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A Perfect, Eternal Union
Jesus is not a split personality. His two natures are united so perfectly that He can do things that only human beings do and things that only God does without changing the character of His divine nature or His human ...Read More
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Raised Up to New Life
John Calvin comments on today’s passage: “No one can rise again with Christ, if he has not first died with him.” If we would enjoy the new life that fuels our sanctification and grants us imperishable bodies, we must ...Read More
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Dead and Buried with Christ
Our old Adamic nature has been mortally wounded, but it refuses to stay buried. Having a new nature in Christ, we must put sin to death when it rises up. This means that we must resist temptation and repent when ...Read More
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Jesus, The Perfect Savior
As Protestants, we are not likely to turn to Mary or the saints of years gone by as mediators who can secure favor with God. As saints who still fight against sin, however, we are likely to believe we have ...Read More
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Shadows Versus Substance
In addition to a fuller experience of the Holy Spirit, new covenant saints have an advantage over old covenant saints in that we more clearly see God’s work of salvation than those who lived before Christ. Let us be ...Read More
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A New Humanity in Christ
The image of God has not been entirely destroyed in fallen humanity, but our sense of what it means to function as we were originally designed has been severely warped. Consequently, we must learn what it means to be human ...Read More
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Final Words to Colossae
If the apostle Paul could implore those who knew him to pray for him in his condition of suffering, then we should be ready as well to ask others for prayer when we are in need. We should likewise remember ...Read More
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Epaphras and Luke
We should never despise the work of our pastors and elders in prayer, for it is this task to which they are called (Acts 6:1–7), and it is necessary for the building up of our churches. Ordained elders ...Read More
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Paul’s Partners and Friends
As much as it depends on us, we should always seek to be reconciled to those with whom we are at odds, especially if they are believers in Jesus. Of course, there will be some occasions when our offer of ...Read More
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Greetings from the Brethren
As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must always speak the truth, but we must always speak it in love (Eph. 4:15). Our default position should be to build networks with other believers and churches who are ...Read More
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Lively and Gracious Speech
Jesus’ teaching in parables is an excellent illustration of the kind of speech that Paul talks about in today’s passage. His words were memorable, exciting, and attracted many to follow Him. At the same time, there was no hint ...Read More
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Wisdom in the World
One commentator has said that things would be drastically different on the mission field at home and abroad if believers felt the same urgency to reach others with the gospel as they do to secure their own welfare. The wealth ...Read More
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Praying for the Mission
Praying for other Christians is also a way to manifest our love for them, as true love for Paul would motivate the Colossians to intercede for the apostle. John Calvin says that “it is not in vain that the Lord ...Read More
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Just and Fair Masters
By way of application, those who are managers or who otherwise supervise people should keep in mind the principle behind the proper treatment of slaves by masters. Employees are not to be regarded as mere cogs in a machine, and ...Read More
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No Favored Parties
We can be tempted to make excuses for our behavior based on our backgrounds or conditions in which we find ourselves. But we must always remember that the Lord requires righteousness from us no matter our condition, and we must ...Read More
