Not even those who are circumcised keep the law …
Summary: Keeping the law is simple, but that doesn’t mean it is easy.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:13a – Keeping the Law”Galatians 3:25 – Into the Light
Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Summary: What does it mean to live in faith? How do we act when we are no longer under a guardian? These questions haunt everyone who strives to live a life of faith in Jesus.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:25 – Into the Light”Ephesians 5:15a – So What?
Be very careful, then, how you live —
Summary: Once again, we are confronted by the question of “works.” Paul tells us to be careful how we live, yet we know that we are justified by faith and forgiven by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7-8). So what’s the big deal?
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:15a – So What?”1 Peter 3:5-6(a) — The Brush
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord.
Today’s passage is interesting. If I read through it quickly, I think, “That’s nice…” But, if I stop and think about what Peter is saying, I have to cringe a little.
Peter begins by talking about “the holy women of the past.” That is a broad brush to paint a picture with! It includes all holy women in the Bible. Who would you put on that list? Who wouldn’t make the cut?
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:5-6(a) — The Brush”1 Peter 1:2 (c) — Pirate Talk
… to be obedient to Jesus Christ …
Just for the record, I don’t claim to know how all this works. Also for the record, I am suspicious of anyone who does claim to know how this works. Jude 1: 8-9 reads:
“In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’“
Just as Jude defers to God’s judgment in disputes with the devil, I’m prone to defer to God’s judgment if there is any mystery about something in the Scriptures. What is very clear is Peter’s understanding of why we are chosen.
Continue reading “1 Peter 1:2 (c) — Pirate Talk”Obedience – John 12: 27-28a
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
How many people would willingly go to their death in order that others might live? There are a few brave and selfless souls in the world who have given their lives to save others.
More often than not, people who give their lives were hoping it wouldn’t be necessary. The fireman or policeman who loses their life in the line of duty was doing something incredibly brave. In most cases, they were not planning on dying. The person who jumps in to try and save a drowning person and dies in the process didn’t mean to die, they just wanted to help someone else.
Jesus knew he would have to die. He also knew why, and he knew who would get the glory.
Continue reading “Obedience – John 12: 27-28a”