Matthew 12:9-14
He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"— so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
I read this passage today, and it really struck a chord with me; not because I had tons of deep, theological thoughts on it, but because I think this passage shows us a little nugget of Jesus' character that I can really appreciate: he's pretty crafty.
As a crime/legal drama junkie (Law & Order of all persuasions, Boston Legal, CSI in any location, Outlaw, you name it), there was another part of this passage that stuck out to me: Jesus sought to carry out the spirit of the law rather than the letter.
Reminiscent of one of my favorite Law & Order characters (ADA Jack McCoy), Jesus does not allow the letter of the law to prevent him from using any means necessary to carry out the spirit of the law. I think that may be my little take-home nugget today: don't get so hung up on doing things the right way that you don't do the right thing.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Family Ties
Matthew 10:37-39
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
This piece of scripture has always been a wake-up call for me, which I guess is a good thing, sort of. You see, I've always had a great family, and have always really loved my family. I count my wife, parents, brother, in-laws, and extended families not only as relatives, but as friends. I tell and show my wife that I love her every chance I get, I try to talk to my parents and spend time with them as often as I can, I regularly have meals and hang with my brother; you get the idea. But with all of the ways that my love for my family is evident in my life, it leaves me wondering: "Is my love for my Savior that evident?"
I think that's something that I'll continue to ponder and strive for for a long time.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
This piece of scripture has always been a wake-up call for me, which I guess is a good thing, sort of. You see, I've always had a great family, and have always really loved my family. I count my wife, parents, brother, in-laws, and extended families not only as relatives, but as friends. I tell and show my wife that I love her every chance I get, I try to talk to my parents and spend time with them as often as I can, I regularly have meals and hang with my brother; you get the idea. But with all of the ways that my love for my family is evident in my life, it leaves me wondering: "Is my love for my Savior that evident?"
I think that's something that I'll continue to ponder and strive for for a long time.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
'Sticky' Friends
Proverbs 18:24
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
In my personal reading and study, I almost always use one of two translations of the Bible: the English Standard Version or the New Living Translation. When I read this passage, I was using the NLT (which is printed above). Although the ESV is a newer translation, the NLT is more "modern"; and that impacted the way that I read this verse.
In this passage, the NLT uses quotation marks in "...'friends' who destroy each other..." as a modern, tongue-in-cheek way of indicating that friends who destroy each other are not really friends at all. I think we have all witnessed that in one way or another; whether you have experienced that firsthand or not. We've all seen friendships that were based on something temporary and trivial implode, but we've also seen two people, who seemed to be great friends, slowly drift apart and then proceed to start tearing each other apart, whether with words, physical actions, or attitudes.
So what is a real friend? What does that sort of relationship look like?
To me, a real friend, someone who is in my 'core' group of friends knows more of you than you would ever show to a casual acquaintance. For me, a real friend is someone who is more than a casual acquaintance that also happens to be nice, fun, and trustworthy. A real friend is someone I have intimacy with, someone I can count on in all situations, and someone who knows and believes in my character and values enough to stand up for them. (Maybe this is why I've always had a very small, quality group of close friends...)
If you identify with my description of my real friends, you know how important they are; how awesome it is to have a real friend. From what I know about God's character and from what I've read in His Word, I fully believe that God wants us to have real friends. I also believe that if we are Christian, we should emulate the character of God and we should want other people to have real friends too.
We see people every day in our schools, jobs, and families that could benefit greatly from having a real friend. It's time for us to step up and be that friend.
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
In my personal reading and study, I almost always use one of two translations of the Bible: the English Standard Version or the New Living Translation. When I read this passage, I was using the NLT (which is printed above). Although the ESV is a newer translation, the NLT is more "modern"; and that impacted the way that I read this verse.
