Scripture Sunday: The Book of Revelation

Revelation is considered a very complicated book because it's prophetic. It doesn't tell a story that has already happened and it isn't offering advice--instead, it discusses what will happen in the future, near the end of the world. I'm going to go ahead and use some Google-search images to help illustrate Revelation, because the visual elements are really hard to fathom otherwise.

John has been exiled to the island of Patmos, and while he is there, God gives him a revelation or a prophetic vision of the end of the world. The point of all this end-times prophecy is to show that the world is not permanent. And end will come, and Jesus will return. Those who love him will be saved, and those who don't will be cast out. God emphasizes his power when he begins speaking to John in 1:8-- "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

God gives John a message to preach to the the 7 main churches of Christianity, and I think the seven churches represented were actual locations of churches at the time (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea), but that they also in some way apply to the different bodies of believers in different places in the future. John sees a vision of 7 candlesticks which represent the churches, and Jesus is walking among the candlesticks. God has a special message for each of the churches, some involving praise and some involving a stern warning.

Chapter 4 shows the throne of God in heaven, and proceeds to depict the judgements God delivers upon the earth in the final days. It's worth noting that in heaven everyone, whether angel or human, is always worshipping God and giving honor to him, saying things like: "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (4:11).

Chapter 5 begins the judgements of the Seven Seals (wax seals which keep a book closed). As each seal on the book is opened, a new plague is unleashed on Earth because of the sinfulness of Earth's residents. Among the seals are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, spirits that ride on horses and cause famine, war, pestilence, and death.

After the Seven Seal judgments, there are the Seven Trumpet judgments in Chapter 8, which are even worse. Among all these punishments, the Antichrist (the Beast) rises and gains power over all the people that remain in the world. John also discusses how God will protect the nation of Israel in the final days. Chapter 16 brings the final Seven Vial judgements. Chapter 20 brings the final judgment on Satan, who is thrown into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him.

In Chapter 21, God makes all things new. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (21:3-4) So after all this devastation, and even after the end of the world itself, God's love toward humanity is still in evidence.

Revelation, in short form: Evil is destroyed, Jesus wins, and if you love Jesus, you win also.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Jude

In the book of Jude, the writer starts off with a bit of "contend[ing] for the faith". The Christian faith needs to be defended from the inside, not the outside, at this point because there are ungodly people (who even deny the existence of Jesus Christ) joining themselves to the church and spreading their false teachings.

Jude paints a rough picture for what awaits these people. Jude talks about how God killed many of the Israelites he delivered from Egypt because of their unbelief, and God also cast many rebellious angels out of heaven. Purging the church of false teachers would be perfectly within the realm of things God can do. Jude has some very vivid and unflattering comparisons for the false teachers:

"These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 1:12-13)

But there is always hope for the faithful believers. We don't have to listen to the false teachers, and we don't have to get swept up in their punishment when the time comes: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21)

After all his harsh, imperative warnings, Jude reminds his audience that it is God himself who we can lean on when these conflicts arise. He is the one who is "able to keep you from falling".

Scripture Sunday: 2nd John and 3rd John

2nd John is a personal letter from John to "the elect lady and her children" which either means a literal woman and her household, or a particular church and her members. It's just a general letter of encouragement and exhortation. The elect lady and her loved ones are sticking close to the gospel, which pleases John: "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth" (1:4). John tells his audience to continue loving each other, for love is not a new commandment but one of the oldest commandments of God, one that existed from the beginning. John also warns them to be on their guard against false teachers who do not believe in Jesus.

3rd John is addressed to a man named Gaius. Gaius is also faithfully serving God, and this makes John very happy: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (1:4) But while Gaius is in good stead with the Lord, John is concerned about a fellow named Diotrephes who is causing many problems within the church. John gives Gaius and those with him one more big piece of advice: "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." (1:11). John plans to see Gaius and everyone else in person soon, which accounts for the shortness of his letter.

