Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition…
Summary: This passage provides us with an opportunity to explore the nature of sin and its impact on sharing the Gospel with others.
How should we understand Paul’s words in this passage? I know that they sound straightforward, but are they? Let’s examine them more closely.
He writes, “The former (those who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry) preach Christ out of selfish ambition…”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:17a – Pineapple on Pizza”…rather than on Christ.
Summary: As we come to the end of this verse, Paul points us, once again, to the only one who can save us: Jesus.
Wait a minute! How did we get here again?
Let’s review:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
In this one sentence, Paul has outlined a major threat to those of us who believe in Jesus. A “hollow and deceptive philosophy” is a persuasive argument that looks substantial on the outside but inside is empty, void of any real value.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:8d – The Path to Unity”Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;
Summary: As Paul wraps up his letter to the Galatians, he summarizes his arguments about circumcision rather neatly.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:15a – The Meaning of No Meaning”You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ;
Summary: Paul’s insistence on this point is leading us to deeper levels of understanding God’s power of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:4a – Christ or Antichrist?”If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Summary: How do you run a race? Are you a natural athlete or do you prefer being a couch potato?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:29 – Clouds of Dust”The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.
Summary: Understanding God’s ways is the key to understanding Scripture. Both depend on our study of God’s Word. In today’s passage, Paul explains the meaning of the missing “s.”
Continue reading “Galatians 3:16 – The Missing “S””… so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Summary: How we look at faith may determine how God looks at us.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:14b – The Wind Blows”I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Summary: Paul has led us up the mountainous trail of his logical reasoning for many verses. We are finally at the top of the mountain, where Paul presents us with a choice. We can jump off on one side or the other, but not both.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:21 – The Knife’s Edge”… but Christ lives in me.
Summary: Understanding that we have an invisible spiritual self is one thing. Understanding that Jesus wants to be with us is another.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20c – Christ in Me (Part 2)”… but Christ lives in me.
Summary: As we look at this passage, the first question that confronts us is existential. Are we purely physical beings, or is there something more, some invisible part of us that only God can see?
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20c – Christ in Me (Part 1)”