Zealous of Good Works

Titus 2:13-14 "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Jesus coming to earth was not just to save us from Hell and damnation. Although that was certainly part of it, God takes it way past mercy and pours out His grace on us too. The mercy and grace of God didn't just save us from something bad, but they also saved us to and for something good.

By "something good" I'm referring to the good works that the Bible is always talking about. When people start talking about good works, a lot of Christians will get defensive and pull out Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

These are beautiful, 100% true verses. However, Paul continues in verse 10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

After our transformative salvation, God has a plan for us. Something that He has saved us to and for. He has a specific plan for our time on this earth. That plan involves us being zealously doing good works.

What good works am I going to do today? Do I fully understand my complete salvation, that works do not save, but are rather a way to express my love and gratitude to God?

Flee, Follow

1 Timothy 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

The Bible often speaks of putting off bad things. However, it rarely stops there. Typically, it goes on to give us something to replace the old with. We put off the old man and put on the new man. Here, we flee mouthful lusts, but we don't just run away from the bad, we run toward the good. We run toward righteousness, faith, love, peace, and fellowship with those who are seeking God.

It is interesting too that we "flee" youthful lusts but we "follow" the good things. That implies that those lusts will chase us down, trying to destroy. However, these good things of God are there to lead us somewhere. They will lead us to a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father and with fellow believers.

Am I allowing youthful lusts to chase me down? Or am I fleeing in the opposite direction? Do righteousness, faith, love, peace, and fellowship with other sincere believers define my life?

Grace Strong

2 Timothy 2:1 "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Paul could have admonished Timothy to be strong in a lot of different things. He could have told him to be strong in the strength of Christ Jesus. Or he could have told him to be strong in the power of Christ Jesus. However, Paul very specifically tells Timothy that the strength he needs is going to be found in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Paul knew that hard times were coming for young Timothy. That he would need the power of God working in him in order to get through. Paul also knew that the strength Timothy would need could only come from one place - the grace, the good will, loving-kindness, and favor of Christ Jesus.

Why is that? What is it about grace that gives us strength more than the dozens of other words that Paul could have used?

Imagine, serving an all powerful monarch here on earth. This monarch has given us a job to do, a job that will be hard and require much strength. But we know that we have the good will, loving-kindness, and favor of this monarch. If that was the case, how much strength, both literally and figuratively, do you think that would give you as a loyal servant of that king?

We serve the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is pouring out His grace on us. How can I find strength in that grace today?

Partaker

2 Timothy 1:8 "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;"

When it comes to affliction, our natural tendency is to avoid it at all costs. We want to find an easier way, a way that won't hurt, that won't cost us anything. And yet, that is exactly opposite of what we are called to as Christians.

As far as we know, at that time, Timothy was not suffering active persecution. Paul, on the other hand, was writing this from a prison, locked up in chains. All because of his faith. Being a partaker of the afflictions does not just mean that we acknowledge that someone else is being afflicted. It literally means "to suffer hardship together with one, in company with." And the end goal is the furtherance of the Gospel.

Paul wasn't telling Timothy to do this because he wanted pity. No, he knew that if we are the body of Christ here on earth, then each part ought to be connected to the other. You know when you stub your toe and your whole body automatically cares for that part of you. God wants the same for His church, His body here on earth. When one is suffering affliction, we ought to be suffering together as one.

What would it look like for you to suffer as one with fellow believers who are persecuted?

Power, Love, Self-Control

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

This is one of those verses that becomes so well-known and, sadly, as a result, loses a lot of its meaning and impact. First of all, we see that God is the One giving giving here. These positive character traits are not things we work up on own. We also see that God does not give us a spirit of fear which means that if we have it, it is coming from someplace other than God - either our sinful flesh or from our enemy the devil.

Second, most of us understand the spirit of love and the spirit of power, however what is the spirit of a sound mind? The words "sound mind" mean "discipline, self-control". It has the idea of curbing or controlling, holding oneself to one's duty.

Power, love, and self-control. Put the three together and you have one powerful combination. Am I walking in the spirit of power? Is what I do beyond my own power? Am I walking in the spirit of love? Am I sacrificially giving, living a life that demonstrates the love of Christ to all I'm around? Am I walking in the spirit of a sound mind? Do I allow the law of God to control my actions, thoughts, and words? Am I holding myself to my duty?

Neglect Not The Gift

1 Timothy 4:14 "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery."

A gift, generally speaking, has some sort of value. A gift that has come from God, definitely has more than value, it has purpose. Timothy had a gift, one that Paul knew had the potential to either change the world, or to remain untouched, neglected, ignored.

We know Timothy when on to be a great teacher and preacher, spreading the Gospel of Christ far and wide. From everything we know, it appears that Timothy wisely heeded Paul's advice here, taking what God gave him and putting it to good use. But perhaps that wouldn't have happened, or else it wouldn't have happened as effectively, if Timothy had not had his gift pointed out to him. Unless we look, it can be hard to spot our gift. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to see where God has truly gifted us.

What is your gift that the world needs you to not neglect? What is that special thing that God has given you, maybe an ability, maybe a strong character trait, that the world would be worse off if you kept it hidden away? And how can you employ that in furthering God's Kingdom today?

Example

1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

As Christians, we don't get a pass in certain areas of our lives. We are called to a higher standard, we are called to live a life that follows so closely after Christ that we are an example to be followed.

Paul lists 6 different specific areas where we are to be examples. The first is in word which just means exactly that - the words we say ought to encourage, uplift, and bring others closer to God. The second is conversation which literally means, "manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment." The third is in charity or love. The fourth is in spirit. This is a word with deep meanings. However, what I think Paul is getting at is that we ought to be an example in how we feel, think, and decide. The fifth is in faith, or our fervent conviction that the Gospel is true and thereby something we ought to live our life by. And finally, the sixth is in purity which has the idea of us being set apart completely from sin.

As Christians, we ought to aim for being examples to everyone we are around n the words we say, in our daily behavior, in the love we demonstrate through that behavior, in how we feel, think, and decide, in how we believe in God and act on that belief, and in how we separate ourselves from sin unto God.

It is a tall order, to be sure. However, we have the Holy Spirit within us and the power of Christ on our side. Let's do it.

Good Minister

1 Timothy 4:6 "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."

Paul is rather blunt here, telling Timothy that there are those claiming to be speaking for God who are actually "...giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

I find it curious that the two things that are mentioned specifically as being "lies in hypocrisy" are 1) forbidding to marry and 2) the prohibition of eating meat. I've thought over this for awhile and can't come up with a solid answer as to why these are the 2 things that are specifically mentioned. My only thought is that there were specific people saying things like this and Paul was addressing something that Timothy was currently facing.

Regardless, the principle here is clear. One of the ways we can serve as a good minister of Jesus Christ is to nourish, or educate, or form our mind around, the words of faith and of good doctrine and then do what we can to remind our fellow believers of the Truth we have learned.

Am I being a good minister of Jesus Christ today?

4 Types of Prayer

2 Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"

Paul seems to list 4 words that are synonyms of prayer. Let's dig a little deeper into their meanings:

Supplications: "need, indigence, want, privation, penury, a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man. Has the idea of begging, as in binding oneself."

Prayers: "to wish; by implication, to pray to God:—pray, will, wish with the idea of doing it to the advantage of, at, near, by, to, towards, with, with regard to."

Intercessions: "a falling in with, meeting with, an interview, a coming together, to visit, converse or for any other cause, that for which an interview is held, a conference or conversation, a petition, supplication."

Giving of Thanks: "gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)."

So if I might paraphrase this verse, I would say, "Based on what I just said about holding fast to the faith, I exhort therefore, that, before everything else, you 1) recognize your need and bring it humbly before God, 2) direct your wishes and will towards God in prayer, 3) have a conversation with God where you speak about your petitions to Him on behalf of others and yourself, and 4) that you speak actively and gratefully to your God as an act of worship. Do all this for yourself and for everyone else as well."