Scripture Sunday: 1st John

The book of 1st John is one of my favorites in the New Testament because it's so immensely quotable and full of discussions that almost seem like poetry. John is writing to bring joy and assurance to his audience: "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1:4-5)

I like that idea of God as light. In most fictional stories, there's a natural association between dark and badness and light and goodness. Elsewhere in the Bible, it says that Satan masquerades as an angel of light, but he isn't--he's pure darkness, trying to deceive people with the appearance of goodness.

Later verses in chapter one address the problem of sinning as a Christian. Essentially, if you walk in a lifestyle of sin without being bothered by it, you don't belong to the Lord, but if you say you're perfect and without sin, you're only deceiving yourself. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1:7-8) The point is to make a daily habit of walking in the light and staying close to the Lord.

Chapter 2 makes an important distinction about hatred. As a Christian, can you hate another person? No, not if you want to be right in God's eyes: "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him." (2:9-10) And of course by "brother" it doesn't mean biological sibling, but "fellow human being" or perhaps "fellow Christian" depending on how you interpret it. You must love your brothers; hating them cuts you off from proper close fellowship with God.

John also addresses the problems of the world, with "the world" meaning not the planet itself but the sinful physical reality we live in: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." All the tempting stuff the world has to offer is temporary and passes away, but God's love and justice are eternal.

Scripture Sunday: 2nd Peter

In this letter, Peter addresses a lot of problems that are arising or will arise in the church (not the building "the church" but the church, meaning the worldwide group of Christian believers).

First, he talks about building yourself up and practicing all the virtues that befit a Christian: "add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (1:5-7) We must always be moving toward the next virtue. If we pursue these good things we'll definitely see results in our private lives, and we'll also benefit the cause of Christ. One of the key words in 2nd Peter seems to be diligence. These are the sort of things we have to stick to and pursue with as much dedication as we can muster.

Peter is writing with such earnestness because he knows he will die soon: "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me." (1:14) Peter has a little time remaining to him, and he's going to use his time to advise the body of believers and warn them about people who will try to tear the church apart with false teachings and selfish attitudes.

The false teachers are characterized by lust (ungodly types of sexual desire), covetousness (basically "envy") and vanity (pride and self-will). How these sorts of people could ever rise to prominence within the Christian faith seems impossible, but then I recall the atrocities done in the name of Christ in times long past--things like the crusades, and smaller evils like the church selling "indulgences" or receiving payment for supposedly forgiving sins. It has happened before and can happen again, so we must be diligent and be on our guard against these sorts of people and their destructive teachings which have nothing to do with the saving power of Jesus Christ.

For those who wonder when the end of the world is coming, Peter says that the Lord isn't slow about ending the world or "slack concerning his promise," but that God measures time differently than we do: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (3:8). This verse actually makes me think of the character Aslan, the Christ-figure lion in The Chronicles of Narnia. In one book, he tells Lucy he'll do something soon, and she asks, "Please, Aslan...what do you call "soon"?" He replies, "I call all times "soon"." :-)

Scripture Sunday: 1st Peter

The apostle Peter is writing to a large group of believers scattered throughout various provinces. Peter encourages the believers to stay strong and pure in their faith: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1:15-16).

Chapter 2 talks a bit about desiring to read God's word: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (2:2). It's like the Bible is milk, and reading it provides us with some very necessary nutrition. Most Christians seem to have at least some difficulty with reading a good portion of the Bible daily, because there's a spiritual struggle going on. Finding time to read and ponder the Bible is always 100 times harder than finding time to read the newspaper or pick up a good book. But it's incredibly important to get in our daily scripture reading, or else we'll be running through our day without the necessary sustenance.

Peter also discusses obeying those in authority over us: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme" (2:13). It is a Christian's duty to obey the laws of whatever land they live in, and to pay taxes and to show respect to their government's leaders. Following Christ does not exempt us from following the rules of earthly society; instead it should make us even more intent on doing no evil in any person's eyes. Rulers of countries are there to punish wrongdoers, and we don't want to bring down the name of Christ by disobeying our local laws.

