James 4:11-14 – Submitting to the Will of God
Warnings in verses 11–12 grow out of the rebuke of pride and the call for humility in verses 7–10. Verse 11 prohibits slander and insulting… Read More »James 4:11-14 – Submitting to the Will of God
wisdom
James 4:1-5 Worldliness
Fights, quarrels, lust, hate, envy, pride, and sin are words that stain this portion of James’ letter like inkblots. In stark contrast with the closing… Read More »James 4:1-5 Worldliness
James 3:13-18 – WISDOM FROM ABOVE
The next section on wisdom from above and below (3:13-4:10) contains four subsections. The first section (3:13–15) establishes the existence of the two wisdoms: the… Read More »James 3:13-18 – WISDOM FROM ABOVE
James 3:6-12 – The Tongue is Fire
Every Christian is tempted and sin each and every day, and we all must admit that “we all stumble in many ways” (v. 2). It… Read More »James 3:6-12 – The Tongue is Fire
James 3:1-5 – The Tongue
The basic problem of self-deception and double-mindedness raised in chapter 1 is at the root of the problem with inactive faith confronted in chapter 2.… Read More »James 3:1-5 – The Tongue
Colossians 4:1-6 – Prayer, Clarity, and Walking in Wisdom
The power of speech is a gift from God, and it must be used the way God ordains. In the Book of James, the tongue… Read More »Colossians 4:1-6 – Prayer, Clarity, and Walking in Wisdom
Colossians 2:6-10 – The Whole Fullness of Deity
Moving through the book of Colossians, today we look at chapter 2, verses 6-10. In verses 6-7, Paul exhorts the Colossians to live in Christ. Paul’s primary concern was that they continue to grow in Christ. In the following section, verses 8-23, Paul shows the higher and greater life in Christ. Also, Paul goes from encouraging them to continue to live in Christ, to condemning the Colossians for the false teaching that was diverting them from Christ. Verse 9 includes one of the most important verses regarding the deity of Christ by saying all of the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (ESV)
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The Christian walk is one of continual progress (v. 6-7)
- Christ was fully God and fully man (v. 9)
- Believers are fully complete in Christ. We have a complete salvation. (v. 10)
Closer Look:
Read More »Colossians 2:6-10 – The Whole Fullness of DeityColossians 2:1-5 Devotional – True Knowledge of God’s Mystery
Paul’s ministry included Christians like the Colossians who he had never seen face to face. He had a great struggle for them in care, desire,… Read More »Colossians 2:1-5 Devotional – True Knowledge of God’s Mystery
JOASH AND JEHOIDA – Lessons from Chronicles
Analyzing Joash (or Jehoash) and Jehoiada in 2 Kgs 11–12 and 2 Chr 22:10–24:27, what lessons can we learn from these two men? The story… Read More »JOASH AND JEHOIDA – Lessons from Chronicles