God provides is strength and not just any strength; it is resurrection strength.
If we look closely at what is going one, we see a parallel between Christ and Paul. Christ was crucified in his weakness, in his humanness (Mark 15:31, Col 1:22), but he refused to save himself. God does not save Christ from death but remains silent until he climactically resurrects him from death. For Paul, his weakness is his death, it is sharing in Christ’s death, but that then allows us to live in his resurrected power (v. 9) for we are resurrected with Christ. God’s power being perfected in our weakness means that when we die to ourselves we have a real power—a life giving power.
So when we are faced with our problems and frailty, where do we turn? Is our hope in science, medicine, last Tuesday’s election? Do we turn to a false religion of good deeds or legalism? Or do we turn to our Savior who actually has the power to save? We are not as strong and powerful as we think, so let us come as little children in our frailty and weakness, and thus truly and powerfully live.
Posted by Aaron
Friday, November 7, 2008
2 Corinthians 11: Godly Jealousy
We often think of jealousy as a negative feeling of envy towards someone we are jealous of. But here, Paul describes himself as being jealous towards the Corinthian believers. In fact, he describes his jealous attitude as Godly (v.2)! Paul uses strong language here. How should we understand his attitude of jealousy toward the Corinthians?
It is true that jealousy can be defined as “resentment against another’s success or advantage.” But there is a second definition where jealousy can also be “vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.” These definitions offer two different attitudes of jealousy. The first is self centered while the second is more protective in nature. Paul’s attitude of jealousy is inline with the second definition. Paul is not envious, but he is protective. He is not resenting, but vigilant about the Corinthian’s devotion and love towards Christ.
In fact, Paul’s biggest fear is not that he would get rejected, but that they might reject Christ! We can’t miss this. Paul’s love is so deep for the Corinthian believers that he wants nothing more than to see them purely devoted to Christ. Paul is afraid that “just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning” that the Corinthian believers might also be led astray from their pure devotion to Christ.
How does Paul display his Godly Jealousy? He keeps on doing what he’s been doing, preaching the authority of the true apostles and clarifying the gospel of Christ. Paul recognizes that there are false profits fighting for the devotion of the Corinthian believers.
“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.”
Who do you need to have Godly jealousy towards today? Is someone you love struggling with their devotion towards Christ? How can you be vigilant and protective of their love towards Christ? A place to begin is prayer. That may lead to a conversation. Don’t be afraid to speak boldly into someone’s life with an attitude of Godly jealousy.
Posted by Terry Foester
It is true that jealousy can be defined as “resentment against another’s success or advantage.” But there is a second definition where jealousy can also be “vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.” These definitions offer two different attitudes of jealousy. The first is self centered while the second is more protective in nature. Paul’s attitude of jealousy is inline with the second definition. Paul is not envious, but he is protective. He is not resenting, but vigilant about the Corinthian’s devotion and love towards Christ.
In fact, Paul’s biggest fear is not that he would get rejected, but that they might reject Christ! We can’t miss this. Paul’s love is so deep for the Corinthian believers that he wants nothing more than to see them purely devoted to Christ. Paul is afraid that “just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning” that the Corinthian believers might also be led astray from their pure devotion to Christ.
How does Paul display his Godly Jealousy? He keeps on doing what he’s been doing, preaching the authority of the true apostles and clarifying the gospel of Christ. Paul recognizes that there are false profits fighting for the devotion of the Corinthian believers.
“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.”
Who do you need to have Godly jealousy towards today? Is someone you love struggling with their devotion towards Christ? How can you be vigilant and protective of their love towards Christ? A place to begin is prayer. That may lead to a conversation. Don’t be afraid to speak boldly into someone’s life with an attitude of Godly jealousy.
Posted by Terry Foester
Thursday, November 6, 2008
2 Corinthians 10: Leadership and Authority
Many in the church of Corinth are grumbling about Paul’s leading, but is Paul the problem or is it the way that some react to his authority? Paul challenges them by justifying his authority through his relationship with the church, and through boasting in God and not in his own authority.
