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 NASB Destructive heresies – The second chapter of Peter’s second letter reads like a prosecutor’s opening argument. These people, says Peter, do nothing right. They…
And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, Romans 9:10-11 NASB Choice– Why were you born? What difference…
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24 NASB Cannot serve– It’s not possible to “opt out” in the Hebrew worldview. Choosing not to participate is still a choice. …
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NASB Suffered – Is suffering ever good? If you were a Greek in the first century, you might answer the question, “No!” In fact, even if you were a…
Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the]Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20:1 NASB Now it came about – Once again we encounter our neon sign. Vayhi—and it came about. It signals that the apparently accidental occurrence has…
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 NASB Opportunity – Everyone must deal with forks. No, not eating utensils. I mean forks in the roads we travel. We have to decide which way to go,…
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB Heart – One of the wonders of Hebrew is that it communicates on multiple levels. This fact is much more than the rabbinic PaRDeS approach. The structure of Hebrew (the way…
“I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine and with pestilence,” declares the LORD, “until I have destroyed it by his hand.” Jeremiah 27:8 NASB By his hand – God uses people outside the fellowship to bring about correction, chastisement and punishment for the faithful. That’s right, God uses pagan, nonbelievers to accomplish…
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV Choose – What are you choosing when you decide to follow the Torah of YHVH? Did you think you were…
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13 NASB End – telos, the Greek word translated “end,” is a particularly knotty problem. Why? Because after Aquinas we have been theologically convinced that telos is directly connected to gnosis, that God knows the end because…
