10 Reasons we need Jesus [Colossians]

As I was reading through Colossians I kept seeing the amazing things that Jesus is able to do for us. I compiled this list from the book.

#1 We did not exist

But Jesus created us along with all things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (1:16).

#2 We are deceived by human tradition, empty deceit, and false philosophies

But Jesus is able to provide us with true wisdom, knowledge, and philosophy (2:3, 8)

#3 We are enemies, alienated from God

But Jesus is able to reconcile us to himself, making peace by the blood of His cross (1:20-22).

#4 We are unholy and cannot stand before God

But Jesus is able to present us holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (1:22)

#5 We are in the kingdom of darkness and are not qualified to enter the kingdom or to have a part in the inheritance

But Jesus is able to qualify us so that we can be brought into His kingdom and receive the inheritance (1:12-13, 3:24)

#6 We are guilty and a slave to sin

But Jesus is able to redeem us and forgive us of our sins (1:14, 2:13)

#7 We are condemned and owe a debt we cannot pay

But Jesus is able to cancel our debt by nailing it to the cross (2:13-14)

#8 We are dead in our trespasses and sins

But Jesus is able to raise us up with Him and give us life (2:11-13; 3:5-17)

#9 We are alive to the world and our flesh

But Jesus is able to make us die to the world and the flesh (2:16-23, 3:3)

#10 We are going to face God’s wrath

But Jesus is coming and we can appear with Him in glory (3:4)

Jesus is able to do all of these things – if indeed we continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that we heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven (1:23 ESV).

Justin Martyr on Free Will

This is a series that will be updated periodically that captures the early church views on free will. In part 1 and part 2 we looked at Irenaeus’ views.

Justin the Philosopher by Theophanes the Cretan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Justin the Philosopher by Theophanes the Cretan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) was a philosopher who searched for the truth studying under the Platonists, Stoics, Peripatetics, Theoretics, and Pythagoreans before becoming a Christian. Continue reading

Wednesday with Wesley: On the Trinity

This post has been updated since it was originally posted on May 12 ,2010

John_WesleyIn John Wesley’s day as in ours, there was discussion as to what beliefs were considered essential for the Christian faith. As an Arminian theologian, Wesley disagreed with the opinions of many Catholics and Calvinists. However, he did not deny that many within these different camps could indeed be true Christians if they held the essential truths. Continue reading