All the Difference

Before he gets into the teeth of the jokes that go for theological influence in Colossae, Paul lays forth the answer. Jesus. He is the answer to everything, and know He is present with us changes everything about how we live.

Before he gets into the teeth of the jokes that go for theological influence in Colossae, Paul lays forth the answer. Jesus. He is the answer to everything, and know He is present with us changes everything about how we live.

Paul speaks in a brilliant chiasm, exposing his Hebraic-based message for his mostly Gentile audience. The big idea is in the middle – the musterion. This rich Old Testament idea was being abandoned for mystery religion nonsense, so Paul reestablishes the right meaning for the term. The ancient and rich truth is that Gentiles are also chosen for glory. Paul also describes his goal of spiritual mat...

Paul speaks in a brilliant chiasm, exposing his Hebraic-based message for his mostly Gentile audience. The big idea is in the middle – the musterion. This rich Old Testament idea was being abandoned for mystery religion nonsense, so Paul reestablishes the right meaning for the term. The ancient and rich truth is that Gentiles are also chosen for glory. Paul also describes his goal of spiritual mat...

Paul shows us the answer to any heresy, trial, or daily need – Jesus. Jesus is wonderful in every sense of the idea, and Paul presents Jesus in poetry crafted to inspire awe in His Person.

Paul shows us the answer to any heresy, trial, or daily need – Jesus. Jesus is wonderful in every sense of the idea, and Paul presents Jesus in poetry crafted to inspire awe in His Person.

Paul relates an amazingly rich prayer, begging God to grant the wisdom and power so badly needed in Colossae. Most especially, he prays for them – and all of us – to remember the truth of who we are in Christ.

Paul relates an amazingly rich prayer, begging God to grant the wisdom and power so badly needed in Colossae. Most especially, he prays for them – and all of us – to remember the truth of who we are in Christ.

Paul introduces himself, Timothy, and massively important concepts including: apostleship, sainthood, the Triune God, faith-hope-love, gospel truth, fruitfulness, grace, and service to Christ. He deftly uses the Colossians own experience, scripture, and Epaphras' life to bring these topics to the fore. This is a kind-hearted way to establish the lesson on solid truth, setting a conversational yet...

Paul introduces himself, Timothy, and massively important concepts including: apostleship, sainthood, the Triune God, faith-hope-love, gospel truth, fruitfulness, grace, and service to Christ. He deftly uses the Colossians own experience, scripture, and Epaphras' life to bring these topics to the fore. This is a kind-hearted way to establish the lesson on solid truth, setting a conversational yet...

Self-control is critical. However, just saying, "Pull yourself together!" doesn't cut it. The human heart is inherently flawed. It is only through reliance upon God that we can really find self-control. Doing so transforms one's life.

Self-control is critical. However, just saying, "Pull yourself together!" doesn't cut it. The human heart is inherently flawed. It is only through reliance upon God that we can really find self-control. Doing so transforms one's life.

Community is neither smooth nor easy. Yet it is among the most important aspects of a life that is built to last. Community doesn't just materialize on its own, nor does it continue without hard work. It is truly something that must be practiced.

Community is neither smooth nor easy. Yet it is among the most important aspects of a life that is built to last. Community doesn't just materialize on its own, nor does it continue without hard work. It is truly something that must be practiced.

Hezekiah's collection of Solomon's wisdom has much to say about saying; that is, words are massively important.

Hezekiah's collection of Solomon's wisdom has much to say about saying; that is, words are massively important.

The pervasive spread of wickedness is disheartening, as is the seeming oddity that God's righteous ones are hated. Further, God's people can be and often are specifically persecuted when the wicked rule. Thankfully, God shows His people what to do, not do, and remember.

The pervasive spread of wickedness is disheartening, as is the seeming oddity that God's righteous ones are hated. Further, God's people can be and often are specifically persecuted when the wicked rule. Thankfully, God shows His people what to do, not do, and remember.

Leadership and authority are among the most the vexing aspects of life this side of heaven. Living in the remarkable scriptural combination of being servants and leaders, we must learn to heed and practice God's wisdom so that we truly build to last. This wisdom endures even through the worst conflict and hardest situations.

Leadership and authority are among the most the vexing aspects of life this side of heaven. Living in the remarkable scriptural combination of being servants and leaders, we must learn to heed and practice God's wisdom so that we truly build to last. This wisdom endures even through the worst conflict and hardest situations.

Proverbs has a great deal to say about husbandry, prefiguring Jesus' pithy summary that use of mammon displays one's values (or heart) and the epistles' encouragement to work by God's grace. The main issue in this book 4 of Proverbs is husbandry – how well one develops the resources one has been granted.

Proverbs has a great deal to say about husbandry, prefiguring Jesus' pithy summary that use of mammon displays one's values (or heart) and the epistles' encouragement to work by God's grace. The main issue in this book 4 of Proverbs is husbandry – how well one develops the resources one has been granted.

Humility is critical for human prosperity. Yet we remain proud, something we reveal in many ways including insecure bragging; assumptions, and hasty actions. In fact, our current culture exalts each of these to a strong degree. Thankfully, the Lord has provided through Solomon's proverbs antidotes that guide us to true humility.

Humility is critical for human prosperity. Yet we remain proud, something we reveal in many ways including insecure bragging; assumptions, and hasty actions. In fact, our current culture exalts each of these to a strong degree. Thankfully, the Lord has provided through Solomon's proverbs antidotes that guide us to true humility.

Foolishness is a default terminus for humankind. Far from a tabula rasa, Proverbs teaches that the human is simple – a setting that naturally evolves into foolishness. In the larger biblical context, we learn that without divine intervention provided in Messiah Jesus, no person can avoid descending into foolishness and its attendant suffering. Even for those changed by faith in Messiah, practical...