December 21 / I Timothy

I Timothy 1-6

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

I Timothy 4:7-8

“Godliness” runs throughout this letter from Paul to his protégé, Timothy. The word itself occurs nine times here. (I Timothy 2:10, 3:16, 4:7,8, 5:4, 6:3,5,6,11) (It shows up only six other times in the New Testament.) Aside from the explicit use of the word, the idea of godliness pervades the letter, as in the qualifications for the offices of bishop and deacon. In essence, godliness is the “proof in the pudding” for sound doctrine. Godliness results from adherence to the Truth of the Gospel. Ungodliness results from straying away from that Gospel into false teachings, error, and greed.

So stick to the Gospel and pursue godliness.

See also:

December 20 / Ephesians 4:17-6:24

Ephesians 4:17-6:24

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

We do ourselves — and everyone else — a tremendous disservice when we forget who the real enemy is or when we ignore or downplay spiritual forces of evil. Satan and his minions are happy for us to divert our attention away from them, especially when we go so far as to think they don’t exist at all or when we envision a clownish devil in red tights. That does not mean that we need to become obsessed with demonology or blame the devil for every little mishap. That is likewise unhealthy and unrealistic. But we need to be clear-eyed about the fact that the physical realm is not all there is; otherwise, we are prone to waste tremendous energy and resources using the wrong weapons in fighting the wrong battles against mistaken foes. So recognize the true enemy and fight accordingly.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11

See also:

December 19 / Ephesians 1:1-4:16

Ephesians 1:1-4:16

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Ephesians 1:3-10

Of course, I could continue highlighting such references to Christ for many more verses. (In fact, the very next verse, Eph. 1:11, starts with, “In Him…“) We need to pay attention to these references. We need to recognize the Truth here. Paul is not just spouting lofty language about some guy who did a few nice things and taught some interesting lessons. He is talking about God Incarnate. He is talking about the Risen Christ. He is talking about our Lord and Savior. He is talking about the One on Whom we are utterly dependent.

Yet if you listen to some preachers, even bishops in some so-called “Christian” denominations, you’d think that Jesus were superfluous — a nice example, perhaps, but certainly not essential. God could not possibly be so narrow-minded as to think that Jesus would matter that much! Jesus might be a way to God, but He’s not the only way. Yada, yada, yada… Hmmm… Think again!

But heretical bishops aside, what about us? Who is Jesus to us? Are any of us still spinning our wheels, trying to live the “Christian” life without Christ? Do we live as though Christ is a nice bonus, but optional? Although we may recite the Creeds, when it gets down to it, do we think of Christ’s Resurrection as ancient history, with little relevance to our daily lives?

As we read through Ephesians, let’s look closely at what Paul says. Let’s recognize Who Jesus really is. Let’s put our faith in Christ. Let’s find our place — and life — in Him.

See also:

One more thing…

…speaking the truth in love…

Ephesians 4:15a

I’m sure most of us are somewhat familiar with this phrase, having heard it quoted rather often, or perhaps quoting it ourselves. We’re probably much less familiar with the rest of the verse or the surrounding verses. People use this phrase to justify criticizing others, something along these lines: I don’t like that you just painted your house purple, and I’m sure the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t like it either, so I’m going to tell you that you have horrible taste, but I’ll do it “gently”, because, you know, we should “speak the truth in love”. Please stop abusing the Scriptures. Please put this phrase back in context and be very wary the next time you hear it spoken without that context.

December 18 / Philemon; Colossians

Philemon 1:1-25;
Colossians 1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Has Christ, in fact, been raised? And have you been raised with Him? Where, then, are the things that you are seeking? Are they down here on earth? Or are they above, where Christ is? Is your mind set on things that are above? Or is your mind still set on things that are on earth? Have you died? Is your life hidden with Christ in God? Is Christ, in fact, your life?

