Nailed to the cross

A common misconception from Colossians chapter 2 is that the law of God was nailed to the cross. Some Christians have lightly dismissed the fourth commandment about resting on the seventh day almost entirely on the basis of this misconception. The New Living Translation (NLT) has cleared this up, stating it was the record of our sins that was nailed to the cross, not the law. Many theologians who don’t push the doctrine of seventh day Sabbath keeping come to the same conclusion as the NLT which says:

“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.  He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” Colossians 2:13-14

Whilst, it is true we as Christians are not under the law, it is too simplistic to say that therefore the Sabbath day has no relevance. Obviously we would never say this about the other nine commandments.

The short book, Made for Man, which can be read on this web-site deals with a whole host of objections to seventh day Sabbath observance that are loosely thrown around in the same way as this ‘nailed to the cross’ objection.

I exhort you to be brave and give the other side to this issue a fair hearing as a true Berean would.

African/Jamaican hair braiding in Tauranga, NZ

My wife's from the beautiful island of Jamaica, but is now a Jamaican in New Zealand. It's amazing how talented she is at hair braiding. She can braid her own hair even quite intricately and does a tremendous job with the hair of others.

I have learned a thing or two about hair braiding myself. No, sorry ladies, I have not yet learned how to braid my wife's hair for her, but I have learned that braiding is not always about vanity and showing off how good one looks. For people with 'Afro' hair, I realize there is a practical reason why they get their hair braided. It helps them manage their hair and have less daily hair hassles.

I have met some Christians (including African Christians) who are dead against hair braiding mainly because of the verse in the Bible in which the Apostle Paul writes, "I desire ... that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works" (1 Timothy 2:8-10). 

These African Christians who are against hair braiding generally keep their hair very short (virtually shorn), so they don't have the practical issues. Paul elsewhere though describes the long hair of a woman as her glory (1 Corinthians 11:15). 

I believe Paul in Timothy above is not prohibiting braiding, but rather encouraging women to be far more concerned about adorning themselves with godliness rather than costly beauty treatments, adornments or braids. 

That applies to all of us, men included. We need to be far less concerned about our outward appearance and more concerned about our hearts. After all, God looks on our hearts.

Kiwi returning home to Tauranga

After leaving Tauranga, New Zealand for Adelaide with family when I was 15 in 1983 I returned to New Zealand six months ago.

Life was very good for me in Australia, but I have to say there is no place like home. It's great to make my home again where most of my family live and where beautiful scenery abounds everywhere.

There's a verse in the Bible related to 'making home' that is truly amazing. Jesus said in John 14:23, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him".

This makes my making home in NZ again sound rather trivial (as great as it is) don't you think?

How would you like God and His Son to make Their home with you?

They also promise to never leave you or forsake you. 

How great is that!

Meaning of Ohauiti/Definition of Ohauiti

I live in Ohauiti, Tauranga, NZ. One internet post says Ohauiti means 'last breath'. Another say 'light winds'. I am sure a person's last breath will be a very light wind.

Whilst I am not sure which definition is correct, I am sure ones last breath won't be the end of ones existence.

Jesus said in John 5:28-29, "Do not marvel at this: for the hour is coming in which all who in the grave will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation".

Jesus' last breaths were truly honourable. He died with dignity, and He fully paid the price for our redemption. He asked for forgiveness for those who killed Him and committed His spirit to God (entrusting His life to His Father).

May your Ohauiti (last breath) be faithfully committed to the God who raises the dead, so that you will come up in the resurrection to life..

*read Faith-lift on this site if you need more faith to believe this and pray to God for faith.

Bible study/Home group Ohauti

Sorry no Bible study this Wednesday 30 November as we are picking up Mary Rice from Auckland airport, but please fellowship with us the next two Sabbaths with our visitors coming from Australia.