Tag: Quick Takes

Morning Musings: 1 Corinthians 1:12-13

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“What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’  Is Christ divided?  Was Paul crucified for you?  Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Unity is a hard thing to establish in the church.  The reason is fairly simple: Sin causes divisions.  One of the fundamental consequences of sin is that it divides us from one another.  This was the case right from the start.  When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, the first thing they did was to hide from one another.  Division.   Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 16:17-18

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“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”  (ESV – read the chapter)

When it comes to non-Christians, the church is to be open to all people.  We should receive with grace and gladness anyone who is interested in becoming a follower of Jesus regardless of their background or what they’ve done.

In the church and among people who claim to be followers of Jesus the story changes somewhat.  Oftentimes today, people who are most concerned with protecting the purity and unity of the church work to keep out the world.  In the New Testament, the exact opposite approach is taken.  The biggest threats to the purity and unity of the church are never from without, but rather within.

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Morning Musings: Psalms 90:12

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“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  (ESV – read the chapter)

One of the things that best helps people put life and the things that are in it in the proper perspective is being near the end of it.  When someone receives a terminal diagnosis, all of a sudden life rushes into this incredible clarity.  He is able to recognize which things are most important and which are not, and he orders them properly.   Read the rest…

Digging in Deeper: 1 Chronicles 13:10

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“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.”  (ESV – read the chapter)

This is another of those hard verses in the Old Testament that we struggle to understand.  Why would God strike Uzzah down like this?  What exactly did he do that was so wrong it justified an immediate death sentence?  It sure seems like all he did was touch the ark.  Why was that such a big deal?

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