Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
Summary: Power is desired by those who want control over others. Jesus shows us that real power is revealed when we can control our desire for power over others.
Consider what Paul is saying in this passage: Jesus Christ has the power to bring everything under his control.
Wow.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:21a – Under Control”
[… rid yourselves of] … slander …
Summary: By following each step in Paul’s thinking, we discover that he has something very specific in mind.
Let’s go back and review the whole verse so far:
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander …”
Paul is painting a portrait of a slave to SELF. When we put our self-interest above God and others, we will always find things that offend us. The rest of the world is only interested in pleasing themselves, so since my SELF is most important (to me), it is very irritating when other people do not share my concern for my own happiness.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:8e – Doom Loop”
[… rid yourselves of] … rage …
Summary: Seeing ourselves from God’s point of view is a challenge. Especially when trying to understand what it means to be under God’s wrath.
The word Paul used in this sentence is not always translated as “rage.” In fact, about two-thirds of available English translations of the Bible use the word “wrath” instead. Is there a difference?
From a human point of view, there may not be much difference. From God’s point of view, there is a difference.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:8c – Wrath, Rage, and Bugs”
[… rid yourselves of] … anger …
Summary: Anger has been around for a long time. In most cases, human anger is the result of putting ourselves before God. When that happens, frustration and anger are not far behind.
The kingdom of heaven doesn’t just happen by itself. The King’s people need to stand up and be counted for the kingdom to exist on earth.
One way we are counted as People of God is by mastering our anger. God’s people don’t get angry. Well, not like ordinary people, anyway.
So what is anger, anyway?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:8b – Anger Management”… for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Summary: What is “wrath?” Is it something we should worry about? Does God really get angry with us? These questions are important when we consider where we want to spend eternity after this body of flesh we live in stops working.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:6b – The Choice”Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Summary: Paul gives us a blunt instruction to “get rid” of all things unholy. Before we come before God asking for his favor, we need to examine ourselves carefully.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:31 – The Golden Plate”Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry …
Summary: The danger of getting caught in sin because of anger is very real. Paul gives us a practical time limit to deal with our anger.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:26b – Deadline”“In your anger do not sin”
Summary: There is a right way to be angry and a wrong way. Most of the time, we humans end up doing it the wrong way.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:26a – Anger Checked”
…because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
I find it interesting that James says we should be “slow to become angry” instead of telling us not to get angry. Why? Is James saying it is okay to be angry if it is the slow kind? In today’s verse, James sheds a bit more light on what he meant by “angry.”
James distinguishes “human anger” and “slow anger.” So what is the difference? What is it about human anger that James doesn’t like? This is a situation where it helps to look at the underlying Greek to better understand what was meant.
Continue reading “The Patience of God – James 1: 20”
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…
Once more we return to this amazing passage of scripture. It looks like a simple sentence on the surface, but as we dive into the text we find that every word is a gemstone in its own right. The value of these gems is magnified by the fact that they were written by the half brother of Jesus. A man who grew up knowing Jesus as his older brother and who did not believe in him or appreciate him until after Jesus rose from the dead and spoke with him.
Because of this life experience, James has special insight. He spent all his time living with the Son of God being slow to listen and quick to speak. Now he knows better. Besides, he knows one more thing: Be slow to become angry…
Continue reading “Spiritual Gemstones – James 1: 19 Part III”