The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Babylon (13)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 NASB Good works – Let’s employ some words from the famous poet: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place;” I am grateful, so grateful…

The Debt

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1 NASB Ought – Are you a Twelve-Step thinker? It really doesn’t matter if you ever attended a Twelve-Step meeting. A Twelve-Step thinker is someone who realizes the “should’a, could’a, would’a” thinking sets us up…

Free to Choose?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NASB Prepared beforehand – Please, no “predestination” theology here. What God has prepared beforehand (Greek proetoimasen) is “good works.” God has a plan(s) that include becoming like Him in all…

Law and Grace Disguised

But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.  Genesis 39:21  NASB Gave him favor – Did you know that the Old Testament also contains language about Law and Grace?  We often think that this issue began with Paul.  We think it…

Promises Kept

Nor is it with you only that I make this sworn covenant, but with him who is not here with us this day as well as with him who stands here with us this day before the Lord our God Deuteronomy 29:14-15 Is Not Here – Who isn’t there?  Moses delivers an everlasting covenant commitment…

Arriving On Time

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those who are without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1 Ought – First in the verse.  Yes, Sha’ul wants us to recognize the emphatic position of the word opheilo, so he puts it first.  “Ought and we the strong the weaknesses of…