Date:
30 Jul 2001
Time:
19:49:54

Comments

I came upon an interesting perspective in the New Interpreter's Bible. For reasons I won't detail here, Andrew Lincoln assumes that the book of Colossians is deutero-Pauline. Also, there was an earthquake sometime between 60 and 64 C.E., which destroyed nearby Laodicea and Hierapolis, as well as Colossae. The first two cities were rebuilt much more quickly than Colossae, and in fact, Colossae, a smaller city than the others, remained uninhabited for quite some time after the quake.

Lincoln speculates that the letter of Colossians was actually written to the church in Laodicea, during the time after Paul's death.

If Lincoln is correct, then the letter was received by folks who may have still been in the process of cleaning up the rubble and hauling it away, dealing with bodies and grieving families, and trying to rebuild a church in that traumatized population center.

That context would add meaning to some ideas in this week's pericope. How would people respond to the statement that they have died and their life is hidden in Christ (v. 3)? Their very life situation might illustrate that idea. The writer also urges them to "Put to death" that list of things that are "earthly". Such people are starting a new life in more ways than one!

I know it's speculation, but it's interesting, nonetheless, and it may put some of our own life tragedies into context. MTSOfan


Date:
01 Aug 2001
Time:
17:03:40

Comments

I like the comparison Paul makes here to the putting on clothes. I know that when i put on my clothes i don't jump into them all at once its a process of putting one leg of my pants on at a time...etc. And in the right order as well, I can't put my shoes on before i put on my pants (A lesson my 4 year old has yet to master!) Along the same lines I love the phrase "being renewed". It seems that we all too often want there to be a lightning clap and a SHAZAM and we are brand new and changed, or we expect that of others who find their way by one way or another into our church and a relationship with Christ. We forget this lifelong process of sanctification God leads us on we truely become followers of him.

Mark in SW WA


Date:
01 Aug 2001
Time:
17:21:38

Comments

Because of our system for putting together Powerpoint presentations for contemporary worship, I need to write my sermon now. This week, I'm repeating the contemporary presentation to a group of college students. I'm calling the sermon, "What Do You Wear to an Earthquake?" Like you, Mark, I'm using the image of taking off the old clothes and putting on a new robe, as in baptism, but I'll stress that sometimes, people get stuck in the middle. They've seemed to get rid of the malice, impurity, fornication, etc., that are in the list, but spiritually, they haven't gone as far as the inclusiveness and social justice that the text implies. Instead, they're still focused on themselves. They celebrate the day they were "saved", but fail to do the work of God's realm, including the removal of barriers. Those who are stuck halfway between their old clothes and the new robe may even be creating new barriers (labeling, etc.). God calls us to move along in the process that Mark from SW WA wrote about-- and that means reaching out. MTSOfan


Date:
01 Aug 2001
Time:
18:13:14

Comments

I to am using the idea of clothes. What kind of clothes are you wearing? The old clothes of envy, strife, lies etc. or have you put on the new clothes of meekness kindness, humility etc. Just what kind of clothes do we wear anyway?


Date:
02 Aug 2001
Time:
10:58:10

Comments

I see the point about the new clothes and it is good. I think I,ll take a different route though. Dying to self. If we can still have our feelings hurt and we still want the worldly things we haven't died yet. To be alive in Christ is to become like him in character. Just a rambling thought. Harold in Alabama


Date:
02 Aug 2001
Time:
14:48:13

Comments

The clothes idea is definitely a popular one...I like the image of taking off the old clothes of sin and putting on the new clothes of compassion, kindness, etc...It occurs to me that those folks who just take off the old clothes, celebrating their salvation, but not put on the new character of life in Christ are not just stuck, they are standing around naked.

