Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…
Summary: Paul’s joy is an indicator of a special relationship with the Philippian church.
This verse alone tells us a lot about Paul’s relationship with the Philippians. His prayer for them is filled with joy.
Paul’s other letters all convey his love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, but his relationship is different with each one.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:4 – The Source of Joy”
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Paul’s introduction affirms that God’s grace extends to all who believe. In the same sentence, he describes the result of God’s grace; God’s peace.
When Paul offers us “grace and peace” from God, it helps if we understand how he is using those words. The grace and peace he is talking about are not just pleasantries. They are real things.
Let’s begin with “grace.”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:2 – Grace and Peace”
Let your conversation be always full of grace …
Summary: Paul admonishes us to fill our conversations with outsiders with grace. While that sounds simple, understanding what grace means requires some reflection on our Lord Jesus.
This verse is important because it is the last verse of instruction in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Everything after this involves personal business. So, let’s savor what this last sentence has to offer.
The larger context of this passage is how we act towards “others.” My understanding of “others” in this context is people “other than” the believers who are already part of the church body. When Paul says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace …” he is talking about conversations with those who might need more grace.
Continue reading “Colossians 4:6a – Lessons in Grace”
[Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,] since as members of one body you were called to peace.
Summary: Peace in the body of Christ is a beautiful thing. It is also a key indicator of spiritual wellbeing.
There is a reason Paul mentions God’s peace in our hearts first. Paul’s thoughts are racing ahead to the image of Christ’s body that Jesus has revealed to him (Galatians 1:12).
Think, for a moment, about the “body of Christ.” It is people. That is what the “body of Christ” is—just people.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:15b – Doing What is Good”… and delight to see how disciplined you are …
Summary: Words often can be used in more than one way. The word “discipline” is one of those words. Paul is not thinking of external discipline, but the kind that flows naturally from a loving heart.
One definition of the word “disciplined” might be “Doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done.” That is a rather gentle definition and one that Paul might have liked. Another definition he might have liked is that being disciplined is like “knowing your place.”
When people of faith are disciplined, they work together without complaint. Each person is content, knowing that they are part of the body of Christ, and following the Spirit’s lead. The “feet” do not wish they were a “hand,” and the “hands” do not complain because they are not “eyes” (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).
Continue reading “Colossians 2:5b – Pleasing Jesus”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”… 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”[T]he fruit of the Spirit …
Summary: Looking back at Paul’s list of the “fruit of the Spirit,” we discover that the fruit of God’s Spirit is actually poured into us before we can share it with others.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22-23 – Looking Back, Part 2”But the fruit of the Spirit is … peace …
Summary: Happiness comes and goes but God’s peace is forever.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22d – Peace Like a River”But the fruit of the Spirit is …
Summary: As Paul begins to teach us about the fruit of the Spirit, it is worth taking a moment to consider why God’s Spirit changes who we are and how others see us.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:22a – A Special Kind of Giving”