In this passage, the NLT uses quotation marks in "...'friends' who destroy each other..." as a modern, tongue-in-cheek way of indicating that friends who destroy each other are not really friends at all. I think we have all witnessed that in one way or another; whether you have experienced that firsthand or not. We've all seen friendships that were based on something temporary and trivial implode, but we've also seen two people, who seemed to be great friends, slowly drift apart and then proceed to start tearing each other apart, whether with words, physical actions, or attitudes.
So what is a real friend? What does that sort of relationship look like?
To me, a real friend, someone who is in my 'core' group of friends knows more of you than you would ever show to a casual acquaintance. For me, a real friend is someone who is more than a casual acquaintance that also happens to be nice, fun, and trustworthy. A real friend is someone I have intimacy with, someone I can count on in all situations, and someone who knows and believes in my character and values enough to stand up for them. (Maybe this is why I've always had a very small, quality group of close friends...)
If you identify with my description of my real friends, you know how important they are; how awesome it is to have a real friend. From what I know about God's character and from what I've read in His Word, I fully believe that God wants us to have real friends. I also believe that if we are Christian, we should emulate the character of God and we should want other people to have real friends too.
We see people every day in our schools, jobs, and families that could benefit greatly from having a real friend. It's time for us to step up and be that friend.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hurt at Home
Matthew 5:44-45
Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
Recently, our small groups have been talking about persecution. Persecution is something that we usually associate with foreign countries, so I want to look at it a little closer to home.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that he was persecuted in His own country and by His own people. As Christians, we are called to act as Christ did; to literally be 'little Christs'. So, to me, if we're doing our job and acting as Christ acted, we should probably expect the same treatment Christ received.
If we take a look at recent headlines, we see Church burnings, shootings, and illustrations of the growing prejudice against Christians in our country. Whether the methods involve intimidation or violence, the intent is to prevent Christianity from spreading.
Persecution is a daily occurrence in this country, and although it is not always as severe as some of the stories that we hear from around the world, the frequency and severity seem to be increasing.
More and more we are told where we can display scriptures and religious symbols, prayer is often frowned upon or even prohibited in public, and the word 'Christmas' is increasingly replaced by 'holiday'.
With all that said, you may be surprised to learn that I think a good deal of this is our fault. You see, by standing around and watching these events occur, we tell the world that our freedom of religious expression is not important to us. Every time shop at a 'holiday' sale, we're telling retailers that we don’t care whether they call it Christmas or not. And, every time we are too weak or scarred to start a prayer group or Bible study in our school or office, we're saying "You might as well ban Bible studies, because none of us care enough to start one anyway."
The good news about this struggle is this: The outcome is clear; God wins and no one can stop him. In the mean time, we have two choices: we can let the persecution, name calling, and nasty looks bother us, we can quit praying when we go out to eat, we can keep our Christianity a secret and just slide by, or we can hold our heads high, stand firm, and use persecution as a means to share our faith and grow the Kingdom.
It's really your choice. Either way, we’re going to be persecuted. But, for us, I don't think it should be not about the persecution that we endure, but about how we use that persecution as a means to love people into a relationship with Christ.
Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.
Recently, our small groups have been talking about persecution. Persecution is something that we usually associate with foreign countries, so I want to look at it a little closer to home.
When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that he was persecuted in His own country and by His own people. As Christians, we are called to act as Christ did; to literally be 'little Christs'. So, to me, if we're doing our job and acting as Christ acted, we should probably expect the same treatment Christ received.
If we take a look at recent headlines, we see Church burnings, shootings, and illustrations of the growing prejudice against Christians in our country. Whether the methods involve intimidation or violence, the intent is to prevent Christianity from spreading.
Persecution is a daily occurrence in this country, and although it is not always as severe as some of the stories that we hear from around the world, the frequency and severity seem to be increasing.
More and more we are told where we can display scriptures and religious symbols, prayer is often frowned upon or even prohibited in public, and the word 'Christmas' is increasingly replaced by 'holiday'.