It's a big command that Paul gives here. However, his language makes is clear that this is vital. How can I implement this kind of prayer in my own life?

Swerved

1 Timothy 1:5-7 "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm."

The end of the commandment, when it is all said and done, it all comes back down to love, to charity. Paul knew this, Timothy knew this. Paul's positive admonition here makes sense, it is what we would expect. However, the contrast that he draws is perhaps a less obvious admonition.

Where would someone be if they swerved away from love out of a pure heart, a good conscience, and true faith? I would probably say selfishness and pride. However, Paul points out that those who swerved ended up in vain janglings, trying to be teachers of the law though they did not understand it. This vain, empty talk is doing nothing to build up the church, nothing to win the lost, nothing to disciple believers.

I guess the lesson here is that sometimes we don't have to fall to the "hard opposite" of a Christian virtue in order to be missing the mark. Sometimes lack of effectiveness, vanity, rooted in pride, can result in us wasting time. Which is something our enemy loves to see.

Love Of God & Patience

2 Thessalonians 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

If you were to ask any Christian, do you want more love of God and patience in waiting for Christ? Their answer would most undoubtedly be 'yes'. In this verse, we learn that getting to 'more' is part of the Lord's work of sanctification in our lives.

The word "direct" has the idea of making straight the way, or removing hindrances that would obstruct your course. What kind of hindrances does God need to remove in order for you to grow in your love for Him? What is holding you back from patience?

Prayers in the Bible are everywhere if we will just look. These are prayers that we would do well to pray for ourselves and for others.

The Day Is At Hand

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

Like so many things in life, understanding the coming of the Lord is all about balance. Other places in Scripture, we are told that He is coming soon. However, here Paul seems to say something different. What gives?

Think about it this way - if you believe that literally within the next few minutes, Christ would return and take you to Heaven to be with Him for eternity, how much motivation would you have for pursuing any long-term projects or any audacious undertakings? Not very much.

Or on the other hand, if you believe that Christ's return is a long ways off and we have plenty of time, how much urgency would you feel? Not very much.

This balance between motivation and urgency is what we are looking at here. Jesus wants us to know that His return is imminent, meaning that it could happen at any time - in the next second or in the next millennium. The timing is not what is important. What is important is how our belief about His return moves us to action. He will come like a thief in the night, no one knows the day or the hour. For these reasons, we ought to live with an urgency of action while at the same time not neglecting long-term projects that God calls us to.

How do you feel about Christ's return? Is the urgency stealing your motivation? Or visa versa? How can you re-balance your perspective today?

Manifest Tokens

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 "So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:"

Our natural selves are never happy about any kind of suffering or persecution. Our natural selves seek to avoid it at all costs. However, this church was not walking in their natural selves. Instead, they were walking by faith in the Spirit of God. As a result, they were able to see beyond the here and now.

The key here is patience and faith. Patience, knowing that this too shall pass. This is not the end of our story, merely a chapter and we just have to wait patiently until the end is revealed. And faith, believing that there is a reward coming. Believing that serving Christ faithfully is worth any price we must pay. Believing that persecution and tribulation are manifest evidence that we are counted worthy of God's Kingdom.

How do you view suffering and persecution? How are you doing on patience and faith today?

Grace. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:28 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."

When a letter to the Christian church ends, the parting words are generally close to the same. This final verse of 1 Thessalonians is pretty representative of many of the letters in the New Testament. While it sounds very nice, I don't think we truly understand the significance here. The writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could have ended their epistles in a myriad of ways, yet the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is present more often than not.

What is this grace?

Grace is defined as: "good will, loving-kindness, favour. Used of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."

Suddenly, ending the epistle with a prayer that the grace of Jesus Christ would be with them, makes a lot of sense. This is basically the entire sanctification process summed up in a single word. God's grace is what draws us closer to Christ, helps us grow in our faith, knowledge, and affection, and spurs us on to "work out our own salvation", showing our faith by our works.

How are you experiencing God's grace in your life? Do you feel it? Do you see it in every single area of life? If you don't, chances are, you're just not looking close enough. Are you letting the holy influence of His grace work in your life to change you to become more like Christ?

Today, my prayer for you is exactly this - May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

He Will Do It

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

I have heard verse 24 used quite often by itself. Typically it is just used to say that whatever "it" is, we can rest assured that God is faithful and He will do "it" whatever "it" may happen to be. However, if you take this verse in context, you find that it is very specific exactly what "it" is.

Taken in context, "it" is comprised of 2 things - sanctification and being preserved blameless.

Once we are saved, we begin the process of sanctification. The word "sanctify" has the idea of purifying, setting apart, hallowing, to separate from the profane and dedicate to God. This is indeed a process, something we will not complete until we are home in Heaven with Him. 

In this process of sanctification, God is preserving us as blameless. This means that He stands on guard so that we have no cause for censure. This is the completed work of Christ's sacrifice on the cross being worked out on a daily basis in our lives.

God is faithful. All the time, every time, without exception. These things that we have listed are God's plan for each and everyone of His children. He is faithful, He can be relied upon fully, to do it. To sanctify us and preserve us in blamelessness. Praise God!

Honest Walk, Lacking Nothing

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."

In these verses in a formula that, if followed, will result in us living a sincere, impactful life. It will also result in us "lacking nothing". Here it is:

The first ingredient is brotherly love toward fellow believers, always increasing more and more. This means treating each member of the body with the same kind of love we would show to a family member.

The second ingredient is studying to be quiet. "Studying" means to strive earnestly, to make it our aim. Being quiet here has the idea of "to lead a quiet life, said of those who are not running hither and thither, but stay at home and mind their business." Therefore, we should  make it our aim to not be busybodies, but instead should focus on making sure our own affairs are in order.

The third ingredient is to do our own business, to work with our own hands. Most people will realize from experience that each has enough to do on their own without worrying about what other people may or may not be doing.

If we follow this formula, those who are without will see what we say and what we do in line with each other. This will allow us to have a powerful testimony. Also, if we follow this formula, we will "lack nothing". Now this doesn't necessarily mean we will always have everything we want. Instead, I believe that it means God will always provide for us, and if we are not busying ourselves snooping in the lives of others, we will not have the temptation of discontentment.

More and More

1 Thessalonians 4:1 & 10 "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more....And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;"

Once we are saved, we know all the "right things" to do. Go to church, read your Bible, pray, etc. So many Christians, I am afraid, get into a rut, where they are doing all these "right things" but the growth stops. There is not any expansion, no upward trend, just stagnation (which is regression).

This is not God's design. Paul uses the words "more and more" several times. He is trying to get a point across to the church - your sanctification, which is the will of God, is an ongoing process. Every day is supposed to build upon the last, the lessons learned, the love shown, the sacrifices made, should all spur us on to more and more of the same.

Note here that the word used was not just "more" by itself. No, instead the words used were "more and more". One could interpret "more" by itself as "just keep doing it, everyday." However, "more and more" obviously is pointing to an expansion of the previous, not merely a continuation.

The faith, grace, mercy, and love that we are given freely from God are to be given back generously to the world around us, more and more everyday. Is this happening in your life? Is there ever an expansion, or are things sitting stagnant, on cruise control? What would have to change in order for "more and more" to start defining your life?

Afflictions and Moving

1 Thessalonians 3:3 "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto."

In order to be moved, it is assumed that you are in a stationary location. There must be some ideal position in which you have a desire to remain. The afflictions that Paul is talking about are what might cause them to move, but move from what?

The previous verse answers this question, "And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:"

Paul wants the Thessalonians to be established in their faith. This has the idea of a foundation, roots, being grounded in something. Our faith in Jesus Christ, His accomplished work on the cross, the promise of a heavenly home for eternity, these are to be our foundation, our ground zero. This establishment in the faith is our anchor during the trials and tribulations that will come on us as believers. After all, we are "appointed" to trials, or to put it another way, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)

What afflictions are you facing? Do you feel grounded in your faith? Or will the things you face move you away from your faith?

