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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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Love and Assurance
Like concern, love is not a mere emotional feeling but must also involve action. We can love other believers in our churches through encouraging them and pointing them to Christ. Contributing regularly to the deacons’ fund or other collections taken ...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
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Our Hiddenness in God
The world sees Christians as ignorant, backward, and even evil because God has concealed our identity to all except those who trust His only begotten Son. Because of the sin that still clings to us, however, sometimes we cannot see ...Read More
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Our True Master
Although there are significant differences between first-century slave-master relationships and modern employer-employee relationships, it is certainly true that the principles Paul lays out in today’s passage are applicable to employees and the way they do their work. Christians should ...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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Paul’s Presence in Colossae
Our mystical union with Christ and His people through the Holy Spirit has profound implications for how we pray for believers in other places. Because we are united to the One who transcends all, our prayers are a profound encouragement ...Read More
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Persevering in Gospel Hope
Even true Christians may wonder at times if they are truly among God’s children, and one of the many ways to find assurance of one’s salvation is to look for evidence of perseverance in one’s life. Do ...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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Proclaiming Christ
God calls all of us to take part in the teaching ministry of the church, though not all of us have the same role. Some will be ordained teachers. Others will help their children memorize Scripture. Still others may support ...Read More
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Proper Christian Growth
It is all too easy for us to think that once we know the basics of the gospel we must then move beyond them for true spiritual growth. Yet it is not extrabiblical revelations and methods that mature us, nor ...Read More
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Putting Off and Putting On
Having been baptized into Christ we have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27), and a deceitful tongue has no place in those who belong to the Savior. All people should expect honesty from us, for we are followers of the ...Read More
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Putting Sin to Death
Understanding that we are already holy in Christ should not be confused with the perfectionism that we often see in other theological traditions. We will not be free from the struggle with sin before we are glorified, but knowing that ...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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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