Chapter 3 contains advice for husbands and wives about how they ought to treat each other, and it also gives some more wise counsel for how to treat others: "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile" (3:9-10). God is serious about us not paying back people who harm us. It's so easy to fire back an angry comment when someone says something ugly to us, but holding ourselves back from speaking cruel words is always the right choice.

Chapter 4 mentions that people will think you're weird for not joining in with their excesses. "Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" (4:4). Few people are going to understand why you try to live in a holy way and avoid sinful acts that other people see as being just a part of daily life. But what does that really matter? We're living for the hope we find in Christ, not living to impress everyone around us.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of James

James is a very helpful guide to living out your Christian faith in tangible ways. James is writing to other Christians and telling them that faith in Jesus Christ should always produce "works" or outwardly apparent expressions of that faith. He also includes a lot of general advice not related to the faith and works issue.

One of my favorite verses in James happens early on in chapter 1 verse 5, which says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him". I like remembering that verse because it plainly says that if we're confused or if we lack discernment on a certain issue, God's not going to turn us away for asking for wisdom. It's good to get in the habit of asking the Lord for wisdom with how to handle certain problems.

James also has some good things to say on the subject of temptation: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (1:13-14)  In other words, God is not responsible for bringing anyone down into sin. He has created a world where temptation exists, and Satan makes full use of all the temptations at his disposal in order to ruin God's human creations, but God himself is not working against humans as they fight temptation--he's there to deliver us from temptation. It seems like when we mess up, it's easy to blame God for allowing the temptation to be there in the first place, but in a world full of free will, we are surrounded by choices. The Lord does not remove our ability to choose; he just points us in the direction of the right choice and lets us decide for ourselves what we'll pick.

Another verse that's often quoted in my family, and in my own mind, is 1:27-- "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Pretty simple, isn't it? The most perfect outward expression of faith is not fasting, tithing, or wearing a really nice suit to church. The best expression of faith isn't prophesying or preaching or teaching, either. It's keeping yourself pure and caring for widows and orphans, the people who have true and desperate needs.

Have a blessed Easter, everyone!

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews is different from the last several books of the New Testament because it wasn't written by Paul, or at least most scholars don't seem to think it was. The author is unknown, but whoever is writing the book of Hebrews is a person who is encouraging his Jewish fellow-Christians to stick to their faith and not get embroiled in all the many laws and customs of Judaism again.

The writer of Hebrews talks about Christ himself and about how important he obviously is to the Christian faith:

^"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (1:1-3)

He's saying that in past times, God spoke to his chosen people the Jews through prophets; people like Samuel or Isaiah or Jeremiah, who would delivers his messages. But now God has changed his method of interacting with humankind and has actually sent his own divine son to the world. But although Jesus came to Earth as a human, he is still the powerful and glorious son of God.

Chapter 1 is about establishing how Christ is more powerful and more important than the angels, because if the Jews trust in the words of God sent by angels, shouldn't they be even more invested in accepting God's messages when they come from his own son? Chapter 3 discusses how Christ is on a higher level than Moses because though Moses was a beloved and faithful servant of God, he was simply human, while Jesus Christ has a divine nature. Chapter 5 discusses the Levitical priesthood of the Jews and mentions how Christ is a type pf sanctifying priest because he cleanses us from our sins permanently, as the priests used to do temporarily with burnt sacrifices.

The writer of Hebrews' real concern for his audience seems to be their lack of growth in the faith--at a time when they ought to figuratively be "grown up" Christians, they are still acting like babies and still needing the most basic guidance to get through their lives.