This challenges us to look at the way we respond to authority. We all fall under the authority of someone else and we must always check our attitude towards them. Romans 13:1 reads, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” What is your attitude toward President Elect Obama? For some of you this will be easy as you are supporters of Obama. This may be a hard test for others, but Paul tells us Obama is in authority by God’s choosing. Do you respect our next president’s position of leadership? Do you wish him success? This may give you some insight into your attitude toward authority.
What about the work place, do you honor your boss’s authority? There was obviously some “talk” that made its way back to Paul that he addresses in this chapter. Would your boss hear, through the grapevine, that you were speaking inappropriately about his authority? We need to guard our attitude toward those in authority over us.
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” How do you react when you are challenged by what a spiritual leader says? Do you aggressively confront and push back at the teaching or do you first ponder and pray about what you have been challenged with?
Our old life leaves a residual sin nature that makes us want to take God’s rightful place. We don’t naturally want to submit to or honor those in authority. We desire to be our own authority and this is what we need to guard against. Protect your attitude towards those in authority in government, at the work place and in your spiritual life; this would certainly be for your benefit.
Posted By Jim
This challenges us to look at the way we respond to authority. We all fall under the authority of someone else and we must always check our attitude towards them. Romans 13:1 reads, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” What is your attitude toward President Elect Obama? For some of you this will be easy as you are supporters of Obama. This may be a hard test for others, but Paul tells us Obama is in authority by God’s choosing. Do you respect our next president’s position of leadership? Do you wish him success? This may give you some insight into your attitude toward authority.
What about the work place, do you honor your boss’s authority? There was obviously some “talk” that made its way back to Paul that he addresses in this chapter. Would your boss hear, through the grapevine, that you were speaking inappropriately about his authority? We need to guard our attitude toward those in authority over us.
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” How do you react when you are challenged by what a spiritual leader says? Do you aggressively confront and push back at the teaching or do you first ponder and pray about what you have been challenged with?
Our old life leaves a residual sin nature that makes us want to take God’s rightful place. We don’t naturally want to submit to or honor those in authority. We desire to be our own authority and this is what we need to guard against. Protect your attitude towards those in authority in government, at the work place and in your spiritual life; this would certainly be for your benefit.
Posted By Jim
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
2 Corinthians 9: Promiscuous Sowing
Historically, we know from documents written by Roman leaders that the early church grew rapidly despite great persecution. According to the Roman leaders, the two main reasons for this growth were moral chastity and radical generosity. Regarding the latter, not only were the followers of Jesus promiscuous with their money to fellow believers, but also to those who were not believers in Jesus.
Where does this economic agenda come from? Paul states that God loves a cheerful giver (9:7b). Indeed, the attitude behind our giving is important (9:7). Within the final ten verses of this chapter the words generosity and thanksgiving come up again and again. The fruit of our gifts help other people with regard to their felt needs (9:12a) as well as affecting their relationship with God (9:11-13). There seems to be a concatenation of generosity, provision and thankfulness within the giver, the receiver and the Lord.
A generous attitude is compelled by the “surpassing grace God has given you.” (9:14) In chapter eight, Paul outlines God’s surpassing grace. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (8:9)
How amazing! God’s grace gives us attitudes of radical generosity which provides blessings to other people and enriches their own relationship with God, resulting in “many expressions of thanks to God.” (9:12) “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:15)
What has compelled your attitude toward giving? Circumstances, the bottom line, 401K, guilt, or the grace of our Lord Jesus? Take time today to avail yourself of God’s indescribable gift. By faith, pray for opportunities to be promiscuous with the “seeds” that God has given you.
Posted by Eric
Where does this economic agenda come from? Paul states that God loves a cheerful giver (9:7b). Indeed, the attitude behind our giving is important (9:7). Within the final ten verses of this chapter the words generosity and thanksgiving come up again and again. The fruit of our gifts help other people with regard to their felt needs (9:12a) as well as affecting their relationship with God (9:11-13). There seems to be a concatenation of generosity, provision and thankfulness within the giver, the receiver and the Lord.
