Tag: Jesus

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Philippians 1:11b – God’s Standard

[… filled with the fruit of righteousness] that comes through Jesus Christ…

Summary: Righteousness that comes through Jesus is different than human righteousness. 

As we continue through this passage, we discover that Paul is referring to a specific kind of righteousness, the kind that comes through Jesus Christ. 

The word Paul uses for “righteousness” is “dikaiosýnē,” in Greek, which Strong’s Concordance defines as “equity (of character or act)” (Strong’s G1343). 

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Philippians 1:1a – One Voice

Picture of an old fashioned family album (Grok)

 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus…

Summary: As we begin our meditations on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are prompted to reflect on God’s Word as his family album. 

I often think of the Bible as God’s family album. Even without pictures, the Bible includes “portraits” of people who are important to God and who are part of his story. 

Of course, we are all important to God! He loves us without a doubt! Yet, some people play a more prominent role than others (1 Corinthians 12:18-20). 

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Colossians 4:11 – Three Jews

Picture of three Jewish men in Paul's day, sitting at a table, talking.

Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.

Summary: Paul’s comment about being comforted by his Jewish companions leads us to consider “Why?” 

No matter what you might think of Paul, the objective facts of his life tell a story. Paul is a man of deep passion. In the first half of his life as a Pharisee, Paul is so passionate about eradicating believers from the face of the earth that he chases them all over the Middle East. 

How many Pharisees bothered to do that? Did any Sadducees mount expeditions to pursue early Christians?

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Colossians 4:5b – Opportunity Knocking

Close up picture of an old door knocker in the shape of a lion's head.

… make the most of every opportunity.

Summary: Christian living can be confusing. People have different ideas about what it means to proclaim the Lord. This passage presents us with an opportunity to ponder what Paul is encouraging us to do. 

I have to confess that this passage makes me smile. Making the most of every opportunity sounds like something my dad would have said only he would have been talking about making money, not saving souls. 

As it turns out, this is one of those passages with a lot of variation in how it is translated. For example, the 21st Century King James Version translates the verse this way: 

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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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Colossians 3:10a – A Wedding Story

Image shows a banquet table for a wedding reception.

… and have put on the new self …

Summary: Putting on a “new self” is a bit vague until we remember why it is important and what God has provided for us to put on. 

Having taken off the old self, we need something else to put on, but what? 

Have you ever stood in front of your closet wondering what to put on? Maybe you are getting ready for a special event like a wedding or a party. Perhaps you have been invited to be at a formal dinner and meet heads of state. Each of these situations requires a different type of attire. But what do you wear for an afternoon with God? 

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