#2Corinthians5 #2Corinthians6 - Father Fix-It

Click here to read 2 Corinthians 5-6:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

We all know at least one guy who can confidently wear and live up to a "Mr. Fix-it" sweatshirt. Almost regardless of the type of thing that's broken, they can restore it back to near perfection. I am NOT one of those guys. If I need more than a Leatherman I struggle. The big churchy word in these chapters is "reconciliation". 6 SYLLABLES! But really reconciliation here is simply about fixing broken relationships. When two people have a fallout, their coming back together is called being reconciled. In 2 Corinthians 5 especially, we see that we all need to be reconciled with God because our relationship has been broken by sin. The good news of the gospel however, is that in Jesus Christ our sins can be forgiven so that our relationship with God can be fixed. In fact, this chapter goes so far as to say that the ultimate purpose of the church is to be messengers and ministers of this message of reconciliation with God through Jesus. It's a big deal. So the title of this blog is not about some handyman priest. Rather it is about our heavenly Father who has made it part of his eternal mission to fix broken relationships. He deserves the ultimate Father Fix-It mug...or something like that. (After all we know that He-brews) :)

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

This whole concept of being reconciled to God, our Heavenly Father, makes me think immediately of the Prodigal Son or Lost Son story told in Luke 15. It's a great picture of a son who walked away from his father, disowning him really. After losing everything he realizes that he was better off with his father and hopes his dad will hire him back as a servant. The father, however, has no intention of doing that. Without hesitating for one second he immediately restores to his son all the love and rights of being a son and celebrates his return. This part of the story really captures God's forgiveness.

3. What does this mean for my life?

We do have a charge in this passage. We are all called to be Christ's ambassadors, "as though God were making his appeal through us." I had to step back and think, what do people think about God's invitation through me? Am I sharing those words at all with people around me? Is my life reflecting the character of God so that people want to be reconciled with him? Am I modeling reconciliation in my own relationships to be obedient to God and to be a good witness for him? Those questions gave me a little pause this morning.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Paul makes a pretty strong statement. He says, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers." I know the yoke is referring to the tool that links oxen or cattle or horses together so they can pull the wagon or plow at the same speed. But is Paul saying, "Don't marry someone who is an unbeliever?" Or is he saying, "Don't go into business with an unbeliever?" Or is he saying don't be friends with an unbeliever?" Maybe there will be a gray blurry line here no matter what, but a little clarification might help.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.giftsforyounow.com/images/products/fathersday/Mr-Fix-It-Tools-Coffee-Mug_28900m.jpg

#2Corinthians1 - Better than a Snuggie?

Click here to read 2 Corinthians 1:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

I know what you're thinking? What could possibly be better than a Snuggie? What could be softer, more cozy, and more comforting than a Snuggie? Well, Paul would argue that God is the ultimate comforter, because he is a loving Father who is full of compassion. If you are struggling with something, you can go to God. There's a worship song that says, "Come to me I am the comforter. Come crawl up on my knee. Lay your head close against my heart. Find your rest in me." I think that is the image of God I get from reading this passage.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Though the meaning of verses 18-20 is still a little unclear to me, it reminds me of Jesus when he gave the sermon on the mount. While telling us we really have no need to swear oaths, Matthew 5:37 says, "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." A previous version of the same translation said, "Let your 'yes' mean 'yes' and your 'no' mean 'no'." If you say you will do something, do it.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Even though the passage starts out talking about comfort, there is an implication that there will be troubles in this life. That was a good reminder for me that God never promises that everything will be perfect for us in this life. In fact, Jesus even said, "In this world you will have trouble; but take heart. I have overcome the world." So as I do walk through these troubles, I need to remember that God loves me and promises to stick with me through it all. That is comforting.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What is Paul talking about exactly in verses 18-20? It almost seems like he went off on a bit of a tangent.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://www.peimag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Snuggie.jpg

#John8 - Children of the devil!

