Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… filled with the fruit of righteousness…
Summary: In this passage, Paul answers the question, “Are we righteous because of what we do or because of who we know?”
As we near the end of Paul’s prayer, it is good to step back and look at the whole thought before diving into our passage for this meditation. Paul writes:
Continue reading “Philippians 1:11a – Herding Cats”
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: …
Summary: Do we really have to “rid” ourselves of the things on Paul’s list of bad habits? The answer to that question leads us to a deeper understanding of God’s will for us. In the end, we discover that spiritual growth involves work, but this work is a response to God’s grace, not a means of earning salvation.
Our last meditation discovered an interesting link between our Lord’s parable about the kingdom of heaven and how we are to live our lives as believers. In our passage for this meditation, Paul doubles down on that discovery.
What was that discovery, you ask?
Simply this: God expects us to work for his kingdom while we are here.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:8a – Deeds and Weeds”For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Summary: Once again Paul points us to the truth that there are reasons we wait, have faith, and hope.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:5 – Waiting in Faith and Hope”So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Summary: The whole point of believing in Jesus is so we can be clothed in his righteousness when our time comes to be judged. In this passage, Paul begins talking about what that means.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:6 – When God Says, “Jump!””And pray in the Spirit …
Summary: If we are to pray in the Holy Spirit, we need to have the Holy Spirit in us. How that happens is a simple process, but “simple” is not always easy.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:18a – Doing What Is Right”… with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
Summary: Turning to the breastplate of righteousness, we discover that the word “breastplate” is a bit of an understatement.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:14b – The Righteousness That Saves”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?”(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Summary: Paul mixes metaphors and combines fruit with light. It works because the food value of this fruit is spiritual.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:9 – The Ship of State”“In your anger do not sin”
Summary: There is a right way to be angry and a wrong way. Most of the time, we humans end up doing it the wrong way.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:26a – Anger Checked”… in true righteousness and holiness.
Summary: Today’s passage marks the end of the beginning. In the beginning of Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul lays out a seven point plan culminating in living a life that is “true righteousness and holiness.”
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:24c – The Seven Step Plan”