Effectual Work

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

Too often, I'm afraid, we act like the Bible is just another book. Now we would never say that, however our actions speak louder than the words we won't say. We read it and claim to believe it, but we fail to live our lives like it is a living, active Word. Instead, it becomes just another good book with good things to say and wisdom to try and live your life by.

This attitude is subtle, but dangerous. It allows us to feel good about our attitude toward the Bible while denying its power. We know that the Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1). Denying the power of the Bible, through word or action, is denying the power of Jesus Himself.

We also know, "...the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

No mere "good book of wisdom" can do that! Do you feel the Word of God effectually working in you as a believer? What would that kind of working look like?

The Wrath to Come

1 Thessalonians 1:10 "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

The fact that that is wrath forthcoming is not something most people like to think about or acknowledge. However, it would be like living in a coastal city about to be hit by a tsunami and ignoring the danger because you didn't like the fact that it was coming. Life as we know it will only last a short time. The wrath, or punishment for sin is coming. Judgement day is coming.

So that's the bad news. The Good News is Jesus delivers those who believe. It's like we were waiting in that doomed coastal city with the approaching tsunami on its way when out of nowhere, Jesus came and rescued us out of that danger. The wrath, the judgement, our punishment - He took them all on the cross. Now it's up to us, whether we will place our faith and trust in His completed work or not.

The idols we served are meaningless and powerless. Turn to the one, true, living God. Join the Church in awaiting the return of His Son Jesus, our Deliverer. And in the meantime, let's spread the Good News to everyone we can.

The Mysterious Ministry

Colossians 4:17 "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."

This command was not recorded solely for he benefit of Archippus. Every child of God should pay careful attention to this verse. A life lived without fulfilling what God has given us to do is a wasted life indeed.

But what is this ministry which we have received of the Lord? I think most people would argue that they don't feel God has necessarily given them any one particular ministry. At least, God's never told them in so many words! It's lame arguments like this that show how little we understand of God's call to ministry.

The word ministry here means:

"Service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others. Of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men. The ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities. The service of those who prepare and present food."

I love the last part of the definition. We don't know exactly what Archippus' ministry was, however it could have been as simple as preparing and presenting food to those who needed it. The point here is - don't overthink the question of "what ministry have I received of the Lord?" This kind of question leaves us waiting motionless for some kind of revelation about whether we should go into overseas missions or become a pastor. When instead, God wants each and everyone of us to render to others the offices of Christian affection, to meet the needs of others.

This is your ministry, this is my ministry. Let us go and fulfill it!

Laboring Fervently

Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

Labor Fervently: "To enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games. To contend with adversaries, fight. Metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers. To endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something."

This brother in Christ took prayer very seriously. He was, at all times, praying like he was in a contest, contending against enemies, struggling, zealously striving to gain his goal. Have you ever even seen someone pray like that, let alone prayer like that yourself?

In order to get to that kind of prayer, it takes a couple things. First, it takes a completely unselfish love for other people. Epaphras wanted the Colossians to experience and stand in God's will so bad. It was an overwhelming desire for his fellow Christians, he cared so much about them. Second, it takes faith. You don't face difficulties and dangers, you don't enter a contest and contend with adversaries if you don't believe 100%. If you're not fully convinced of what you're dealing with, there is no reason to put yourself out there like that. Third, it takes dedication.

I don't know about you, but I want a prayer life like that. I want my prayers to God to matter, to impact the world! What would have to change for this verse to start describing your prayer life?

Redeeming the Time

Colossians 4:5 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."

In case you hadn't noticed, I like definitions. The words used in the Bible have such rich meanings waiting for those who will dig into them! The word "walk" here means, "to live, to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self, to pass one's life." However, my favorite part of the definition is, "to make due use of opportunities."

So the first part of this verse could be phrased, "Pass your life making due use of opportunities in a manner of devout and proper prudence in intercourse with men not disciples of Christ, using skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth to the unsaved."

Now, with that in mind, we look to the second part of the verse. A short, simple phrase, but so much in it! The concept of redeeming is not a common one in today's parlance. However, in Bible times it was a vivid picture. "Redeeming" means, "by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off. Metaph. of Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of his vicarious death. To buy up, to buy up for one's self, for one's use. To make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good, so that zeal and well doing are as it were the purchase money by which we make the time our own."

Imagine - your time is held captive and a payment must be made in order for it to become your own. Your time is held captive, held ransom by your flesh and the world. And they do not want to let it go. We must redeem that time, or in other words, we must buy it back, ransom it back, so that we can use it for God's glory (fulfilling the call in the first part of this verse).

How do we buy it back? What is the currency we use? Zeal.

Think on that today.

Bond of Perfectness.

Colossians 3:14 "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

Paul gives a significant list of spiritual fruit that ought to be evidenced in a Christian's life. However, like it always does, it all comes back to love. Paul makes it clear that above everything that he has listed, the most important thing is charity, love, "affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love."

What does it mean that love is the bond of perfectness? This is so cool. The word "bond" here means, "that which binds together, a band, bond. Of ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together." We have all seen those cut-away illustrations of the human body. The muscle/ligament cut-away shows how extensive your ligaments are. The transverse every bit of your being. They underlie all your movements and the very fact that your body is one cohesive unit.

True godly love is the ligaments that holds everything else together. On our journey toward Christ and being perfect like Him, love is the key.

Things Above

Colossians 3:1-2 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

In Christianity, there is a required perspective that goes against our flesh. Our 5 senses experience the things that are on this earth on a moment by moment basis. It is the easiest thing in the world to let them distract us and capture our attention. And we all know, that which has our attention usually takes our time, and that which takes our time takes our affection.

Christianity requires us looking at life from a different perspective. We must still maneuver this life via our 5 senses in the physical sense, however that is where it ought to stop. The earth has nothing for us. Seek those things that are above, set your affection on them. Let those heavenly things be your driving force and your guide.

What are those things above? They are the things that are right there with Christ sitting on the right hand of God. Therefore, God, His person. Seek Him first. Set your affection on Him first. Then by extension, we know that the things that are above involve God's Kingdom and the eternal souls of mankind.

Am I seeking those things that are above? Where is my time being directed today? Is that a good indication of where my affection truly is?

Abounding in Faith

Colossians 2:6-7 "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."

Our salvation was by God's abundant grace through a child-like faith. In this same way, we are to continue in Him. In this same way we are to walk throughout our days here on earth - living moment by moment by his abundant grace through a child-like faith.

He is to be our foundation. Our lives should be established in faith, the fundamental basis for everything we do, ought to be our faith. Now the last admonishment starts to make sense - abound in faith with thanksgiving.

What does it mean to abound in your faith with thanksgiving? The word abound means to "overflow, to super-exceed and have a measure left over." I think we can take this 2 ways. One, that our faith should grow and grow, expanding throughout every part of our lives. And two, that our life itself should abound with faith as its foundation.

How are you walking today? By grace through faith? Is your faith the foundation of your life? Are you abounding in that faith today? Can those around you tell?

Superhuman Power

Colossians 1:29 "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

The way sentences are structured in the Bible, it can be difficult at times to sort out exactly what the writer is talking about sometimes. In this verse you could paraphrase what Paul is saying thus,

"Christ, Who is our hope, is Who we preach to the world. This is the end toward which I am laboring. I am to endeavoring with strenuous zeal along with the help of His superhuman power to do this. And His superhuman power is actively at work, putting forth power, aiding me, working for me."

Do you feel that there is superhuman power working inside you? Are you laboring toward the end which Christ has called you to?

Then ask yourself this - are you satisfied with how you answered the previous questions? If not, what would have to change in your life so that you could answer them in a satisfactory way?

Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding

Colossians 1:9-10 "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;"

It's interesting that Paul mentions that he is praying that the church 1) might be filled with the knowledge of God's will and also 2) that they would increase in the knowledge of God. There's a lot of words being thrown around such as knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Let's take a look at these and try to find out what Paul really has in mind.

Knowledge of His Will: precise and correct knowledge (of things ethical and divine) of what God wishes and determines to be done.

Wisdom: the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs.

Spiritual Understanding: a running together, a flowing together with, as in when things "come together" in your mind. Knowledge of this kind relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ.

Knowledge of His Will: precise and correct knowledge (of things ethical and divine) of God Himself, His person.

Lesson for the day - there is much to be learned. When was the last time you felt like you were still learning things about God? As Christians, we often get comfortable with our understanding of Who God is. Challenge that today, search deeper.

Vast Riches

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

This is a promise that every believer can hold on to. It's almost something we take for granted in that this amazing verse hardly even phases us when we hear it. Of course God will take care of our needs, right?

But take a minute and think about the true implications of that. He will supply all your need, 'your' meaning you and your church, and the church in the next city over, and the believers scattered throughout this world, and every believer past, present, and future...Now do you start to see the wonder in this short little verse?

It's not just that God can take care of YOU, though He can and He will. It's that His power and riches in glory by Christ Jesus are so vast, so limitless, so unimaginably infinite, that He has been taking care of His children throughout history, He is taking care of His children today, and He will for all the rest of eternity.

Praise God.

Careful

Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

The word 'careful' here doesn't imply that we should never watch where we are going or drive safely. It would be easier to understand if we broke the word apart - 'care' and 'full', or 'full of care'. 'Careful' in this instance means: "to be anxious, to be troubled with cares..." 

The definition continues: "to care for, look out for (a thing), to seek to promote one's interests, caring or providing for." While I believe the first part of the definition is probably the most accurate for this particular verse, I think it is interesting how interconnected be anxious and troubled is with promoting one's interests. It makes sense, however, when all we can think about is ourselves and our interests, anything that is going on around us, anything with an unknown ending, will cause worry and anxiousness.

This kind of anxiousness and worry should not be present in a Christian's life. Instead our focus should be on promoting the Kingdom of God, serving Him and others. Worry fades away when we know that our prayers are heard by the Creator God!

Conversation = Citizenship, Community

Philippians 3:20 "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:"

Sometimes, the translation of words can totally throw you off as to the meaning of a verse. When you look it up, you find that the word 'conversation' does not mean the words that you say to other people, but rather: "a community, i.e. (abstractly) citizenship (figuratively)."

Therefore, we can read "For our community, our citizenship is in heaven..." This is exciting stuff! Not only is heaven where we hold citizenship (and therefore the rights of citizens), but it's also our community, heaven is where we can find that like-minded group of people, our tribe, our fellows. Imagine complete and total unity and it is all centered around our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here on earth, we are supposed to have a small taste of this community through the church, Christ's body on this earth. Am I experiencing that kind of unity and purpose in church? Or is it just some songs, a sermon, and some handshakes every Sunday?

Excellency of the Knowledge

Philippians 3:8 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

I think a lot of times the emphasis of this verse is placed on the fact that Paul is dumping everything that the world values (and even some Christians value), and proclaiming it all to be a loss, complete and utter garbage, dung. And while this is a big statement, and something all of us should strive to be able to echo, if you shift focus a bit, I think you'll see the focus of the verse is in a different place.

The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. This is Paul's focus in this verse, in his life. All that other stuff was gone and forgotten. The one and only thing that mattered was the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.

What does that mean? Many people know of Jesus, many people claim to know Him, but only a true Christ follower knows the excellency of that knowledge. In the Greek, excellency is actually a verb meaning "to excel, to be superior, better than, to surpass." In other words, the knowledge of Jesus Christ as your individual Lord is actively better than anything else. It surpasses all those meaningless things Paul counted as loss and forgot about.

If you merely have knowledge of Jesus Christ, you are missing out. However, if you have knowledge of Him as your Lord, meaning you are surrendered to Him as King of your life, then you know exactly how superior that knowledge is to anything else.

Active Worship

Philippians 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

The word 'worship' has an etymology that goes back to its root 'worthy'. It means the "condition of being worthy, dignity, glory, distinction, honor, renown." Therefore, worship is usually thought of as acknowledging God's worthiness, glorifying Him.

However, the word translated 'worship' here has the base meaning of "to serve, or minister to". Now, acknowledging God's worthiness is definitely a part of our service to Him. But this definition helps us look at worship in a different way. Worship is not only some mental practice or words we say, although those certainly can be part of it. More than that, worship quite literally the actions we take in service to God.

I don't know about you, but I've rarely been as satisfied and happy, rejoicing in my Savior, than when I've been actively serving God by serving and loving others. Those moments when you're out on a limb and you have no choice but to trust God, where you are unable to have any confidence in the flesh, that is a form of worship that you will never forget!

When was the last time you worshiped God in this way?

Humility & Obedience

Philippians 2:8-9 "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:"

"Wherefore" is always an important word. It implies that the preceding statement is the reason for what is about to be said. Therefore understanding the preceding statement is vital to understanding what is about to be said.

The glory and exaltation which Jesus received came at a cost. The perfect Son of God, the King of kings, humbled Himself and became a helpless baby. And not only did He humble Himself, he was obedient in everything, all the way up to dying a horrible death on the cross, bearing our sins, and enduring the separation from His Father.

WHEREFORE...as a result of Jesus' actions and attitude, God has highly exalted Jesus. WHEREFORE...because of what I just said, God has given Him a name above every name.

As a Christian, I am called to walk in Christ's footsteps. Humility and obedience. How am I doing so far today?

But Also To Suffer

Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"

While there are many religions that have suffered persecution, as far as I know, Christianity is the only one that makes an outright promise that suffering will come.

2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

1 Thessalonians 3:4 "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know."

1 Peter 3:14 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;"

Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Shall suffer, should suffer, but and if ye suffer, when you are persecuted...Pete, Paul, and Jesus Himself made it clear - suffering and persecution were going to be part of the Christian's life. It is not something to run from or shun. Rather, it should be cause for rejoicing. As they say, the devil will only attack a Christian if that Christian is threatening his evil work.

When was the last time you suffered persecution? What was your response? What are you doing in your life today that is preventing you from potentially facing suffering?

Knowledge & Judgement

Philippians 1:9 "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;"

In today's culture, love is usually a quality people try to possess and exercise by itself. If it is paired with other qualities, it is usually peace or something along those lines. And there's nothing the matter with that necessarily. However, Paul makes a point here that many would balk at today.

His prayer for the Philippians was that their love would grow and overflow more and more in knowledge and judgment. Knowledge and judgement are not usually associated with love. But here you have it. Many would argue that you don't need to know anything to love and many more would argue vehemently that judgement and love are nearly complete opposites.

As Christians though, we know that love without truth is not love at all. That is why knowledge of things ethical and divine and judgement (of moral discernment in ethical matters) is required for our love for others to grow.

Are knowledge and judgement included in the way that I love God and others? What would it look like if they were? If they weren't?

Walk in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

Walk: "to make one's way, progress; to make due use of opportunities. Hebrew for: to live, to regulate one's life, to conduct one's self, to pass one's life."

Walking in the Spirit is an all-encompassing thing. Paul is not just talking about going to church and reading your Bible. Walking in the Spirit means that our life is spent walking in the Spirit. That is what we do with our time both actively and passively.

So what does that look like? Well obviously walking (living and conducting ourselves) in the Spirit looks like not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh as listed further in the passage. It also looks like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance naturally flow from our actions. The Bible says these things are fruit of the Spirit, meaning that they naturally grow out of walking in the Spirit. You cannot force fruit to grow through will power. All it takes is the right seed and the right cultivation, and the fruit naturally comes.

