Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Scripture: Jude 1: 22-23

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.

Scripture Commentary: Unbelievers need mercy and kindess – Your role as a witness is vitally important

We need to show mercy and compassion to those who doubt. Effective witnessing saves people from God’s judgement. Some see us as witnesses through our compassion and kindness. Others experience our witnessing of God when we snatch them from the eternal fire.

Hating “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” means we hate the sin, but love the sinner. Unbelievers are lost and need salvation. Do not take your position as witnesses lightly. It is a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing in Christ as our Lord and Savior is sound.

Be careful. Don’t become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ – don’t allow them to influence you to sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jude Chapter 1 (KJV)

Jesus Didn’t Avoid the Call, He Suffered for Us All

Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 1-5

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

Scripture Commentary: Sin loses its power when we focus on Christ

Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God’s will and to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and on what He wants us to do.

When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a clear break with sin.

When you have turned to Jesus, you may be scorned for not participating in activities that you know are against Jesus’ teachings. But know this: your priorities have changed, and you are now heading in the opposite (and the right) direction.

Believers have nothing to fear – Jesus will be the final judge over all!

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Peter Chapter 4

Jesus, When Did I Deny You?

Scripture: Matthew 26: 34-35, 73-75

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.(34) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.(35)

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.(73) Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.(74) And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.(75)

Scripture Commentary: To deny Jesus is to disown Him

When we reject Jesus’ teachings, we are being like Peter. At times we reject our faith. We don’t know Jesus in these moments. Also, we do not know Jesus in moments when we knowingly do wrong.

If you do any of the above, you are on the road to disowning Jesus. We declare death unto ourselves before disowning Jesus, similar to the disciples. Yet, we still do it. If we live in opposition to him we will scatter like the disciples.

It is easy to say we are devoted to Christ, but our actions need to back our claims. If you live in the way Jesus teaches, you will never deny him and he will never deny you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 26

You Can’t Afford the Gift of God

Scripture: Acts 8:18-22

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Commentary: The Savior is God’s gift to us

As with Simon, are you not right with God? Are you praying for things and living a life focused on yourself? When people see others doing well in their lives, they wish the same for themselves.

We want without having to do anything for it. Simon was willing to pay for something he had already had. We have the Holy Spirit in us. We have to pray and study God’s Word. When we live the life God has for us, we will receive the Holy Spirit for it is a gift from God to us.

As Peter told Simon, money and earthly possessions will perish, but our Lord Jesus Christ is forever. This is the gift we have if we repent and believe in Christ as our Savior.

Learn a lesson from Simon and do what Peter told him. Pray to the Lord and live the life God intended for you. When you live for Jesus Christ, you begin to truly live.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Acts Chapter 8

Love Comes From God Because God Is Love

Scripture: 1 John 4: 7-12

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Commentary: God is love – He is the source of love

Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action. God is the source of our love: God is love. He loved us enough to sacrifice his Son for us.

Jesus is our example of what it means to love; everything he did in life and death was supremely loving. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love. He lives in our hearts and makes us more like Christ.

God’s love always involves a choice and action. All love should be like his. How well do you display your love for God in the choices you make and the actions you take? Can you look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I love everything you do?”

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 John Chapter 4

Not Everyone Has a Relationship with God. What About You?

Scripture: Matthew 7: 21-23

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Scripture Commentary: Not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven

People often talk more about themselves than about how Jesus took on their sins and restored them. Not everyone wants to do what is right – they’d rather talk the talk than walk the walk.

Jesus is more concerned with our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words.

Your house will withstand the storms of life if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. Beliefs and actions aren’t separable. Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with him. Many people think if they are “good” and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life.

Faith in Christ is what will count at judgement. On “that day” only our relationship with Christ and our acceptance of him as Savior will matter.

The final day of reckoning is when God will settle all accounts and reward faith to those who truly deserve it.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 7

Repent and Let God Clean Your Spirit

Scripture: Ezekiel 36: 25-27

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them.

Scripture Commentary: Let God make you clean

God is telling us He will make us clean if we come to him and repent. We go through life sinning, but God will forgive us.

God will restore you physically and spiritually. No matter how impure your life is right now, God offers you a fresh start. You can have your sins washed away. Receive a new heart for God, and have his Spirit within you, if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. If you try to go through life alone, you will fail.

Do not lose all sensitivity to sin. Regain sensitivity by recognizing your sin for what it is. Repent and ask for forgiveness from God. If we do this, the Holy Spirit will guide us, making us responsive and receptive to God’s truth. Be thankful. God’s invitation is open to all of us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel Chapter 36

Rejoice! His Coming Is Promised

Scripture: 2 Peter 3: 3-4

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus’ return is promised

God is not slow; he is not on our timetable. Scoffers will say that Jesus is never coming back, but that is Satan talking. Jesus is giving us time to repent and turn to him. God gave us a promise – Jesus is coming back for His own.

The Christians who accepted Christ but returned to their sinful way of life have been given a chance to realize their error. Do not be like a person sinking in quicksand who refuses to take the rope thrown to him. Don’t turn away from Christ and refuse the only way to escape eternity in hell.

What would you like to be doing when Christ returns? Are you working for our Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you working for worldly things? We must not sit and wait for Christ to return. We should live with the realization that our time is short. There is work to do in His name.

This world will end, so put your confidence in what is eternal. Do not be bound to this earth’s finite treasures and pursuits.

Are you spending more time piling up possessions? Or are you striving to work for God?

Do the work God has called you to do. His return is promised.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Peter Chapter 3

God Has Made It Plain

Scripture: Romans 1: 18-20

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Commentary: God has revealed himself in and through his creation

Does anyone have an excuse for not believing in God? God makes His truth plain.

The Bible answers with an emphatic no. God has revealed what he is like in and through his creation. Every person either accepts or rejects God. Don’t be fooled. We all have an inner sense of what God requires, but many of us choose to ignore it. Our moral standards are always better than our behavior.

Suppressing God’s truth in order to live our own way is no excuse. We know the truth, so we know the consequences. Some will ask how can a loving God send anyone to hell.

Paul says God has revealed himself plainly from creation to all people. We know when we are doing something wrong because that is the Holy Spirit within us. To be in denial of our spirit is to be in denial of God.

God graciously gave us his word and the Holy Spirit within us so that we might fully believe in him and live the life of his love.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 1

Can a Man Have Faith Without Works?

Scripture: James 2: 14-18

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Scripture Commentary: True faith always results in a changed life

When someone claims to have faith, what he or she may have is intellectual agreement with a set of christian teachings, and as such, it would be incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. Faith brings us salvation; active obedience demonstrates that our faith is genuine. True faith always results in works/deeds but the deeds do not justify us.

While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. In your new life you are asking Christ to change your old ways to His ways, and saying I will obey you Lord and live as a christian.

If our lives remain unchanged, then we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe. Have you allowed Christ into your life? If you have, are you are living as Christ asks?

Read the Entire Chapter:
James Chapter 2