With all that said, you may be surprised to learn that I think a good deal of this is our fault. You see, by standing around and watching these events occur, we tell the world that our freedom of religious expression is not important to us. Every time shop at a 'holiday' sale, we're telling retailers that we don’t care whether they call it Christmas or not. And, every time we are too weak or scarred to start a prayer group or Bible study in our school or office, we're saying "You might as well ban Bible studies, because none of us care enough to start one anyway."
The good news about this struggle is this: The outcome is clear; God wins and no one can stop him. In the mean time, we have two choices: we can let the persecution, name calling, and nasty looks bother us, we can quit praying when we go out to eat, we can keep our Christianity a secret and just slide by, or we can hold our heads high, stand firm, and use persecution as a means to share our faith and grow the Kingdom.
It's really your choice. Either way, we’re going to be persecuted. But, for us, I don't think it should be not about the persecution that we endure, but about how we use that persecution as a means to love people into a relationship with Christ.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Focus on The Detail
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back— it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
As I read this account of the day of the resurrection, a couple of details struck me:
The women were already on their way to the tomb when they questioned who would roll the stone out of their way. To me, this says that they didn't worry about seemingly big details like how they were going to get into the tomb, but focused only on the biggest detail: that they were going to honor Jesus' body.
How many times do we talk ourselves out of doing something that we feel called to do simply because we can't figure out all the details? How much more effective would we be as Christians if we focused only on the biggest detail of our calling and took the rest on faith.
Just a little pondering that I've been doing this afternoon. Do y'all have any thoughts? Leave them in the comments section below.
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back— it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
As I read this account of the day of the resurrection, a couple of details struck me:
The women were already on their way to the tomb when they questioned who would roll the stone out of their way. To me, this says that they didn't worry about seemingly big details like how they were going to get into the tomb, but focused only on the biggest detail: that they were going to honor Jesus' body.
How many times do we talk ourselves out of doing something that we feel called to do simply because we can't figure out all the details? How much more effective would we be as Christians if we focused only on the biggest detail of our calling and took the rest on faith.
Just a little pondering that I've been doing this afternoon. Do y'all have any thoughts? Leave them in the comments section below.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Prepare the Way
Matthew 3:3
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'"
As I was reading about John the Baptist today, I was challenged, so I'll pass that challenge on to you:
Do our words, actions, and attitudes prepare the way for Christ in others' lives? What about in your own life?
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'"
As I was reading about John the Baptist today, I was challenged, so I'll pass that challenge on to you:
Do our words, actions, and attitudes prepare the way for Christ in others' lives? What about in your own life?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dead Men Walking
Matthew 27:50-53
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
It's 'funny' how you can read the same passage of Scripture sixty times and get something different out of it every time.
I read this today and its imagery really struck me: you're standing in Jerusalem on the day of Jesus' death and not only does the temple curtain tear, the earth shake, and the sky go dark, but just to make sure you notice that something huge just happened, the bodies of Godly people who died years ago are wandering through the streets.
It's hard to halfheartedly believe something that crazy. The scripture isn't a metaphor; it's not a simile; it doesn't use 'like' or 'as'; it happened. Either you believe that real dead bodies hopped up out of their real graves and walked into real Jerusalem, or your Jesus is not the one described in the Bible. How's that for an acid test? Pretty crazy.
What are your thoughts? Leave them as comments.
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
It's 'funny' how you can read the same passage of Scripture sixty times and get something different out of it every time.
I read this today and its imagery really struck me: you're standing in Jerusalem on the day of Jesus' death and not only does the temple curtain tear, the earth shake, and the sky go dark, but just to make sure you notice that something huge just happened, the bodies of Godly people who died years ago are wandering through the streets.
It's hard to halfheartedly believe something that crazy. The scripture isn't a metaphor; it's not a simile; it doesn't use 'like' or 'as'; it happened. Either you believe that real dead bodies hopped up out of their real graves and walked into real Jerusalem, or your Jesus is not the one described in the Bible. How's that for an acid test? Pretty crazy.