The title of my sermon is "God's Dress Code" and I think I am going to use the illustration of a man I encountered at my last church. 'Larry' was very consumed with the idea that people needed to be dressed properly for church. He was outraged at what the teenagers would wear, he gave fashion advice to the other men in the congregation, and even felt the need to advise me a time or too. Only suits and ties were acceptable, and if you didn't comply you didn't belong. Larry really believed that the way you dressed reflected the kind of Christian you were. The only problem was that he was so concerned with linen and cotton, that he never gave the spiritual clothes folks were wearing. Larry, as piously dressed as he was, was one of the most hateful, angry, bitter people I have ever met. He boasted about how easily lying came to him. He was full of malice, and was driven by a need to have power and control over others. There was no kindness, humility, compassion, peace, meekness in him. He may have been dressed properly as far as GQ was concerned, but his spiritual clothes were stained, worn, and smelly. God cares about the clothes our spirits wear, the true clothes that reflect the state of our hearts and whether or not we have died to the old life and taken on a new life in Christ. Meredith in FL


Date:
02 Aug 2001
Time:
17:21:13

Comments

I have been interested in the contrast between "hidden" and "revealed". "Hidden" seems to be referring to being protected, like something or someone who is precious which we might hide so that it will not be taken by someone else. It could also be synonymous with "salvation". But we do not want to be hidden or protected. We want to discover the earthly things, be part of them, and somehow we think that we can be involved with the earthly stuff and it will not harm us. However, we see the death and destruction that come into our lives because of this earthiness (fornication, malice, lying, greed, etc.)revealing the wrath of God. We are "hidden" under the water of baptism and are revealed with Christ as He rises from death and is victorious. Our sin, our earthiness is hidden with Christ in the grave, and as Christ is revealed in the empty tomb, our sin is forgotten and forgiven. The earthy and the Christ-like are in each of us. We can't change on our own. In Christ we are claimed by God, even with all of our earthliness clinging to us. We are hidden with christ, precious, protected as His own children. As we are very much a part of the world, we are sent to reveal the love of God in Christ, who includes the circumcised and uncircumcised, the slave and the free, the earthy and the Godly. He is the One who turns our lives around so that our minds are set on things that are above, focused on Christ.

Tom from MO


Date:
03 Aug 2001
Time:
09:51:36

Comments

As we all know, there is more than one way to die. I've been reflecting on what Jesus taught in the parablem of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:13-21 and what Paul wrote in Colossians. It seems to me that both are about our external and internal life, and whether or not CHRIST is the focus of those realms.

This business of dying to Christ is not a once and for all thing. Every moment holds the possiblity of dying to Christ or building up our "barns" with more and more and more.

One other thing....we can become quite legalistic to the point of excluding others. On the outside we do all the proper, expected religious duties, but on the inside we are like a big, empty barn.

From my perspective, it's a constant struggle not to set my mind on earthly things. I like new clothes pay raises, etc. like anyone else.

JRB..Ks.

 

1998 Discussion

 

22 Jul 1998
 
22:01:53

I get the feeling that not too many will be preaching from this text. It's a bit too "close-minded", a bit too "judgemental", far too "right wingish" and "extreme".

And yet I cannot help but wonder how one reconciles "Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry)" with the attempts by so many in the Church (shepherds and lay people) who are sanctioning and affirming those very earthly behaviors.

How does one reconcile "On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient" with leaders who embrace without rebuke those engaging in the very behaviors that Paul warns will bring God's coming wrath.

"But now you must get rid of all such things--anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices..." I tremble to know that I occasionally delve into anger, wrath, and the like but rejoice in the knowledge that God is merciful and forgiving of those who repent and seek Him. (Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!)

Isn't the world literally dying to find those who "...have clothed themselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator."

How many will preach this text? I'm seriously curious...

Rick in Va.


 
25 Jul 1998
 
19:23:10

Well, actually, Rick, I think that I will be preaching on this passage, partly because it stands in wonderful compliment to the Gospel, and partly because of a term which I have found coming forth at the Lambeth Conference.

Here's a bit of what Bishop Simon Chiwanga of Tanzania said at the Opening of Lambeth, about "interpretative charity":

"Interpretive charity can be defined as the ability to apply the most loving interpretation to actions and opinions of others. Interpretive charity means listening to one another in love. It demands that we restrain our impulse to start formulating our response before the other has finished what they are saying. It is difficult. It is a lot easier and more attractive to evaluate the first few words of the speaker and then plug that statement into a pre-constructed mental model.

