Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.]

Hebrews 12:12-17

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.] Hebrews 12:14-15

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 12:12-17 - the author, based on how he exhorts believers to see discipline as training from God, and good, issues a call to action for believers to press on with the mission to share the gospel and to support other believers in their journey so that they not "shrink back."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv12-13: God seeks for us to grow, and this often includes painful periods of discipline as God is using our circumstances to prune and shape us into who He seeks for us to serve His purpose. V14: God knows that believers must be a light if His Great Commission is to gather and sustain any momentum. V15-16: Unity in the church is critical as one "defiled" person may defile many - therefore He wants us to support and encourage other believers.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: My previous post highlighted text where discipline is sometimes viewed as painful - temporarily.  While this may be true it also inevitably makes us stronger and resilient as our spiritual muscles tear, heal, and grow back stronger - this is vv12-13.  While persecution and other interpersonal clashes may cause us to lash out to others in response, v14 encourages us to "strive for peace with everyone," because if we don't demonstrate being a light (holy and set apart), we risk apostasy and eternal damnation.  Vv15-17 concludes with the author seeking for believers to encourage and support other believers such that we avoid a "root of bitterness" among us that again may lead to disunity in the church and apostasy of believers. The example of Esau is used as he "despised" his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), allowing this "root of bitterness" to drag Esau away from holiness.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid discouragement and a root of bitterness to fester and drag you away from God and into sin.  Claim the promise that God disciplines those He loves and see your circumstances through what God is causing or allowing in your life for good and His glory.  Encourage and support other believers to press on with the Great Commission.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for how You provide support and encouragement from other believers.  I am not deserving of how You love, save, and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Jude 10

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of an unassisted review of Jude 8-10.  Building on previous verses, Jude warns those with little to no faith of not leaning into God or remaining in sin, as they will fall prey to the same damnation many in Israel did (see v5) as well as those willfully sinning knowing full well they are sinning (v7).  V8 warns of "defil[ing] the flesh, rejecting authority, and blasphem[ing] the glorious ones." While v9 for me at this time is not clear to me, v10 is more clear as it describes apostates as "not understand[ing that which they] blaspheme, and they are destroyed by...[God whom] they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively."  This is a reference to what is often referred to as "general revelation" (as opposed to special revelation from scripture - for more on this see here) which "God gives to every human being on earth. It’s general in the sense that it’s not limited to any specific group of people. It’s global, and it extends to every human being. The audience is general, and the information given is general as well....General revelation mediated through creation is clear enough that every single person knows God exists and, therefore, is without excuse. Immediate general revelation is revelation that is transmitted to every human being without an external medium. It’s internal, not external. It’s the revelation God plants in the soul of every person. God reveals his law in the mind of every human being by planting a conscience within each of us." Jude warns those who recognize God but reject Him that they will suffer eternally.  We are encouraged to grow in our faith so that we can withstand the devil's schemes and be steadfast until the end. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself not just in creation but also through scripture, so that I can come to know You, grow closer to You, and become more like You.  Thank You for making me one of Your children, one of Your elect, then going further by sanctifying me...Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Jude

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 5

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of an unassisted review of Jude 5-7. Here, we are reminded to remain in Jesus, so that He is in us (see also John 15:5-6), so that we are spared eternal damnation.  True believers cannot lose their salvation, but most commentaries I have read focus on those who are not true believers in the sense that they never truly had faith and what faith they did have was not strong enough to prevent apostasy.  In v5, I believe, this is the group where Jude focuses - those who believed in Jesus because they perhaps felt awe and wonder at one point (due to miracle perhaps) but beyond awe and wonder never truly believed and then focused on doubt and fell prey to sinful influences and false teaching.  Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega - He was their in the beginning during Creation (see Genesis 1:2 reference to Spirit of God) and the Fall (as the one who will destroy the serpent - see Genesis 3:15) and He will be there at the end coming on clouds (Revelation 1:7-8).  As such Jude (v5) refers to Jesus as "the one who saved a people out of the land of Egypt," but then because much of Israel refused to believe and have faith, God (Jesus) destroyed them in the wilderness. Jude not only uses Israel as an example of those who refused to believe but also fallen angels (v6), and then those in Sodom and Gomorrah (v7) - all of whom perish for eternity.  Key takeaway for those whose faith is weak is avoid focus on doubt but instead to lean into God and ask for strengthening of faith and not to fall away. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God that not only saved me but also provides a way out for me to remain in You and You in me - thank You for my faith.  I am not deserving of my faith.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 John 5

