I love a good mystery story. From Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie to even Scooby-Doo or contemporary TV shows like Psych. It could even be true crime dramas about unsolved mysteries. I find it be intriguing trying to figure out “who done it.” I also love the stories about mysteries in nature or history. WhatContinue reading “A Mystery of Biblical Proportions – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 6”
Tag Archives: colossians
Why we shouldn’t sweep Christian Perfection into the dustbin of history – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 5
Is perfection possible? It’s the question I’ve been asking and exploring starting here. Why perfection? It seems like an easy question to answer when we look around the world today, and at ourselves. Perfection seems impossible, and even potentially damaging as a goal, because of the often destructive nature of perfectionism. I’ve been asking theContinue reading “Why we shouldn’t sweep Christian Perfection into the dustbin of history – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 5”
Lennon had Instant Karma and Wesley had Instant Perfection…who was right? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 4
John Lennon had Instant Karma. John Wesley had Instantaneous Perfection. In the Lennon/Ono song, we hear “Instant karma’s gonna get you…” a line that leads us to think about punishment for our bad behavior. In the Wesley sermon, basically the exact opposite idea is in play, that some people are blessed with perfection, that theyContinue reading “Lennon had Instant Karma and Wesley had Instant Perfection…who was right? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 4”
Why some Christians teach it is possible to become perfect in this life – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 3
Perfection is possible. What do you think about that claim? True or False? We humans use the word, “perfect” quite a lot in our conversations. We make plans for a visit with friends, and we say, “That sounds perfect!” But we don’t actually mean that the plan is absolute perfection. Instead, we mean, “That planContinue reading “Why some Christians teach it is possible to become perfect in this life – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 3”
Should we “fill our body with affliction”? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 2
In the previous post Paul reminded us that we can learn to rejoice in the Lord, even amid difficult circumstances. But as we continue to trace his teaching in Colossians 1:24-2:5, Paul writes something that seems bizarre to me. In fact, it seems wrong. Paul writes that he fills up in his body what isContinue reading “Should we “fill our body with affliction”? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 2″
Is rejoicing in suffering a bad idea? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 1
How should we respond to suffering? Maybe you’re suffering somehow, and you’re sick of it. I’ve had heel pain for the last few months, and though I will admit to being very inconsistent in treating it, I’m frustrated with it. I want it to be healed. I am not rejoicing in this suffering. Rejoicing? IfContinue reading “Is rejoicing in suffering a bad idea? – Colossians 1:24-2:5, Part 1”
Worship services are not enough – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 5
I recently saw a conversation between two people on social media. One is often outspoken about their Christian beliefs. That person began the conversation by writing a post angrily condemning people who are of a different political persuasion. Many people responded with supportive comments, but one person disagreed, confronting the Christian writer. I don’t knowContinue reading “Worship services are not enough – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 5”
What I learned about reconciliation from a guy who drove through my mailbox – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 4
A year or so ago, we were in our living room at night watching TV, and we heard a loud crashing sound out front. I went to the front porch, opened the door, and saw a car had skidded off the road, right through our mailbox, across our front lawn, tearing up two tire-streaks ofContinue reading “What I learned about reconciliation from a guy who drove through my mailbox – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 4”
Is it possible to be an enemy of God and not know it? – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 3
Are you an enemy of God? Are you and God strangers? Neither of those? How are you and God doing? How would your friends and family answer that question about you? About themselves and their relationship with God? Do people think of themselves as Paul put it in Colossians 1:21, that they are alienated fromContinue reading “Is it possible to be an enemy of God and not know it? – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 3”
When Christians shouldn’t be so confident they’re going to heaven – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 2
We Christians tend to be pretty confident we are going to heaven when we die. Should we be so assured? In the previous post, we saw in Colossians 1:10 that God wants to be reconciled with all people. Usually Christians think of themselves as already reconciled to God, and other people as the ones whoContinue reading “When Christians shouldn’t be so confident they’re going to heaven – Colossians 1:20-23, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 