Interpretive charity calls us to persevere with the discomfort of thoughtful silence and to use that time to prepare a loving response to what we have heard. Interpretive charity challenges us to avoid demeaning labels that we are so eager to apply to our opponents."

I think the good Bishop speaks in the tradition of the author of Colossians, and I think he's got it about right.

Keeping our "minds on things that are above", rather than storing things from here, may be hard to accomplish, but that seems to be the direction in which these lessons are pointing.

Jim


 
26 Jul 1998
 
16:35:47

I think you've gotten half of the passage right, Jim. I also think Rick got the other half. From my perspective, you have equally neglected the other's half. I wonder if unity can be reached where both messages are preached the way Paul preached both messages. Unless they are, both halves are blashphemy, by themselves.

sandy@minister.com


 
26 Jul 1998
 
20:57:04

Jim,

As a fellow Epsicopalian (assumption on my part), I too had read the words of the good Bishop from Africa. Interpretive charity has a ring of decency to it. A true Christ-like attitude. However for some in the Church, the same old song is constantly sung. I tire of those whose agenda is not unity but affirmation of behaviors, agendas and doctrines contrary to the Word of God. I seek God's assistance in being charitable but can't help but wonder at what point we who uphold the authority of Scripture are to shake the dust off of our feet and move on to saving souls in the name of Jesus.

I'm looking forward to the conclusion of Lambeth as I believe that the direction of the Episcopal Church USA, as members of the Anglican communion, will become clearer.

It's clear that Paul, in the text, is calling us to, as a matter of choice and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, leave behind our 'old' self (oblivious or apathetic to the nature and consequence of sin) and move toward being made in the image of Him who made us. The prevalent theology of many is not to leave anything behind but instead to construct a theology that makes us 'comfortable' in the midst of behaviors and attitudes that the Scriptures teach grieve God's heart and separate us from Him.

I'm trusting that as I come to understand how I'm separated (by my actions not God's) from Him, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can 'strip off the old self' and put on the new. My struggle is to recognize those areas where I'm still the 'old' me in need of a 'new' me. The Scriptures, the Historic teachings of the Church, fellowship with other believers and my own devotional time with Him are what I believe to be those things that will aid me in that recognition. What I don't want to do is follow those who'd rather I dwell in the old self.

Sandy,

I think I appreciate your words although I'm intrigued by the idea that I've engaged in blasphemy. Help me understand your point. I do know that I'm to balance justice with mercy, the Law with Grace. If that's what you mean, then I'm with you. If something else, please let me know.

Rick in Va. (rrice@bcharrispub.com)


 
26 Jul 1998
 
21:25:26

Hello,

This is my first entry into the conversation at DPS. I suspect I am on a different track than that mapped out in the discussion so far.

I've been reading Bro. Lawrence (Practice of the Presence of God) and wonder if his words aren't of some help in breaking through our reading from Colosians.

3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,

Bro. Lawrence writes (in the Spiritual Maxims, Chpt 2) "The holiest, most ordinary, and most necessary practice of the spiritual life is that of the presence of God. It is to take delight in and become accustomed to his divine company, speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with him all the time, at every moment, without rule or measure, especially in times of temptation, suffering, aridity, weariness, even infidelity and sin."

In Chpt. 6, he adds: "Please note that to arrive at this state, mortification of the senses is presupposed, since it is impossible for a soul that still finds some satisfaction in creatures to completely enjoy this divine presence; for to be with God, we must abandon creatures."

By "creatures", I suspect he is refering to the idolatry of the flesh that places pysical comfort (very full bellies, etc.) above God.

So, I don't think the reading of Colossians is entirely about "others": either a permissive church or really hearing what another says. But, the text seems primarily one of spiritual counsel, how I am to lead my life as a Christian; and how (sorry if this seems a contradiction) How the opportunities and the challenges of the Spirit are common to us all.

One thing is certain, Lawrence's advice is firmly planted in the spiritual tradition of the Church.

