Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…[clothe yourselves with] …compassion …
Summary: God’s Word is amazingly consistent in every way. Compassion has something very much in common with faith; both require deeds to become real.
The first piece of spiritual “clothing” that Paul wants us to put on is compassion.
“Compassion” is a word that describes the feelings of pity and sympathy we have for people who are suffering. The Greek word Paul used takes this concept even further.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:12c – Doing Compassion”
… set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Summary: Bridging the language barrier between our world and Paul’s is not always easy or straightforward. Sometimes, we have to think hard about what he is saying.
It is interesting how my mind plays tricks on me.
You can play tricks on your mind, too. The funny thing is that the mind is pretty good at tricks. Take, for example, the ltetres in teshe wdors. Did you nitoce that they are all mxied up? Even though the letters are mixed up, most of you reading this will still be able to sort out what the words are.
The same thing happens with word order in a sentence. Our sees mind the words and somehow straightens out them.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:1b – Things Above”[My goal is] … that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love …
Summary: The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross bridges the gap between our hearts and our minds, drawing us together in love.
Perhaps the most powerful concept associated with Christianity is the power to connect hearts in love.
Intellectually, it doesn’t make any sense. There are so many things we like to argue about. Each of us has our reasoning. Each one has their own perspective.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:2b – Game Changer”… circumcised.
Summary: Circumcision is a theme that runs throughout the Bible. In the beginning, it was a symbol of a covenant. In the end, circumcision was a point of contention. Instead of a symbol of something good, it had become a legalistic requirement for something bad.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:12b – Circumcision of the Heart”Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Summary: When God enters, our lives become a battlefield between the Spirit and the flesh. With God’s help, we can choose life in the Spirit and crucify the flesh.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:24 – Choosing Life”Take the helmet of salvation …
Summary: What is the “helmet of salvation?” Where do we get it and why did Paul call it a “helmet?” These curious questions are the heart of today’s meditation.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:17a – Mindfulness”And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love …
Summary: Paul writes, presuming his readers are “rooted and established in love.” But what does that mean, and why would Paul think it important?
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:17b – Spiritual Potting Soil”… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Summary: Paul describes to us how God works in our hearts.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:17a – My Siamese Me”… and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
Summary: Paul’s metaphors are intended to help us visualize spiritual truths. It helps to realize that metaphors are not the actual truth but only an illustration of truth.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:21b – The Heart of the Lord”And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus …
Summary: When it comes to putting words on paper, Paul is no slouch. He is careful to say what he means. In this passage he says something very interesting. He says we are with Christ already.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:6 – Uplifted”