sin – Three Minute Bible

December 28, 2024December 30, 2024

Colossians 2:13b – Dripping Sin

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 …

August 7, 2024August 7, 2024

Galatians 6:1a – Starting With Love

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.

May 25, 2024May 26, 2024

Galatians 4:24c – The Unseen Connection

One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Summary: The writer of Hebrews reminds us that faith is “assurance about what we do not see.” Sometimes we need to be reminded of what it is that we don’t see. Paul is here to help us!

February 20, 2024February 20, 2024

Galatians 2:19a – Walking Away

“For through the law I died to the law …”

Summary: The complexities of Paul’s logic can be difficult to follow. Here, we explore the meanings of life and death and how they relate to the laws of the old covenant.

February 19, 2024February 19, 2024

Galatians 2:19 – Old Laws and New

If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

Summary: Keep up with Paul can be a challenge. In this passage he reflects on his personal journey with God’s law. The old covenant law is obsolete, and the “new law” is to trust in Jesus. If we try to mix the old with the new, we end up breaking the new law.

February 17, 2024February 19, 2024

Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment

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.

February 10, 2024February 11, 2024

Galatians 2:14b – Awkward Situation

I said to Cephas [aka Peter] in front of them all,

Summary: Conflict resolution can be a challenging topic. In this passage Paul illustrates a technique for dealing with a large group.

November 27, 2023November 28, 2023

Ephesians 6:24 – Undying Love

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Summary: God wants more than recognition and obedience. He wants our love, too. In this closing passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, we find ourselves looking into the heart of our Lord Jesus.

October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

Ephesians 6:16c – And Then There Was Jōb

… the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Summary: Pondering the meaning of “flaming arrows” leads us to consider the fate of Job.

October 4, 2023October 4, 2023

Ephesians 6:9b – The Master

… since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,

Summary: Living in a broken and sinful world seems like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, we all have to face our Maker and our Master at some point.