Episodes
Thursday Jun 27, 2019
COA #66 - Do Not Be Irritable or Resentful
Thursday Jun 27, 2019
Thursday Jun 27, 2019
The familiar words of 1 Corinthians 13:5 provide an intriguing example where different translations render a passage of Scripture with distinct shades of meaning. The particular phrase of interest to us here reads, Love..."is not irritable or resentful," in the RSV. The NIV has it, Love..."is not easily angered." Finally, the KJV presents the same passage as, Love..."is not easily provoked." It is clear that all three shed enormous light on this often overlooked attribute of love.
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
COA #65 - Live Without Guile
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Tuesday Jun 25, 2019
Guilelessness is one of the most intriguing of all the New Testament virtues, possibly because guile is not a word we use in everyday conversation. We know generally what it means. But its subtleties and nuances mostly escape us.
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
COA #64 - Don't Be Suspicious
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
Thursday Jun 20, 2019
This is one of those commands [that is] an "implied" command which we infer from the actual words. What Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:4 is, "If anyone teaches otherwise...he knows nothing; he has a morbid craving for...base suspicions."
Tuesday Jun 18, 2019
COA #63 - Do Not insist On Your Own Way
Tuesday Jun 18, 2019
Tuesday Jun 18, 2019
We all want our own way. We would hardly be human if we didn't. Wanting our own way is in the nature of things. If we would live in the region of love, however, which Paul lays out for us in 1 Corinthians 13, we choose not to insist on it. The word "insist" is this command is the sticking point, the stumbling-block to the flesh.
Thursday Jun 13, 2019
COA #62 - Be Courteous and Full of Grace Towards All
Thursday Jun 13, 2019
Thursday Jun 13, 2019
What we call common courtesy represents one of the greatest yet overlooked fruits of spiritual maturity. It is not that courtesy alone implies spiritual maturity. Clearly more is involved in maturity than a single virtue. But the reverse is always true: Spiritual maturity will imply courtesy.
Tuesday Jun 11, 2019
COA #61 - Conduct Yourself Becomingly
Tuesday Jun 11, 2019
Tuesday Jun 11, 2019
The translation of Romans 13:13 is full of interest. It contains relational significance literally every time we encounter another person, whether friend, family member or stranger, whether the meeting is a chance encounter or a lifelong relationship.
Thursday Jun 06, 2019
COA #60 - Place No Stumbling Blocks In the Way of Another's Faith
Thursday Jun 06, 2019
Thursday Jun 06, 2019
The term "stumbling block" is familiar to most Christians. We use it in a variety of ways to indicate anything we do or say that in some way hinders or blocks or impedes or "stumbles" the spiritual growth of another.
Tuesday Jun 04, 2019
COA #59 - Associate With the Lowly
Tuesday Jun 04, 2019
Tuesday Jun 04, 2019
The Bible's commands are so wonderfully diverse...and often unexpected. From the lofty heights of Yield to God and Grow in righteousness, we crash to earth with such unbelievable practicality as, "Associate with the lowly." Truly, the biblical writers leave the self no place to hide. No facet of attitude, character, or conduct is left untouched by the demand of Christlikeness.