What are your thoughts? Leave them as comments.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Promises
Jeremiah 33:20-21
“This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me.
As I read this passage this morning, it really hit home with me. I was reminded how small we are and how big God is: that we could no more disrupt God's plan than we could disrupt the rhythm of day and night. That is both humbling and comforting.
“This is what the Lord says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me.
As I read this passage this morning, it really hit home with me. I was reminded how small we are and how big God is: that we could no more disrupt God's plan than we could disrupt the rhythm of day and night. That is both humbling and comforting.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Attitude Check? Praise the Lord.
Psalm 150
As an assistant youth pastor, one of my favorite parts (if not the favorite part) of my job is leading worship. We have a youth worship service every Sunday morning, do a short worship set before Wednesday night small groups, and tend to salt and pepper all of our events with worship whenever possible.
As much as I love leading people in worship, it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding; and sometimes, I just don't feel up to it. But, over the years, I've found that I can respond to my lack of feeling in one of two ways. I can say, to myself, either:
It is incredibly humbling to see the vast difference that my team and I experience when I choose B instead of A.
Have you let God work through you this week, or have you tried to do it on your own?
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!
As an assistant youth pastor, one of my favorite parts (if not the favorite part) of my job is leading worship. We have a youth worship service every Sunday morning, do a short worship set before Wednesday night small groups, and tend to salt and pepper all of our events with worship whenever possible.
As much as I love leading people in worship, it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding; and sometimes, I just don't feel up to it. But, over the years, I've found that I can respond to my lack of feeling in one of two ways. I can say, to myself, either:
A. "I don't feel like leading worship, but I'll push on and do my best."
or
B. "I don't feel like leading worship, so I can have even more confidence that God is the one leading worship."
or
B. "I don't feel like leading worship, so I can have even more confidence that God is the one leading worship."
It is incredibly humbling to see the vast difference that my team and I experience when I choose B instead of A.
Have you let God work through you this week, or have you tried to do it on your own?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Joy: An Inspiration
Philippians 1:3-6
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Well, this is the final, most important, most succinct aspect in our month-long discussion of joy (Greek: chara).
This aspect of joy picks up where last week's left off, continuing the idea that joy should not just be a personal event. However, this passage points out the most radical, yet least complicated aspect of joy yet.
What we see in this passage is pretty much Paul's standard greeting; he used similar greetings in most of his letters. In this greeting, Paul indicates that he is experiencing joy; not joy just for joy's sake, but joy that has stemmed from the Philippians and their ministry.
There is one point that you must take away from this discussion: that you, I, and all Christians are called to live our lives in such a way that we inspire joy in other people.
Does that idea rock your world like it does mine?
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Well, this is the final, most important, most succinct aspect in our month-long discussion of joy (Greek: chara).
This aspect of joy picks up where last week's left off, continuing the idea that joy should not just be a personal event. However, this passage points out the most radical, yet least complicated aspect of joy yet.
What we see in this passage is pretty much Paul's standard greeting; he used similar greetings in most of his letters. In this greeting, Paul indicates that he is experiencing joy; not joy just for joy's sake, but joy that has stemmed from the Philippians and their ministry.
There is one point that you must take away from this discussion: that you, I, and all Christians are called to live our lives in such a way that we inspire joy in other people.
Does that idea rock your world like it does mine?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Joy: A Community Event
Acts 8:4-8
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Alright, this is where our discussion of joy (Greek: chara) begins to turn a corner. In the past two passages, we've seen that joy should cause us to worship, that joy should cause us to sacrifice. In this passage, however, joy displays itself in a new way. Take a look. What I think this passage can teach us about joy is that it is not just about us.
What we see, in this passage, is demons being cast out of many of the lame and paralyzed people of the city and then the whole city experiencing joy. There is a command in Romans 12 that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn; to me, that is exactly what we see here. The ideal situation seems to be that we would not just experience joy in our personal, local church, or denominational bubbles, but that the whole body of Christ would experience joy together.
