Praying for Sodom
We live in a wicked world. Being surrounded by such wickedness is often exhausting and we struggle to know how to react (cf. 1 John 5:19). Sometimes we cry out like Habakkuk, asking God how long He will allow such sinfulness to go on (Hab. 1). Sometimes we search for answers like Asaph, trying to make sense of the battle between good and evil (Ps. 78). There are any number of understandable reactions to the wickedness of this world, but…
The Excuses of Moses
When God appeared to Moses, He called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. Yet, Moses gave excuses, and God’s responded to them. In a similar way, we have received a special calling to go to the world to deliver those in the bondage of sin (Mk. 16:15; 1 Pet. 2:9). Yet, too often, we behave like Moses, making excuses for what we are called to do. Who am I? (Ex. 3:11-12). Whatever the reason that…
Teaching and Admonishing – Andy Baker
Because Christ is the undisputed Head of His church, we seek Him to do all things to the glory of God. He always does the things which please His Father (John 8:29). There is no room for others who want to tell us how we can/do approach God other than what the Lord has said. Colossians spends so much time exalting Jesus and denying what men say in “the appearance of wisdom” about Who He is and how we relate…
Put On . . . – Bryan Hodge
It is said that a tradition sprang up in the early years of church history concerning the garments worn following baptism. The historian Philip Schaff wrote, “During the week following, the neophytes wore white garments as a symbol of purity” (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 2, p. 252). Of course, this is not something the Bible requires. It was a human tradition practiced by some. However, the Bible does speak of a change of spiritual clothing that…
Put Off . . . – Johnnie Scaggs, Jr.
In the overall context of Colossians 3, Paul lays side by side some things we must put on and some things we must put off. Twice in our text, Paul states that we are to “put off” things that have to do with the old man of sin. The phrase “put off” is from “ἀποτίθημι,” meaning to “lay aside, or to take off.” From this, we can fully understand that Paul is saying that these things are things we must…
Put to Death . . .
Christianity is a counter-cultural and transformative religion. The gospel changes hearts (2 Cor. 10:5) and transforms us into the image of Jesus (Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:17-18). We pattern our thoughts, our words, and our actions after His will and example. This places us in a position of contrast in this world. We “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8) in the midst of great darkness. We raise our children differently. We treat our spouses differently. Our priorities and everything…
Prioritizing Christ – Mel Hutzler
Our new life in Christ changes the rule, relationship, attitude, and actions of our lives. This new life orders its priorities out of the mind of Christ. That is Paul’s point to the church at Colossae as he moves into the practical portion of his letter. As people who have died to sin and been made alive unto God, Christians are to develop new goals, new moral principles, and a renewed determination to live on a higher plane. Paul opens…
A Most Memorable Camp Session
For more than 50 years the Southwest congregation has conducted a summer Bible camp session at Camp Hensel. This year must be one of the most memorable. In keeping with our congregational evangelism emphasis, our camp theme was “I want to be a soul winner!” We emphasized evangelism in our Bible classes, devotionals, and evening worship periods. The result was 25 baptisms during the week and more have followed since then. It was amazing to watch the power of the…
The Faith of Abraham
One of the greatest men in history has to be the Patriarch Abraham. In fact, there are three major religions that consider him to be the forefather: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, but as Christians, we view him as “the father of all who believe” (Rom. 4:11). What is most noteworthy about Abraham was his faith (Rom. 4:3; 4:9; 4:11; 4:16-22; Gal. 3:7-9), but what was it about Abraham’s faith that pleased God? (Gen. 15:6). First, Abraham’s faith was based on…
The Power of the Written Word
Friedrich Nietzsche said, “All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.” Unquestionably, Nietzsche understood the power of the written word to influence minds and bring about change. He recognized that words written live on long after the death of the author and produce fruit for generations to come. The problem is that Nietzsche used his pen for evil, and along with so many like him, his…
The Choice of Lot
The examples of men and women that are recorded in the Bible can provide valuable lessons for us today (Rom. 15:4). From Abraham, we can learn the value of faith in God. From Joseph, the workings of God’s providential care. From Job, the importance of patience and faith under trial. From Lot, we can learn valuable lesson in decision making (Gen. 13:10-12). In the book of Genesis, Lot is introduced to us as the nephew of Abraham who traveled with…
Do I Ever Need to Stop Studying?
Bible study is a topic which cannot be overemphasized because the blessings found in a deeper knowledge of God’s Word are innumerable (cf. Col. 1:9-11; 2 Pet. 1:3; etc.). Yet the temptation may arise for a person to think he or she has reached a point in life in which no more study is needed. Is that true? Does a person ever reach the top of the “Biblical mountain?” Do I ever need to stop studying God’s Word? To ask…