Ephesians 1-3

I once read a true story about a missionary who brought Bibles into closed countries behind the 'Iron Curtain'. Despite not knowing the language there was a part in the story where he had a great conversation with two other men.

To this day I continue to try and learn sentences that I could use in the same way.

In the story they spoke through the Bible. He had an English one and they had one in their language. To speak to each other they said the name of a verse.

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers" v1:16

I think this is one of those verses.

But think of what this verse means. Paul must be thankful for the people he is writing this to for what they have done and wants to have God build them up and use them powerfully, right?

I think it is actually the opposite when I read this. With a bit more context we read of their famous faith, and how Paul wishes them to be filled more and more with the Spirit to know God more intimately. All this nis from God, not at all what they have done.

Paul is more likely giving thanks to God for what He has done in showing even a glimpse of His love, sacrifice, and plans for the Ephesian church. Praying for them more that God would continue to do amazing things through them.

Eph 2:8-10 (Go read it, the following is not a quote)

It is by grace you have been saved. You haven't done anything to deserve this, but God chose to pay the price to adopt you from the morgue and bring you to life in Christ. This is all from God, not at all by your own earning. God has plans for you now. Walk in His light.

Gal 1-3

Are you so foolish?

What is a "Christian life" and how do we live it?

So often it degrades into the following:
-Go to church every Sunday morning.
-Pay your 10% in tithes.
-Read the Bible.
-Pray before meals and bed.
-Wear a cross necklace.
-No sex before marriage.
-No divorce.
-Dress modestly.
-No swearing.
-Listen to music about Jesus.
-etc.

A list of do's and don't's. But isn't it so much more than that? What is the point of all that stuff?

The Christian life, Christian meaning 'little Christ', is a life where you are following Jesus' example, but more importantly is that you have a close relationship with God and as you experience Him more and more you see the areas in your life that need changing and ask Him to help where you can do nothing.

When we started a relationship with God we asked for forgiveness of all our sin and for Him to enter our lives in a powerful and meaningful way. But so quickly we abandon the good news that was given to us in favour of a list of things we can do to make ourselves feel better than others.

"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written "Cursed is everyone that does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law because "The righteous will live by faith"" (Gal3:10-11)

Ultimately our little lists are meaningless because they are still far less than God's lists. But then God's lists are too great for us to even come close to accomplishing. He promises "I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezk 36:27) God's Spirit in us. Intimacy with God as well as power and strength when we are weak. Boldness to proclaim His goodness and works. Power over sin in our lives. 

But here we are again, back doing what we can by our own abilities. This lack-luster 'Christianity' that is nothing different than the world.

"Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Gal 3:3)

"Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles because you observe the law, or because you believe what you have heard?" (3:5)

His Spirit in us can do so much more than blending into the crowd while wearing a cross. He can do miracles, empower us to beat sin, stir up in us a heart to reach the world, boldness to trust in Him in crazy situations.

So, are we merely following our lists, or following where the Spirit will take us?

2 Cor 5-8

Hey, so I really don't like being the mean guy, the one who has to tell you that you are doing something wrong. I mean it could come off like I think I am better, it could come off like I think you are so wrong, it could just cause you to become more firm in what you think is right. BUT! It could also help you immensely. I mean, depending on the situation, right?

You could be making a fatal error in your calculations and end up failing calculus because you didn't realize that trig equality wasn't actually equal. Or you could push yourself past your limits or be lifting the wrong way at the gym and have a large amount of weights come crashing down on you. Maybe you bought what you thought was a Caribbean potato and didn't cook it quite all the way through and it was actually cassava and you eat it and die of cyanide poisoning.

So maybe you tell them they are wrong and they hurt for a little bit. You've saved them a much worse outcome.

This was not fueled by self-righteousness, not by pride, but by compassion and a desire to save them from the consequences of ignorance.

Paul writes in 2 Cor 7 that he regretted writing the last letter. He no longer regrets writing it. Although at the time it caused sorrow, it was for the best because this rebuke led to godly sorrow, a sorrow leading to repentance.

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Cor 7:10

If you see a brother or sister way off, go gently, lovingly correct them. Point them back to the grace, forgiveness, and justice of Christ. It may hurt temporarily, but leads to far greater intimacy with God and eternity, not destruction.

2 Cor 3-4

2 Cor 4:7

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

(I just read this:
https://bible.org/seriespage/distinguishing-contents-container-2-cor-47-15
It was really cool. Ok. I didn't read it all.)

The treasure is the glorious gospel of salvation for all people of all nations which shines light in the darkness. We are but jars of clay in the potter's hands. But the best way to see the treasure is to get rid of this clay vessel.

