December 21st~Indestructible

Hebrews 13:1-25

1 Peter 1:1-2:3

We closed the book of Hebrews and opened the first letter of Peter. Peter wrote his letter to encourage believers who were suffering (1:6). In fact, it is quite fitting that Hebrews is placed next to Peter’s letter, as Hebrews closes by talking of faith and Peter opens by talking of faith. “These trials,” he wrote, “are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold; and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold...” (1:7-9).

One of the wonderful things about our relationship with God is that through His grace, we can have joy in the midst of sorrow, triumph in the midst of trials. “Be glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while” (1:6). Though we may not feel like rejoicing in the midst of trials, we can be assured that they are not purposeless. Remember, James wrote, “Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. When your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (1:2, 3).

Peter wrote something similar, “Trials are only meant to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure” (1:7). He goes on to compare trials and faith to fire and gold. Gold is one of the most imperishable objects on earth; but, apply enough heat or pressure, it will dissolve. However, genuine faith is indestructible. We may undergo intense trials, but these do not dissolve our faith, rather they make our faith more durable.

When I think of faith and trials by fire, I flash back to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who literally experienced the heat. They were exposed to intense pressure and persecution for their beliefs, but they stood their ground and did not give into the pressure (Daniel 3).

Daily Reflection

Have you had to face any furnaces in your lifetime? What is the most difficult faith test you have had to endure?

What benefits did you experience as a result of this faith test? What good came from it?

What are some of the unnecessary or unhealthy things in life that fiery trials help to burn away?

Genuine faith is a gift of God (Eph. 2:9). When going through a trial, how can you tell that your faith is His or your own?

Don’t allow your fiery trials to pull you away from God; rather, allow them to draw you closer to Him. You have His indestructible Spirit within you, and He is building an indestructible faith!

BiAY.org | Day 355 — 10 Days to Go

December 20th~Binding Faith

Hebrews 11:1-12:29

Today’s passage began with a great question, “What is faith?” Then, the writer provided a definition. Faith “is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see” (11:1, 2). The Latin word for faith is fides, meaning “to trust.” Noah Webster marked that, in the Greek language, the idea of faith was “to be bound or made fast by rope,” in other words to be fastened or tied to something one believes. Therefore, Webster wrote in his definition that faith is “the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority or veracity, without other evidence.” Also, faith is “the judgment that what another states is truth” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary).

Our passage continued with a long list of people in the Old Testament who demonstrated genuine faith (11:4-40). “All of these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God” (v.13). It is evident in these stories that faith is a big part of one’s relationship with God. In fact, “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him” (v.6). Remember when James wrote that faith without works is a dead faith? I guess we could also say that works without genuine faith are dead or useless works.

Why does faith matter so much? Well, consider the alternative. To have no trust in what God says or does is to say that He is not trustworthy, that He is a liar, or that there is someone better. How can one be in right standing with God if he holds to the belief that God is a liar, not worthy of trust? To bind oneself to God’s words, not knowing but believing that they are true or will come true, is a tremendous act of honor to Him.

Daily Reflection

After having recounted all the people who demonstrated true faith, the writer changed gears and focused his attention on his readers. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress; and, let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish” (12:1, 2).

Do you have faith? Do you trust God? Have you bound yourself to His words and promises? What “weights” tend to hinder your progress in the life of faith?

Did you notice, that in regards to faith, the writer addressed the issues of suffering and discipline? Many have been tortured or persecuted for their faith in God (11:36-39) and, today, we still experience difficulty, trials, heartache, and punishment (12:6-13). How does faith intersect with hard times, set backs, and discipline?

“God has far better things in mind for you... but you can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until you finish the race” (11:40).

BiAY.org | Day 354 — 11 Days to Go

December 19th~A Terrible Thing

Hebrews 8:1-10:39

“There is nothing that keeps wicked men, at any one moment, out of Hell but the mere pleasure of God.” This truth was the leading idea of the most famous sermon in American history, delivered by one of our greatest preachers, Jonathan Edwards (1741). It was part of a sermon entitled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which helped to ignite a revival in New England that we now call the “Great Awakening.”

After contrasting the superiority of Christ to angels, to Moses, to Joshua, and to the Levitical High Priest, the writer of Hebrews finally arrived at his main point — “Our High Priest (Christ) has been given a ministry that is far superior to the ministry of those who served under the old laws, for He is the one who guarantees for us a better covenant with God, based on better promises” (8:6). Because of His work on earth, “Our High Priest sat down in the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand” (8:1).

Earthly priests were never able to rest, because their work was never done. They were never allowed to sit down in the Temple or the Tabernacle, because their sacrifices for the people never ceased. But Christ, having accomplished all that was required of Him on earth, and, then, after having sacrificed Himself on the cross, “Once for all time, He took blood into that Most Holy Place, not the blood of goats and calves. He took His own blood and with it secured our salvation forever!” (9:12).

