Pressing On

Recently I was reading in the book of Philemon, which doesn't often happen because it is so small and easy to overlook, so let me start with a quick plug extolling the benefits of systematic reading of scripture if nothing else! This time, as I read, I was struck by a couple of verses - in this blog I will focus on the first .... in verse 1 we read "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus..."  Which is an interesting way to start a letter, especially when we consider that Paul was in f act a prisoner of the Rom an state ... so why does he refer to himself in this way? W hat is captivity?   The greek word 'prisoner' is transl ated as " a captive (as bound):--in bonds, prisoner." The idea of captivity can be expressed as follows; The dictionary defi nes cap tive as; n. 1. One, such as a prisoner of war, who is forcibly confined, subjugated, or enslaved. 2. One held in the grip of a strong emotion or passion. Which interestingly leads us to reflect o...

Recently I received some notes, in advance of a small group meeting, containing the following question "Do you feel that God is pleased with you? why?" How would you respond to this question?  My first reactive answer to this was 'sometimes!' then as I reflected a little deeper I've come to the conclusion that this is not the answer and that it can never be the answer. The answer must either be 'always' or 'never'!  Here is my thought processes that led me to that conclusion ... Firstly, the work Christ on the cross. If you do not please God you must be displeasing Him - in which case you have fallen short of his expectations, which is our imperfection or sin. On the cross Jesus perfectly, and completely, paid the price for our sin. This is either a perfect and complete work or it isn't and, somehow, God kept back a little punishment for us ... which, of course, he hasn't which means God looks at us through the filter of ...