" Our lives are like earthen vessels, which, when broken by suffering, manifest the light of the gospel" The author of the article made a point about Paul using the imagery of Judges 7:15-25 where Gideon goes to fight the Midianites with only his 300 men. He goes at night with torches in jars. They surround the enemies and all at once break the jars to shine forth the light from within and scare the enemies.

"When we are broken by adversity, opposition, and suffering, God’s power is revealed, and God’s work is accomplished in a way that does not glorify the “clay pots” but manifests God’s surpassing power and glory."

2 Cor 1-2

I had never noticed before, but if Philippians is the "book of Joy" (somewhat misnamed) than the first chapter of 2 Corinthians must be the "chapter of Comfort". I don't think I've ever realized how many times the word comfort is written here.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Cor 1:3-7 

But the chapter continues as Paul wants us to realize they suffered many hardships. They were under great pressure to the point they would rather die, far beyond what they themselves could endure.

I thought this was about comfort? But reading it again I see so much suffering. So many troubles. Distress. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says "In this world you will have trouble". Other translations say "tribulations", "trials and sorrow", and others.

Don't get me wrong though, God comforts. In Him our hope is sure. We do not need to gamble our eternal fate when we come before Him and the cross. In Christ our future is sure and these present sufferings are nothing in comparison (Rom 8:18).

John 16:33 continues "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus is our strong refuge and tower and the 2 Cor passage also continues like this in verse 10 "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us".

I've heard before that we never find rest by running from our problems, but right in the middle of it as we trust God to help us overcome them we find peace like that in the eye of a hurricane. Even beyond what we can bear, we always know He is with us and has overcome it all.

As seen in the passage, comfort is found as we trust in Christ, in the midst of troubles.

1 Cor 14-16

1 Cor 15

This chapter is all about resurrection. In general, but also specifically about Jesus.

Resurrection is life after death.

If there is no resurrection there are many implications here since we preach Jesus Christ's death AND resurrection.

If there is no resurrection, Jesus wasn't raised to life; sin wasn't paid for, no new life. No atonement, we are not seated in the heavenly places with Him. Our sin remains, we never received His righteousness.

Baptism into Christ's death and resurrection would be meaningless. Our words of hope in the coming redemption and renewal of the world is useless. The good news would be a failed attempt, not a victory.

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Cor 15:17-19

So this is pretty crucial. Especially when men are persecuting Christians around the world this very moment. If He did not rise from the dead, there is no hope, no salvation, nothing worth dying for, nothing worth telling the world.

This is why earlier in the chapter Paul reminds us that Christ did rise from the dead. Verses 3-6. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Afterwards He appeared to more than 500 disciples at the same time, to the apostles and others.

Christ has indeed been raised, erasing our sin and preparing us for the work at hand. "Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." v. 58

1 Cor 11-13

1 Cor 12:4-6 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

Different Gifts. All from above (James 1:17)
Different Service. Reflecting His Service (John 13:14-15)
Different Works. All God's calling (Eph 4:1,11-12)

So there is no point in comparing yourself, your talents, your dreams, your blessings, your works, your deeds, to others'. They will be different, but all from God so that no one can boast in themselves. And even  in these differences we are not divided, but brought together as a body united by Christ. United by one Spirit, one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God.

But I do have a question: is there significance to how the trinity is divided having different things assigned to them in these verses?

1 Cor 1-5

So Paul is writing a letter to a church again. What's new?

There are divisions, there is immorality in the church. There is quarreling and jealously. There is idolatry, and the list goes on as we read the letter. But there are also so many encouraging verses here.

1:2 "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours"

1:8 "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1:26,30-31 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ... It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

3:6-7 "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Our hope, our salvation, our righteousness is found in Christ alone. Nothing we can do will do it. We also have no control over others' salvation, but can only play our part in God's ultimate plan. We may not have been much when we were called; steeped in sin, powerless, enslaved, weak, useless. But God called us and has redeemed us by His cross to live anew in Him, filled with the Spirit of Power.

Romans 6:1-14

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
 
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 3

Without Dark, there is no Light?

Without Cold, there is no Hot?

Without Evil, there is no Good?


Are these true? Are they justification for the darkness, for the cold, for evil?

If by my selfishness, my greed, my lust, my laziness, my lack of integrity, my judgmental nature, my pitiful self-righteousness, my fears; if by these things I show God alone to be worthy of praise, all-sustaining, love, steadfast, faithful, just in judgement, truly holy, and the one who casts out all fears; if these things magnify God's greatness, why does He punish me for them?

Because He is just.

Evil deserves punishment, by nature. Each act of disobedience needs correction, each act of rebellion needs restoration, each thought of ill will on others needs healing.

"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved. No, let us overcome evil with good.

