Wages and Gift

Rom 6:19-23

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• What attitudes and behaviors remain in your life that you are ashamed of?
  
• What perceived benefit do you receive from keeping these shameful things in your life?
  
• What is the outcome of remaining enslaved to these things?
  
• What is the outcome of your being enslaved to God?
  
• Why is death considered a wage?
  
• Why is eternal life considered a gift?
  
• In purely selfish terms, which is worth more to you: eternal life or the sins that you hang on to?
• How does being a slave to righteousness lead to your sanctification, i.e. your being set apart?
• What is the endpoint of sanctification?
  

Slaves

Rom 6:15-20

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, [1] you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

Footnotes
[1] 6:16 Greek bondservants. Twice in this verse and verse 19; also once in verses 17, 20

• What do you feel when you hear the phrase "you are slaves ..."?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to sin?
  
• What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness?
  
• What does it mean to be free from sin?
  
• What does it mean to be free from righteousness?
  
• Since no one can truly serve two masters, which will you choose to be: a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness?

Harold's Musings
In the Law of Moses, a Jew who had been the slave of another Jew had to be set free after working for six years. If the slave loved the master and did not want to go free, he was to present himself to the master and make his desire known. The master would take the slave to the doorpost of the master's house and make a hole in the slave's ear for an earring. The slave would now be a slave for life, but by his choice. (see Ex. 21:1-6, Deut 15:12-18). Do we really see ourselves as slaves to righteousness? How about we are friends of righteousness? Maybe we are acquaintances of righteousness?

Dead to sin

Rom 6:10-14

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

• How might our ignorance of monarchies and their methods hamper our understanding of words like reign, present, master, and obey?
  
• Why should you not let sin reign in your mortal body?
  
• What is involved with obeying something or someone?
  
• What lusts do you find it easy to obey?
  
• How does a lust tell you what to do?
  
• To what sins do you present your physical self?
  
• How do you do you present your physical self to these sins?
  
• How do you present yourself to God?
  
• How does grace change your behavior?

Grace, not sin

Rom 5:20-6:4

5:20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

• Why is sin so tempting even when you know the results in this life and beyond?
  
• What would happen to you if you tried to be subject to two very different earthly kings? Why?
  
• Why would you ever say "sin so grace can be larger"? What would the opposite statement be?
  
• What does it mean to you personally to die to sin?
  
• How did your decision to be baptized your decision to change?
  
• How can you have a "new life" unless you die to your "old life"?
  
• What changes in your life were prompted by your decision to be baptized?

Law of Moses

Rom 2:17-24

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

• Although this passage is about Jews and the Law of Moses, what does it say to you and your Christian walk?
  
• What areas of Christian life are you willing to preach, teach, discuss, argue, or just know but are not willing to do?
  
• How does knowing how to obey God but also knowing you don't obey God affect your willingness to teach, etc.?
  
• When might the name of God have been blasphemed among unbelievers because of your actions?

Having the law

Rom 2:11-16

11 For God shows no partiality. 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

• Why is it important for you to know that God is not partial?
  
• What law is Paul talking about here?
  
• Who is justified before God?
  
• What was the difference between the Jew and Gentile stated here?
  
• How far can you extend the "I just knew in my heart it was the right thing to do" approach to life?
  
• What criteria do you use to determine what your thoughts and behavior will be?
  
• What criteria will God use to judge your thoughts and behavior?

Exchanging Gods

Rom 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

• How is the truth suppressed by unrighteousness?
  
• Which comes first: not believing the truth or unrighteous actions?
  
• What parts of creation show God to you most clearly?
  
• In what ways are verses 21-22 true in today's culture?
  
• What is God exchanged for today?
  
• How do people worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• Why would God give people over to their lusts?
  
• Why is it sometimes easy to exchange God's truth for Satan's lie?
  
• What personal challenge does this passage confront you with?

Seasoned Tongue

Col 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

• Do prefer your food salted or unsalted? Why?
  
• What does it mean to be act wisely toward non-Christians?
  
• Which do you act more wisely toward: Christians or non-Christians? Why?
  
• What is Paul talking about when he states: make the best use of the time?
  
• What is your opinion of how your speech tastes?
  
• Would others consider your speech enjoyable, bitter, too salty, etc?
  
• What is required for your speech to be pleasing?
• How do you answer each person?
  

Family in the Name of Christ

Col 3:18-21

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

• How big of a role does Christ play in your family's daily life?
• How would your family's daily life differ if it did every thing and said every word in the Name of Christ?
  
• What must happen to a person's self-oriented nature to obey these verses?
  
• What are the limits of a wife's subjection to her husband?
  
• How can a wife know what is fitting in the Lord?
• Why is the husband told to love his wife?
  
• Why are children to be obedient to their parents?
  
• At what age should pleasing Christ become the reason for obedience?
  
• How can a father discourage his children?

