New Testament
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Philippians 3.15–21 Belonging
Our body seems weak, but the power of the head can transform even our faulty bodies (v. 21) from following our stomach (v. 19) to following the General Holy Spirit instead. How fortunate this is. Continue reading
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Philippians 3.10–14 The Joint
If we had not thought of the role of the Holy Spirit, we would have almost taken these struggles as Paul’s own endeavour. But thanks to Paul’s teachings about Christ and his Spirit, we know, at a step back, that he is describing the work of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
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Philippians 2.12–18 Fear and Trembling
Can you imagine a car trying to move forward in reverse gear, or vice versa? How hard it must be! But we must be getting some sort of odd satisfaction out of the ‘hard work’; as far as I am concerned at least, I tend to go for what I want. Continue reading
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Philippians 2.1–4 Round Round the Garden
Did Paul lack the Holy Spirit so much that he needed someone else to fill it up for him? Rather, seeing others in union with Christ is the pinnacle of one’s being filled with the Spirit, praising the Father, who, in the same Spirit, is pleased to reveal the mystry of union to the unwise… Continue reading
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Philippians 1.12–26 Your Kingdom Come
What unites us, nevertheless, is the same Spirit of Jesus and his interest in us so that our events in life will turn out to be for our complete and perfect deliverance (v. 19). In that sense, with or without the drama, in whatever lifestyle, while we are in the body, Continue reading
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Philippians 1.1–6 Partners
But most importantly, it speaks foremost of our mysterious union with Christ, in which we not only have his inheritance but also very HIMSELF; this mysterious transformation is based on the forensic (legal) transformation whereby God has announced us ‘righteous’ for the sake of Christ. Continue reading
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Ephesians 6.18–24 Undying Love
Be reminded by the word every day so that you may remain in peace and perseverance, while the Holy Spirit, the word of God, who is the sword (v. 17), does the fighting to keep you so. Continue reading
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Ephesians 6.10–14 Panoplia
As we are one with him, we are not deliberately putting on the ‘full set armour (panoplia)’ ourselves. Because we are one with him, we are also in the state of wearing the armour HE himself wore when he saved us and gave us faith (Isa. 11:5). Continue reading
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Ephesians 5.21–24 Submission
So for these most dreaded verses for wives of the past, present, and future, fear not! Who you need to ‘fear’ is Christ (v. 21), which means you are amazed at him and astonished by him. Remain there, as God has put you there. Continue reading
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Ephesians 5.8–14 Shine
If we think of him and give thanks instead of mourning, this will be our ‘testing’ of what pleases God (v. 10), honouring the work of Christ for us. Continue reading
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