Aug 7

  • revjdg
    revjdg added a text contribution Actively Pursuing the Kingdom
    I love the images in the Word found in this verse, because they are so solid and active. Firstly, Jesus has laid hold of me - a sure, firm grip. In that laying hold of I have security and purpose. Paul is real to the fact that the perfection of righteousness is a process, a working out, and it is apparently not a passive activity where we stand around and wait for Father God to pull the rotten parts off. Instead, we press on and "lay hold of that" (the righteousness). It is not that we… Read more »

Jul 24

  • revjdg
    revjdg added a text contribution Glory from others
    Paul mentions his tribulations that he suffers for the people he is writing to and notes that these sufferings are their glory - the glory we have is bestowed by others, not ourselves. Self made glory is empty and selfish, but when we will suffer and strive for another, the other is glorified because we have valued them above ourselves. Let our suffering be for God and for others then! For Christ suffered for us that He should redeem us (give us back value). Read more »

Jul 23

Jul 17

  • revjdg
    revjdg added a text contribution It not He?
    Isn't it interesting that Jesus' body is being referred to as 'it'? The use of that term, as opposed to He, helps solidify the fact that Jesus was dead. This was just a body now, not Him. He wasn't in some deep trance, or pretending. Dead. Inanimate. But death could not hold Him, and the 'it' was overthrown by He who lives. Our salvation is in the cross, our hope of life is in the resurrection. Read more »