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of 1 John 5:13-21, focusing specifically on a review of the main idea for the entirety of the text, the commentary's introduction/overview for this text, and the second division - which is "We Can Know That God Answers Prayer (5:14-17)". John also addressed in 1 John 3:22 where he shared that "God answers our prayers when we are (1) keeping His commands and (2) doing those things that please Him. John now adds a third requirement: (3) we must ask “according to his will” (v14)." Of course, the commentary shares how a believer's will may often not align that of God.  However, the commentary also shares that God's will is always better than our own. We are referred to Romans 12:2 where God's will is described as "good, pleasing and perfect." In v16-17, John moves to prayer of intercession, for someone who is in sin.  V16 is described by the commentary as one of the most difficult verses to interpret in all of Scripture." The subject of the verse is "sin that leads to death."  The commentary puts forward three options to explain this type of sin as: (1) "A specific, deadly sin. This is high-handed sin. It is sin that is willful and deliberate; sin that is of a serious nature; (2) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.  This is a deliberate, knowledgeable, willful, verbal, and continual rejection of the truth to which the Spirit bears witness. It is a hardening of the heart to a degree that prayer will not help; or (3) Total rejection of the gospel and Christ. This is the sin of the false teachers who willfully and habitually oppose the witness of God concerning the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ. This one is not called a brother. He is an apostate."  The commentary lands on option (3) as the preferred option. The text therefore shares how we can intercede in prayer for someone who is in sin that leads to death but this prayer will be futile.  V17 then describes sin that "does not lead to death," and we are called per the text to pray for those who are in sin that "does not lead to death."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father, righteous, Holy and Your will is good, pleasing and perfect.  You hear all of my prayers and respond to all of them. I am not deserving of how You respond to my prayers - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Hebrews 10

 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 10:26-39, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines three divisions for this text:

I. A Fearful Warning (10:26-27): Here the commentary shares how believers are warned against apostasy where "if you continue in sin and definitely refuse to repent, then you essentially reject the gospel and willingly walk the path that leads to destruction."  We are referred to Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower where Jesus described "gospel seed falling in shallow soil and showing immediate signs of life but dying out when persecution came. The initial sign of life does not describe regeneration, only spiritual interest. The regenerated life, by contrast, is transformed, bears new fruit, and has a lasting eternal impact."  We are also referred to 1 John 2:19 where we are warned to not love the world and to be "of the world" but instead to identify with Christ. The commentary also shares how this division is one of the most sobering warnings in all of scripture. 

II. The Judgment of God (10:28-31): The commentary continues in its warnings by referring to the Old Testament and the Mosaic Law.  It refers to the rejection of the Father (breaking the 1st commandment or the most important commandment), rejection of Jesus and His crucifixion and the role of His blood and our salvation, and rejection of the Holy Spirit. References to the Old Testament are important because as the commentary shares "[w]e must not fall into his hands the way Israel did....[and]...[w]e must not trifle with God."

III. The Faith of Those Who Endure (10:32-39): Finally, the commentary uses the remaining division and text to encourage believers to endure, seeking the better possession and focusing on the eternal.  It shares: "[w]e may lose possessions, friends, family, and the comforts of this life, but we have a better and abiding possession waiting for us in our heavenly city. As with the believers in the book of Hebrews, what we gain when we endure persecution can never be taken away from us....These warning passages keep the believer from spiritual complacency.

Be encouraged, endure, and stay near to God as He is faithful to fulfill the promise He gives us with our salvation!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and Your Word is good as is the Holy Spirit which You give us as our Advocate and Helper as we know You are with us at all times.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are with me at all times...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Hebrews 6

