This is the gospel that you heard …
Summary: There are many ways to describe the Gospel message. Paul excels at demonstrating how this is done.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23e – A Good Message”Colossians 1:23d – The Place of Safety
… and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.
Summary: There are many ways to understand words, but the more words we have, the better we can understand the meaning. God’s Word, the Bible, contains hundreds of thousands of words. The picture they paint is very clear.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:23d – The Place of Safety”Colossians 1:4b – Something to Think About
… and of the love you have for all God’s people—
Summary: Love changes us. The love God has for us opens our eyes to how God wants us to love others.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:4b – Something to Think About”Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path
… an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: Paul begins by telling us who he is and, more importantly, who he represents.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path”Colossians 1:1a – Repetition
Paul …
Summary: Sometimes it seems like we are going over the same ground again and again. The Bible tends to repeat itself. Perhaps the reason for repetition is that we need to hear the message over and over.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1a – Repetition”Galatians 6:16a – The Judge’s Son
Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule …
Summary: Following Paul’s logic always keeps us on our toes. Today’s challenge is discerning which rule Paul is referring to.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:16a – The Judge’s Son”Galatians 6:15a – The Meaning of No Meaning
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”Galatians 6:12b – Circumcision of the Heart
… 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”Galatians 6:8b – Seed Time
… whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Summary: What pleases God? The answer, in short, is love. In practical terms, love leads us to a host of things that honor God and benefit those around us.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:8b – Seed Time”Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden
… for each one should carry their own load.
Summary: Just a few verses ago Paul told us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Now he says “each one should carry their own load.” We need to untangle his words to understand their meanings.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:5 – Jackson’s Burden”