But now we see that when we try our hardest there is still yet none who do good. Not even one. When we try our hardest, we still fall so short of God's glory, of God's plans for us. By the law we see just how far we have fallen, and not one can be justified by it. Yet these are the words of God, entrusted to the Jews and true.

But now we all see how flat on our faces we have fallen, how can we get up?

To demonstrate His justice God sent the Christ, His only begotten Son, that all who believe and trust by faith may be considered righteous. By faith in the blood of Jesus, the source of life, we may be forgiven and our punishment paid for and grace poured out instead of wrath.

Darkness, Cold, and Evil all are naught but the lack of Light, the lack of Heat, and the lack of Goodness.

Let us ask, knock, and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit to overflowing instead of living as if we were full whilst broken and empty.

Romans 1-2

The gospel is powerful.

Verse 1:16-17 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

Although the gospel and the news of the Kingdom of God came first to the Jews, it was always meant for the world.

for the salvation of everyone ... a righteousness from God ... by faith

Romans is a letter that focuses on the gospel from beginning to end to inform the readers what this gospel, this good news is.

Starting off is how God has revealed Himself to all in many ways: "what may be known about God is plain to them" (v.19) through creation and everything God has made His qualities are known so that no one has an excuse.

Bad news verses 1:22-23a: "Although the claimed to be wise, [having known of God,] they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images"

They settled for things they could understand, things they could see, things they could do, lies. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen." (v.25)

Worse news chapter 2: 'you are a hypocrite and God's judgement and wrath are coming to you, He "will give to each person according to what he has done" (v.6)'

Read Verse 28-29. Appearances mean nothing, only what is on your heart will mean anything. Even Jews who thought they were fine because they had the law.

"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God."

I've heard multiple times, you can't know how good the news is until you're heard the bad news first. Romans 1-2 is that bad news. Some more in chapter 3 too, but the Good News is just around the corner, you don't need to wait thousands of years for it.

Acts 23-26

Paul speaks before the Sanhedrin and just stirs them up by mentioning the resurrection. They plot to kill him, but his nephew overhears and gets him transferred.

Felix hears him speak in his defense and about faith in Jesus Christ. Clearly he was interested, they met frequently until he was succeeded and Paul was left in prison two years 'as a favour to the Jews' (v.24:27).

Festus is here now and the Jews ask him to bring Paul back to Jerusalem so they can finish their plot to kill him (I hope they had something to eat these last two years. ;P). But he left Paul in Caesarea and heard his defense and Paul appealed to Ceasar, so he's gonna go to Rome.

King Agrippa hears and "I would like to hear this man myself" (v25:22) were his words.

So Paul again gets to share his testimony about imprisoning and approving the killing of Christians, but how Jesus appeared and sent him out with the gospel "in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also" (v.26:20).

Verse 29 seems very powerful to me, after Agrippa asking "Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul says "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains".

Short or long. God's plans will vary for each person. All we can do is pray, and take every opportunity given us to share what God has done in our lives as Paul did. It may mean 2 years in a prison only able to send letters before being able to preach publicly again, but all in God's plans.

Acts 22

In this chapter Paul to the crowds as he is being arrested. He tells his testimony until the crowd gets riled up again. They start to take him to the barracks and flog him when Paul mentions that he was a Roman citizen. The man who heard this went to the commander.

"The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I am," he answered. Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied." v. 27-28 (NIV)

Now, I don't know anything about why it was so important that he was a Roman citizen, but these words bring to mind a few passages about our citizenship in heaven.

Acts 8:20 "Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (in response to Simon the sorcerer)

John 3:3 "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, n one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Phil 3:20 "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (NLT)

Eph 2:19-20 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Basically, becoming a citizen of heaven cannot be done by money, or our own efforts, but by being born again, receiving Christ who Himself has paid the price by the cross to adopt us as God's children.

Acts 20-21

I remember reading this passage for the first time about 3 years ago on an inflatable mattress on the third floor of building in Brooklyn, New York, and being very bored and just reading because it was in my reading plan. This is one of those places where I got tired of Acts because it seemed like a list of people and places and times, but if that's all you see you are missing out.

This whole passage is Paul going back to Jerusalem knowing that he will be imprisoned for the gospel and it seems to parallel Jesus' journey to Jerusalem to the cross so well. He knows what is going to happen, his friends and other believers beg him not to go, there is prophecy about the event, there is breakign of bread upstairs, and ultimately people saying "The Lord's will be done" (v.21:14).

Paul says "I consider my life worth nothing to me" (v.20:24).