Harold's Musings:
It is interesting to me that the Holy Spirit chose to drop into family life immediately after the Hardest Verse. Family life (and work life, coming up tomorrow) are where we spend the bulk of our time. Our family drives away from the assembly with us. Our family sees us when we come home from work or after a long day with never ending housework. Christ wants us to act and speak in His Name as we live with our family. That means that regardless how frustrated we are with our child or spouse, we are to realize that Christ needs to approve of what we say or do. Ouch! Even more frustration! That means I cannot put back on the anger and wrath I put off with my old self (Col 3:8). I have to show the compassion, kindness, patience and love that I put on (Col 3:12-14) with my new self. Sunday morning Christianity may be what others see, but the rest of your life is where your true Christian self is displayed. Live it today.

The Hardest Verse

Col 3:17

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.

• What does it mean to do something in the name of another person?
  
• How much of your conversation each day would be Christ-approved?
  
• How many of your actions each day would Christ authorize?
  
• How frequently each day do you consider what Christ would want you to do?
  
• Why should you feel thankful that your words and deeds can be authorized by Christ?

Harold's Musings:
Without a doubt, this is the hardest verse in the Bible for me. The scope it addresses feels overwhelming. I have this huge range of feelings when I consider the prospect of watching every word and every action to see if Christ would do it or at least approve of it. Yes, I know I have the grace of God when I mess up, but the focus of this passage is on getting permission instead of forgiveness. I am used to running on auto-pilot for the bulk of my day. To slow down and consider if my next action is bad, good, or best is unsettling. How will I get anything done? To put my brain in gear before starting my mouth so that my words are acceptable to Christ is unsettling. Will those words tear down or build up? Are they complaints, gossip, or anger? Would Christ say what I am preparing to say in the way I am wanting to say it? Hard, hard, hard verse for old Harold. Hope it is easier for you. In His Name....

Your New Clothes

Col 3:12-14

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

• What is the focus of the qualities you are to put on?
  
• What image does the phrase "put on" bring to mind?
  
• Who comes to mind when you hear these qualities listed?
  
• What must die for you to put these qualities on? Why?
  
• Who will you look like if you are wearing these qualities?
  
• If you were to look in a spiritual mirror today, which of these "garments" would be missing or not fitting well?

Harold's Musings:
In Gal. 3:27 we are told that when we are baptized into Christ we put on Christ. Here Paul leads off with us being hidden in Christ, tells us to do an old for new self exchange, and then gives us a list things to be sure we do. One of those is this list of things to put on. I am impressed by how this list states characteristics of Christ. We sometimes grouse about wondering what God's will is for our lives. We seem to ignore the clear statements of what God's will for us is and are perhaps more concerned about the embarrassment of making a wrong choice in a physical realm situation. When I look at this list, I realize that I put these on selectively; much like how I choose what physical clothes I wear. I dress up for special occasions and wear sloppy comfortable clothes when I'm at home. I'm thinking God wants me to dress up like Christ all the time, even when it is not comfortable. So what "clothes" are you going to selectively not wear today? Patience? Forgiveness? Hmmm.... What to wear, what to wear?

Old for New

Col 3:9-11

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self [1] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, [2] free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Footnotes
[1] 3:9 Greek man; also as supplied in verse 10
[2] 3:11 Greek bondservant

• Whose responsibility is it to get rid of sinful behavior and habits?
  
• Why would you want to pick up the old self you have previously laid aside?
  
• What is your new self beginning to look like?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, how can you distinguish backgrounds, race, etc.?
  
• If everyone in Christ is the image of Christ, why would there ever be divisions and strife in the body?
  
• Would the image of Christ do the things Paul has previously listed, such as greed, anger, and lying?
  
• How does focusing on being the image of Christ help you in your renewal?

Harold's Musings:
It is more rewarding to look towards achieving something than it is to look at the costs that you will have paid to do it. College students look toward graduation and work to achieve the goal. What if they focused on the number of hours of study, the number of boring classes attended, the number of pages read, the number of exams taken, and the amount of money spent? I think they may quit while they are ahead. We have been convinced that as Christians we have to focus on the "do and don't" and not on the goal. We wave the flag of "count the costs" instead of the flag of "becoming the image of Christ". Like the student who attends, reads, studies, and spends, the Christian seeking to look like Christ will "do and don't". will give up things, and will do whatever it takes to be like Christ. Be Christ on earth today!

Cleaning List

Col 3:3-8

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: [2] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [3] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our
[2] 3:5 Greek therefore your members that are on the earth
[3] 3:6 Some manuscripts add upon the sons of disobedience

• Why does your life in Christ mean changes in how you live?
  
• What are some logical results of "dying"?
  
• What things in your life do you need to consider your body dead to?
  
• Why are anger and other person-to-person sins listed along with immorality and idolatry?
  
• How is living for self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• How is dying to self and its desires seen in daily life?
  
• Which of the listed sins would Jesus do?

Mind set

Col 3:1-4

3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your [1] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Footnotes
[1] 3:4 Some manuscripts our

• What are the things above that you should be seeking?
  
• Why should you seek the things above?
  