Am I walking in the Spirit today? What fruit do I see coming from my life?

Liberty of Christ

Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

The fact that Paul has to command us to stand fast in the liberty of Christ tells us that we have opposite tendencies. The Bible does not waste space. All Scripture is there for our betterment. Therefore, the fact that this command is necessary says that we will be pulled in the opposite direction toward bondage of the law.

It's important to note that Paul does not just say "stand fast in freedom." He specifies exactly what freedom he is talking about - the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. This is not lawlessness and licentiousness. This is freedom from the bondage of the law, sin and self. Freedom to live a life pleasing to God that is also the most beneficial to us.

Do you feel that pull away from the liberty of Christ? What is it that moves you that way? Can you stop right now and make it your goal to stand fast in His freedom today?

Son & Heir

Galatians 4:6-7 "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Sons of God. Heirs of the Creator. No longer servants under bondage. But freed children of God possessing the Spirit of His Son!

These are incredible, encouraging thoughts. Until, maybe, we look in the mirror and see all our faults. Until we have a bad day, lose our temper, or face a grave disappointment. In those moments, are position as children of God may not seem as real. But it is in those moments of hardship and temptation that we are to cry out, "Abba, Father!"

Just that simple cry ought to remind us of our position, of our station in Christ. Not just sons and daughters of the King of kings, but heirs to His Kingdom. This heirship gives new meaning to our command to pray that God's Kingdom comes. As heirs, suddenly we have a personal interest in that prayer, a personal stake. What a privilege to be God's child and heir!

The Curse of the Law

Galatians 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

While He was on this earth, Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. Yet because He loves us, He allowed Himself to be made a curse for us. It is hard to take in this thought.

The law had brought the curse of death and judgement on all who failed to live up to its standard of perfection. We were incapable of meeting those standards. And that is why Jesus had to come. The price was too high for us to pay, so He came to redeem us.

Think of something that you know is right, and yet is hard to do. How does it compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made?

Loved and Gave

Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. A simple enough thought. But absolutely world changing. This is the epitome of love right here. Jesus did not need us, but He wanted us. Not because there was anything good in us that was desirable, but because of His mercy, grace, and love.

In all the pantheons of all the false religions, there is no story quite like this. In those false religions, 'gods' are often portrayed as selfish beings. Yet in this story that we know to be true, Jesus loved and gave. What more could we hope for?

Am I living by the faith of the Son of God today? Is His love and generosity alive in me? How am I showing it to those around me?

Neither Was I Taught

Galatians 1:11-12 "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Paul is writing to a church that is being deceived and led astray by people claiming to preach another "gospel". Through his own testimony, Paul is pointing out that his experience of the Gospel was not through teaching of men, but by revelation of God.

As Christians, the authority of our faith does not rest in man. Every generation has its well-known Christian leaders. People look to these fallen humans for guidance. And while at times they can provide good leadership, they cannot replace the revelation of God. Even back in Paul's day, he makes the point that he didn't even talk to Peter, one of the main leaders of the church, for 3 years after Paul was saved. He didn't need to because his revelation came from God.

This is not to say that we should all be loners who never talk to other Christians or who never listen to what others have to say. It is merely to point out that Christ and the Gospel is sufficient. If that is all we have, that is all we need. And also to make the point that anything that does not line up with the revealed Gospel of Christ is garbage.

What is your experience with the Gospel? Does it depend on other people and their take on the Gospel? Or is it a deep, intimate, one-on-one relationship with Christ?

Perfect Perfection

2 Corinthians 13:9 "For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection."

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

Since the Bible is translated, doing word studies is an essential tool to understand God's Word. The word 'perfection' in verse 9 has this definition: "a strengthening, perfecting of the soul, a training, disciplining, instructing." If you insert that definition in place of "perfection", it gives the verse a very different meaning.

It's the same with verse 11. Paul's command to be perfect does not mean that we are commanded to be without fault. That is not possible! The word 'perfect' here means, "ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be." Both words have this idea of completion.

We know that while we are not complete yet, one day we will be. In the meantime, it is a process that Jesus is continually moving us through to become more like Him, more complete. So the question is, am I working to train and discipline myself so that I can become what I ought to be?

Examine Yourselves

2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

Examine: "to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself"

Prove: "to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals"

Saying you are a Christian is not enough. When it comes to situations where your eternal destiny is on the line, taking a long, hard, close look it warranted.

I love the part of the definition above that speaks of scrutinizing to see if something is genuine. I think of an expensive piece of artwork. Even the best can be forged, however a forged piece of art is worthless and a fraud. The last thing that we want is for our relationship with Christ to be a fraud.

Testing metals can sometimes involve extreme stress or heat. Are you willing to put yourself through that to insure that you are indeed in the faith?

Chapter 11

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Chapter 11 provides a lot of context for this verse. I think usually it's just talked about in reference to Paul's thorn in the flesh. But for many verses prior to that, Paul is going over a long list of trials and tribulations that he has had to endure. His thorn in the flesh was a big part of this, no doubt, however if takes the previous chapter to really help us understand the full depth and scope of what Paul endured to come to this understanding.

And that's the beautiful thing about the Scriptures. They are here for us to teach us and instruct us so that we can learn through the experience of others. And not only that, so that after having learned, when we experience something similar, we can know that God is faithful and will remain faithful no matter what we go through.

We like to think about His grace being sufficient, His strength being made perfect in our weakness, His power resting on us, being strong despite our weakness, but what we don't like near as much is the rest of the verse. Chapter 11 was necessary for Paul to truly experience His strength and power. If we want the promises here in 12:9-10, we must take pleasure in our infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses when they come for Christ's sake.

What things am I suffering for Christ's sake? Am I glorying in them? If there's nothing, thank God, but maybe also take stock of your life. Is it a life different enough for the world to even notice?

Glory: Verb

2 Corinthians 10:17 "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

The verb "glory" here means, to "(make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice." The word has the picture of actually standing in His presence and what we would do if we were there. In this day and age of equality, I think we've largely lost the concept of what it means to glory in something because most of what we see on a daily basis is pretty normal.

But the God we serve is not normal. When we are humble (having a proper perspective of ourselves in light of Who God is) then we will see the need to glory in Him and not in anything else. Make your boast in what He has done. Tell other proudly of how God has acted on your behalf. Rejoice in what He has done. Find in His actions your source of joy.

In what am I glorying today? Do I even know how to glory?

Sinful Imaginations

2 Corinthians 2:5 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"

This is a verse we're pretty comfortable with but I believe has largely lost its meaning. What are imaginations and high things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God? I believe Paul is talking about sin, plain and simple. Sin begins as an imagination and attempts to be greater than the knowledge we have of God.

For example - someone does something to tick you off. If you slow down the tape, your anger begins as an imagination. Yet the knowledge of God confronts that imagination. Through the knowledge of God we know that anger is wrong and that love ought to be our response. Yet this sin makes itself a "high thing" and tries to trump that knowledge.

In that moment we have a choice - will we cast down that imagination? Will we bring that thought into obedient captivity to Christ? Or will we let it overcome what we know of God and rule us?

A Cheerful Giver

2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

I have read this verse many times. I have heard sermons preached on this verse. Reading it this time though with the context of the entire chapter and book, it almost makes me mad thinking about the teaching I've heard on it. This verse is not about tithing to the church, as I have so often heard it preached.

This verse is about giving to the poor, abounding in good works, sacrificial service, fulfilling the needs of the saints. Most of the messages and teaching I've heard on this verse would have you believe that all Paul meant was "wear a smile when you put the tithe in the offering plate".

The church was designed to be the body of Christ. What did Christ do when he was bodily present on earth? He ministered to the poor and needy, he sacrificially served and gave to the least, He met the needs of His disciples. His example to us is not to just sit in a pew and smile while we fill up the offering plate once a week.