Hope this helps,

Wally


 
26 Jul 1998
 
22:24:46

Rick, I very much enjoyed and agreed with the way Wally phrased the understanding he gained from Brother Lawrence. When I read your comments, it appeared to me you were interpreting the passage from a purely legalistic stance. I could be wrong, but you sounded so certain and unyielding I felt very comfortable with my conclusions. If I was wrong, I apologize. sandy


 
27 Jul 1998
 
08:43:32

Sandy,

My certainty is in my need for a Savior for without Him, I'm lost. My certainty is in the concept that sin separates me from God and that Jesus is my reconciler. My certainty is in the hope offerred by the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

My uncertainty is in those theologies that diminish my certainties, certainties that are upheld by the revelations of Holy Scripture and the testimony of the saints.

I'm not legalistic for then I would seal my own doom. I do believe in sanctification, where more and more we are moving into being like our Creator.

I think that the Colossians text, focusing on those things we are to put to death, would be even more meaningful if juxtaposed with the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control expressed as fruits of the Spirit in Paul's letter to Galatians. The former describing features of our old self, the latter of the new features produced by the sanctifying work of God's Holy Spirit and our abiding in Him.

Rick in Va.


 
27 Jul 1998
 
09:08:45

Rick, I couldn't agree more, it's just that often our words/actions are hard for others to understand. When I worked with a Ph.D. candidate researching the experiences of AIDS patients, I heard a remark that has stuck with me for years. He said, "Why do people tell you they love the sinner and hate the sin just before launching into a 30 minute speach about hating the sin? Do they ever put the sinner first?"

I don't know, Rick, do we? I believe in Holiness, with a capital H. Yet, Jesus, in Matthew 5.48 only encourages his disciples to be perfect (holy) as a summary to a pericope about forgiveness and being willing to allow others to take advantage of you.

I think this plays into our Colossians passage. Until, we get our attitude Christ-like and our minds on the things above, we cannot know true Holiness as described in verses 5, 8, & 9. What do you think?

sandy@minister.com


 
27 Jul 1998
 
13:53:38

Sandy,

Do we put the sinner first? If you mean you and I, I can honestly say (for myself) that yes, at times I do and no, at times I don't. When I submit to the Holy Spirit, I do. When I don't, I don't.

I hope that your Ph. D. candidate friend is wise enough not to make generalizations based on a sampling of his own experiences. I know of God fearing Christians who certainly put the sinner before the sin and devote their lives to do doing so.

I also believe that Shepherds ought to be doing some 'preventive' work at times by preaching on sin and the consequences of it For some, it's not 'loving' to preach about sin. They lay claim to feeling judged and vicitimzed. Yet, loving the flock can be expressed by desiring to protect them from evil and that's how I view this Colossians text. It's an exhortation to goodness with an accompanying warning about badness. Paul is saying clearly here that a life spent wallowing in sin will inevitably lead to suffering under the wrath of God.

My experience in my own denomination is that this kinf of preaching rarely takes place. I've been a Christian for roughly nine years. All of which have been spent in main-line (Episcopalian) churches (three of them). I can't remember a sermon warning me about the consequences of sin or the wrath of God. There are plenty of sermons that edify, affirm and otherwise make me glad to be a Christian. But I think that occasionally, preaching on that reason that gives meaning to the salvation experience is a necessity. We must preach on why we need a Savior. We must preach on obedience and repentance. Balance the message of God's forgiveness, which must be preached as well (and often) with the message that describes what we need forgiveness from and why we need forgiveness. And how, thanks be to God, that forgiveness is found only in Christ Jesus.

Rick in Va.


 
27 Jul 1998
 
14:14:59

If I understand the situation in Colossae when the letter was first written, Epaphras was encouraging those who had heard the gospel from him, to avoid the teaching of those in the community of believers who wished to use some esoteric practices to insure faith, i.e. worshipping elemental spirits, being circumcised etc. These seem to be legalistic ways to insure their salvation(the esoteric practicies). Don't we have to be careful in our denominational practices not to do the same kind of legalistic practices? Although I'm not Episcopalian, I was quite taken by the Bishops words. What did you call it "Interpretive Charity?" I like that. It is what speaks to me right now as a Christian. Sounds in tune with Jesus answer to the lawyer's question, "And who is my neighbor?"


