Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.
Summary: With this passage, Paul dives into the deep end of the pool and invites us to follow. As we consider his words, we pause and think about the nature of judging.
At this point in his letter, Paul is quite blunt. He begins to call out the difference between people who “teach false doctrines” (1 Tim 1:3) and those whose lives reflect a “sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:6 – Our Struggle”
… and have put on the new self …
Summary: Putting on a “new self” is a bit vague until we remember why it is important and what God has provided for us to put on.
Having taken off the old self, we need something else to put on, but what?
Have you ever stood in front of your closet wondering what to put on? Maybe you are getting ready for a special event like a wedding or a party. Perhaps you have been invited to be at a formal dinner and meet heads of state. Each of these situations requires a different type of attire. But what do you wear for an afternoon with God?
Continue reading “Colossians 3:10a – A Wedding Story”I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Summary: Paul takes a breath and expresses his confidence that all is not lost for the Galatians.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:10 – An Encouraging Word”… since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,
Summary: Living in a broken and sinful world seems like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, we all have to face our Maker and our Master at some point.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:9b – The Master”But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Summary: Loving others as God loves us is a complicated business.
Continue reading “Matthew 5:44 – God-Like Love”
… being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Summary: Understanding the day of judgment is helpful to understanding our relationship with God. He is the creator, we are the created. If we do not function as we were created to, then we cannot be used. Like scrap wood at a construction site, such people end up in the fire.
Continue reading “2 Peter 3:7c — Smoke”
These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.
Summary: The Church, sadly, is not perfect. False teachers have caused confusion and division. Even so, the church is still loved by Jesus, and judgment waits patiently for those who dare mislead the Lord’s bride.
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:17 — Lost in the Fog”
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”
—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Summary: Once again we are confronted by the duality of the physical and the spiritual. In physical terms “swift” means “now.” In spiritual terms, “swift” might simply mean “suddenly.”
Continue reading “2 Peter 2:1d — Surprise!”
They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
As Jude dives into the topic of his letter, we immediately understand that there are three groups of people involved.
The first group, the group that James is part of, are “loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.”
The second group, not mentioned by name but implied, are the people of the world who do not know Jesus but need Him. These people are not “lost” to Christ, but neither are they yet “found.” The one thing about this group that applies to all of them is that none of them claim to be Christians.
Continue reading “Jude 1: 7b — The Third Group”