Clenching or Giving

2 Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

We serve the Creator of the Universe. He designed and made this place to operate on certain immutable rules. This verse contains one of those rules. If you were hoping to get enough of a harvest to provide for you and your family, you could not sow just a little. You would likely use all the seed you had. Use it all up. Then you would wait. And pray.

When harvest time came though, your sowing paid off. Because for each seed that you sowed, you got more than that in return. That one planted seed grew and became a stalk of grain that contains many, many more seeds. I know Paul was speaking of different grain, but just to give you an idea, a single stalk of Oklahoma wheat can have 30 or more grains per head. A 30x return on investment.

Am I sowing bountifully in my life? Or am I clenching what I have? A lack of generosity is really just a lack of faith. Do you want a bountiful harvest? Then it's time to give!

Beyond Your Power

2 Corinthians 8:3 "For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;"

The capacity that a surrendered child of God has to give and sacrifice is really something. But we all have our limit. Our power to aid those around us to our own detriment has a boundary that we will reach. Then what?

That surrendered child of God will find what is beyond their own power. It's as if we're running a race and we run, and we run, and we run until we can absolutely run no more. We collapse forward, but instead of hitting the ground God's power (which was their all along) is their to grab us and carry us beyond where our power could get us.

We foolishly set limits to our generosity and our ability. The God Who dwells inside us is not limited. And it's His power in us that allows us to be generous in the first place. Have I ever experienced that power beyond my power? Has it been recently?

He Became Poor

2 Corinthians 8:9 "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

So often, riches ensnare their owners. In fact, it's not a stretch to say that often times the "owner" ceases to truly be the owner and instead the riches become master. Praise God, our Lord Jesus Christ did not let His riches own Him!

He truly is our example in all things. Any riches we have on this earth cannot even be compared to the riches He enjoyed in Heaven. Yet it was nothing to Him. He left it all because He loves us. He didn't want Heaven without us.

Are there any riches in my life that I am unwilling to give up? How can I say 'thank you' and follow Christ's sacrificial example today?

Within Were Fears

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"

Perhaps I'm alone in this, but when there is fear in my life, my general reaction is shame. I know that is not how a Christian is supposed to live because God's perfect love casts out fear. Therefore, if there is fear in my life, I'm not living in Christ's love as I ought. After the shame, my next general reaction is to try and get rid of the fear on my own.

While repenting is a good thing to do when we have fear born out of a lack of faith, God knows our weaknesses. He understands our faults and our failings. When their is fear in our life, we don't have to deal with it by ourselves. God is there to comfort like the good Father that He is.

Is there any fear in my life? What is its source? Can I repent of my fear and lack of faith and let myself be held by the God who comforts those that are cast down?

Blaming the Ministry

2 Corinthians 6:3 "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:"

As Christians, we bear the name of Christ. Many of the people we meet will potentially never experience His love apart from their interaction with us. That is why Paul exhorts the church to not give offence in any thing. It's not so that you get along well with others, it's so that the ministry (reconciliation with God, the Gospel) is not blamed for our poor behavior.

Think of a super fancy restaurant, one where a tie is required and there's more silverware than you know what to do with. The waiters and waitresses are all dressed a certain way that identifies them with that restaurant. They all act a certain way. If they fail to act in the expected way (say they're rude, obnoxious, or inattentive), they could get fired. Why? Because their behavior reflected poorly on the restaurant. If you have a bad experience with a waiter or waitress, there's a good chance you won't come back.

How much more important is this concept in our Christian lives! Paul goes on for 6 verses giving examples of problems and hardships we might encounter. His point is regardless of what we experience, we are "dressed" in a certain way that identifies us with Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that our actions line up with Who we serve and show His love and grace to the world.

Is my life being lived "giving no offense" today?

NOTE: Some may take this to mean that we should never offend anyone. That is not our job at all and it is not what Paul means here. Jesus offended people. A lot. The Truth offends the sinner as it should. We must never compromise the Truth in order to attempt to not offend someone. The word "offense" here means, "an occasion of stumbling, to do something which causes others to stumble. i.e. leads them into error or sin." In other words, a Christian's behavior in all the circumstances Paul lists ought to be such that points the world to Christ and does not create a stumbling block that will lead them to sin.

Ministry

2 Corinthians 5:18 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"

In the modern age of the church, I'm afraid we have become far too comfortable with certain words. This has caused them to lose their true meaning. The word "church" itself could arguably be categorized this way. But right now the word I want to address is "ministry".

In today's church, ministry is generally some kind of activity that you help perform. The music ministry, the children's ministry, the women's ministry, the communion ministry, the greeting ministry, etc. And while these can all definitely be considered ministries, we need to understand what the word ministry means. Ministry is literally "service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others." As Christians we execute the commands of God.

Paul makes it clear, a Christian's first ministry is doing everything we can to execute the command of "be reconciled to God". So, whether it's children's, music, or any other kind of ministry, the real question to ask is - Is this ministry truly executing the commands of God?

Earnest

2 Corinthians 5:5 "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."

Paul is talking in this passage about the hope we have of one day being in the presence of the Lord. A day where we will shed this sinful flesh and know what it means to be totally in His presence. While some may doubt that we can have this kind of assurance, the Bible is very clear.

The Holy Spirit is the only proof we need. The Bible says His presence in our lives as God's children is an "earnest". This is not a common word and is probably unknown to many. It means - "Earnest: money which in purchases is given as a pledge or downpayment that the full amount will subsequently be paid." Having the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is not just a perk of being a Christian. It is God's downpayment on the relationship we will one day enjoy in Heaven with Him, face to face.

Am I daily experiencing God's Holy Spirit in my life? Does it affect the way in which I live life? Thank God today for this downpayment, and for the fact that it can only get better!

Just A Glimpse

2 Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

I sincerely believe there is nothing on this earth that can even come close to being a shadow of how incredibly amazing God and His love is. The beauty of creation, the wonder of a loving marriage, the heart swell of joy at a child's laughter, all these will pale and fade to nothing compared to Him. All these things on earth will fade away, but He will not.

Although I believe this, it is impossible to fathom. Words can not describe the joy of companionship. The human tongue fails to express what happiness comes from being with the one you love. The anticipation and excitement that comes from the prospect of finally marrying your one and only is a feeling and an emotion the soul can not contain! Yet I know that it is just a beautiful picture, a pale reflection of what is to come.

But even though I know this, there is nothing inside me that can imagine it to be true. More wonderful than this? More joyful, more content, more satisfied, more elated? How? I cannot understand it!

What a wonderful God we serve. I am so thankful for the temporal things that give us a glimpse of heaven.

Liberty

1 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

This has to be one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It is so beautiful in its simplicity. We know that he who does not have the Son does not have life and he who has the Son has life. The Lord and true life are inseparable. Where one goes, the other follows. So it is with true liberty.

These days we have a skewed view of what liberty and freedom are. Many without the Spirit of the Lord, and therefore without true liberty, think they are free when they are doing whatever they please. However, this is merely slavery to fleshly desires. No matter what we do, we are submitting to someone. Submission to God invites His presence and therefore true liberty. As Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we can now be free from sin, death, and the law. Free to live as we have been designed to live!

Is there liberty and freedom in your life today?

Triumph - Always

2 Corinthians 2:14 "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."

If we are honest, we don't always feel like God is always causing us to triumph in Christ. In fact, there are many times where the word triumph is about the furthest thing from our mind. Temptation, weakness, disease, failure, broken dreams, and more whisper defeat in our mind. The victory that is ours in Christ feels an eternity away.

But God is not bound by time. Our victory is complete. What Jesus did for us on the cross and when He rose from the dead, fully accomplished His work. He is seated on God's right hand. The victory is won and He causes us to always triumph in Christ.