Does that strike a chord with you? Do you see how this is probably the most important aspect of joy that we've touched on so far?
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Alright, this is where our discussion of joy (Greek: chara) begins to turn a corner. In the past two passages, we've seen that joy should cause us to worship, that joy should cause us to sacrifice. In this passage, however, joy displays itself in a new way. Take a look. What I think this passage can teach us about joy is that it is not just about us.
What we see, in this passage, is demons being cast out of many of the lame and paralyzed people of the city and then the whole city experiencing joy. There is a command in Romans 12 that we should rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn; to me, that is exactly what we see here. The ideal situation seems to be that we would not just experience joy in our personal, local church, or denominational bubbles, but that the whole body of Christ would experience joy together.
Does that strike a chord with you? Do you see how this is probably the most important aspect of joy that we've touched on so far?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Joy: What Will It Cost
Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Who in this scripture, is receiving joy and what action does it motivate? The answer is Christ and sacrifice.
It was because of joy (or chara), the type of joy that Galatians 5 says will be evident in all Christians, that Christ suffered the cross.
The type of joy that we, as Christians, should possess is a joy so extreme, a joy so selfless, that until we have given our lives for the cause of Christ, we still have plenty to give.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
Who in this scripture, is receiving joy and what action does it motivate? The answer is Christ and sacrifice.
It was because of joy (or chara), the type of joy that Galatians 5 says will be evident in all Christians, that Christ suffered the cross.
The type of joy that we, as Christians, should possess is a joy so extreme, a joy so selfless, that until we have given our lives for the cause of Christ, we still have plenty to give.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Joy: A Call to Worship
Matthew 2:9-11
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
As we look at the first of four passages emphasizing the characteristics of "joy" that should be evident in Christ-followers, there is one question that I want to ask about it: "How does joy display itself here, or how is joy embodied?"
It appears to me that the by-product of joy (Greek: 'chara') that the wise men experience is worship. But, it is not just worship that the wise men experience, it is a specific type of worship, a worship that costs us something.
I can say, that as a church staff member, I get to witness many of my coworkers worship in this way. For many staff members, it is clear that their vocation is an extension of their worship and it is evident how God blesses the time and comforts that they give up to serve Him in their jobs.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Joy: An Introduction
Galation 5:22-23
This passage has been one of my favorites for a number of years. I'm not necessarily sure why I like this passage so much, but I think it probably has to do with:
A. My enjoyment of lists,
B. My love for Paul and his writings and
C. The fact that I used to lead a kids' worship service where we regularly sang a song based on this scripture
But, no matter why I enjoy this scripture, it is a list of traits and characteristics that we, as Christians, should exhibit if we have Christ's spirit in us. The part that I want to focus on for the next few posts is "Joy"; not so much joy as we know it in English, but the Greek word chara that is used for "joy" in this passage and many others. There are probably about six words used in the New Testament that are translated "joy", but I want to focus on chara because it is the type of joy that we are told should be evident in all believers.
So, over the next four posts, we will discuss specific instances of chara and what we can learn about joy from each instance.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
This passage has been one of my favorites for a number of years. I'm not necessarily sure why I like this passage so much, but I think it probably has to do with:
A. My enjoyment of lists,
B. My love for Paul and his writings and
C. The fact that I used to lead a kids' worship service where we regularly sang a song based on this scripture
But, no matter why I enjoy this scripture, it is a list of traits and characteristics that we, as Christians, should exhibit if we have Christ's spirit in us. The part that I want to focus on for the next few posts is "Joy"; not so much joy as we know it in English, but the Greek word chara that is used for "joy" in this passage and many others. There are probably about six words used in the New Testament that are translated "joy", but I want to focus on chara because it is the type of joy that we are told should be evident in all believers.
So, over the next four posts, we will discuss specific instances of chara and what we can learn about joy from each instance.
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