Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

December 25, 2012

False Prophets and Teachers (12/25)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Peter 1-3; Jude 1.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).

Peter warned that the existence of false teachers would be a certainty among God’s people. He did not say there might be false teachers. He said there will be false teachers, just as there were false prophets in times past.

But what is a false teacher? Brethren sometimes differ on the definition. Some believe that one’s status as a false teacher is dependent upon him having corrupt motives. Yet the context helps us to determine who should be described as a false teacher. In fact, the two preceding verses give us the key, though we may sometimes fail to make the connection because of the man-made chapter divisions. Though there is a chapter break, the context is the same. We can learn what a false teacher is by noting the contrast between a false prophet and a true prophet.
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December 24, 2012

Soldiers, Athletes, and Farmers (12/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Timothy 1-4.

Paul used three analogies to describe the role of a preacher to the young evangelist Timothy. The examples that Paul used are common, even today, so that we might be able to easily see the points he was making.

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

“The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops” (2 Timothy 2:3-6).

Let us briefly notice the three examples Paul used to describe the role of preachers:
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December 23, 2012

“Strangers and Exiles on the Earth” (12/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Hebrews 11-13.

Hebrews 11 contains several examples of ones who lived by faith. One of the characteristics that distinguished them as being people of faith was their understanding of their place in the world.

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

These individuals knew, and were willing to confess, that they were “strangers and exiles on the earth.” They knew that the promises of God, though seen “from a distance,” were better than what they could hope to gain in this life without God.
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December 22, 2012

The Silence of the Scriptures (12/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Hebrews 7-10.

As the Hebrew writer explained to his readers that Jesus was the new high priest (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:8-10; 6:20), he made it clear that the priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek would be different and better than the Levitical priesthood. But the fact that the priesthood would be better did not provide authority for the new priesthood. The law would have to change for the new priesthood to be authorized. The Hebrew writer explained:

“For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests” (Hebrews 7:12-14).

Priests coming from the tribe of Levi was not a matter of tradition but a matter of divine law (Numbers 3:5-7). The reason given by the Hebrew writer as to why Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah, was prohibited from being a priest under the Old Law teaches us a fundamental point about Bible authority.
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December 21, 2012

“Made Like His Brethren in All Things” (12/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Hebrews 1-6.

“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

The Hebrew writer’s assertion that Jesus was made “like His brethren in all things” has been stretched by some brethren far beyond what is taught in the context. Some suppose this phrase means that Jesus desired to sin like we desire to sin. Some assume that Jesus was given a human spirit when He came and lived on the earth. Neither of these is taught in the context, nor are they taught anywhere in Scripture.

The Hebrew writer explained in this context what is meant by the phrase, “He had to be made like His brethren in all things.”
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December 20, 2012

As Obedient Children (12/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Peter 1-5.

Christians are the children of God. Just as an earthly father would, our heavenly Father expects certain behavior out of His children. We are not free to do as we please and expect God to be happy with whatever we do. We are expected to do His will.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

What does God expect of His children? This passage mentions a few things:
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December 19, 2012

“By Their Deeds They Deny Him” (12/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Titus 1-3.

Many religious people will declare that they know God. They will affirm that they have faith in Him. They will profess to others that Jesus is their Lord. Yet words are meaningless if they are not confirmed by actions. Sadly, too many will speak as though they are disciples of Christ, yet prove otherwise by their actions.

“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed” (Titus 1:16).

Declaring to know the Lord is useless. We must do what He has commanded. “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4).Continue Reading

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