Chapter 11 is one of my favorite parts of the New Testament because it talks about faith and gives examples of what faith does for God's people and how it has helped them in the past, even through the most painful of circumstances. This is the chapter that begins with the verse, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," which seems to be one of those passages that's often quoted and commonly mistaken for Shakespeare. This is a passage I go back and read when I'm having trouble with my life as a Christian--having faith in Jesus Christ can be difficult at times, but the eternal rewards are great.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Philemon

Philemon is an interesting one-chapter book of the New Testament. It's a quick letter from Paul to a rich man named Philemon. One of Philemon's slaves, Onesimus, ran away, but shortly after leaving his master, Onesimus became a Christian. Since Philemon is already a Christian, Paul is writing to ask him to be kind to Onesimus when he returns.

I have to confess that I feel uncomfortable with the general topic of this book. As a Christian, shouldn't Philemon have freed his slaves anyway? The Old Testament laws didn't permit Jews to have slaves (though they could have indentured bondservants who went free after seven years of service), but the New Testament doesn't quite address the evils of slavery like I'd expect it to. If I were writing Philemon, I'd be asking the man "Why do you still own slaves? What is wrong with you?" but Paul doesn't take that approach. He simply commends Philemon for his love for the Lord, then asks him to be good to Onesimus, who Paul now sees as a son.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Titus

In this book, the apostle Paul is writing to Titus, a pastor at Crete. Paul is fond of Titus and calls him his "own son after the common faith". Titus has been left in Crete to bring order to the church and to appoint church leaders in the area. Paul gives him a lot of instructions about what a pastor/elder in the church ought to look like:  "If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre..." (1:6-7) And the instructions continue for a few more verses. The main point of all these instructions seems to be that a person must have their own life under God's control before they can possibly lead the church.

One problem Titus faces is the fact that the people of Crete, as a society, have a reputation for laziness and general worthlessness. As Paul quotes, "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." (1:12) So if even they themselves think they have major moral and ethical issues, it's clear that Titus has a big job ahead of him if he wants to build up this group of believers.

Paul says that Titus is to encourage the older men and women of the church to live righteously and teach the younger ones: "That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things" (2:2-3). And Titus himself is also supposed to lead by example and show others the pattern of godly behavior.

And all these attempts at righteous living have a purpose. They are not just things that believers do because it's important to be nice. We live like this because we are, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (2:13-14). We belong to Jesus Christ and we change our behavior to please him because he has changed our hearts and saved us. Paul's advice to Titus is still very relevant today, and though this is a personal letter, the instructions found within it can be applied to anyone's life.

Scripture Sunday: Second Timothy

In this second letter, Paul is writing to his young friend and protege, Timothy, and telling him a few last words of advice. Paul is imprisoned and he doesn't expect to live much longer, but his overall message to Timothy is one of encouragement.

Just after his greeting, Paul makes a point of recalling that Timothy's family actually has a legacy of faith; Timothy's mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois were both believers in Jesus. Timothy himself has a strong faith and he has some spiritual gift that Paul encourages him to use. Next in this chapter comes one of my favorite verses in the New Testament: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (1:7) This is a verse I often quote to myself if I'm feeling fearful or anxious--it reminds me that these feelings to do not come from God and are not part of his plans for his people.

"Strength" seems to be one of the repeated keywords in this letter. In chapter 2, Paul tells Timothy to be strong in Jesus, then he uses some helpful extended metaphors to describe being strong in Christ. "Thou therefore endure hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2:3-4) Living as a follower of Christ can be a lot like being a dedicated soldier who is totally focused on completing a mission. Paul also compares Christian life to being a competitive athlete who only wins a prize after striving their utmost, or a farmer who only gets a harvest after putting forth a lot of labor. We have to be strong until we reach our ultimate reward.

Chapter 3 discusses end times and talks about the evil people that will rise in that later days. Persecution and affliction have been a continuous part of Paul's life, and he knows that the sufferings of believers will only grow worse over time, but he still tries to build up Timothy and strengthen his faith: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them" (3:14). Paul himself has stuck to his faith in Christ until the very end, as he says in his closing in chapter 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith". I hope we're all able to say the same thing when our time comes.

Scripture Sunday: 1st Timothy

Paul is writing to his protege Timothy, a young pastor at Ephesus who needs a little advice and encouragement. Paul sees Timothy not just as a co-laborer in the ministry, but as "my own son in the faith" (1:2), so Paul has extra incentive to care for Timothy and to give him sound counsel.