A generous attitude is compelled by the “surpassing grace God has given you.” (9:14) In chapter eight, Paul outlines God’s surpassing grace. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (8:9)
How amazing! God’s grace gives us attitudes of radical generosity which provides blessings to other people and enriches their own relationship with God, resulting in “many expressions of thanks to God.” (9:12) “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (9:15)
What has compelled your attitude toward giving? Circumstances, the bottom line, 401K, guilt, or the grace of our Lord Jesus? Take time today to avail yourself of God’s indescribable gift. By faith, pray for opportunities to be promiscuous with the “seeds” that God has given you.
Posted by Eric
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
2 Corinthians 8: Real Sacrifice
Actions speak louder than words. We all know this. Still, we tend to express our love more with words than deeds. It’s human nature. It’s easier to say it than to do it. But only love in action has reality and integrity.
This is Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians. There’s poverty and famine in Israel, so he’s asking wealthier, better-supplied churches in Greece to help. Corinth was one of the first to make a pledge (v. 10). But one year later, their words of love were still waiting to be matched by actual deeds of love.
Paul offers several nudges to move them forward into real sacrifice:
(1) Look at the churches in Macedonia (Philippi, most prominently) whose love for God despite their extreme poverty, produced rich generosity.
(2) Look at your own capacities. You excel in so many outstanding ways; see to it that you also excel in giving. Your character is not complete without it.
(3) Look at Christ. Although he was rich in heaven, for your sakes he became poor on earth so that you could become richly blessed in him.
(4) Look at life. The world works best when there is equality. When those who have support those who have not, everyone is amply supplied.
(5) Look at Titus. He’s coming to help you, of his own initiative and enthusiasm. Take pride in him and make all of us proud of you.
Interesting isn’t it, that it’s not always wrong to compare ourselves to others. It’s only wrong when we look down on others. But when we look up to others and see in them a great example, our comparison will spur us on to love and good deeds.
Posted by Greg
This is Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians. There’s poverty and famine in Israel, so he’s asking wealthier, better-supplied churches in Greece to help. Corinth was one of the first to make a pledge (v. 10). But one year later, their words of love were still waiting to be matched by actual deeds of love.
Paul offers several nudges to move them forward into real sacrifice:
(1) Look at the churches in Macedonia (Philippi, most prominently) whose love for God despite their extreme poverty, produced rich generosity.
(2) Look at your own capacities. You excel in so many outstanding ways; see to it that you also excel in giving. Your character is not complete without it.
(3) Look at Christ. Although he was rich in heaven, for your sakes he became poor on earth so that you could become richly blessed in him.
(4) Look at life. The world works best when there is equality. When those who have support those who have not, everyone is amply supplied.
(5) Look at Titus. He’s coming to help you, of his own initiative and enthusiasm. Take pride in him and make all of us proud of you.
Interesting isn’t it, that it’s not always wrong to compare ourselves to others. It’s only wrong when we look down on others. But when we look up to others and see in them a great example, our comparison will spur us on to love and good deeds.
Posted by Greg
Monday, November 3, 2008
2 Corinthians 7--the key to restoring relationships
This chapter in many ways highlights the restoration of the relationship between Paul and the Corinthians. When relationships are damaged, we often look in our toolbox for tools such as justice, explanations and apologies. These are necessary items, but beneath all of it, there must be a desire for reconciliation. When we have been hurt, our instincts move us towards justice rather than reconciliation. What is the alternative?
Paul demonstrates the alternative in this passage. It is called affection. Paul was clearly hurt and slandered by the Corinthians. Yet, he did not allow that to spoil his affection for the Corinthians. Paul told the Corinthians that he kept space in his heart for them. He asks them to make room in their hearts for him.