After His sacrifice, no other offering is required. “Christ canceled the first covenant in order to establish the second one... Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices” (10:9, 18). Now, note the writer’s urgency in pleading with his readers. “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover your sins... What makes you think that you can escape if you are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus Himself? There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectations of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies... It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” (2:3; 10:26-31).

Daily Reflection

Neither of these words from Jonathan Edwards or the writer of Hebrews was meant to shake the faith of a Christ-follower. If you are in Him, you are a new creature, forgiven, sealed, and secured for eternity. These words were meant to rattle those who are putting their faith in their own sacrifices or offerings, their own works or human goodness. If they reject or neglect this great gift of salvation, there is nothing else that can save them from the terrible wrath of God.

Just as it is a terrible thing to reject the only means of salvation that God has given, so it is a terrible thing to neglect sharing with others the only means of salvation that God has given. With whom, in your sphere of influence, are you sharing this wonderful gift?

You have the only hope in a hopeless world. Share it. Wasting opportunities the Lord has provided would be a terrible thing.

BiAY.org | Day 353 — 12 Days to Go

December 18th~Our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-7:28

The writer of Hebrews continued his case for Christ’s superiority over the elements of the Old Covenant system. He already demonstrated that He is to be preferred over the angels, over Moses, and over Joshua. Next, he compared Christ to the High Priest of Israel, the most important and respected position among God’s people. How does he stack up?

First, though Jesus was not from the lineage of Aaron, the first High Priest, or from the tribe of Levi, He was from the lineage of a priest named Melchizedek, who came before Aaron (Genesis 14; Psalm 110). Melchizedek was an Old Testament type or picture of Christ, his name meaning “righteousness.” He was the King of Salem (meaning “peace”), having no father or mother and no beginning or end (Hebrews 7:1-8). Since he preceded the Levitical priests of Aaron, this means that Melchizedek was first and that his priestly lineage takes precedence and his ministry and mediation is more important. Abraham, the Father of the Jewish nation, recognized the importance of Melchizedek and worshiped him.

While this assertion, that Christ’s priesthood superseded the Levitical priesthood, would have jolted his Jewish readers, the writer was trying to establish the credentials that Jesus had, to be the perfect Mediator for the New Covenant system. In fact, he went on to write, “If the priesthood of Levi could have achieved God’s purposes..., why did God need to send a different priest from the line of Melchizedek, instead of from the line of Levi and Aaron?” (7:11). The answer is that the priesthood of Levi was imperfect, ineffective, and, therefore, incomplete.

Christ is our great High Priest! His ministry was greater than any priest who has ever lived. He was human and, therefore, experienced everything that we do, even temptation, so He “understands our weaknesses” (4:15). He lived a life without sin; thus, He is holy and blame- less. Also, since He is not dead but alive, He is able to intercede on our behalf before the Lord continually (7:23-25).

Daily Reflection

What are the implications of Jesus’ priesthood? Why should you care about His mediatory role? Here are three things to consider. First, Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for your sins, by giving Himself (10:12); therefore, you no longer have to make sacrifices for wrongdoing. Your sins have been dealt with on the cross. Second, because Christ is your High Priest, you have no need for an earthly mediator, a priest, a pastor, or anyone else to communicate with God on your behalf. Finally, because your Mediator is holy and righteous, and because He paid the ultimate sacrifice for sin, you can approach the throne of God with boldness and confidence, to find grace when you need it (4:16). You have total access to God!

Imagine yourself at the throne of God right now. There is nothing in your way. He is ready to receive you and to listen to you. What help do you need right now? How can He intercede for you?

Because of your great High Priest, you have an all-access pass to the God of heaven. He is waiting to hear from you. Because of Christ, you can approach Him with no reservations!

BiAY.org | Day 352 — 13 Days to Go

December 17th~All We Have

2 Timothy 4:19-22

Hebrews 1:1-4:13

We opened the book of Hebrews, whose penman is not revealed in the text, so this writer has always been one of the mysteries of the New Testament. However, despite not knowing who was responsible, humanly speaking, for these incredible words, we trust that God is sovereign and wanted us to have this book; and, though we may not know who wrote it officially, we still know that God inspired the message, which has proven to be accurate in light of the rest of the Bible.

The overarching theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant; the writer, who was quite knowledgeable of Jewish history, Mosaic Law, and the sacrificial system, set out to prove that Jesus was and is the Messiah that the Jews longed for. Thus, in the few chapters that we read, he contrasted Christ with angels (1:4-14), with Moses (3:1-19), and with Joshua (4:8, 9). These two men were “illustrations of the truths God would reveal later” (3:5). Though God had spoken to His people in many ways, “in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son” (1:1, 2). Jesus is the final revelation from God.

How exactly is Christ superior to angels, Moses, and Joshua? The writer pointed out seven ways. First, God made Jesus heir of all things (1:2). Second, “through His Son, He made the universe” (v.2). Third, “the Son reflects God’s own glory” (v.3). Fourth, “everything about Him reflects God exactly” (v.3). Fifth, “He sustains the universe by the mighty power of His command” (v.3). Sixth, “He died to cleanse us from the stain of sin” (v.3). Seventh, “He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven” (v.3). Who has done any of these things except Christ? Have the angels? Has Moses or Joshua? No, only the Messiah, Jesus Christ!

