Tag: doctrine

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1 Timothy 4:16b – The Test of Fire

Cartoon: Two guys are talking. The one on the left looks cool and calm. The other one looks like he has been on fire. The first guy asks, "Did you pass the test?" (Grok)

Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Summary: Once again, Paul challenges us to dive into the Greek to understand what he is trying to tell us.   

In the last meditation, “1 Timothy 4:16a – Me, Myself, and I,” we looked at Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” Paul wasn’t reprimanding Timothy in any way, but was instead encouraging and cautioning him as one worker does to a co-worker. 

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1 Timothy 1:11a – Good News!

Picture (painting) of Jesus being followed by a sheep. (Pixabay)

[…the sound doctrine] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God…

Summary: Paul’s definition of sound doctrine depends on an understanding of the Gospel.   

Paul began this passage talking about using the law “properly” (1 Timothy 1:8). This inspired a frenzy of meditations dealing with judging, law, covenants, and Paul’s examples of what the law is used for. 

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1 Timothy 1:10b – Sound Doctrine

Picture of the cross connected to seeds and fruit by colorful threads. (Grok)

… and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine…

Summary: Paul and Timothy both know what “sound doctrine” is. You can see it in the letter that Paul writes to Timothy. 

Since this is part of one of Paul’s famous “paragraph long” sentences, let’s look back and see how we got here. He begins with an introduction: “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”  Then he starts his sentence with, “We also know that the law is made… for lawbreakers and rebels…” Eventually, he gets around to “…and for whatever else is contrary to … sound doctrine…”

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Philippians 2:12a – Trust and Obey

A man stands looking at an ominous doorway (Grok)

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence…

Summary: Paul’s commendation of the Philippians’ obedience points us to a vital truth: that true obedience is only possible when we rely on God to guide us. 

Paul’s words about obedience in this passage are like a key that opens many doors. One door leads to doing God’s will. The others, however many there are, lead into darkness. 

Discerning the right door without God’s help is beyond human understanding. 

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Philippians 1:27c – A Point of Focus

An image of a swan caught in the focal point of a camera lens (Pixabay)

… striving together as one for the faith of the gospel…

Summary: “Striving together” suggests a coordinated effort between people. On closer examination, we discover that a loose association of believers can also “strive together.” 

When was the last time you found yourself “striving together” with anyone? Do you remember? What were you striving for? 

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Philippians 1:18b – The Important Thing

Picture of a field of wheat with weeds growing in it. (Grok)

The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. 

Summary: Paul is pondering what is most important in life. In this passage, he shares his conclusion that at the end of the day, all that matters is that Christ is preached. 

How much Jesus is enough to save a soul? 

This question may sound silly, but it stems from the passage before us. What does Paul mean by “in every way?” Does it matter if I preach a little Jesus or a lot? Is how I preach Jesus more important than the fact that I preach Jesus? What if I preach Jesus, but I do it in a way that you don’t like?

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Colossians 3:25 – A Warning

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Summary: Wrestling with Paul’s letters is not an easy task. Paul’s thinking can be complicated, and the context of his thoughts obscure. Today’s passage gives us plenty to ponder. 

In the beginning of Paul’s letter, he “sets the table” with this statement: 

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” (Colossians 1:21-23)

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Colossians 3:16a – Got it? 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you …

Summary: Reading the Bible is fun. Even the simplest little thing seems to open the door to endless insights about our God and his Word. 

Each of these meditations is an invitation to join in our journey of exploration. We embrace God’s written Word at face value. We believe that God is real and that if he could make the world and everything in it, he could get a book published, too. 

Coming at the Bible this way, we seek to avoid arguments about what people believe about the Bible, and instead, we look to understand and enjoy the message of Christ as it has been handed down over the centuries. 

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