Paul is not living for himself. He is living his life as God would have him live it. He is killing his own selfishness, and desires for comfort and long secure life, for the sake of all those who would hear, from his mouth or the elders he left behind or his disciples, the gospel of grace and salvation from God through Jesus' death and resurrection.

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" (v.20:24)
"I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (v.21:13)

Seems like a similar attitude to Jesus. May our attitudes also reflect His as we seek for Him to help guide us and lead us in the way everlasting.

(Additional Reading: Philippians 2:5-11)

Acts 18-19

In these chapters Paul does a lot of preaching and teaching over a period of more than 4 years, but within this time "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province f Asia heard the word of the Lord" (v19:10) and that was only mentioned because of his two year stay in Ephesus in the hall of Tyrannus.

Anyways, as usual he starts in the synagogues. In Corinth "the Jews opposed [him] and became abusive" (v.18:6), but after he did something "the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord" (v. 18:7).

What did he do?

"Paul left the synagogue and went next door" after "he shook out his clothes in protest and said [quite directly] "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsability. From now I will go to the Gentiles." (v. 18:6-7)

He had devoted himself to preaching and testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, but there was nothing left he could do, so he had to leave. God had used that time, and even those last words and actions to bring the ruler of the synagogue to faith in Christ.

This raises the question, when is it right for you to move on and stop preaching the gospel? I don't think my friends are abusive. Does that mean I don't leave?

Acts 17

Nothing big today. lol. Just questions and comments.

v. 4, 12, 34 Each time Paul speaks it mentions that prominent women believed. Not that it isn't important, but it doesn't typically mention women (usually assumed when it just says 'men' believe), so why does it start now?

v. 6b. Still one of the coolest verses ever. "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also" because they follow their king Jesus instead of Caesar.

v. 9. "Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go" What does post bond mean?

v. 11. They examined the scriptures everyday to make sure what Paul was saying was true. It doesn't take much to either listen and accept or listen and reject, but to listen and then go and find out if someone is telling the truth takes effort and initiative. I wish that we'd see people do this when we share the gospel, but I guess he was in a synagogue speaking to Jews. I don't usually do that. 

v. 30 "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" Are there idols in our lives that we are worshiping instead of God? He commands we repent for He will judge with justice.

Acts 15-16

So, there's a whole discussion about the law in these chapters.

This started in 15 verse 1 "unless you are circumcised ... you cannot be saved".

After a long discussion and council meeting where it was obvious that the grace of God and the Holy Spirit were being poured out on the Gentiles (uncircumcised), so they decided the main things from the law that they would 'do well to avoid' were food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. Now, I don't at all know why these four things are emphasized and so many other things are not. but one thing is clear: they didn't mention circumcision.

In other words, circumcision isn't important which is firmly emphasized elsewhere: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Gal 5:6)

Good. That's all decided, wait, what is Paul doing to Timothy?!?

So, right after this Timothy (who is not a baby) gets circumcised, which I read (even with local anesthetics) is a half hour procedure involving much blood and stitches and a week or so of pain. >.<

So, if this isn't important, why go through all this?

My best idea is the old 'become all things to all people' (1 Cor 9:19-23). If being circumcised was what Timothy needed to show his dedication and resolve for following Jesus and going with Paul to the Gentiles; if that's what was needed to show the Jewish people who knew he was Greek, so be it.

"Therefore, circumcise your heart and stop being stubborn." Deut 10:16

If you know God is calling you to something seemingly unnecessary and potentially painful, stop fighting with Him and have faith in His plans.

Acts 14

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." verse 3.

This follows a group of unbelieving people stirring up the people. They did not leave, but stayed longer, speaking boldly, and all the more God was at work confirming their words by miraculous signs and wonders they couldn't do on their own.

How quickly do we pack up and go when things get tough?

Verses 19-20 show Paul getting stoned to apparent death and what does he do? "he got up" and? "went back into the city". He did leave the next day, but still. He went back.

They just kept going preaching, strengthening, encouraging, and appointing elders with prayer and fasting for the new churches as they left.

Let's keep going empowered by the Holy Spirit within us.

Acts 12-13

In this passage is another "Old Testament"-style death. Zoom in on verses 21-23:

"On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died."

Brutal. How fast can worms eat someone? o.O

But that is what we deserve when we worship anything other than God, the creator of all, the one who is in control of all, the one who is good and just, the one who deserves all praise.

When I read this I thought of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the golden statue in the book of Daniel.In Daniel there is this back and forth between Nebuchadnezzar worshiping idols and praising God until he becomes like a wild animal, eating the grass like cattle because he became proud in his own accomplishments and possessions saying "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

His hair grew and he lived like an animal until he finally acknowledged God as sovereign and worthy.

Dan 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."

God is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Let us seek humility before our great Father each day so that these things may not happen to us.