See also:

December 17 / Acts 25-28

Acts 25-28

Today we come to the end of the book of Acts, with Paul held under house arrest in Rome, continuing to await judgment from the emperor (i.e., Nero) and continuing to proclaim the Gospel. As we proceed through the rest of Paul’s Epistles, let’s remember his situation, his imprisonment, and his hardships. Let’s bring to mind II Corinthians 11:23-27 and envision the scars on Paul’s back. Let’s understand that when Paul speaks of suffering, he speaks from very real experience.

How is it that Paul can endure so much? How is it that he persists in proclaiming the Gospel in the face of such hardship? Perhaps the answer has something to do with Paul’s meeting the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus, a story we hear three times in the book of Acts. (Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-16; 26:12-18) For Paul, the idea of the Resurrection is not some abstract theological construct or wishful thinking. That is, Paul knows the resurrected Jesus, and he knows Him well.

Do we?

See also:

December 16 / Philippians

Philippians 1-4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

I expect that this verse is quite familiar to most of us. We probably even have it memorized (whether on purpose or not) just from hearing it repeated often enough. This verse captures a major theme woven throughout this letter: joy — joy in the face of prison, joy in the face of uncertainty, joy in the face of hardship — rejoicing in the Lord and rejoicing always.

There are, of course, many other verses in this letter that may sound familiar. In fact, you might want to memorize them, if you haven’t already. Consider any or all of these, perhaps:

  • Philippians 1:3-5
  • Philippians 1:6
  • Philippians 1:18
  • Philippians 1:21
  • Philippians 2:1-2
  • Philippians 2:3-4
  • Philippians 2:5-11
  • Philippians 2:12-13
  • Philippians 3:4-11
  • Philippians 3:14
  • Philippians 3:20-21
  • Philippians 4:1
  • Philippians 4:5
  • Philippians 4:6-7
  • Philippians 4:8-9
  • Philippians 4:12
  • Philippians 4:13
  • Philippians 4:19

Shoot! Go ahead and memorize the entire letter. It’s not that long. Yes, it will take effort, but isn’t Christ worth that effort? Try it! You’ll be glad you did!

But whether you memorize any of this letter or not, I hope that you nonetheless listen to what Paul says here. Hear Paul’s gratitude, affection, and love for the Philippians; his exhortations for unity and humility; his straining to know Christ and the power of His resurrection; his joy in the Lord; and the peace that passes understanding. My prayer for us, like Paul’s, this:

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Pure and blameless for the day of Christ… That day is coming. Are you ready?

See also:

One more thing…

Regarding chronology, I agree with what Fred said in 2020, that The Chronological Study Bible that we’re following is probably leading us astray by putting this Epistle to the Philippians here between Acts 24 and Acts 25 (while Paul is still in Caesarea), rather than later (when Paul is in Rome).

December 15 / Acts 21:17-24:27

Acts 21:17-24:27

On his way to Jerusalem, Paul does not know exactly what is to befall him there, but he knows it is not to be pleasant. (Acts 20:22-23) He presses forward in obedience anyway. He is warned that the Jews in Jerusalem are to deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (Acts 21:10-11) He presses forward in obedience anyway.

Sure enough, in Jerusalem, pandemonium breaks out around Paul. He is beaten by an angry mob, falsely accused, and taken into (protective) custody by the Romans. But although Paul’s circumstances may seem dire, the Lord is still in control:

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Acts 23:11b

It may take quite some time before Paul gets to Rome. He must still face dangers, trials, tribulations, and uncertainty. But one thing is sure: He is in the Lord’s hands, the hands of the Resurrected One.

We, too, are in the Lord’s hands. We may not quite be in Paul’s circumstances, but we all face difficulties and uncertainties of various shapes and sizes. Things may seem chaotic. They may even seem horrific, as with the situation in Israel and Gaza. In such situations, saying that the Lord is in control may seem trite, but it is nonetheless true and nonetheless what we need to remember. The Resurrected Lord is still present. The Resurrected Christ still holds you in His hands.