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 6:1-8, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the second division "The Danger of Irreversible Apostasy," which looks at Hebrews 6:4-8. Here, the commentary addresses what it refers to as "some of the most difficult verses in the entire New Testament."  Apostasy is often debated within the church and many worry whether they can lose their salvation.  The commentary explores several available scholarly interpretations for this text and ultimately describes apostates as those who left the faith, but "showed they were not truly part of the faith in the first place."  It goes on to offer that this text "is a caution for individuals who have tasted the things of Christ but have not become genuine Christians." Scripture references offered by the commentary that support how true believers cannot lose their salvation include John 5:24; Romans 8:39; 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:6-8; Philippians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:3.  Matthew 13:24-30 and the Parable of the Weeds is offered as a clear connection to this story and how the second and third soil best represent those who never had genuine faith and fall away.  The commentary wraps for this text by sharing an encouragement: "[h]appily, Hebrews does not end with this warning. The author assures believers that he had to write the warning for the unbelievers in the church needing to hear it. Pastorally, he is not seeking to put insecurity in the hearts of Christians. Believers who are faithfully following Christ’s commands can be confident in their salvation. If we seek assurance of our faith, we will find it by doing the things faithful Christians do. We will grow out of the elementary things and into maturity."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, keeps me, and who helps me stay on track with my faith and gives me Your Word, my church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, the Holy Spirit...all to stay on track and not fall away.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Hebrews 6

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 6:1-8, and my initial unaided observations of this text.  Hebrews 6 picks up from Hebrews 5:11-14 where the author exhorts the audience of Jewish believers to shake themselves from spiritual and moral sluggishness - they are urged to grow in their spiritual maturity.  This call is of course meant for all believers.  Do not allow yourself to be stuck in a spiritual rut where you are not growing in your relationship with God.  The remedy provided is "discernment trained by constant practice," and this is principally accomplished through daily time with God in study and prayer, but also through other spiritual disciplines such as corporate worship, service to God and others, etc.  Hebrews 6:1 continues with this exhortation, and it includes a stern warning to those who do not grow in their faith. This stern warning is described in v4-6.  Note the word "impossible" in v4.  If believers allow themselves to be taken off course from their faith journey, and they then allow themselves to be taken away from their faith (apostasy) by the Great Deceiver (Satan), then there is no turning back. An ominous warning indeed!  Believers stay on course!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who keeps me on track - thank You God!  I am not deserving of Your grace, compassion, and patience.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me, and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So we see that they were unable to enter [His rest] because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3

So we see that they were unable to enter [His rest] because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 3:7-19, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Starting tomorrow and through the day after that, I will lean on my commentary and how it describes and unpacks this text.  The text starts with "therefore" - which of course forces us to examine how this text connects with the previous text in Hebrews 3:1-6 where the primary themes (see yesterday's post and posts just prior to yesterday) are how Jesus is greater than Moses, and how Jesus is faithful.  In light of how Jesus is faithful, believers are encouraged to avoid turning away (apostasy) or losing faith/trust in Jesus in the same way that many of the Jews did in the wilderness as Moses led them through the wilderness after escaping bondage in Egypt.  Inviting sin and evil into our lives allows for such turning away and v13 speaks of these influences. Lack of faith itself is indeed a sin. V12-13 exhort believers to encourage each other, and to help other believers stay strong in their faith.  The text twice (Hebrews 7:11, 15) refers to Psalm 95:7-11 in the warning the author of Hebrews uses to "if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."  The text ends by describing the consequences of falling away or losing faith - no rest! As an antidote to such falling away or losing faith, as it says in v14, let us "hold our original confidence [in Him] firm to the end."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You ARE faithful and I need Your provision and my brothers and sisters in Christ to help me hold firm to You until the end.  I know things get very hard but You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such faithfulness.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:22-23

Day 354 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read Jude. My commentary notes: "Jude is trying to combat a widely believed philosophy which denies that the sins of the flesh can affect the soul—a philosophy which, naturally enough, has led to flagrant immorality. In order to stress the potentially dangerous consequences of such teaching, Jude uses both Old Testament and extra-biblical writings (the book of Enoch) to remind his readers of God’s judgment upon the ungodly."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

I have previously posted on Jude, John MacArthur* provides additional commentary on those deserving of mercy here: "[t]here are several textual variants here which could result in either two or three groups being indicated. They are: (1) sincere doubters who deserve compassion (v. 22); (2) those who are deeper in unbelief and urgently need to be pulled from the fire (v. 23); and (3) those declared disciples of apostasy who still deserve mercy, but are to be handled with much fear (v. 23; included in better manuscripts), lest the would-be-rescuer also be spiritually sullied. Given the manuscripts evidence and Jude’s pattern of writing in triads, three groups is the more likely scenario."