There have been some false teachings circulating at the Ephesian church, but Paul is quick to remind people that true Christianity is very simple and non-convoluted: "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned" (1:5). The very heart of God's intention for us is that we would show love from a pure heart and have a genuine faith in him. But in Ephesus, people are trying out complicated doctrines and they're making themselves out to be teachers of God's word when they really don't understand what they are talking about. Still, Paul doesn't think of himself as a lofty, special minister of God just because he hasn't fallen off into foolishness like these people. He is just a sinner saved by the mercy of God. As he says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (1:15).

In Chapter 2, Paul talks to Timothy about the importance of prayer. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (2:1-2) We are supposed to pray for everyone, but especially for people in authority because their decisions affect our daily lives. Praying for others can be a difficult thing to remember, and it's also easy to turn prayer for our world/national/regional/local leaders into a quick "God bless the president, Amen!" type of prayer, but Paul is mentioning this for a reason. It's an important act we should be practicing daily.

Chapter 2 also includes some interesting things about the role of women in the church. He recommends that, ^"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (2:9-10). Some denominations of Christianity have taken this verse to mean that women should not wear jewelry or makeup, but most of us see this verse as being about not trying to draw attention to yourself. By dressing in a nice, modest manner, a woman is able to focus less on her own appearance and more on serving the Lord. Self-absorption and vanity don't mesh well with a servant's heart.

Chapter 3 talks about what a man must be like if he wants to be a bishop (pastor/leader) or a deacon in the church. It's a pretty extensive list, all related to personal character. Chapter 4 is a warning about people who will fall away from the church and spread lies and hypocrisy. Many of the false doctrinal issues Paul mentions seem to relate to Christians trying to adhere to the Jewish dietary laws, which Paul hints is just absurd: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." (4:4-5). The old rules do not govern us any more--no food is unclean if we thank God for it and accept it as part of his creation.

Scripture Sunday: Second Thessalonians

The Thessalonian church is still growing in their faith, and Paul is very pleased with their overall attitude: "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (1:3) They love each other and they love God, so everything should be just fine with the Thessalonian church, right?

Well, actually, they've been having some doctrinal problems. Specifically, they've been taught to believe some incorrect things about the second coming of Christ, often referred to in modern Christian circles as the Rapture. Paul gives them some information about the way the world will be when Jesus does come back: ^"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (2:3-4)

So that's pretty specific--the second coming of Christ, or the Rapture, isn't going to happen until one evil man who opposes God sits in the temple and actually declares himself to be God. Paul doesn't mention any specific dates, times, or ways to calculate the return of Christ because those human measurements of time could not matter less in this case.

But though he's discussing the potentially worrisome topic of the end of the world as we know it, Paul takes time to remind the recipients of his letter to be of good cheer, and he also asks God to encourage them: "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." (2: 16-17) Paul may have some serious doctrinal issues to address, but his intention isn't to scare anyone into righteousness, it's to inform them of the facts and to encourage them to continue on their current path. 

Scripture Sunday: First Thessalonians

Paul's first letter to the Thessalonian church is intensely positive. Paul is proud of the Thessalonians for being bold about sharing their faith: ^"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." (1:8). These people don't just believe in Jesus; they live out their faith in public and share the love of God with others.

Paul takes time to discuss his previous trip to Thessalonica and mention how he and his fellow ministers acted during their visit. He takes care to mention that they preached the gospel in order to please God, not to please people, and that they never flattered anyone or looked for personal glory. This is an example that could benefit modern Christians, especially those who get to preach from a pulpit--they need to focus on what God wants them to say rather than carefully picking out their words in order to please and flatter their listeners. And yet, Paul doesn't say it's necessary to be harsh or abrasive while ministering to others: "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children" (2:7). So a person speaking God's word must not hold back the truth, but they're also supposed to be loving and gentle toward those they're dealing with.

