In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists some examples of what he calls “the acts of the sinful nature.” It is not a comprehensive list, as that could potentially fill multiple volumes. Instead Paul mentions a dozen or so examples to illustrate how all humans have a sinful nature. In this post we’ll examine his list. I’mContinue reading “Examining the acts of the sinful nature – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 4”
Tag Archives: Apostle Paul
How to have victory in the inner battle of our sinful nature vs the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 3
We’ve had quite a long introduction to the passage we’re studying this week. Two whole posts here and here. We’ve learned that God is passionate about helping people become the kind of people that live in line with his heart. But how? By following laws? No. In those introductory posts we discussed Paul’s clear messageContinue reading “How to have victory in the inner battle of our sinful nature vs the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 3”
Christians are free from the law and free for holiness – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 2
In the United States we often say, “It’s a free country, I can do what I want.” But that’s not true. Yes, the USA is a free country, but people are not free to do whatever they want. We have TONS of laws, and if you break a law you will face the consequences. WeContinue reading “Christians are free from the law and free for holiness – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 2”
Is Christian freedom dangerous? – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 1
Do you know any tongue-twisters? How about “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”? Or maybe “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?” Can you say the difficult “She sells seashells by the seashore”? Did you know the Bible has a tongue-twister? Here it is. Romans 7:15-20, “I do not understand what I do.Continue reading “Is Christian freedom dangerous? – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 1”
What is your Kryptonite? – Galatians 5:16-26, Preview
What is your Kryptonite? You know how Superman is utterly powerful and has no weakness, except for the rare mineral Kryptonite? When he is in the presence of even a small pebble of Kryponite, he cowers and becomes like an ordinary human. Is there something like that in your life? It could be a certainContinue reading “What is your Kryptonite? – Galatians 5:16-26, Preview”
What my dog’s howling taught me about how God wants to change the world – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 5
We live just down the road from a local volunteer fire station, so we hear the fire siren quite regularly. If my dog is outside when the siren goes off, my dog will start howling. I don’t know why he doesn’t howl inside. Only outside. But here’s the thing. He cannot control the howling. WhenContinue reading “What my dog’s howling taught me about how God wants to change the world – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 5”
How to conquer pain, death and loss – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 4
We have begun the season of Easter 2022 seeking to understand how the resurrection of Jesus gives hope to the separated, the condemned, the suffering. Paul’s words in Romans chapter 8 have already been inspiring. Now we turn to the amazing end of the chapter, and Paul’s message just keeps getting better. Let’s start byContinue reading “How to conquer pain, death and loss – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 4”
Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2
What do you do when you feel the anxiety and the pain and the stress of condemnation from people? Other people can sure be condemning, can’t they? Maybe you have a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate that is like that. They might even be a church member, someone you would call a friend,Continue reading “Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2”
Hope for the separated? – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 1
What do you think of when you hear the word “Separation”? Separation is a word that describes the feelings of so many in our world today. Often when we think of the concept of separation, I suspect we are mostly thinking about a relational separation. People who were once close are now separated. At holidaysContinue reading “Hope for the separated? – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 1”
Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview
I just walked back in to my office at our church building, because I was outside changing the message on the church sign. It had previously advertised our Maundy Thursday service, and now the new message asks, “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? Let’s talk about that.” How would you answer thatContinue reading “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 