The word always means just what is means - always, every time, without fail. Regardless of what this life throws at us, we can claim this verse, and live in the reality that our victory is in Christ.

Why?

2 Corinthians 1:9 "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:"

Because of our eternal perspective, Christians often try and find meaning when difficult things happen in our lives. Paul and his believers had a sentence of death hanging over their heads and the same question occurred to them that occurs to us so often - why? Why would God allow this to happen?

I've heard life compared to a tapestry. If you look at it from the back, it looks like a mess of tangled, multi-colored threads with no rhyme or reason. Yet if you look at it from the front, the design is clear and beautiful. While on earth in our fleshly bodies, we're stuck seeing life from the back. But when we get to Heaven, we will see if from the front, from God's point of view. But nevertheless, that nagging question still comes - why? Why would God allow a child to die? Why would God allow me to get this disease? Why would God allow me to lose my job? Why would God allow me to be persecuted and sentenced to death?

Paul had an answer - God allows these things in our lives so that we would lose all faith and trust in ourselves, and instead, put all our faith and trust in the One Who has the power over life and death itself. We know that faith and trust without action is dead. So God brings these difficult circumstances in our lives to give us the opportunity to act on what we say we believe.

What are you wondering 'why' about today? Have you been trusting in yourself instead of the God Who raises the dead?

Watch

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity."

There are a lot of commands in the Bible to watch and be vigilant. Even Christ Himself commanded His disciples to watch and pray. What are we to watch for and why? Anytime you travel to a place you've never been before, it is natural to keep a closer watch of your surroundings than you would if you were in your own home. This is a self-defense mechanism. When we are in unfamiliar territory, the threat level is raised and so is our awareness.

We know that as Christians, this world is not our home. In that way, we are in unfamiliar territory. We know the devil is like a roaring lion seeking to devour. We know that sin can easily beset us. For these reasons, we watch. The evil influences in the world will try and make us fall away from our faith. For these reasons also, we stand fast in the faith. The evil influences in the world will try and make us give in to our base nature. For these reasons, we are called on to act like men and be strong.

But then Paul finishes off with the exhortation to be loving in all we do. This world is not our home and many things in it are threats. However we are called to love the lost and share the love of Christ with them.

How are you doing on this little to-do list today?

Stedfast, Unmoveable, Abounding

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

The verses preceding verse 58 are very well known. Death has lost its power, the grave it impotent, we now have victory through Jesus Christ over sin and death! Therefore....

Paul tells us that we need to be stedfast, or firm and immovable. We stand in the love of Christ, in His victory. We will not give an inch, we will not move from this place of power. Paul tells us to be unmoveable. We have a task to complete, let us do it with firm persistence, never giving up, unmobeable in godly purpose and passion. Paul tells us to be always abounding in the Lord's work. Our work is to share the love of Christ with the world. Abounding in that work means it's always happening, flowing from us, spreading across the world!

If we are working in the Lord (seeking Him every step of the way), then what we do will have purpose and impact. Am I living this "therefore" today?

The Simple Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;"

Paul has covered some pretty heavy stuff so far in this letter to the church of Corinth. But in this chapter, he makes sure to center their minds on the foundation - the Gospel. A church like Corinth that is struggling in many ways needs the admonition and teaching that Paul provided, however what they need the most is to recenter their minds on the simplicity of the Gospel. 

It is the Gospel that shows us the love of God. As we see that He first loved us, t is the Gospel that inspires us to love Him in return. And the whole of what it means to be a Christian is summed up in this - love God supremely, and love others more than yourself. The problems that Corinth was facing would have been solved by the application of this simple principle.

What complicated issue are you facing today? Could the answer be found in the simplicity of the Gospel?

Edifying

1 Corinthians 14:26 "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."

Paul leaves no room for doubt here. Whatever we do in the church ought to be something that edifies our fellow believers. We don't use the word "edify" much these days. The word means "to build up" or "the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness". It shares a root with the word "edifice" which means a large, imposing building.

What would it mean in your life to have a fellow believer build you up? What kind of words and actions would promote your growth in Christ? The answers to these questions are a good starting place for what you should do for your fellow believers.

This is another reason why I believe the modern church is missing the mark when it comes to how we "do church". Think of the modern church experience. Is the Christian who comes to Sunday service, shakes hands, sings, and listens to a sermon actually edifying those around him or her?

Seeks Not Her Own

1 Corinthians 13:5 "Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;"

Paul has a lot to say about what love is and isn't. But the one that caught my eye today is in this verse - love does not see her own. The words used here give an interesting look into exactly what Paul means.

The word used for "seeketh" here can mean to "demand or crave". This is just casually looking for something. This is an intense drive to get something. The word for "her own" is actually a pronoun. It could also be interpreted "love demands not herself." The word has the idea of conceit.

Love is always putting the needs of others before our own. The Bible makes it clear that we must give to receive. This is done through not craving or demanding things for ourselves, but rather looking for how we can serve those around us.

Is this the kind of love that marks your life?

Suffer & Rejoice

1 Corinthians 12:26 "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

How often have you stubbed your toe and just not cared? I would guess never. The entirety of your body reacts, your face scrunches up in pain, your hands usually grab the toe in an effort to make it stop hurting, your other foot helps you jump up and down for some odd reason. The point is, the body is so perfectly connected, that what happens to one member, affect the whole body.

Paul is using the body here as a metaphor for the church, Christ's body, the body of believers. The question becomes, have we become so disconnected from each other that we no longer feel the pain or joy from the other members? In your own church, how many people are you this connected with? How many people do you merely shakes hands with on a Sunday and ask (without actually caring) "How'd your week go?"

Imagine that you're the toe in Paul's metaphor. You get stubbed and the body just keeps going, completely unaffected by your pain. A body like that won't last long. We need each other. In order to be an effective church, we must be so closely connected with all the members that we suffer and rejoice as one. This is unity.

Follow Me, Follow Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

In the modern church, in our individualistic society, I'm afraid we have largely lost this concept. In a mega-church with 2000 people attending, where you can't possibly know all the other members of the body, how can you possibly apply this verse? 

How can someone follow you as you follow Christ, if they don't even know you exist?

The church is to be Christ's body. We are all members together and should be so closely linked that when one is in pain or need, we all feel that pain and need. This can't happen if you show up to church and leave. 

The whole concept of discipleship is lost when we become so disconnected from each other. Someone, right now, should know you well enough, and you should be living your life in such a way where they can say, "I've seen them following Christ so closely, that if I follow them, I'll be on the right track." And the reverse should also be true - you should have someone you are looking to as we all follow after Christ.

I love how Matthew Henry puts it, "Paul not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to imitate. "Be ye followers of me,' that is, "Be imitators of me; live as you see me live.' Note, Ministers are likely to preach most to the purpose when they can press their hearers to follow their example. Yet would not Paul be followed blindly neither. He encourages neither implicit faith nor obedience. He would be followed himself no further than he followed Christ. Christ's pattern is a copy without a blot; so is no man's else. Note, We should follow no leader further than he follows Christ. Apostles should be left by us when they deviate from the example of their Master."

Do you know anyone well enough to know that you can follow them as they follow Christ? Does anyone know you well enough where they could do the same to you? Are you living a life that is worth following?

Wherefore

1 Corinthians 10:14 "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."

The word "wherefore" always has a purpose. It's there to make us look back at the verse before and by that to help us understand the "because" of the command being given. Verse 13 is a wonderful promise that most people know very well:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Such a beautiful promise from our Heavenly Father! But now, after reading it, because of what was stated here - flee from idolatry. Because God is faithful, because He won't allow us to be tempted above what we are able, because He will make a way of escape, because all of that - flee idolatry.

God's promises are designed to prompt us to action! Idolatry is a creeping sin that tries to camouflage itself. Are there any actions, beliefs, or habits in my life that are idolatry in disguise? Examine your life today and then flee to your Heavenly Father.

