The Chapter-A-Day thread. (3)

[brinny]

Hebrews 8:

God's GLORIOUS plan for us includes a NEW heart full to overflowing with LOVE for our God, that DELIGHTS in, REJOICES in, and PRAISES and WORSHIPS our God in SPIRIT and in TRUTH.

Precious.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:" ~Hebrews 8:10

 

[FredVB]

The law in believers' hearts in the new covenant was fulfilling Jeremiah 31:31-33, and Hebrews 9 is showing what it is that the new covenant puts in place of the old covenant. It isn't commandments as some do say, Jesus did not refer to commandments for nothing, saying until heaven and earth pass away none of those pass away, they do not expire, but Jesus spoke of their full requirement, not as "you have heard it said". In this chapter it is shown what is changed:
But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

 

[FredVB]

Because of the change with the new covenant for believers, both Jews and gentiles, coming to it, Hebrews 10 shows there should be change within their lives, and this should still be happening.

Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God, let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

 

[FredVB]

Right away Hebrews 11 goes to defining what our faith is to us, that faith is the assurance of what we who are believers hope for and the evidence proving what isn't seen. This is what is relevant for having that new covenant, it is possible through Christ, apart from it we can only be under judgment, according to justice in light of true righteousness shown in what the old covenant reveals.

There is great testimony for such faith from many individuals mentioned in old testament scriptures of the Bible, which this chapter shows, along with suggestion of others showing such too. They have it possible for them through Christ even in those earlier times, as they are shown in the needed ways for the necessary faith, that those made known are examples for us, such that we have a great cloud of witnesses for us, and they yet waited for such as us in our times to be included with them.

These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn't receive the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

 

[FredVB]

Hebrews 12 moves from the discussion of the many witnesses to living faith that are for us to see and be inspired, responding to live by faith accordingly, to discipline and chastening that God uses.

For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don't grow weary, fainting in your souls.
You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, "My son, don't take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.

Everything that we as believers are put the through is for guiding us to serve God with reverence and awe, for Yahweh our God is overwhelming as a consuming fire.

 

[brinny]

Thank you Fred.

Good studies, meditations, thoughts, and input on these chapters.....i'm reading your posts now and i will be contributing as well.

God bless you.

 

[FredVB]

Hebrews 13 concludes the book, and just before final greetings, advice in various things is given for believers. Especially great among this is the promise JesusChrist is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is a recognition of his divinity, he will always show his loving character to his followers.

Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.
Through him, then, let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name.
But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

[FredVB]

The epistle of James is the book of Proverbs of the new testament of the Bible. James 1 has this to really note, from what was modeled for us.

So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

 

[FredVB]

James 2 has great points, as that it is not for us to show partiality, we should tolerate differences among us and be compassionate to the poor. Even if we are basically obedient we violate against all the law with any transgression against it, obedience is still to be pursued.

Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

 

[FredVB]

There is a whole lot of focus in James 3 on discipline of one's self and on your need to really be consistent. It has a great deal to do with our speech and communication.

Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

[brinny]

James 4:

These two verses summarize James 4, verses 7-8

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

As well as this verse. We ARE fragile and finite. We need to be reminded, because we forget, as life goes on, and there is no guarantee we will be living and breathing tomorrow.

Our lives here, on earth, is temporary.

 

[FredVB]

James 5 has much of its text warning the well to do, which qualify for the rich mentioned in the times of the Bible, against any trust in any of their money or any of their possessions, that easily happens, beware of it or see undesirable consequences for it.

Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.
Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

 

[FredVB]

This epistle is clearly speaking to believers in areas where they are exposed to intolerant persecution for their faith. After the opening greeting with speaking of God's grace, 1 Peter 1 speaks to that, and has yet further to address.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them.
To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ-- as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."
If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently: having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever

 

[FredVB]

1 Peter 2 speaks to Christ being precious to God with obedience offered for us, and with our purchase we are precious also, with it for us to learn obedience, with basic things for us.

Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 

[brinny]

I Peter 3:

This verse reminds me of a verse in Job:

"Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it." ~I Peter 3:11

* "eschewed" means to turn away from, to "shun".

 

[FredVB]

There is great focus in 1 Peter 4 on believers living right, acknowledging that there is suffering for us generally, and more for many, as Christ suffered for us, there is to be departure from sin, and our suffering should have us removed more from sin. This is to be even while those Peter addressed were widely subject to persecution.

They think it is strange that you don't run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

 

[brinny]

I Peter 5:

This verse stood out for me in the pure wisdom and preciousness of it, and summarizes chapter 5 graciously. Here, Peter is reinforcing what is taught throughout the entire Bible, and that is to honor and respect our parents/elders:

 

[brinny]

So now we move on to the 22nd book in the New Testament. 2 Peter.

2 Peter 1:

This-is-BEAUTIFUL-and-PRECIOUS, and oh so PROFOUND.

Amen.

 

[brinny]

2 Peter 2:

Amen.

 

[brinny]

2 Peter 3:

Powerful chapter. The coming of the Lord is spoken of....may our hearts be a'right with our Lord, so that He is pleased with us at His coming.

Let us be awake, alert, and vigilant, amen.