#1Corinthians12 - Paul vs. Picasso

Click here to read 1 Corinthians 12:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

I love this passage about the body of Christ. Paul brilliantly uses the example of a human body to describe how every member of the church is important. Even though some are in positions of more public recognition (like the hands or eyes or mouth), and others virtually go unnoticed until there's a problem (like the liver or kidneys or alveoli), every part of the body is important. God has created each of us differently on purpose. So rather than wishing you were a different part of the body or attached in a different way (like some bizarre Picasso painting), recognize that God made you exactly the way you are, and wants to use your gifts and personality for his kingdom purposes.

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

While part of Paul's message here is about individuality and differences within the body, the main point is that though we are different, WE ARE ALL UNITED AS ONE BODY. This is true for each congregation, each denomination, and the whole Christian church worldwide. It's easy to forget that we are one. In John 17, Jesus prays that we as believers would all see ourselves as one. Despite our differences in practices, stylistic preferences, even biblical interpretation, we should all be one in Christ.

3. What does this mean for my life?

One of my biggest takeaways from this chapter is that I can stop trying to be all things to all people, in terms of excelling in everything. I will try my best at whatever I do, but sometimes it is far better to acknowledge a weakness and bring people into your life who can fill that need. As a leader in a ministry organization, that is huge for me to realize.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

What are the greater gifts mentioned by Paul at the end of this chapter? Why does Paul encourage believers to desire the greater gifts after seemingly telling them to be content with who God made you to be?

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

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#John16 #John17 - Wisdom from a Stone

Click here to read John 16-17:

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

At Ingham Lake Bible Camp stands a chapel building that was built in 1949, even before the first official camp was held. In the front corner of the building, before you walk in the door, there is a verse inscribed on the cornerstone. It comes from John 17:17 and says, "Sanctify them by thy truth; Thy word is truth." That verse has been a prayer and a desire among staff for all who come to experience God at Ingham. I understand sanctification to describe a life-long transformation that takes place when we let God shape us to become more like Jesus. That happens when we are immersed in the truth of God's word, which can be encouraging or convicting, freeing or guiding, revealing or teaching. We need to keep God's word in the center.

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

In John 17:3 and 17:26, it talks about eternal life as knowing God, and then making him known is a natural byproduct. Besides being the mission statement of Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camps, "To know Jesus Christ, and to make Christ known to all", it reminds me of Philippians 3. Paul is describing the things of this world as rubbish and a loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

3. What does this mean for my life?

Jesus talks a lot about the Holy Spirit in these chapters. One of the things he says is that "when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." As I seek God's truth for my life to be transformed, I need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who will guide me into truth.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Jesus prays at the end of chapter 17 that all believers would be one, that we would be brought together in complete unity. Well, that's not what I see happening today. My question is, what does Jesus mean by oneness and unity. Where does it leave room for different interpretations of Scripture? Where does it leave room for different worship practices? Where does it leave room for different emphases in church life? Maybe it doesn't, but it's not very clear then. How then are we supposed to be totally unified?

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

#Ephesians4 - Unity and Maturity is the Goal

Ephesians 4: 

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

In this chapter, there seems to be a progression of sorts that Paul is building up as it relates to our faith walk. We were called, we became a part of a family, we were given gifts to equip God's people, until we all reach unity and maturity. It seems that all of it builds up to unity and maturity. I think it's important to clarify that Paul links these two together. It would be easy to find unity if we all just gave up all of our convictions and interpretations of the Bible and our general sense of what's right and wrong. Then we wouldn't have to disagree about anything. But that's not what Paul is saying here. In verse 13 he describes the unity as being in faith AND in the knowledge of the Son of God. In verse 15 he describes that unity and maturity by saying that we will not be blown here and there by every wind of teaching and deceitful scheming. So Paul is linking unity and maturity to knowing Christ more and living it out in the world. It's also important to note that Paul uses the word "unity", not "uniformity." He just gets done telling us that we are all gifted differently, so he's not advocating that we all should look the same and think the same and worship in the same way. Unity means that despite our differences, we recognize that we are all part of the same body and we work to support each other and build each other up as we speak the truth in love to each other.

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

This language of being the body of Christ appears in 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul uses the analogy and expounds on it even further. It is one of my favorite analogies for understanding the Church, and Paul is even humorous in his use of the example in his explanation in that chapter. Also, verses 17-32 really mirror a passage in Colossians 3 which also talks about putting off the old self and clothing ourselves with the new. It lists several of the same behaviors to put behind us and many of the same attributes we need to let God develop in us. Even the title of that chapter in some translations is "Rules for Holy Living".

3. So what does this mean for my life?

One of the verses that struck me a number of years ago from this passage is Ephesians 4:29. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." I always feel like I've had a filter for my language, especially in regards to avoiding profanity. But this verse challenges me to take that filter even further. I have used this verse to help me think before I speak and ask myself the question, "Is this going to build others up and speak into their needs? Or am I just speaking to gain attention for myself? Or is this at someone else's expense?" James 3 contains some strong words about taming our tongue, as well as numerous proverbs which echo the same thought. I think this should be one of the verses every Christian memorizes. I need to keep it at the forefront of my mind.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

Verses 7-10 almost seem out of place in this chapter, except that it pertains to God giving us gifts by his grace. My question is, does verse 9 talk about Christ coming to earth, or going to hell (as we state in the apostles' creed)? It's kind of a weird question, but I'm just curious because it sort of sticks out like a watermelon on a grape vine.

That's it. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to leave your own comments below. God bless.

In Christ,
Dan

#Ephesians 2 - Grace upon Grace

Ephesians 2: 

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

This whole chapter is filled with grace. It's leaking grace from every knothole. It's busting out at the seams with grace. But so is God. In one of the most quoted Bible verses we hear clearly that we are saved by grace through faith. Most Chrisitians believe that and understand that. But I think very few of us (emphasis on the me included) really understand how deep his grace is for people. His unending, unconditional love which compels him to provide for the needs of every person, whether they acknowledge Him or not. It's why Paul sets up the second part of the chapter with the first. Because of God's grace even the "Gentiles" can be included in Salvation and God's promises. 

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

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus is talking about loving your enemies, and he talks about how even God sends rain in the righteous and the unrighteous. That is a practical example of Gods grace. Another is in Romans 5:6-8. Here we discover that Christ came to die for us while we were still sinners. When we were still sinners. That's grace. That's getting what we don't deserve. 

3. So what does this mean for my life?

Living by grace is much harder than it seems until you practice it and realize that there is no better way to live. I was struck this time through the chapter that grace is the basis and the process for forming unity in the church - across racial, cultural, age, and gender lines. 

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

I really wonder why God didn't send Jesus sooner to reveal this whole grace initiative. That's not really a question I expect an answer for this side of eternity. 

God bless and we'll be in chapter 3 next. 

In Christ,

Dan