Category: What do you think?

The Mystery Now Made Known

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

In Colossians 1, Paul speaks about a mystery that was hidden through past ages but is now shown to God’s people. This mystery is not something strange or impossible to understand, but truth that was once concealed in the Old Testament and has now been opened in the New.

The Old Testament gives many promises about God, humanity, and redemption. It even points ahead to the Messiah. Yet, details about His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His return to heaven were only seen in a shadowed way by those who came before. Hebrews 11 explains, they trusted in what was coming but did not witness it fully.

Paul says that this includes the incarnation of Christ, the disbelief of Israel, the rise of lawlessness, the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church, the return of Christ for His people, and Christ living within believers as the hope of glory. These are all called mysteries because they were veiled before but are now clear.

to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

When Fear Reveals a Lack of True Faith

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Revelation 21:8 lists several traits of those who do not belong to Christ, including unbelief, immorality, idolatry, lying, and fear. In this context, fear does not simply mean having doubts about one’s salvation. It can also mean cowardice. It can mean shrinking back from standing firm in faith.

Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13. Some people gladly receive the word, but because their faith has no deep root, trouble or persecution causes them to turn away. Others hear the word, yet the worries of life and the pull of wealth choke their spiritual growth, leaving them fruitless.

This kind of fear shows itself in those who avoid hardship for the sake of the gospel. They may appear to believe for a time, but their response to trials reveals otherwise. Such people eventually depart because they were never truly part of the family of faith.

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us.

1 John 2:19

Trusting God’s Timing and Direction

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

FLOYD ROGERS

Choosing to follow God’s way means living with purpose, not reacting on emotion or impulse. It requires us to act only when God leads, rather than pushing ahead on our own schedule. Consider Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord. ” Waiting is not always easy—it can take inner strength and patience to stay still when we feel ready to move.

Obedience to God involves trusting that His timing is right, even when it feels slow. Often, doing nothing until He gives direction is the hardest thing to do. He will supply whatever is needed to carry out His plan. It may not include what we want, or think we need, because God sees the big picture more than we.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The Good Work God Completes in Believers

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

In Philippians 1:6, Paul writes that the Lord will finish the good work He has begun in His people until the day of Christ. This good work is salvation. Salvation is not only a moment in time but a work of God that stretches across all time.

When a person first repents and trusts in Jesus, they are saved from the penalty of sin. The believer is made right with God. But the work does not stop there. The Holy Spirit continues to shape the believer’s life, helping them turn away from sin and grow more like Christ. This present part of salvation is called sanctification.

There is also a future promise. One day, when believers are with Christ forever, they will be completely free from the presence of sin. This final part of salvation is known as glorification.

So salvation is one work of God with three parts: we were saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, and we will be saved from the presence of sin. This is the work the Lord will bring to completion.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

Ephesians 2:8

Living with a Heart that Prays

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Some Bible commands can feel difficult to follow. One example is in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, where Paul tells believers to “pray without ceasing.” At first, this can sound like we must pray every moment of the day. But the teaching is about having prayer as an ongoing part of life, not about speaking prayers nonstop.

To “pray without ceasing” means there should never be long periods in our lives when we are not praying. We may not pray out loud all the time, but our hearts should stay open to God. Prayer becomes part of our regular daily rhythm, much like thinking about loved ones throughout the day without speaking to them every moment.

Even if we are not always talking to God, we can live with an attitude that we are in his presence and ready to speak to him at any time. Our thoughts and actions can be shaped by a steady awareness of him. We should bring everything to God in prayer, making it a natural and ongoing part of life.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6