This personal tenderness toward the Thessalonians had a very strong pull on Paul and his co-ministers. He says "we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us" (2:8). That's true brotherly love at work, when one person can care so unreservedly for another person and give expecting nothing back. But the Thessalonians did in fact give something back to Paul in the spiritual sense, because he receives great joy and comfort from knowing that they steadfastly follow after the Lord. Paul is longing to see the Thessalonians again, and since he couldn't take a second trip to see them, he had actually sent his right-hand man/protege Timothy to them.

1st Thessalonians contains some important facts about the second coming of Christ, also known as the rapture in Christian circles. Paul makes sure that the Thessalonians know that there is no set calendar date for the Lord's return: ^"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." (5:2) In other words, it's going to happen suddenly and when no one expects it. Many different denominations (and cults) have tried to predict when Jesus' second coming will be, but dozens of end-of-the-world dates have already come and gone. God's own word tells us that we can't predict when the end will be, nor should we try to--it's our job to be prepared to face the Lord whenever that day does come.

Chapter five ends with a list of short but important things for Christians to remember:

^"16Rejoice evermore.
¹⁷Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
¹⁹Quench not the Spirit.
²⁰Despise not prophesyings.
²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
²²Abstain from all appearance of evil. "

All easy-to-remember proverbs that we would do well to actually commit to memory.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Colossians

The book of Colossians is another of Paul's letters to the many churches of his day, and this one focuses a lot of its attention on Christ and on how he must be central to a believer's life.

Chapter 1 dives right into some serious doctrine related to God's son: ^"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (1:15-17).  This passage kind of goes over my head the first time I read it. I'm not used to thinking of Jesus in this way, as someone powerful and preeminent, though scripture clearly shows that he is these things...it's just easier for me to think of the Lord in his humble and sacrificial mode.

The next couple of verses show that Jesus' power, both in heaven and in earth, has been approved and set up by God the Father: ^"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (1:19-20). It is because Jesus has this God-given power and authority that he is able to provide forgiveness of sins.

Paul talks to the Colossians one-on-one a little more in chapter 2. It seems that, unlike several other  churches, Paul has never physically visited the Colossians or their neighbors the Laodiceans, so he's all the more invested in communicating with them and providing them with some helpful doctrine. In chapters 3 and 4, Paul's counsel is mainly of a practical nature, telling the Colossians the sort of attitudes and actions they should avoid, then telling them the sort of behaviors they should embrace: "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (3:14-15). Charity means "love", so Paul is saying that loving others is the very essence of a righteous attitude. I also like the phrase "let the peace of God rule in your hearts", because it's so easy to let your heart be taken over by worries instead of letting the peace that the Lord provides sink in.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Philippians

Philippians is always an uplifting book to read because, unlike other churches Paul wrote to, the church at Philippi does not need a lot of chiding or correcting. Despite having a few small issues related to church unity, they are a well-adjusted church who love God and love other people.

Paul's introduction shows just how much he cares for these people: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (1:3) he says, and just a short while later, "I have you in my heart" (1:7). My own heart is touched when I read things like this. It really does seem like Paul views himself as their brother/father/friend, and he prays for the people at Philippi and longs to see them again. And he goes on to list his prayers for them, in a highly specific way which shows that he really does have their best interests at heart--he wants them to grow closer to Jesus and to "approve things that are excellent" and to "be sincere and without offence".

This particular letter is written while Paul is in jail, but he tells the Philippians that his imprisonment has actually worked out to help further the cause of the gospel because some people have now grown more bold about sharing their faith. Being in prison does not bother Paul very much. He isn't even afraid of losing his own life as a martyr for Jesus--in fact, he describes himself as being caught between actively wanting to leave this world and be with the Lord and wanting to stay and help care for the churches.

In chapter 2, Paul reminds the Philippians to remain united and to stand together in Christ. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (2:3-4). To me, this verse describes the very core of the Christian attitude towards others; I am not better than you, and I am going to think of your needs before my own. Humility and selflessness are traits to be prized and aspired to.

