… 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”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?”Ephesians 5:9 – The Ship of State
(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”Ephesians 4:26a – Anger Checked
“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”Ephesians 4:24c – The Seven Step Plan
… 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”Ephesians 2:8a – Why Does God Bother?
For it is by grace you have been saved,
Summary: Once again, we find ourselves pondering the meaning of “grace.” Paul points out that we are saved by grace, and as we explore this topic, we discover a beautiful picture of a loving God.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:8a – Why Does God Bother?”2 Peter 2:21a — The Way
It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness…
Summary: The way of righteousness is in knowing Jesus as Savior. Knowing about Jesus is not the same thing as knowing and following Jesus.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:21a — The Way”2 Peter 1:1d — The Righteousness of God
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ …
Summary: Our God is amazing. He is perfect in every aspect. Thankfully, his perfection extends to include perfect love and perfect forgiveness.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:1d — The Righteousness of God”Titus 2:10 (a) — Works vs Works
… and not to steal from them …
Summary: God commanded the Israelites not to steal, but that was a long time ago. Does faith in God still mean we cannot steal?
Continue reading “Titus 2:10 (a) — Works vs Works”1 Peter 2:10 — Party Clothes
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
I once attended a church whose pastor was a master storyteller. I have never in my life had the pleasure of being entertained by someone so gifted in making a story come to life. Often, the story illustrated a Bible passage. One Sunday, he told a story about the parable of the wedding banquet from Matthew 22: 1-14.
The story was told in his unusual, vivid style. I remember it to this day. The mental images he conjured in my mind are indelible. Sadly, his telling of the story seemed to muddle the point of the Biblical account.
Continue reading “1 Peter 2:10 — Party Clothes”