In my first post this week, I mentioned that I received a used grill, but it was dirty and some parts were broken. It needed rehab, and rehab takes work. I wish I could snap my fingers and the grill would be magically repaired. But instead, I had to do the work. And that bringsContinue reading “Easy Off and the grace of God – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 4”
Tag Archives: sanctification
I wish there was a medication that would make us more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 2
A few months ago at a community event, a person waved to me smiling, and I waved back with one of those looks on my face that likely said what I was thinking, “I don’t know who you are, but you sure seem to know me, so…Hi!” I hoped they didn’t see my lost look.Continue reading “I wish there was a medication that would make us more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 2”
What my grill taught me about becoming more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 1
My brother received a new grill as a gift, and he posted on social media that he was giving away his old one. His old grill is better than mine, so when I saw my brother’s offer, I texted him, and I was thankful that I was the first person to respond. He delivered theContinue reading “What my grill taught me about becoming more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 1”
Does God punish people? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 5
There are many passages in the Bible that talk about God’s punishment. Today’s passage is one of them. I have to admit that I don’t like the idea of a God who punishes. Especially considering that there are loads of other passages in Scripture that talk about God’s love. “God is love,” John writes (1Continue reading “Does God punish people? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 5”
Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3
This week on the blog, we’re studying 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, and in that passage, Paul’s main theme is that Christians are people who are living more and more to please God. The theological word he uses is that we are to be sanctified. In the previous post, I talk about what “sanctified” means. In today’sContinue reading “Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3”
What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2
As one who preaches and teaches for a living, I have wrestled with how pushy to be in my sermons. Or in lessons. Or in written communication. And not just in large groups, but also one-on-one. I’ve heard that we shouldn’t guilt people into doing things. I agree with that. We shouldn’t manipulate them, orContinue reading “What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2”
How to change your life – John 15:1-10, Part 3
Change comes in all shapes and sizes. If you want to lose weight and build muscle, lifting weights regularly can help. But how do we change our emotions, our struggles? Paul writes in Romans 8:29 that we are to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Sanctification is the process whereby Christians, disciples of Jesus,Continue reading “How to change your life – John 15:1-10, Part 3”
What Jesus meant when he talked about cutting and pruning his followers – John 15:1-10, Part 2
What is Jesus is talking about in John 15:1-10 when he says he wants us to “be even more fruitful”? In the previous post, I suggested that Jesus is not talking about American metrics of success like “bigger is better” or “winning is everything.” Jesus doesn’t say how much fruit. He doesn’t say how bigContinue reading “What Jesus meant when he talked about cutting and pruning his followers – John 15:1-10, Part 2”
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”
Engaging Scripture 