 
27 Jul 1998
 
14:15:59

oops I didn't sign

Shalom

Pasthersyl


 
27 Jul 1998
 
14:19:31

Jim & Rick bring an interesting dilema at the beginning of the discussion. Maybe if we do what the Framers of the Lectionary didn't do--include the next six verses of Paul's letter in any of the continuous readings

Col. 3:12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Since we are already PART of "God's chosen ones", Paul is suggesting we grow fully into Jesus by allowing God to clothe us with God's love, rule us with Christ's peace, dwell within in us through the living word. (I always like to think of the Word in our lives like tea bags steeping in a pot of hot water.) Then as our lives are steeped in he word we will put off the Old Adam & Eve, along loving one another and bear each other's burdens.

Rich in MN


 
28 Jul 1998
 
00:01:31

I guess I come down between Rich in MN and Rick in VA. I think we need to call sin by its correct name, sin. On the other hand, I prefer to try to establish credibility by dealing with the person first. I have to agree that sometimes I do this better than others. Still, Paul seems clear in this passage. He seems to me to be saying to deal with people as people, using the power of the Holy Spirit. He seems to me to be saying that we are to be plain about sin when we see, either in ourselves or in others. For me, the question is balance and I am convinced that I cannot maintain that balance without holding my Lord's hand. On my own, I will tend to one extreme or the other.

God bless you all, but that's how I'll preach it,

sandy@minister.com


 
29 Jul 1998
 
13:46:54

Isn't the text emphasizing what it means to be a follower of The Christ: Life Transformation.

And this transformation [mind you, I'm Southern Baptist]is not a simple, immediate turn-about, but a process that continues throughout life.

I learned a simple riddle as a child: When is a door not a door? When it's ajar. Translated in Pauline terms: When is a sinner not a sinner--when he replaces sinful behavior with something else. [No, I'm not advocating a "holiness" doctrine which says I cease to be a sinner--ever in this life.] Stripping off the old rags self and replacing them with other clothing (of righteousness and not self-righteousness) The writer holds up for the people the targets to shoot at. The writer is challenging the readers, as the three of you have argued, to do things that can only be done by God's power. With rare exceptions, God doesn't do the changing without our active participation.

But then again, what do I know?

Danny drbeam@pineland.net


 
29 Jul 1998
 
14:11:11

I have decided to preach this pericope with the gospel pericope for today. However, I am enlarging the gospel pericope to include 12:22-24. Now the message becomes, Don't worry, God will provide everything you need, just dwell on Christ.

This is my next to last Sunday as pastor of the church I'm currently serving. I leave in two weeks for a new pastorate. This church has been a student church for the last twenty-five years. It now is trying to find a bi-vocational minister or a minister who wants to slow down a bit and not put in 40+ hours. Their idea is that going in this direction they hopefully won't have to say good bye to a minister every 3 or 5 years.

My point for this church is to seek God and God will provide the church what it needs.


 
29 Jul 1998
 
15:57:00

Recently I looked back through our attentiveness to the Psalm passages of the lectionary and found little or few, even no responses. Because I am interested in the passage for my sermon this week, can I invite some of you to look at it and say a word. Could we respond more evenly to the psalm pericope as we do the Gospel, Old testament and Epistles? I wonder as preachers do we need to preach from the psalms more? Just a thought

Pasthersyl


 
29 Jul 1998
 
21:23:34

I think what Paul is writing about is that people who have experienced a true conversion experience will live a vastly different life than before. In fact it can be nothing less for we have truly died to the old way of living, and now live a new life in Christ. Far to many in the church today seem to think faith makes no difference in everyday living. This sure seems to run against what this passage is saying. We need to preach this kind of a transformation needs to happen today in the lives of Christians. Frank in Kansa

 


30 Mar 1999
07:39:57

I hope my congregation remembers to set their clocks for Daylight savings time. Isn't it amazing how much difference one hour can make, if you are late. I was almost late arriving for the birth of my son. A few minutes longer scrubbing and I would have missed the whole thing.

How many times have people missed appointments because they failed to set their alarm clocks?

