Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Watch your life and doctrine closely.
Summary: Paul’s use of Greek once again challenges us to consider the deeper meaning of what he was trying to say.
We often talk about the difference between the meanings of the original Greek words and the English translations, but in this case, we have one more barrier to cross.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:16a – Me, Myself, and I”
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
Summary: The name of Jesus has been exalted above every name, but not everyone on Earth has gotten the message yet.
Do you ever wonder why every knee doesn’t bow to Jesus now?
Continue reading “Philippians 2:10a – Of Self and Sin”
… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—
Summary: Examining Christ’s humility and obedience opens a fascinating line of inquiry into our Lord’s personality and the world we live in.
Arrogance is the opposite of humility.
Another way of putting it is that arrogance is “self-centered,” while humility is not.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:8b – Our Selfless God”
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition…
Summary: This passage provides us with an opportunity to explore the nature of sin and its impact on sharing the Gospel with others.
How should we understand Paul’s words in this passage? I know that they sound straightforward, but are they? Let’s examine them more closely.
He writes, “The former (those who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry) preach Christ out of selfish ambition…”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:17a – Pineapple on Pizza”I have been crucified with Christ …
Summary: When Paul says he has been “crucified with Christ,” he is speaking metaphorically.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20a – Crucified with Christ”But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!
Summary: Paul tackles a legalistic conundrum as only Paul can. He lassos it, hogties it, and then throws it in our faces demanding that we confront his argument head-on.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment”— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Summary: This meditation takes an unusual turn. When Paul talks about us being “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God,” we have to wonder, “What does that leave room for?”
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:19b – Making Room”… without hope and without God in the world.
Summary: Paul uses words to describe the stark contrast between life with Jesus Christ and life without Jesus. Life without Jesus is hopeless.
Continue reading “Ephesians 2:12c – The Lonely Place”