Something Greater

Religion or Relationship? Someone asked me yesterday at work if I was "a religious person" . I prefer not to use that term, but yes, that's a popular label used to describe something that's important to me. That began a discussion about "religion" versus "relationship". 1. Does the Bible say that God wants us to have a relationship with Him, rather than follow a religion? 2. Does the Bible say that Jesus considered Himself to be the same as God? Good questions! "Religion" is used only a few times in the Bible. It's translated from a Greek word that means a ceremonial observance . Two of the most revealing verses about religion are in the Book of Acts and Paul's letter to the Colossians: They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. (Acts 26:5) These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religi...

Forgiving One Another Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV) This passage builds upon Paul's call to Christians to "seek the things that are above", to keep thinking and living according to the glorious position given to them as ones who belong to Christ. His call also includes the reminder to "put to death what is earthly", to remember the darkness and despair from which Christ rescued us, and the terrible, consuming wrath of God to which we would be doomed if it were not for the sacrifice and renewing resurrection of Christ on our behalf. What do you think? Remember an instance in your life in which a Christian hurt you or caused you to lose something valuable. The offense was real, and the offender int...

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you..." Colossians 3:5 "Put to death what is earthly": Impossible? "Put to death" in the Greek is "nekroo", to deaden or subdue . It is derived from "nekros", dead, from a word meaning a corpse. In English we describe the decay of living flesh as "necrosis". The Hebrew equivalent is "balah", to fail, wear out or decay . "Earthly" means soil, implying the surface, or world, on which we live . Paul uses "put to death" to introduce a long list of specific sins that a Christian is to "put away", "put off", and "do not" : sexual immorality impurity passion evil desire covetousness (idolatry) anger wrath malice slander obscene talk lying Paul classifies these specific sins under the general category of "earthly", and he says that a Christian is to "put them to death": deaden them, subd...

Seek The Things That Are Above "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians, 1:28-29) It's difficult for me to identify with this passage...I don't remember a time when I felt I was proclaiming Christ. I struggle daily with many things, but not with warning and teaching everyone about Jesus. How should a Christian tell others about Jesus? Is everyone a proclaimer like Paul was? Do we, do I, need to change things in our lives to make witnessing of Jesus a higher priority? The word proclaim, translated from the Greek, means to make known by announcing in a public place . It comes from two words meaning "down" and "messenger". Messenger in the Greek is aggelos (ang'-el-os), which is often translated as angel. The focus of the word proclaim is importance. Public announce...

"In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments." (Colossians 2:3-4) WHO CAN YOU BELIEVE? Politicians, preachers and peddlers are some of the most persuasive people we may meet. I can listen to an argument or sales pitch and be completely sold on it, and then listen to a different, contradictory presentation and be equally persuaded...who is right? Competitive debate or rhetoric is based upon the art of persuasion, the forceful, charismatic use of words and appearance to move people towards action or emotion. Truth and objectivity are optional for a peddler (or politician, preacher or lawyer). Facts are tools that can be modified, exaggerated, obscured or concealed. The goal is to capture the affections, emotions and minds of the audience. Have you ever met someone who consistently disagrees with you, always arguing against your opinions? That shows a hea...

"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians, 1:28-29) It's difficult for me to identify with this passage...I don't remember a time when I felt I was proclaiming Christ. I struggle daily with many things, but not with warning and teaching everyone about Jesus. How should a Christian tell others about Jesus? Is everyone a proclaimer like Paul was? Do we, do I, need to change things in our lives to make witnessing of Jesus a higher priority? The word proclaim, translated from the Greek, means to make known by announcing in a public place . It comes from two words meaning "down" and "messenger". Messenger in the Greek is aggelos (ang'-el-os), which is often translated as angel. The focus of the word proclaim is importance. Public announcements imply warnings or opportuni...

IT FEELS SO GOOD TO GRIPE It feels so good to complain! To have someone empathize with you...for someone who understands the pain and frustration...for someone who can nod in agreement and look amazed at the suffering you've endured. But complaining is not entirely socially acceptable, is it? A friend can only stand so much of my griping...it starts to depress them! The second re-airing of my woes is more than the same friend can stand. There comes a time when the listener must politely edge away before being forced to shout, "Enough already! Get a grip! Buck up! Count your blessings!" I'm reading Paul's letter to the Colossians and I am noticing how frequently, and passionately, Paul complains. But, in contrast to my complaining, Paul manages to make his griping holy and victorious . How does Paul get away with it? He almost brags about his suffering, but the way he does it, griping glorifies God and encourages his readers. Let's look at Paul's...