Click here to read John 8:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

For anyone who just thinks that Jesus was a mild-mannered wimp in a white dress kissing babies and walking with sheep all the time, they do not know Jesus. John 8 is a prime display of the powerful paradox of Jesus' compassion and Jesus' strength and fortitude. Jesus is trying to teach the people about the unique relationship between himself and God the Father. The Pharisees come and challenge him with question after question. The ironic thing is that they are asking the right questions, they are just not willing to accept the answers Jesus gives. Because of their hard hearts, Jesus says that they if they were really Abraham's children, then they would believe in him. Instead he says they are children of the devil! That's harsh. Dem's fightin' words.

2. How does this relate to any other Scripture I know?

Jesus talks about being a slave to sin, but if we believe in him we are set free from the bondage of sin. There are other passages that also talk about being a slave to sin and finding freedom in Christ. Romans 6 talks about being freed from slavery to sin and offering ourselves as slaves to righteousness. Galatians 3:22-5:1 also talks about this issue. Anyone who has struggled with sinful addictions would verify right away that slavery to sin is a good way to describe our natural tendancies to please ourselves. The only way to be free is to receive a new life in Christ.

3. What does this mean for my life?

In the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, Jesus shines as he wins the day with grace and restores the woman back to the truth. Jesus did not walk around in judgment over others, but he always spoke the truth. He never sugar coated God's plan for life, and he never watered down God's commands. But he stood in direct contrast to the Pharisees who were quick to throw stones (literally) at someone who sinned. Jesus knew while he was here on earth, people didn't need another judge to walk around and tell them what they did was wrong. He knew we would all stand before the judge one day to give an account for our life. He knew we didn't just need another teacher to explain why adultery was wrong. He knew we needed a Savior, someone to free us from slavery to sin. So he did that. I need to also remember that although it's important that we all know and understand God's word to the best of our abilities, we should exercise grace and even stand up for others.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

At the very end of the chapter, Jesus makes a statement that really sets the Pharisees off. He says, "Before Abraham was, I am!" Now, I don't think that was just a grammar slip. I think what he was doing was using God's holy name of "I AM" for himself. Is this accurate? I know that the New Testament was written in Greek and the Old Testament in Hebrew, so I don't know if that translates perfectly or not. That would be interesting to find out.

Those are my thoughts for this chapter. I'd love to hear yours. God's blessings to you and KEEP DIGGING IN!

In Christ,
Dan

image from http://bookjourney.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/1ca1.png?w=468

#JoshuaDaniel - A Lesson in Names

Joshua Daniel - 8 lbs 6.2 oz, 20" long

Today, I became a dad for the third time. My wife and two daughters (6 and 3) welcomed into the world the newest member of our family - Joshua Daniel Antoine. He was a healthy baby, and though I don't have time to blog about the bible chapter (I'll get it tomorrow), I want to share briefly about our son's name.

Joshua means "God is my salvation" or "The Lord saves!" Daniel means "God is my judge" or "The Lord will judge me". These two names combined form an interesting lesson in the character of God. On the one hand, we will all stand before God one day who will judge the "living and the dead" according to our works during our lifetime. And the reality is, nobody can stand up against that judgment as innocent. We have all sinned against God and have fallen short of his glory, making us guilty and deserving of punishment. Yes (Daniel) God is our judge.

But God is also the one who has provided salvation through the death and resurrection of his Son Jesus (a variant of the name Joshua). So even though God is the one we are accountable to, He is also the one who saves us. This may seem contradictory, but it's really not at all. It's just two different attributes of the same God.

It's like this. If I am a good dad, then I will protect and rescue my children at the risk of my own life. But I will also be the one to lovingly discipline them when they cross the boundaries we have set as acceptable. Disciplining my child does not diminish in any way my love for him/her.

Those are just some quick thoughts. If you want to read more about Joshua or Daniel as characters in the Bible, they both have whole books devoted to telling their stories that also happened to be named after them.

God bless, and keep digging in!

In Christ,
Dan