IN the movie, The Edge, the crew whose plane had crashed in Alaska, were trying to make their way back. One eccentric rich man remembered reading how you could take a pin, rub it till the static electricity built up, then place it on something that would float in water and it would work like a compas, and give them direction.

The compas did not work, and they only went around in circles.

Many people live lives, wandering around in circles, because their minds are set on the things of this world: money, power, etc. Taking security in the material, they must constantly flee anything that might threaten that material security, including the ultimate threat, death.

Paul's advice for those who fear death is simple. Go ahead and die first, and get that out of the way. Then live. He suggests that we die to self, and then be raised in Christ.

People who believe in the resurrection are more than those who acknowledge some life after death. They are people whose minds have been set according to a particular way of living life, a vision and value that will determine how they live and that they will live.

For the church to move ahead against the treacherous streams of persecution following the crucifixion of Jesus, required minds that were set on the resurrection and not crucifixion.


31 Mar 1999
08:14:40

Thanks for the illustration from "The Edge". I've seen it ... it will preach. Does anyone see a connection between Kosovo and Golgotha .. with a word for resurrection witnesses? I recieved an e-mail forward today about "kosovo field" being battlefield where Turkish Muslims and Serbian Christians once fought, numerous Christians martyred, hence the Serbians will never give up on Kosovo. Any historical truth to this? If so, how do we respond?


31 Mar 1999
21:00:14

Britannica has a couple of interesting articles on Battles of Kosovo, one June 15,1389, between the Serbs and the Turk forces of the Ottomans. The Turks won and Serbia collapsed as well as the Byzantine Empire.

Another battle of Kosovo was October 17-20, 1448 fought between Ottomans and Hungarians. The Ottomans won and halted the last major effort by Christian crusaders to free the Balkans from Ottoman rule.

Fred in La


03 Apr 1999
01:57:43

Providence Journal ran a piece on Kosovo by Michael Dobbs of the Washington Post on March 31st, telling its central place in Serbian mythology. There the Turkish Ottoman Empire hordes on horseback, the military and technological superpower of the 14th Century, slaughtered Serbian knights in their heavy chain mail on June 28, 1329. Serbian Prince Lazar was ceremonially beheaded before the sultan. Living under the Turkish occupation for five centuries, Serb mothers reportedly would greet their baby boys, "Hail, little avenger of Kosovo!"

One of the many epic poems handed down from generation to generation, "The Battke of Kosovo" tells of Saint Elijah coming to Lazar in the form of a grey falcon with a message from God in his beak offering Lazar a choice between an earthly kingdom and a heavenly kingdom. For the first he should build an army, for the second, a monastery. He chooses the second, building the Serbian Orthodox monastery at Gracanica. In 1988, the coffin purported to contain Lazar's mummified remains went on triumphal tour around Serbia as Slobodan Milosevic repackaged himself as national leader. Anne in Providence


03 Apr 1999
16:04:20

Please let's not paint the current fighting in Serbia / Kosovo as a defense of Christian faith against heathen Muslims. The killing and deportations and destroying of birth records of ethnic Albanians to destroy their claim to property, etc., is being done by the Serbs, the "Christians."

There have been atrocities on all side for over 1000 years. This is the latest version. It's horrendous, and it should not be happening.

Our national church body (and I'm sure yours too!), is collecting offerings to be sent to the refugees of this catastrophe... the Muslim refugees! THAT'S a witness to resurrection: Christians not supporting other Christians simply because they claim the name. Christians supporting people who are being incredibly mis-treated because of their race/religion/whatever.

It is for these that Christ died and rose.

That's what we are celebrating tomorrow! And, I might add, every day!

Rick in Canada, eh?


10 Apr 1999
04:45:08

1999-04-11 People who struggle to focus on Christ in heaven could be making tons of two mistakes. * They do not recognize what Christ has done for them. They look at spiritual life as something to come in the future. They do not realize that they busy living as spiritual life. * People could also think that Christ did not do enough to save sinners. They think they have to strive to get in heaven. But their places in heaven are already reserved. Sooner or later they realize it is impossible to please God. This leads to a hopeless state of mind and a hopeless state of living. We may focus on the things above because Christ has already risen from the death and every Christian with him.

Len cfholder@global.co.za