• How is setting your mind on things above more effective than a list of rules?
  
• Which has a higher percentage of your mind: things above or things on earth?
  
• How does your being dead to flesh and your life being hidden in Christ change your daily walk?
  
• What is the result of your fleshly nature being resuscitated?
  
• Which seems more preferable: glory now or glory with Christ when he comes?

Harold's Musings:
Oh that I could be consistent in regard to these verses! The world assaults these attitudes almost every minute of the day. How can I set my mind on things above when my stomach wants the food below? How can I simultaneously seek the things above and seek to do an excellent job at work below? (And yes I do know that in a few days we will look at doing a good job on earth.) The challenge I see in these verses is the all-consuming nature of being in Christ. If I have been raised with Christ, then what does the world really offer me? If I am dead, then what does the world offer a dead man? Perhaps I have had CPR and I'm hanging on by a thread. Perhaps Christ is competing with me to be my life. Think I need to go read Romans 7-8 again.

The dead have no rules

Col 2:20-23

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

• What is the difference between God's rules and man's rules?
  
• How can you determine the source of the rules you live by?
  
• When is a rule-based life beneficial to a Christian?
  
• How has dying to the elemental spirits of the world changed your life?
  
• What man-made rules for living drive your life?
  
• Are man-made rules a source of freedom or bondage?

Harold's Musings:
Rules and regulations imply control, yet they are impotent by themselves. Throughout history, countless rules have been made and I suspect every one of them have been broken more than once. Even the best of rules seem to have exceptions, conditional variations. Ultimately rules are guidelines for those who want something. If you want to win a contest, you must at least follow the rules. In recent years, rules and even laws seem to be perceived as optional; the exception is the norm. Rules do not control. They merely appear to control. When you died to Christ, you died to the elemental spirits of the world. It means you should not even want then things that the rules were created to prevent. What rules your life: Christ, rules, or you?

Keep your prize

Col 2:16-19

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, [1] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Footnotes
[1] 2:18 Or about the things he has seen

• What are some things today that are mere shadows of what is to come?
  
• What is the prize in this passage?
  
• Where did the self-abasement, angel worship, and personal visions come from?
  
• Why is it so important for you to hold on to Christ, the head of the body?
  
• How does the body grow?

God's will

Col 1:9-12

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks [1] to the Father, who has qualified you [2] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Footnotes
[1] 1:12 Or patience, with joy giving thanks
[2] 1:12 Some manuscripts us

• What do you most frequently ask for when you pray for others?
  
• What are some of the results of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• When do you usually want to know what God's will is for you?
  
• What are you usually wanting to know when you seek God's will for you? Is it spiritual or physical wisdom you seek?
  
• What will your life look like if you have spiritual understanding of God's will?
  
• Why would increasing in the knowledge of God be a result of being filled with the knowledge of God's will?
  
• What is the stated reason for being strenghtened with God's power?
  
• How does "endurance and patience with joy" fit into knowing God's will?

Guidelines for Christian life

1 Pe 3:8-12

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

• What does it mean to have "unity of mind"? How often are you concerned about your mind being united with other Christians?
  
• What does it mean to have "sympathy"? How much sympathy do you have?
  
• What does it mean to have "brotherly love"? How much brotherly do you have?
  
• What does it mean to have a "tender heart"? How tender hearted are you?
  
• What does it mean to have a "humble mind"? How humble in mind are you?
  
• For what purpose were you called? What will you get?
• Why would God want you to not return evil and/or insult others?
  
• How often do you bless those who annoy or even persecute you?
  
• Which is more important to you: getting back at someone or having God on your side?
  
• What does knowing the face of the Lord is against evildoers help?
  
• How does your righteousness influence your prayers?

Beautiful wives

1 Pe 3:1-6

3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

• At this point, who has Peter told Christians to be submissive, respectful, and obedient to?
  
• Why does Peter's challenge to wives come immediately after discourses on Jesus' suffering and unreasonable masters?
  
• Why does he specifically address wives of husbands disobedient to the word?
  
• What is one purpose for the wife's submission?
  
• Why might a Christian wife consider herself free from her husband's authority?
  
• How is this any different that governmental or master's authority?
  
• How is the Christian wife supposed to be attentive to beauty?
  
• Which of these things will last and grow more precious?

Called to suffer

1 Pe 2:21-25

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

• Why would God call you for the purpose of suffering for doing right?
  
• How do you feel when you think that you were called to follow Christ's example in suffering?
  
• How well do you live up to the example?
  
• How was Christ able to endure the suffering that he went through?
  
• How often do you entrust your day-to-day suffering to God?
  
• How is your day-to-day suffering similar to Christ's?
  
• How is your day-to-day suffering different from Christ's?
  
• Why did Christ endure his suffering?
  
• What was the result of his bearing your sins on the cross?
  
• What was the result of his wounds?
  
• How often does a part of you long to be straying again?
  
• What would happen if you followed those straying urges?
  
• What role does Christ play now?