Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Summary: Paul’s “saying” is simple, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to say.
I have a confession to make — I’ve been reading this passage wrong my whole life.
In our last meditation, we just discussed why a saying is “a saying.” It is for a reason. When you and I say it ourselves, we are affirming the truth of the saying.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:15b – The Worst of Sinners”
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly …
Summary: Grace is an interesting word. It can mean everything or nothing, depending on how we look at it.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are different than his other letters. He writes to Titus in a similar way, but the personal references do not seem as personal as they are with Timothy. He writes to the churches about the same topics, but his letter to Timothy seems to assume a deeper shared understanding of the Gospel.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:14a – Liquid Grace”
[The law is made for]… lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers …
Summary: Paul’s list of examples of false teachers who violate the law closely parallels God’s Ten Commandments.
If you squint when you look at this passage, it is possible to “see” the law Paul is talking about.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:9b-10a – Squinting”
… from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Summary: Warning: This meditation delves into dangerous waters.
Have you ever wondered why Paul didn’t write, “Grace, mercy and peace from God,” and leave it at that?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:2e – The Curious Cat”
…the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
Summary: Power is desired by those who want control over others. Jesus shows us that real power is revealed when we can control our desire for power over others.
Consider what Paul is saying in this passage: Jesus Christ has the power to bring everything under his control.
Wow.
Continue reading “Philippians 3:21a – Under Control”
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my … fellow soldier…
Summary: Paul calls Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier.” When we consider what this means, we wonder about the war such soldiers fight.
When we think of Christians, the first thing to come to mind is almost anything but “soldier.” The word “soldier” connotes fighting and war. Being a Christian is supposed to be all about “love.” So what do the two have in common?
Continue reading “Philippians 2:25 Part IV – Fellow Soldier”… being made in human likeness.
Summary: As Paul turns the conversation to the nature of Jesus Christ, we discover a dangerous detour that tempts us away from Paul’s main point into a tarpit of our own making.
Before we dive into today’s passage, we need to have a little talk about theology.
Continue reading “Philippians 2:7c – Two Natures”
As a result …
Summary: The first three words of this passage open the door to looking back through time at the beginning of our human history.
I thought we might start this next verse with the first three words, “As a result…”
Paul has just pointed out that what has happened to him has actually been good — from a certain point of view.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:13a – As a Result …”He forgave us all our sins …
Summary: Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, God forgives us all our sins. But how much is “all?” The answer to that question is worth thinking about.
How many sins is “all”?
When Paul writes that God “forgave us all our sins,” what comes to mind?
The Greek word Paul used for “sin” in today’s passage is “paráptōma.” Its meaning can include both unintentional errors and willful transgressions. So, are we back to counting errors and omissions, right?
Not so fast …
Continue reading “Colossians 2:13b – Dripping Sin”Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin …
Summary: How do we keep others from falling into sin? Paul is instructing us on this topic, but we need to proceed with caution and love.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:1a – Starting With Love”