"These victims of the apostate teachers need mercy and patience because they have not yet reached a firm conclusion about Christ and eternal life, and so remain doubters who could possibly be swayed to the truth. 23 others save. Others, who are committed to the errors taught by the apostates, need immediate and forthright attention before they are further entrenched on the road to the fire of hell (cf. v. 7) as a result of embracing deceptive lies. with fear. This third group also needs mercy, even though they are thoroughly polluted by apostate teaching. These people are to be given the true gospel, but with great fear, lest the deliverer be contaminated also. The defiled garment pictures the apostate’s debauched life, which can spread its contagion to the well-meaning evangel."

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

MacArthur's insights this morning provide great help in emphasizing how we are to not hold back mercy, even for those whom we might otherwise believe are beyond the point of no return with regards to apostasy.  Jude does also emphasize how we are to exercise caution here but we are nonetheless to be generous with our mercy.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is MORE than generous with Your mercy for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving for how You distribute mercy - I worry, lack patience, etc. and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

1 Samuel 8-12

 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 1 Samuel 12:20-25

Day 85 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Samuel's anointing of Saul as king over Israel.

A key theme and message throughout these chapters is how the Israelites rejected God as their leader and sought an earthly leader or King instead.  See 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 19-21, 10:19, 12:12, 17, and 19).  Similarly, although the OT is clear and it is prophesied many times that God will send the Messiah, when Jesus does arrive, it is the Jewish leaders and elders who also rejected God.  What is amazing is that God allows us to make such unwise and sinful decisions yet He does not reject us should we repent and turn to Him. Assuming we fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully (1 Samuel 12:24) and that we don't persist in doing evil (1 Samuel 12:25), we will remain His people and He will not reject us.

A couple of verses come to mind:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Hebrews 10:26-27

  
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me the power to overcome sin and temptation in my life - I am grateful.  I know there is work to do but I am grateful for You in my life!  I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v20-23

Jude (half-brother of Jesus), writes primarily to warn us about false/apostate teachers. Such false/apostate teachers exist in the church today (and seem to be growing in influence) so it is highly relevant that we can identify such teachers - we must prevent the spread of their teaching both in our own life and in the church-at-large.

Based on Jude's letter, John MacArthur provides us guidance about how to identify such teachers - giving us a list of characteristics or a "Profile of an Apostate"*:

1. Ungodly (v. 4) 
2. Morally perverted (v. 4) 
3. Deny Christ (v. 4) 
4. Defile the flesh (v. 8) 
5. Rebellious (v. 8) 
6. Revile holy angels (v. 8) 
7. Dreamers (v. 10) 
8. Ignorant (v. 10) 
9. Corrupted (v. 10) 
10. Grumblers (v. 16) 
11. Fault-finders (v. 16) 
12. Self-seeking (v. 16) 
13. Arrogant speakers (v. 16) 
14. Flatterers (v. 16) 
15. Mockers (v. 18) 
16. Cause division (v. 19) 
17. Worldly minded (v. 19) 
18. Without the Spirit (v. 19)

*The MacArthur Study Bible, by John MacArthur (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997) 1987. © 1993 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64614-64633). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

As Jude closes his letter, he not not only encourages us to build up our faith, to be patient for the Lord's return, and to full of grace and mercy for everyone; on this latter encouragement, even the false/apostate teachers are deserving of God's grace and mercy if we can find ways to reach them and if they reject their false/apostate teachings and return to Truth.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with incredible grace and mercy.  I am grateful.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

Hebrews 10

You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. v34

In my view this morning, in v26-39, there are a couple of nuggets worth a pause, including not just v34 but also v26-27:

 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.  

Willful sin, or sins of commission DO threaten a believer's salvation but John Piper points out that this such sin must be a more deliberate, continued, and settled pattern of sin.  Regardless of the distinction Piper makes, believers nonetheless should be on guard for willful sin as we don't want to separate ourselves from God. 

With v34, we have a picture of how God provides something of so much value that we can endure and persevere through those times of challenge, trial and suffering.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have been with me - always...through all the challenges, trials, and suffering.  Thank You Jesus!  Knowing You and being in Your family is worth more than anything else in my life.  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving for how You love and bless me.  I worry and I have many other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.