Do you remember where you came from? I don’t mean your hometown or your family of origin. I’m referring to Paul’s words to the faithful brothers and sisters in Colossae as they think back on the Lord’s hand in their lives:

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

In case his point lacked clarity, Paul continued a few lines later:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

I often forget from whence I came. Before the work of Christ, alienation and darkness epitomized my life. Perhaps I failed to realize the situation of my soul, but my ignorance doesn’t change reality. We exist in a world of two kingdoms—a dominion of darkness and a kingdom of the Son.

The Son is the image of the invisible God; the firstborn of all creation; due to his blood shed on the cross we may enjoy peace with God; through his death we present holy before God, without blemish and free from accusation.

Entry into the kingdom of the Son is not guaranteed. One needs to hold fast to the good news of Jesus, embrace his sacrifice and ways. Refuse to move back into our former homes.

This news of a boundary presents a problem. It’s popular today to believe that most every belief is ok, since God doesn’t judge anyone who’s not a Hitler-type person. Porous borders allow freedom from religious strictures while enjoying all that God offers. Those claiming exclusivity about Jesus need to lighten up.

Unfortunately, God fails to lighten up. The Scriptures present an binary choice, one each living person makes during their time on this earth. The dominion of darkness or the kingdom of the Son.

Choose wisely.

Colossians 1 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Daniel Diesenreither

Does this passage remind you of today’s social media environment?

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly without fear.

As modern a description of public discourse across digital platforms as exists anywhere. People sharpen tongues and hawk contempt day and night, and thanks to technology, their influence spreads farther than deserved. The wrong people hold the megaphones.

David, the writer of this psalm, keenly observed human nature. Noting those among those around him hiding their snares he commented—surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

Hard to argue against his conclusion when I read slippery, manipulative and callous commentary. The ease and anonymity of social media entices us to our worst. Just reading snarky posts exposes a callousness in my heart, and moves me further from the peace of the Lord.

Evil tongues eventually betray their owners, who find themselves suddenly struck down. On the other hand, those using their words for blessing enjoy the Lord and find rest in that relationship.

As it turns out, kind is better than cunning.

Psalm 64 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

Here’s an challenging thought brought to you straight from the Bible:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

I immediately think of the Super Bowl advertising that ran during every break in the game. The average 30 second commercial cost $7,000,000. That’s just the cost to air the ad, not including the cost of production.

Super Bowl ads ran the gamut, featuring famous actors driving electric cars to famous actors eating Doritos (ads are a good gig for famous actors). Beguiling, each appealed to my desire for something I do not have, charming me into purchasing a product or service I forgot I needed. All webs spun to create discontentment.

Be content with what you have. These simple words remain powerfully countercultural. True contentment rests in our ultimate trust in the Lord, who promises to remain ever present and never turn his back.

I do not currently need a new vehicle, so I’ll remain satisfied with the one in my driveway (I’ll admit, truck ads are tempting). As much as I like Doritos, I’ll resist purchasing a bag, but if one shows up at the next party I’ll take that as a gift from the Lord.

Otherwise, I’m content (for now).

Hebrews 13 in reading the Bible in 2023

Graphic from Statista

Safe travels. Godspeed. Vaya con Dios. I enjoy someone who blesses me with kind words. I go out the door buoyed by their gracious thoughts.

The Lord shared a beautiful blessing with Moses, to be used for the ages:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Read it again. Let this blessing sink in and lift your spirit. Share it with someone else and lift their spirit. Pray back the blessing to God—Lord, turn your face toward me and my family this very day. Be gracious to me and give me peace.

Amen. Enjoy the blessing of the Lord.

Numbers 6 in reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Zdeněk Macháček