In his letter to the “saints and faithful brethren in Christ in Colossae,” the apostle Paul expressed many thought-provoking comments about Christ’s role as the head of the Church. For Paul, the Church and Christ were one and the same. “He is the head of the body, the Church …" (Colossians 1:18). It is through Christ that a person can be brought into a relationship with the Father – a state of being reconciled. This reconciliation of humans to the spiritual Father produces what we know as the … [Read more...] about The Fullness of the Father
Church
Psalm 133: The Dew of Hermon
Recently we discussed the concept of vertical unity. This is not a new or unique concept, but a way to picture the unity that flows from the Father, through His Son, and into the body. As each member of the body seeks to unify him or herself with God, that unity then allows the aligning of each member in relation to other members. As the Apostle John pointed out, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Unity is established vertically and is then … [Read more...] about Psalm 133: The Dew of Hermon
God’s Law Builds Relationships
The law of God requires us to focus very heavily on relationships, our reconciled relationship with the Father dominating. However, from our close relationship with Him flows our relationship with other people. All people are created in the image of God and with the potential to be members of God’s family. We should never lose that focus. God’s law embraces our relationship with all people. A good example of this is in Leviticus 19 where several principles of how people should relate with each … [Read more...] about God’s Law Builds Relationships
Do We Have an Immortal Soul?
Recently I read a statement made by a major religious denomination based in the United States that surprised me. They wrote, “Divine grace is needed by every soul in consequence of the Fall of Adam." What is meant by “soul” is not stated, but the belief in the “fall of Adam” is linked to the belief that man has an immortal soul. The “fall of Adam” is a widely held belief and without some thought it may seem a reasonable description of what happened in the Garden of Eden. First, we need to … [Read more...] about Do We Have an Immortal Soul?
The Importance of Fellowship
What makes God’s people stand out? What makes us different from the world around us? One of the ways this world will come to know our Holy Father is by how we show love for one another through our fellowship. We’ll stand out from a world that’s lost its way and lost its love – a world of relationships fractured by selfishness. The early church of God was born within a hostile society. Jesus had just been crucified by Roman hands at the behest of the Jewish leadership, and it was not … [Read more...] about The Importance of Fellowship
Brexit
When Theresa May was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, she told the country in her New Year message that if her Brexit deal was passed by Parliament, the country could move forward together and begin a new chapter. The government could then work on fixing important domestic issues. If it were only that simple. Britain’s participation in the European Union for years, and the desire to leave has led to a complex and difficult situation as the current political impasse testifies. … [Read more...] about Brexit