Four Jacks and a Jill: "Master Jack"

I never understood this song when it was on the radio in June of 1968. The woman in the song sounded ungrateful to Master Jack for all he taught her. What I didn't understand back then is that students eventually must leave their teachers and visa versa.

Listen to the song here:

Elisha was one student who didn't want to leave his beloved teacher. We read in 2 Kings 2:11 and 12 (Bible in Basic English) when God had to separate the two men. "And while they went on their way, going on talking together, suddenly there were carriages and horses of fire separating them from one another and Elijah went up to heaven in a great wind. And when Elisha saw it he gave a cry, 'My father, my father, the carriages of Israel and its horsemen!' And he saw him no longer; and he was full of grief."

Christ's disciples were also grief-stricken when they learned of how he would leave them. John 14:25-27 (BBE) shows that he knew his disciples needed comfort. "I have said all this to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will be your teacher in all things and will put you in mind of everything I have said to you. May peace be with you; my peace I give to you: I give it not as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled; let it be without fear."

The Christians at Troas also felt deep sorrow when they learned they'd see Paul's face no more. Acts 20:36-38 (BBE) describes his departure. "And having said these words, he went down on his knees in prayer with them all. And they were all weeping, falling on Paul's neck and kissing him, Being sad most of all because he had said that they would not see his face again. And so they went with him to the ship."

If Christ doesn't reunite us all by Thursday, I hope to post about the importance of the past in our faith.

The Risk Bible Teachers Take

Did you know that Bible teachers are at greater risk of punishment than ordinary Christians? If we teach error, God will deal harshly with us. Therefore, teaching God's Word is dangerous for individuals with big egos who crave a following.

As we read in James 3:1 and 2 (BBE), "Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others. For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control."

God takes lies seriously and apportions just punishment to whoever spreads them. Look at 2 Peter 2:1 (BBE) which explains, "But there were false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly put forward wrong teachings for your destruction, even turning away from the Lord who gave himself for them; whose destruction will come quickly, and they themselves will be the cause of it."

As Peter noted, Israel had its share of false prophets, teaching lies while claiming to be sent from the Almighty. Jeremiah 23:21 (BBE) tells us which sort of people the false prophets were and are. "I did not send these prophets, but they went running: I said nothing to them, but they gave out the prophet's word."

Because some people have no understanding of the Bible and how to correctly read it, they spread error. Paul warned the believers at Troas about wicked teachers in Acts 20:28 and 29 (BBE), saying, "Give attention to yourselves, and to all the flock which the Holy Spirit has given into your care, to give food to the church of God, for which he gave his blood. I am conscious that after I am gone, evil wolves will come in among you, doing damage to the flock;" The word "food" is a metaphor for spiritual teaching.

What tricks people, even today, is that these false teachers claim to be Christians. Jesus warned his disciples, and us by extension, of these liars in Luke 21:8 (BBE), ""And he said, 'Take care that you are not tricked: for a number of people will come in my name, saying, "I am he;" and, "The time is near:" do not go after them.'"

So, how can we determine who's telling the truth? Paul answered this in Galatians 1:8 (BBE. "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to be a preacher to you of good news other than that which we have given you, let there be a curse on him." In other words, it must align with what Scripture teaches.

Because of false teaching regarding the afterlife, I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? False teachers claim that most folks will go there but the Bible says few are chosen.

On Thursday, I'll post about kind deeds and which motivation for them is given by God.