Run to Obtain

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Paul doesn't make it immediately clear what prize he is running to obtain. However, the context of this verse gives us a clue. I'm sure there could be more than one translation of what he's talking about, but I'd like to offer 2 possibilities.

First - the salvation of souls. In the preceding verses, Paul is laying out the extent he's gone to in order to see others come to Christ.

Second - a sincere, authentic Christian life. In the verses following 24, Paul talks about what he does in order to make sure he is not being a hypocrite.

Whether it's one of these, or something else, the point remains - this Christian life is not a walk in the park. It is a race. And we need to figure out what prize we're going for, and then run to win.

What prize am I running for in my Christian life today?

Necessity is Laid Upon Me

1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

Here Paul is looking back on the preaching that he has done. He's trying to make clear to the church that what he has done is not something to be put up on a pedestal as an unattainable goal. But rather what he has done is what he was called to do and therefore, empowered by the Holy Spirit, he just did it!

Is there something in my life that I know God has laid upon me to do? It's not something I'd merely like to do, but there is a necessity to do it. What is that one thing that I know I must do in this life for Christ?

For Whom Christ Died

1 Corinthians 8:11-13 "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

This is a big deal. As Christians, we have incredible liberty in Christ. Yet, as always, along with that freedom comes a responsibility. Our command is always to love God first, and then others as we love ourselves. So even though we have liberty, we also have responsibility to show love to our fellow believers.

It's interesting to note one of the reasons Paul says we should not make a brother offend - because Christ died for them. This really puts a new perspective on all our interactions with those around us. The person who cuts you off in traffic, Christ died for them. The rude person who demonizes you on social media, Christ died for them. Christ died for them and loves them as much as He loves me! They are my neighbor and I have a responsibility to love them.

How do I view those around me? As random, weak people? Or as brothers and sisters who Christ died for?

Benevolence

1 Corinthians 7:4 "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband."

Benevolence is not a word we often use these days. However, its meaning is quite easy to understand. It means good will or kindness. It finds its root in a compound word meaning to be "well-minded" or to be reconciled and in agreement.

I've been thinking a lot of the husband-wife relationship lately. So many couples that I see appear from the outside to tolerate each other, yet there does not seem to be any benevolence in the relationship. Benevolence, kindness has a connotation of tenderness. It requires care and thought beyond the normal course of things.

Jesus was very clear that the command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" applied to everyone, everyone is your neighbor. So husbands and wives ought to love each other as themselves. But they are called to go above and beyond that. Add to that love, benevolence.

Temple

1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

In 21st century America, we have a hard time relating to the concept of a holy temple. However, when Paul wrote this, the idea was a crystal clear picture. The word Paul uses here for 'temple' is very specific and can refer specifically to the actual place where God dwelt within the temple. It doesn't refer to the whole building but rather to that specific spot, the Holy of Holies. In this illustration, we are not the outer court, or where sacrifices took place, rather we are that most sacred place where God chose to actually dwell.

The Holy of Holies was treated with nearly unimaginable honor and respect. Only one set-apart priest who had been chosen by God and been thoroughly cleansed was allowed inside, and only for a short time once a year. The other priests tied a rope around his foot just in case he fainted or was struck dead, that way they could pull him back out without having to enter themselves.

This ought to give us some idea of how God views our bodies. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. His residence belongs to Him. How should these facts influence my life today?

Were and Are

1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

Prior to this verse, Paul goes through a long list of sins that is pretty shocking. But even more shocking is this verse. "And such were some of you..." Our past is ugly. Go down that list with an honest heart and you'll see that Paul is talking about you and me. Most likely not every one. But idolater is on that list, and there's not a human alive who hasn't placed something above God at some point.

But then Paul brings the hope! The key word there is "were". That list does not define the Christian anymore! That's what we "were",  but now we "are" washed, we "are" sanctified, we "are" justified. Jesus has completed that saving work and we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Things are different now.

Have you accepted the change that Jesus has wrought in your life? Do you see yourself as currently and eternally washed, sanctified, and justified?

Sincerity and Truth

1 Corinthians 5:8 "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Paul is telling the church here to do some hard things. Looking at the situation from the outside, it seems obvious what they should do and a bit ridiculous that they didn't do it to begin with. But you have to put yourselves in their shoes. Paul refers to this man living in sin as a "brother". That's the kind of relationship that is difficult to walk away from. Yet Paul's command was clear.

That's why this verse is so key. If we're confronted with a situation like this where separation from a brother is necessary, we must insure that our actions have their motivation in sincerity and truth. God cares deeply about relationships, after all He created them! Yet our relationship with Him always comes first. And if any malice or wickedness is getting in the way of that relationship we must purge it out.

Are there any relationships in my life that are blocking my fellowship with God or other believers? How can I deal with that situation in sincerity and truth?

Kingdom Power

1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."

What is God's kingdom? It is His authority and right to rule over His creation. Within that kingdom is the territory and the people. This is what we are commanded to "seek first". But Paul is telling us God's kingdom is not just a concept to talk about. It is a real, living, dynamic force.

The word "power" here has a long definition, but it really sheds some light on the concept: "Strength power, ability. Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. Power for performing miracles. Moral power and excellence of soul. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth. Power and resources arising from numbers. Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts."

The root word behind our word "power" is also where we get the word "dynamite". God's kingdom is not a mild, quiet Sunday service. The very definition involves action, exertion, performing miracles, influence and resources of Heavenly riches and superior numbers. The power of an army on the march.

Don't be timid, Christian. Seek God's kingdom, God's authority and power in your life, first. When God has the authority in your life ("Thine is the kingdom"), then He will demonstrate His might through you ("Thine is the power"), and then He will get all the glory ("and the glory"). Amen!

Envy, Strife, Division

1 Corinthians 3:3 "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

A person walking in the Spirit of God looks and acts vastly different from someone walking in the flesh. In this verse, Paul lists 3 things that will not be found in someone who is walking according to the Holy Spirit - envy, strife, and division.

Envy has the idea of a contentious rivalry, trying to outdo someone else for pride's sake. Strife is more than just disagreeing, it is a bitter, resentful attitude toward those we disagree with. And division is pretty self-explanatory. The word comes from two words that mean "two" and "stand", literally you have a stance, I have a stance, and they are not one or unified, they are two separate things. This doesn't mean we won't ever disagree with fellow believers, it means that we should have unity on the fundamentals of the Gospel.

Am I walking in my flesh as a carnal man? Or am I being led by the Holy Spirit, seeking God and walking in His love, peace, and unity?

One Thing

1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

There is a beautiful simplicity to the Christian life. So many times we try and complicate things because it just seems like how it ought to be. Accepting and dwelling in simplicity is harder than attempting something complex and difficult. All the "-ologies" that surround the Bible have their place in understanding good doctrine. However, we must not let them impede the simplicity of the Gospel.

Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. That's all. The Son of God, dying on a cross for me. Love. Unmatched, unfathomable love. If this is our focus, our goal and driving force, if this is constantly on our mind and ever flowing from our lips, how would that change your life?

Power and Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

I've never noticed before how Paul shows how Christ is the thing that the Jews and the Greeks were both seeking even though they didn't know it.

The Jews knew history and the ancient prophesies. And even though Christ fulfilled all those prophesies, they still demanded a sign. Jesus' ministry was full of signs and wonders. Yet the biggest came when He rose from the dead, proving once and for all His deity and godhood. The Jews sought a sign, yet He was standing right in front of them - the Power of God Himself.

The Greeks were philosophers. They wanted some complex wisdom that they could really sink their teeth into. The Gospel (Christ crucified) was too simple. So simple in fact they saw it as foolishness. The Greeks sought wisdom, and yet the Wisdom of God Himself was standing right in front of them.

Jesus Christ is exactly what we need. God created us, God knows our every need. And if we'll let Him, Jesus will satisfy those needs like no one, and nothing else can.