“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 “Christ Jesus as Lord” is a phrase that would have reminded the readers of the earliest Christian baptismal…
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge…” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5 “Grace” is God’s generous mercy toward undeserving people. God’s free and undeserved favor toward sinful humanity is demonstrated…
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed” means “happy” or “blissful” having…
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 “Sanctify” means “to set apart.” God sets His people apart from the world by means of His Word. All Christians are “holy” or “set apart” before God through Baptism. However, a few Christians, such as the apostles and prophets, are “set apart” for…
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 “A lamp … a light” are metaphors that reveal the use of God’s Commandments to teach us, to show us the good way to go. The Law shows us a way of life; while, Jesus, the Word and the Way…
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes” … Psalmist asks that God would enlighten his eyes to see the goodness that God declares, His goodness out of evil, and His mercy from His Law. Paul prays similarly for the Ephesians (Eph 1:18). I am a…
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 “Suffered once for sins” may need a little explanation. Our sufferings and good works do not atone for our sin; Christ…
“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 When Christians live out their faith, they prove that the world’s slanderous accusations are false….
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16 “Love the…
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 “Settle the matter” is a phrase that means “to come to a legal decision”. Inherently, it says Israel is…