Our heart is the seat of our affection. It has a scarce amount of room. Not only that, but the heart is the engine for the emotions. Paul is calling his people to manage their hearts. See, the strain of relationships can bring bitterness, resentment, and disdain into the heart. That can squeeze another out of our affections. Then, when the relationship is called upon and tested, the desire to make it work and do the right thing isn’t there. From here, the hard work of justice, forgiveness and apology becomes so much more difficult.
Paul uses means to maintain the affection. He uses his words in various letters (this chapter introduces an unknown letter known as the sorrowful letter). He does not use his authority to restore the relationship, but speaks from weakness (2 Cor 2-4,11-12). Paul teaches about how respond to a rebuke. In the face of a rebuke, we can have worldly sorrow (i.e. they don’t like me, I am ashamed, I got caught) or we can have Godly sorrow (contrition and acknowledgement of wrong-doing) that will lead to repentance.
This is where a relationship with God makes all of the difference in our regular relationships. When we take our sorrow to God, process it before him, we save ourselves from needing to be right, needing the relationship to be right and being free to doing right, even if it is risky like Paul models. Then we can trust the rest to God. That being true, we can hold out grace towards those who injure us without needing them to respond to us in kind. We can still maintain affection for those who will not return it to us. That is how God treats us.
Posted by Marc
Paul demonstrates the alternative in this passage. It is called affection. Paul was clearly hurt and slandered by the Corinthians. Yet, he did not allow that to spoil his affection for the Corinthians. Paul told the Corinthians that he kept space in his heart for them. He asks them to make room in their hearts for him.
Our heart is the seat of our affection. It has a scarce amount of room. Not only that, but the heart is the engine for the emotions. Paul is calling his people to manage their hearts. See, the strain of relationships can bring bitterness, resentment, and disdain into the heart. That can squeeze another out of our affections. Then, when the relationship is called upon and tested, the desire to make it work and do the right thing isn’t there. From here, the hard work of justice, forgiveness and apology becomes so much more difficult.
Paul uses means to maintain the affection. He uses his words in various letters (this chapter introduces an unknown letter known as the sorrowful letter). He does not use his authority to restore the relationship, but speaks from weakness (2 Cor 2-4,11-12). Paul teaches about how respond to a rebuke. In the face of a rebuke, we can have worldly sorrow (i.e. they don’t like me, I am ashamed, I got caught) or we can have Godly sorrow (contrition and acknowledgement of wrong-doing) that will lead to repentance.
This is where a relationship with God makes all of the difference in our regular relationships. When we take our sorrow to God, process it before him, we save ourselves from needing to be right, needing the relationship to be right and being free to doing right, even if it is risky like Paul models. Then we can trust the rest to God. That being true, we can hold out grace towards those who injure us without needing them to respond to us in kind. We can still maintain affection for those who will not return it to us. That is how God treats us.
Posted by Marc
2 Corinthians 6: Your Kingdom Come
There is an old phrase that has been floating around the church for a long time, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” The problem does not lie in the fact that individuals focus their life toward heaven, but in that they fail to see how it applies to today. Jesus even prays this in Matt 6, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So how do we live this in our daily lives?
Paul lays out an interesting contrast in Second Corinthians 6. Initially, he seems to be encouraging the Corinthians to live boldly and to expand their love for others (v. 1-2, 12-13), but then he commands them to separate from the sinful world (6:14-7:1). So what’s the deal? Does Paul contradict himself?
Simply, no. One of the major problems with the Corinthian church was their involvement and interactions with the temple cults of Corinth. These were places that would far surpass the moral decadence of Las Vegas. Rather they themselves are the holy temple of God and must live like it. But his is different from ceasing to interact with all unbelievers. We can think of this charge in light of 1 Peter 1:14-15, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” It is a call to purity of heart and mind.
The day of salvation has come with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 2), but we must live in purity before God and the world (7:1). Our culture affords us the opportunity to live in almost any sin imaginable. But in our zeal for purity we must not also forget to seek to bring the kingdom to our culture.
