All the Difference

A study of Titus.

It is breathtaking to conceive that Jesus, the second Person of the Triune God, would chose to isolate Himself. At least to some degree, and especially while on the cross, He chose to be cut off from the godhead. Further, he was "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief," giving up his prestige and position for the isolation of pain. This isolation is very instructive for us, as isolation is a give...

It is breathtaking to conceive that Jesus, the second Person of the Triune God, would chose to isolate Himself. At least to some degree, and especially while on the cross, He chose to be cut off from the godhead. Further, he was "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief," giving up his prestige and position for the isolation of pain. This isolation is very instructive for us, as isolation is a give...

Adam and Eve warp humanity with their attempt to live outside human limits. Jesus, the "second Adam," miraculously reverses that and voluntarily lives within human confinement. Since Adam's fall, all humans resist limits -- a tendency especially exposed in our rabid desire to overcome place & space limitations. Instead of this nonsense, we should imitate Jesus, who has the real answer: 1) Accept t...

Adam and Eve warp humanity with their attempt to live outside human limits. Jesus, the "second Adam," miraculously reverses that and voluntarily lives within human confinement. Since Adam's fall, all humans resist limits -- a tendency especially exposed in our rabid desire to overcome place & space limitations. Instead of this nonsense, we should imitate Jesus, who has the real answer: 1) Accept t...

We need to walk in light.

From Mark 1, we learn about the immediacy of Christmas. Jesus is the Person of Christmas – the Savior who is God & man. He exercises the power of Christmas – God's scripture & healing. He will return, and it is imminent. Therefore, we should remember the point of Christmas – to follow Him and fish for people.

From Mark 1, we learn about the immediacy of Christmas. Jesus is the Person of Christmas – the Savior who is God & man. He exercises the power of Christmas – God's scripture & healing. He will return, and it is imminent. Therefore, we should remember the point of Christmas – to follow Him and fish for people.

Paralambano is a fairly common term, but it is rarely employed the way Mark & John use it. In their rendering, paralambano indicates "reception" of something or someone. The poor reception of Jesus is depicted along with the religious people who receive rules instead of their rightful Ruler. By contrast, Jesus receives His own death, opening the way for His eternal reception of all who trust Him.

Paralambano is a fairly common term, but it is rarely employed the way Mark & John use it. In their rendering, paralambano indicates "reception" of something or someone. The poor reception of Jesus is depicted along with the religious people who receive rules instead of their rightful Ruler. By contrast, Jesus receives His own death, opening the way for His eternal reception of all who trust Him.

The term melei/care is somewhat rare in the Bible, and mostly employed by Mark and John. This little word tells us a great deal about the Person and work of Jesus. Doing so, it speaks quite directly to our Christmas celebrations, stresses, and purpose.

The term melei/care is somewhat rare in the Bible, and mostly employed by Mark and John. This little word tells us a great deal about the Person and work of Jesus. Doing so, it speaks quite directly to our Christmas celebrations, stresses, and purpose.

Paul finishes with the Christian's use of freedom both inside and outside of the redeemed community.

Paul finishes with the Christian's use of freedom both inside and outside of the redeemed community.

Paul warns of ways that the Galatians – and of course all Christians – can remain mired in slavery. He shows how God has provided so that we can instead live free.

Paul warns of ways that the Galatians – and of course all Christians – can remain mired in slavery. He shows how God has provided so that we can instead live free.

We seek to appreciate our true heritage.

We seek to appreciate our true heritage.

Paul uses a fascinating combination of Hebrew law and Greco-Roman logic to support the freedom of the believer, describe the purpose of the Law, and impress the position of believers.

Paul uses a fascinating combination of Hebrew law and Greco-Roman logic to support the freedom of the believer, describe the purpose of the Law, and impress the position of believers.

From Abraham's covenant Paul draws the seminal point that the Gentile who trusts God the Son can and should be perfected by God's Spirit without any work of the law.

From Abraham's covenant Paul draws the seminal point that the Gentile who trusts God the Son can and should be perfected by God's Spirit without any work of the law.

Paul uses recent history to display the pain and price of independence. Both the Acts 11 events and the confrontation with Peter illustrate his theme of freedom found in faith alone.