The closing part of chapter 4 is my favorite part of this book, and I've tried to memorize the helpful list of things on which godly people should focus their thoughts: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (4:8).

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Ephesians

Ephesians is a generally positive letter, since it doesn't have any specific church-related problems to address. More than anything, it seems like Paul just wants to remind the Ephesians of all the good things that they as Christians have going for them.

One of the extended metaphors Paul uses is the idea that before accepting Christ, we human beings (and Gentiles in particular) are like strangers/aliens/foreigners, but when we are redeemed by Jesus, we become the adopted children of God. As a member of an adoptive family, I have always been touched by this adoption metaphor. What better way is there to understand how a person can be a complete stranger and then suddenly be a fully accepted and 100% "real" member of the family? And we aren't just adopted--we get a family inheritance (heaven), too. The sentences in Ephesians can be a little difficult to decipher at times just because there are so many clauses strung together in the King James Version, but triumphant tone here is clear.

The power of Christ is also emphasized in this book. Chapter one mentions how God "raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (1:20-21). To me, this is emphasizing that "Lion of Judah" aspect of Jesus' identity. I usually think of Jesus' sacrificial aspect first, of the way he gave himself for the world, but beyond his status as the "Lamb of God", he is also ordained to rule over everything one day.

The stranger/adoptee metaphor switches to a death/life metaphor in chapter two, where Paul says that we are all like dead people until God changes us: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ" (2:4-5). Chapter 2 moves on to describe the peace and unity available through Jesus.

Ephesians has a lot of good, practical advice as well. In 4:1-2, Paul says "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love". That's a beautiful yet heavy request. How often do we think of our faith in Christ as our calling or our vocation? And yet, the importance of whatever we do in life pales in comparison to the importance of loving God and loving others through him. That's a pretty lofty vocation, but it's also one where there's no room for self-importance or pride--it's only through God's mercy that we are able to live out this high calling.

Scripture Sunday: The Book of Galatians

This letter from the apostle Paul to the church at Galatia is an attempt to set them straight on a few important facts about faith vs. obedience to rigid religious laws. Paul has just barely dispensed with his greeting paragraph when he says to the Galatians, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel". These people were happy to accept salvation through repentance and belief in Jesus Christ, but now they're following another philosophy entirely by trusting in their own good works to save them. Specifically, they're clinging to the old ways of Judaism and following all the intricacies of Moses' laws (ones that extend far, far, far beyond the basic guidelines of the Ten Commandments).

Paul isn't known for mincing words, and he certainly doesn't hold back when he's telling the Galatians that no one should add on to Jesus' gospel of salvation--"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (1:8). Paul is even making provision for his own human failings, here; Paul might one day fall away from the faith, but Jesus' words will still be true and should still be followed no matter what a human leader or a potential divine messenger might say.

One of the big issues in the church at this time in history seems to be the division between Jewish Christians and Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians.  The Jews are trying to make the Gentiles follow all the laws of Moses, when these laws having nothing to do with the new abundant life that Christians are supposed to have. Paul points out that continuing to hold to the religious laws is not the way to be justified (put into a right relationship) with God. ^"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (2:16). Even if a person were to perfectly adhere to the hundreds of detailed instructions in the Mosaic law, they would still be justified only through faith.

I think this Faith vs. Works debate is still a big deal in modern Christianity. Non-believers often see Christians as "People Who Don't Do Certain Stuff", and before you know it, we can start to see ourselves that way. We have a long list of bad things that we don't do, and that--combined with the long list of right things we try to accomplish--makes us feel very special. But we are not put into a right relationship with God by sticking close to an admirable list of stuff to do and not do. Justification comes through turning from your sins and trusting in Jesus' sacrifice. All the special religious rules matter very little if you don't have this part settled.