Daily Reflection

The writer of Hebrews was removing obstacles and arguments that the Jews might have against the life and ministry of Christ. He was showing them that He is the Holy One of God, sent to redeem them from sin. Who else did they have but Him? “What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus Himself?” (2:3).

Though God has done all these things through Christ (and there is more), what obstacles and arguments do people raise to deny Jesus today?

No angel and no other human, not even Moses or Joshua, “tasted death for everyone in the world” (2:9). Jesus took on flesh and became a human being so that He could die for us; and, “by dying, He broke the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He deliver those who have lived as slaves to the fear of dying” (2:14, 15).

The God who made everything and everyone will also be the Judge, to whom “you must explain all that you have done. Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes” (4:13). How will you be able to stand before your Judge in your sin and shame without the blood of Jesus to cleanse you? What will you have to offer the God of heaven that He will accept you? Nothing. You have nothing, only the gift of Christ, who suffered on your behalf. All you have is the grace of God which has been given in the Messiah of God — Jesus Christ.

BiAY.org | Day 351 — 14 Days to Go

December 16th~A Good Soldier

2 Timothy 2:1-4:18

With the exception of a few verses in tomorrow’s reading, we completed Paul’s last written words. “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of death is near. I fought the good fight. I have finished the race and I have remained faithful. Now, the prize awaits me...” (4:6-8). The circumstances he described were grim — still in prison, alone (only Luke was with him), many had deserted him, and some had “done him much harm”; but he remained confident in God and in his faith.

Paul pleaded with Timothy to come to him as soon as he could. “Hurry so you can get here before winter” (4:9, 21). It was as if Paul sensed that he had come to the end of the line and he was recalling his life and ministry. He had given so much, suffered so much, and experienced so much, but he had no regrets. He was thankful to God for all that He had done in and through him.

While Paul used several illustrations to describe the life he had lived and to challenge Timothy in his ministry — an athlete in a race (2:5), a diligent farmer (2:6), a good worker (2:15), a pure utensil (2:20, 21) — perhaps the most descriptive was that of a good soldier. He wrote to his young protégé, “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus; and, as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One who enlisted you in His army” (2:3, 4).

What are the characteristics of a good soldier? He is ready at all times to be called upon to do his duty. He has eliminated distractions in his life so that he can focus on the tasks at hand. He is obedient to the commands of those in authority over him. He is loyal to the end; and, he is willing to give his life for the cause.

Daily Reflection

“To be ready at all times” insinuates that a good soldier is not entangled but free to act when called upon. What does that mean practically?

What does a good soldier do to eliminate distractions and remain single-minded? What distracts you from fulfilling your “duties”?

Why are obedience and loyalty essential traits for good soldiers? Would you say that these qualities are present in your life? Explain.

What is missing in Paul’s life that we are so entangled with today?

Are you a good soldier for Christ? Are you pursuing active duty or avoiding and hindering it?

BiAY.org | Day 350 — 15 Days to Go

December 15th~Practice What You Preach

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Titus 1:1-3:15
2

Timothy 1:1-18

We read parts of three letters of Paul, two to Timothy and one to Titus. Both of these young men were protégés of Paul, to whom he was preparing to pass the baton as future leaders of the early Church. His letters to both were similar in nature, charging each of them to preach the Gospel accurately, to be good examples of godly living and to encourage it in others, and to set in order each church by appointing officers.

At the heart of Paul’s letter to Titus was this challenge, “As for you, promote the kind of living that reflects right teaching” (2:1). Here Paul laid out a principle that is still true today — orthodoxy leads to orthopraxy. Right doctrine leads to right practice. Our words and actions stem from decisions that we’ve made, based on what our mind has been convinced is right or wrong. Our convictions of right and wrong are built on what we’ve been taught by others, including our parents, our teachers, our pastors, or what we’ve read in God’s Word or other resources.

Paul continued telling Titus, “You yourself must be an example to them (young men) by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching” (2:7). If I could summarize Paul’s words here, it would be to “practice what you preach.” Again, Paul wrote, “Jesus Christ gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing what is right. You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them...” (2:14, 15).

However, there are those who do not practice what they preach. “Such people claim to know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good” (1:16). These are people who have not become convinced that what they’ve learned is true. They are “corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled” (1:15).

Daily Reflection

Do you know anyone who does not practice what they preach, who says one thing but does another? What message does that send?

Could others say the same of you? Do you practice what you preach? Have you ever said one thing and done another? Explain.

If right practice stems from right doctrine, how do you ensure that you are being taught right doctrine?

At the end of Paul’s letter to Titus, he wrote, “These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time” (3:8). Evaluate what you have been taught in light of God’s Word. Evaluate your deeds in the same way.

BiAY.org | Day 349 — 16 Days to Go