Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
… if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
Summary: God provides both judgment and salvation. Our challenge is to trust God during the process.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:5 — Example 2: The Barn Boat”
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment …
Summary: Peter gives us a peek into things we cannot see by telling us what happens in the spiritual realm.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:4 — Example 1: The Crazy Uncle”
They will secretly introduce destructive heresies …
Summary: Peter begins his description of the false teacher by telling us what they do.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:1b — The First False Teacher”
…until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Summary: Peter describes the joy of knowing Jesus by comparing his coming to the dawn after a long, dark night.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:19e — Son Rise”
…and unproductive…
Summary: Productivity is not really a biblical concept, but fruitfulness is. Peter is helping us understand the kind of person Jesus wants us to be.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:8c — Growing Fruit”
… in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Summary: This single sentence near the end of Paul’s letter to Titus includes clues to what it means to be a believer in Christ. Giving ourselves to Christ transforms us from unproductive people into people who live productive lives that are a blessing to others.
Continue reading “Titus 3:14 (c) — Antidote”
… do your best …
Summary: Three little words in Paul’s instructions to Titus give us a clue to peace and contentment as we live our lives in service to Jesus.
Continue reading “Titus 3:12 (b) — Your Best”
You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Summary: How we see God’s Word has a big impact on what we see in His Word. It is very helpful to keep in mind that we are not Titus. Paul and Titus had a very close relationship, so Titus would have had a much better understanding of Paul’s intent behind his words than we can ever hope to have.
Continue reading “Titus 3:11 — Not Titus”
… because these are unprofitable and useless.
Summary: Paul has constructed example of both the profitable and unprofitable. He stops short of comparing that which is unprofitable to sin, but does feel strongly that such behavior should be avoided.
Continue reading “Titus 3:9 (e) — Worse Things”
And I want you to stress these things …
Summary: Paul’s letter to Titus is very short. Yet, it contains a concise summary of Christian teachings. In this passage we are encouraged to step back and take a look at where Paul’s words have brought us.
Continue reading “Titus 3:8 (b) — Things”