Sorry about last week...I was rarely near a computer for a reasonable amount of time. I thought about doing to chapters throughout this week, but these chapters are too intense. I'll try to catch up later.
2:2-3 - Talk about a ministry mission statement! Wow! It's a little harder to remember then always growing, but this is intense. What does Paul long for in his people - unity (so close it is like they are knit together) - wisdom (being able to discern the mysteries of God) - hope (having full assurance that God is in control) - knowing God...literally knowing God, like they know themselves. This is what Paul longed for in the lives of his fellow Christians. Is that what we long for in our lives? Is this what we are striving towards? I hope so.
2:9-10 - The fullness of God dwells within Jesus and in turn Jesus fill us. We have the Spirit and power of God to call upon in our lives - why are we scared so often?
2:12 - I think that some people believe Christianity is this morbid religion calling everyone to die...to crucify themselves...kinda depressing. But it is about so much more. It is a call to die with Christ, so that we can be raised with Him. A call to a new and better life, not a call to morbidly live in a state of death. Jesus bids us to come and put to death the life that is strangling us anyway and experiencing life at his side. Call me crazy, but that sounds pretty incredible to me.
2:16-19 - Why do we argue over the meaningless and not pour our energy into focusing on the meaning of everything - God?
2:23 - Religiously following rules does not overcome the sinful human nature for us. Sorry if that is news to you. Jesus overcame the flesh and we can only do that through him. Stop focusing on the rules and who is holier than who and start to chasing after Christ and Christ-like living.
3 comments:
I really liked how the Message put part of verse 7 - Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it!
We can study the Bible non-stop, pray all the time, etc. But until we live all that in front of others – it is literally all academic.
Everyday put into practice what you know. Keep going – never give up!
Peace,
j
He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
i think this part of the passage has to do with worrying about proving God to yourself/other people in the way other people think instead of constantly being connected to God.
man I have a bunch of catching up to do!
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