Posted by Aaron
Paul lays out an interesting contrast in Second Corinthians 6. Initially, he seems to be encouraging the Corinthians to live boldly and to expand their love for others (v. 1-2, 12-13), but then he commands them to separate from the sinful world (6:14-7:1). So what’s the deal? Does Paul contradict himself?
Simply, no. One of the major problems with the Corinthian church was their involvement and interactions with the temple cults of Corinth. These were places that would far surpass the moral decadence of Las Vegas. Rather they themselves are the holy temple of God and must live like it. But his is different from ceasing to interact with all unbelievers. We can think of this charge in light of 1 Peter 1:14-15, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” It is a call to purity of heart and mind.
The day of salvation has come with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 2), but we must live in purity before God and the world (7:1). Our culture affords us the opportunity to live in almost any sin imaginable. But in our zeal for purity we must not also forget to seek to bring the kingdom to our culture.
Posted by Aaron
Saturday, November 1, 2008
2 Corinthians 5: We Know
Paul starts off Second Corinthians 5 with the phrase, “We know.” What is it that Paul knows, and what does it mean for us?
In Chapter 4, Paul has been discussing the hardships that he and the other apostles have been experiencing. In verse 1, Paul explains why they don’t lose heart from all of these hardships (4:16), because they look to the future eternal heavenly bodies that they will receive not in their current temporary earthly bodies. In fact they understand that there is something not quite right about the way things are now and thus they long or groan for their future with the Lord (v. 6-8).
But this knowledge does not stop there but proceeds to action. In verse 14, Paul states that the love that Christ has for us controls them. This control drives the apostles to serve others and “to no longer live for themselves.” Paul urges the Corinthians to be reconciled to God. So what is this reconciliation?
The reconciliation is where God through Christ set rebellious humanity right with himself. The blessings associated with being right with God are not just future but also current. Simply, Paul hopes today because Christ has reconciled humanity to the Father. This is what Paul knows, his future hope is also his current hope.
Like Paul, Christ’s love for us should drive us to seek to reconcile the world to God. The church succeeds in doing this through a variety of avenues. For one, we cannot live for ourselves but for Christ (v. 15); our witness in loving those around us depends upon it. Secondly, we work toward reconciling the world back to God especially in our communities and in our relationships. Thirdly, reconciliation entails restoring creation (v. 17); bringing aspects of our future hope into the present. For as God instructed the exiles of Judah to seek the welfare of the city—treacherous Babylon—and live (Jer 29:7), so we are to groan through our hardships and seek the welfare of all in this passing age.
Posted By Aaron
In Chapter 4, Paul has been discussing the hardships that he and the other apostles have been experiencing. In verse 1, Paul explains why they don’t lose heart from all of these hardships (4:16), because they look to the future eternal heavenly bodies that they will receive not in their current temporary earthly bodies. In fact they understand that there is something not quite right about the way things are now and thus they long or groan for their future with the Lord (v. 6-8).
But this knowledge does not stop there but proceeds to action. In verse 14, Paul states that the love that Christ has for us controls them. This control drives the apostles to serve others and “to no longer live for themselves.” Paul urges the Corinthians to be reconciled to God. So what is this reconciliation?
The reconciliation is where God through Christ set rebellious humanity right with himself. The blessings associated with being right with God are not just future but also current. Simply, Paul hopes today because Christ has reconciled humanity to the Father. This is what Paul knows, his future hope is also his current hope.
Like Paul, Christ’s love for us should drive us to seek to reconcile the world to God. The church succeeds in doing this through a variety of avenues. For one, we cannot live for ourselves but for Christ (v. 15); our witness in loving those around us depends upon it. Secondly, we work toward reconciling the world back to God especially in our communities and in our relationships. Thirdly, reconciliation entails restoring creation (v. 17); bringing aspects of our future hope into the present. For as God instructed the exiles of Judah to seek the welfare of the city—treacherous Babylon—and live (Jer 29:7), so we are to groan through our hardships and seek the welfare of all in this passing age.
Posted By Aaron
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