5-22-19 Today in the Word

Living in Christ
THE FAMILY UNDER CHRIST: PART 1
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 | Colossians 3:18–21

Most fairytales end with the prince marrying the princess and living “happily ever after.” What happens after the wedding is of no real interest to the story. We know that the real challenges, joys, sorrows, and adventures of a couple’s life together only begin on the wedding day.
Previously in chapter 3, Paul has reflected on the transformation that the gospel brings to human relationships. He teaches that in Christ, “there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised” (3:11). In today and tomorrow’s readings, he applies this new perspective to the most intimate relationships of any household. He instructs wives, husbands, children, parents, slaves and masters: “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (3:17).
Paul called wives and husbands to live in ways that are both in line with and counter to their culture. Wives were to submit to their husbands—in line with contemporary Greek and Roman thinking of that time. However, Paul’s admonition specifies voluntary submission in the context of our relationship with the Lord Jesus (v. 18). Husbands were called to “love your wives and do not be harsh with them” (v. 19). While there were many household codes in Greco-Roman culture, there was no parallel for the command for husbands to love their wives. This command goes beyond the culture norm. Husbands are to model the kind of self-sacrificial love Christ has for the church (see Eph. 5:25-33).
Paul also includes a charge for children and parents. He considers children to be full, responsible members of the church and commands them to obey their parents with an eye to pleasing the Lord (v. 19). Parents are not to domineer their children, but encourage them (v. 21).
APPLY THE WORD
Our home is an important place for us to live in Christ. One commentator reminds us, “The family is where, under the lordship of Christ . . . we first learn to work out the values of compassion, humility, gentleness and patience.” Reflect on some ways you can live out the love and gentleness of Christ to those nearest to you.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9-16-23 Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19

Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19 :: By Paul J. Scharf Published on: December 24, 2022 by RR10 Category:General Articles The Messiah was a descendant of Abraham. More than that, we considered last time how He was, in fact, promised within the covenant that God made with Abram (Gen. 12:1-3). According to the Apostle Paul in Gal. 3:16 and 19, He is the ultimate recipient of that covenant! Our Savior Jesus Christ is finally the One through whom “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Paul also quoted and discussed that portion of the covenant in Gal. 3:8-9. We ended last time with the realization that the promised Messiah would be the final Davidic king over Israel. As declared then, however, there are several intermediate steps, with accompanying prophecies, which are given between the times of Abraham and David and speak about His coming and the offices He would hold as the greatest prophet, priest, and king. And there are also more ance
Read more

9-17-23 Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2

Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2 :: By Wilfred Hahn Published on: December 24, 2022 by RR10 Category:General Articles, Wilfred Hahn Christians Using Science Badly: Part 2 :: By Wilfred Hahn Reviewing the “facts” that we cited in Part 1, we noted the hyperbole and downright dishonesty in some instances to support global warming claims. Why is there such bias? Money Precedes Truth Global warming has become big business. Armies of global consultants are peddling false information because it is profitable to do so. Many claimed urgencies are exaggerated by factors of 10X … indeed, 200X in some instances and more. Governments are particularly susceptible to this hype, promising infrastructure programs estimated to cost upwards of trillions of dollars. According to a new report,1 an estimated $3.4 trillion will be invested in renewable energy during the next decade, including $2.72 trillion in wind and solar. By 2030, 54.1% of installed capacity will be renewable (including hydropo
Read more

9-17-23 It's Coming

It Is Coming - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2022/12/24/it-is-coming-by-daymond-duck/ On Dec. 17, 2022, it was reported that Rep. David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island, has introduced legislation to permanently bar former Pres. Trump from running for president again, and 40 Democrats have signed on. Cicilline is accusing Trump of orchestrating an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. At the time of this writing, it is debatable as to whether Cicilline’s legislation will get voted on before the new Congress takes office in 2023, but some conservatives have said from the beginning that the main purpose of the Jan. 6 fake show-trial was to stop Trump from being elected again. Some, including this writer, have said there is no telling what the U.S. shadow government will do to prevent making America great again (MAGA) because they want to surrender the sovereignty of the U.S. to the New World Order (coming world government). It was easy to see this comi
Read more