See also:

December 14 / Romans 15:14-16:27; Acts 20:3b-21:16

Romans 15:14-16:27;
Acts 20:3b-21:16

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Romans 15:14

That’s what Paul writes to the first-century church in Rome. Would he write the same thing to us today? Why? Or why not? Or look at the way Paul speaks of various individuals to whom he sends greetings in Romans 16:1-15. If he were to send personal greetings to you, what might he say? Food for thought…

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.

Romans 16:17-18

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Acts 20:29-30

Again, that’s Paul speaking, first to the church in Rome, then (in Acts) to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. Here’s Jesus:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:15

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16

Some seem to think that false teachers and those who water down or “update” the Gospel are no big deal. Jesus and His Apostle say otherwise. Maybe we should pay attention to these warnings. Maybe we should be on guard. To whom do you listen?

See also:

December 13 / Romans 12:1-15:13

Romans 12:1-15:13

I appeal to you therefore…

Romans 12:1a

So, what is the “therefore” there for?

It strikes me that Romans 12:1 is often quoted all by itself. Or sometimes one hears Romans 12:2 all by itself. Now and then one hears both verses quoted together. But rarely (i.e., almost never) does one hear them in conjunction with Romans 11 or (even more rarely) with all of Romans 1-11. But these verses do not stand in isolation. They are fully dependent on what comes before. Likewise, our entire reading today is to be read in the light of the previous 11 chapters. As Paul turns the corner from “theology” to “practical application”, we would do well to remember that theology, to remember faith and grace and the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we are prone to turning Paul’s instructions here into yet another set of rules to follow to establish our own righteousness, and if that is where we land, then we are most certainly missing the Gospel.

See also:

December 12 / Romans 9-11

Romans 9-11

So what about Israel? What about the Jews? In light of the Gospel of faith in Jesus Christ, what about all those promises to “God’s people”? These are a few of the questions that Paul addresses in today’s reading. Unfortunately, it seems that many Christians widely ignore these chapters altogether.

For example, many are so certain of their notion of “free will” that they cannot tolerate any hint of predestination and so must either completely reject Romans 9 or otherwise so twist its words as to be unrecognizable. And, yes, I’m referring to all those — perhaps even you — who contend that God cannot be responsible for hardening hearts, not even Pharaoh’s, despite what Scripture says. Such arguments are ostensibly made in an attempt to make God look good and fair-minded. But in truth, far from defending God, this total devotion to the theology of free will is really justification of self. (When I say that my decision to follow Jesus is my own free choice, I can pat myself on the back for being so wise in making that smart choice, and I can also look down — perhaps with pity, perhaps with disdain — on all those idiots who can’t manage to connect the dots… Does that sound at all familiar?) Let’s not discard Scripture in order to feel better about ourselves. Let’s pay attention to what Scripture actually says.

Similarly, there is antisemitism currently running rampant around the world and right here in the U.S.A., often coming from those who call themselves “Christians” and often framed in supposedly “Christian” arguments (e.g., justifying the hatred of Jews by blaming them for crucifying Jesus). But we’ll find no support for such antisemitism here. One must again ignore — or utterly reject — Romans 9-11 to conclude that God has permanently abandoned Israel. God most certainly still has a heart for Israel. God’s promises to Israel are still valid. And if God does not abandon Israel, then neither should we. Let’s pay attention to what Scripture actually says.

No, let’s not ignore these chapters. Let’s not think that all this “big picture” theology has little or no relevance to us or our daily lives or our politics. Let’s not grow arrogant in our relationship with God. Let’s instead pay all the more close attention to what God might be telling us here. Let’s listen to what He actually says.

See also:

One more thing…

A few months back the Sunday sermons at St. Andrew’s followed the lectionary readings through Romans. You can find most of those sermons on St. Andrew’s YouTube sermon playlist. Two of those sermons (both by Ben) pertain particularly to today’s reading: