CHRISTIAN STUDY BIBLE

July 25 - Jesus Challenges the Scribe #LifeOfChrist “Then a scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head’” (Matthew 8:19–20). Superficially, Jesus’ expression “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” has nothing to do with the scribe’s confident words. In proverbial style He simply wanted to caution the man that even though He was God’s Son, His ministry did not include comfortable living—He actually had fewer amenities than some animals. Christ wanted the scribe to assess the sincerity of his assertion. It’s easy to make a bold, impressive profession of loyalty, especially if you don’t first think about the cost of commitment. Early in His ministry, our Lord knew that many did not have a genuine faith: He “was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men. . . . He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:24–25). Many were committed only to the thrill of following Jesus around and seeing miracles performed, not to His Person and saving work. They were examples of the seed that had no root but fell away soon because of adversity (Matt. 13:5–6, 20–21). Bible commentator R. C. H. Lenski once noted that people with eager but uncertain vows of allegiance to Christianity are like those who view “the soldiers on parade, the fine uniforms, and the glittering arms and [are] eager to join, forgetting the exhausting marches, the bloody battles, the graves, perhaps unmarked.” Ask Yourself Are we guilty of trying to make Christian faith so attractive that we disguise its demands and difficulties? What are the logical consequences of such a tactic on those who come to Christ without counting the cost?

July 25: The Difficult Issue of the Heretics #Devotional 2 Samuel 14:1–15:37; 2 Peter 1:16–21; Psalm 141:1–142:7 Distinguishing between correct and false teaching has plagued nearly every church. We ask questions such as, “Are we venturing too far in that direction?” “Is this just my personal theological issue, or is this actually a big deal?” “Should I be concerned about that, or is it simply a matter of individual choice?” Thankfully, the not clarifies many of these issues for us. Throughout Peter’s second letter, he addresses the challenge of warding off false teachers; he aims to defend the gospel and explain why the false teachers’ claims are incorrect. To do so, Peter hinges his argument on his own experience—on what he witnessed. In his case, arguing from a personal witness makes sense: Peter actually knew Jesus. He writes, “For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ by following ingeniously concocted myths, but by being eyewitnesses of that one’s majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice such as this was brought to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ ” (2 Pet 1:16–17). For Peter, orthodoxy comes down to the foundation of the claims being made about Jesus and whether Christ is being proclaimed as Lord and as God’s Son. Peter isn’t willing to put up with false prophecy, testimony, or teaching (see 2 Pet 2). To show how absurd the false teachers’ claims are, Peter proclaims, “every prophecy of scripture does not come about from one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke of God” (2 Pet 1:20–21). Correct and incorrect teaching can be distinguished based on the source of the words being spoken and whether they align with what was taught by eyewitnesses (like Peter). Although this isn’t a complete guide for distinguishing between what God approves and what He doesn’t, it gives us a good start to ward off basic false teachings and focus on the truth instead. Next time we come to the difficult question of “Is this heresy?” we can ask “What would Peter think?” What issues is your church struggling with? How can you help investigate them in light of the claims made by not eyewitnesses like Peter?

What we are now seeing in the world is not political, it is Biblical...

Moses saw Christ in a bush and feared not Pharaoh. —John Cotton, Works 2:258

Rest easy. Nothing that happens tomorrow will surprise the God who rules tonight. His eternal sovereignty never sleeps, and His plans never fail.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 We live in a Word based universe.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 Some people are so concerned about the spread of islam and deception, they miss the bigger picture, the sovereignty of God.

We are very likely entering a high watch season, for the pretribulation rapture of the church.

The idol of niceness has convinced many Christians that warning people is unloving. The prophets, apostles, and Jesus did not agree.

Friday gratitude: Thank God for the journey! 🙏❤️ Every trial and joy is shaping a stronger marriage. Celebrate His work! Ps 136:1 💪 What are you thankful for today? #StrongMarriage #July

Dear Daughter, Friday challenge: Surprise your husband with honor and service this weekend 🌟 Help without being asked. Respect and love extravagantly. 'Outdo one another in showing honor' (Rom 12:10). What act of love will you plan? #DearDaughter #WeekendHonor #StrongMarriage @StudyBibleFam

Every younger Christian man needs older men who will say: "Follow Christ." "Kill that sin." "Love your wife." "Get back up." "I am praying for you."

Christians, begin today with this confidence: God has never failed a single promise, and He will not begin with you. Open His Word before you open the world.

The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalm 23:1 All the way home.

The Gospel is not advice for improving your life or simply inviting God into your life like he was a lost puzzle piece. It is the announcement that Jesus Christ saves sinners from a holy God for a holy God, completely by grace through faith.

DAY 24: How does Ezra’s handling of the intermarriage situation fit into the overall pattern of biblical teaching? https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-07-24

July 24 - Strong Profession Is Not Always Sincere #LifeOfChrist “Then a scribe came and said to Him, ‘Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.’ Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head’” (Matthew 8:19–20). The issue of commitment is one to be evaluated very carefully. The scribe here was an authority on Jewish law and a close ally of the Pharisees. As such he would have broken with his allies had he become one of Jesus’ true disciples. He knew a decision like that would be costly, and thus he might have been testing Jesus’ reaction to his words. Normally the scribes were teachers, not followers of other teachers. And one such as this man would have been reluctant to follow a rabbi like Jesus, who was not from the scholarly class, not educated in a rabbinic school, and not loyal to Jewish religious traditions. For this scribe to address Jesus as he did was quite out of the ordinary and probably impressive to the apostles and the crowds, since he issued the claim as a Jewish leader. It’s not certain that the man ever really believed in Jesus, but he probably felt sincere in his own mind with what he professed. He was likely just as convinced as Peter that he would always follow the Lord (Matt. 26:33, 35), but neither could be sure about that, as Peter’s temporary denial illustrates. Unlike today’s evangelical church, always eager to instantly embrace a prominent person who professes Christ, Jesus knew that every strong profession does not necessarily translate to strong commitment. Hence He compared His living situation to the foxes and birds as a testing of the man’s true dedication, which ought to be a self-examining device for us too. Ask Yourself Think of the bold promises you’ve made to the Lord before and the many times you’ve failed to follow through. Have your past inabilities kept you from making such statements anymore? Is that what God wants you to learn from these experiences?

July 24: Slaves to God, Equipped for Righteousness #Devotional 2 Samuel 13:1–39; 2 Peter 1:9–15; Psalm 140:1–13 I used to think that I was powerless when it came to sin. Christ had saved me from my sinful state, but I was still wretched and helpless. Even though I knew I was no longer a slave to sin, I didn’t always think about what freedom in Christ really looks like. Peter’s letter sheds light on this. After listing both virtues and vices, he encourages early Christians to examine their lives and pursue the virtues that characterize faith: “For if these things are yours and are increasing, this does not make you useless or unproductive in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the one for whom these things are not present is blind, being nearsighted, having forgotten the cleansing of his former sins” (2 Pet 1:8–9). We’re not slaves to sin. Our lives are not stagnant. We’re equipped and enabled to live a life pleasing to God. This isn’t pride in ourselves or vanity in our own abilities; it’s the opposite. It’s proof of God’s work in our lives that enables us to live and love as we should. As we grow in faith, praying for the work of the Spirit in our lives, we will look back and see how our lives are becoming more fully devoted to Him—all for His glory. In what areas of your life do you feel weighed down by your sin? How can you pray to God for help in this area of your life?

The world trains men to wake up and chase comfort. Scripture calls men to wake up and pursue Christ. One path leads to ease and regret. The other leads to faithfulness and eternal reward. Choose wisely today.