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 11, 2012

Deceiving the Hearts of the Unsuspecting (12/11)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 14-16.

Too many Christians are content to ignore the threat of false teachers. They naively assume the best of their brethren at all times, not wanting to believe that a fellow Christian could ever lead them away from the Lord. But if we notice Paul’s warning to the saints in Rome, we will see that this type of attitude puts one in danger of being led astray by false teachers.

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:17-18).

False teachers are to be marked (KJV) so that we know who they are. This is not popular in a society that values political correctness and religious ecumenism at all costs. Yet this is vitally important for our spiritual survival. Notice some of the things that false teachers do to those who are persuaded by them:
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December 10, 2012

“If You Continue in His Kindness” (12/10)

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

The “once saved, always saved” doctrine is very comforting for those who believe it – after one is saved, he does not need to worry about doing anything that would jeopardize his salvation. While this idea is appealing for obvious reasons, it is simply not true. Notice the following passage:

“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:19-22).

Paul had just explained that after the Jews (in large part) rejected Christ, the gospel was then made available to the Gentiles (Romans 11:11). As a result, the Gentiles could be saved and “grafted in” to become part of God’s people.
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December 9, 2012

Zeal That is Not in Accordance with Knowledge (12/9)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 8-10.

Even though Paul was sent specifically to preach to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13; Acts 22:21), he still had a strong desire that his Jewish brethren would come to Christ and be saved. Unfortunately, many did not. One of their major stumbling blocks that kept them from obeying Christ is mentioned in the following passage:

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3).

The reason why many of Paul’s Jewish brethren were going to be lost was because they did not obey God (“subject themselves to the righteousness of God“). Why did they not obey? It was because they were “seeking to establish their own” righteousness. But why did they do this?
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December 8, 2012

Fully Assured of God’s Promises (12/8)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Romans 4-7.

Paul used the example of Abraham to teach us a lesson about faith in God and His promises. Abraham was promised a son. And though it was improbable – even nearly impossible – he believed what the Lord told him.

“In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:18-22).

Earlier in the chapter, Paul also wrote, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3). God was pleased with Abraham’s trust in Him.
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December 7, 2012

“Obedience of Faith” (12/7)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 20:1-3; Romans 1-3.

The epistle of Romans is widely regarded as Paul’s explanation of how we are justified by faith. This is certainly discussed in this letter (Romans 5:1), but many misapply these teachings because they begin with a flawed definition of faith.

Generally, those among Protestant churches define faith in such a way that it is completely separate from works. They believe that salvation could only come by one of two ways: by faith or by works. Therefore, they believe that since salvation is by faith (Romans 5:1), then there are no works (obedience) required on our part to be saved. The problem with this is that it is not taught in the New Testament.

Notice what Paul had to say about faith in the beginning of this letter:

“Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake…” (Romans 1:5).

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December 6, 2012

Disguised as Servants of Righteousness (12/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 10-13.

Paul warned the brethren in Corinth about the dangerous influence of false teachers. His warning is just as appropriate for us today.

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

False teachers will always exist, and we must be on the alert against them. But we should not think that false teachers will be immediately apparent as such. No false teacher is going to inform you that what he is teaching is not true. He will present his message as though it is the truth. He will disguise himself as a servant of righteousness.
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December 5, 2012

Godly Sorrow (12/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Corinthians 5-9.

It is common for one to feel guilty after doing something that is wrong. Whether it is due to conscience, negative consequences, or shame that comes from others learning of our actions, we often feel remorse over our sins. Only after one’s conscience is seared does he no longer feel such guilt (1 Timothy 4:2). But while this guilt (sorrow) over our actions may be common, not all of it is necessarily helpful. Notice what Paul told the brethren in Corinth:

“For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10).

In his first letter to these brethren, Paul rebuked them for several sins. Naturally, they were sorrowful (they had a sense of guilt and remorse) after Paul brought these sins to their attention and condemned them. Fortunately, the Corinthian brethren had the right kind of sorrow.
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