Scripture Sunday: 2nd Corinthians

Paul's first letter to the Christians at Corinth was pretty harsh, and rightly so--the Corinthian church was plagued by division, lawsuits, and open sinfulness and they needed to be called out for some of their major issues. But now in his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul is offering some comfort. Paul also addresses some rumors and accusations against himself from people who say that he is lacking as an apostle and is unqualified to preach.

After the initial greetings in chapter one, Paul presents a contrast between consolation and suffering, mentioning that God "comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (1:4-5). There's no denying that there's an element of suffering involved in being a follower of Christ. Jesus himself endured the ultimate suffering, so people who love him can't expect to avoid hardship entirely. However, Paul is discussing the immense spiritual comfort that God provides whenever we are experiencing trouble. Paul goes on to discuss his own tribulations and to thank the Corinthian church for praying for him and for his fellow ministers.

Paul also explains the reasons for the severity of his last letter: ^"For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you." In other words, he wasn't trying to berate them or emotionally destroy them, but he was speaking in a stern manner because of how much he loved them and was worried about their behavior. One particular case of sinfulness that Paul pointed out in 1st Corinthians is addressed again, and Paul says that now that the man has repented of his wrongdoings, the Corinthians should comfort him and express their love for him.

Chapter 4 shows some more of the suffering/consolation paradox, when Paul speaks of himself and of other ministers of the gospel: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (4:8-9). They never give up because they are working toward an eternal goal, and the rewards are far greater than the price they pay: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"(4:17).

2nd Corinthians also has some very personal discussions from Paul, where he talks about things in his own life that he doesn't mention (or rarely mentions) elsewhere in the letters he writes. For one thing, chapter 12 mentions some kind of physical malady that Paul has, which the Lord has decided not to heal. Some people guess that Paul had a problem with his eyes, but the exact nature of his "thorn in the flesh" is never described. Paul ends his letter by saying that he's about to come and visit the Corinthians for a third time, and I like how this shows that he had an ongoing relationship with their church. He concludes with some encouraging words: "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (13:11).

Scripture Sunday: 1st Corinthians

1st Corinthians is the first of two letters Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth. Corinth had a lot of problems, and sometimes the believers in Christ got very far away from the truth of the gospel.

To start with, the Corinthians were dividing themselves into factions based on which spiritual leader they preferred, Paul, Peter, or Apollos. Paul points out the foolishness of this distinction in chapter 1, verse 13, "Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" He's saying that Jesus Christ is the one we follow; Christians are not supposed to be divided into groups that follow after an idolized preacher or spiritual leader. Divisions in the church are not a good thing.

Chapter 5 deals with an even more serious situation in the church. Fornication (that's sex outside of marriage) is a problem for the Corinthians, and one person in their congregation is especially noteworthy because he's sleeping with his father's wife. And the Christians at Corinth are conducting business as usual instead of confronting this guy for his sins. Paul makes an important distinction between the way Christians are supposed to treat other Christians who are living in open sin and the way we're supposed to treat non-Christians. We are to love non-Christians and spend time with them, but when someone says they belong to Jesus and yet they live their lives in open sin, Paul says we are not to fellowship (keep company) with these people. 5:11--"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

But after addressing these very difficult moral matters, Paul says some beautiful things about Christian love in Chapter 13, "The Love Chapter", which is one of the most well-known passages in the New Testament. Paul is in the midst of discussing spiritual gifts like prophesying and speaking in tongues when he says in 13:1--"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." The word "charity" in this case means "love" instead of the modern sense of "giving to the poor". Paul is saying that even if he has the flashiest and most impressive spiritual gifts, his words will be like the sound of a clanging instrument if he speaks without being motivated by love. God does not place a lot of value on people showing off their spiritual side--he cares about our hearts and whether we love him and love others. Here's the rest of chapter 13, for reference:

^"2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
⁴Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
⁵Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
⁶Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
⁷Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
⁸Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
⁹For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
¹⁰But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
¹¹When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
¹²For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
¹³And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."


1st Corinthians addresses many painful issues in the early church, but it also shows believers the importance of truly allowing God's love to work in our hearts.