1 Peter 1 - Trial Turned to Gold

LINK: 1 Peter 1  

BACKGROUND 

1 Peter

Peter was one of the twelve disciples who was the first to identify Jesus as the Lord Christ who had "words of eternal life" (Matthew 16:16; John 6:66-69; 18:10). Peter was one of the more zealous disciples boldly saying that he would "die for Jesus" (Matthew 26:35).

Yet we know that less than 24 hours after this bold statement, Peter denied Jesus three times just as Jesus predicted (Matthew 26:70-75; John 13:37-38; 18:25-27). For other examples of Peter's unbelief, see Matthew 14:29-30; 16:23; 17:4, and Galatians 2:11-13.

Yet, Jesus did not look at the immediate reality and give up on Peter. He saw what Peter could become. He saw that potential from the first moment he saw Peter when he changed his name from Simon to Peter because Peter means "stone/rock" in Greek (John 1:42; Matthew 16:17-19).  Jesus did not freeze Peter in time but saw his potential in the future.

1 & 2 Peter indicates what Peter had become. He followed Jesus' parting admonition by tending and shepherding the sheep (Acts; John 21:15-25). He definitely lived out his identity name of "rock"! He was even willing to die for His faith. Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down. You can read more discussion on that topic HERE.

Peter wrote this letter about A.D. 62-63. He did it to encourage the suffering Jewish Christians driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey) to stand fast to witness to a watching world (5:12). The persecutions were probably those under Emperor Nero. This letter was also written to Gentile believers who were probably in these local churches. 

It is believed he wrote it from Rome (referred to as "Babylon" in 1 Peter 5:13. Rome is called Babylon in Revelation 17:5 and 18:10). He encouraged them to stand fast in the grace of God amidst suffering which is referred to fifteen times in this letter. 

BACKGROUND 

1 Peter 1

Peter called the recipients of this letter "strangers" (1:1; 2:11) because they were citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:8-16). He also called them "scattered" (diaspora). This referred to Jews who lived outside of Palestine, but this letter is for both Jew and Gentile believers (1:14, 18; 2:9-10; 4:1-4).  These believers had been chosen according to God's predetermined plan. "To foreknow means 'to set one's love on a person or persons in a personal way" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Peter 1:2-4, p. 391). 

After his introduction, Peter goes on to encourage them amid their trials, encouraging them to rejoice in them because they have been born again to a living hope that includes the eternal glory of God. The glory of God is "the sum total of all that God is and does" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Peter  1:2-4, 391).  

This living hope includes an inheritance in glory because we are children of the King (1:4; Romans 8:17-18; Ephesians 1:9-12; John 17:22-24). This inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, reserved, guaranteed, and eternal. Isn't that exciting???? WOOHOO!

Because of this, we are constantly being "shielded by God's power" (1:5). Shielded is a military term. He is our military guard from the enemy through every persecution!  I love being a "kept" woman if that is what "kept" means! It is not by my strength but His faithfulness that I am constantly kept. We are kept until Jesus returns where this great salvation will be fully revealed. 

Therefore, we can rejoice! The trials of this life will refine us like gold is refined -- making us come forth with a more genuine faith that is prepared for this glory. Regarding the refining process:

No goldsmith would deliberately waste the precious ore. He would put it into the smelting furnace long enough to remove the cheap impurities; then he would pour it out and make from it a beautiful article of, value. It has been said that the Eastern goldsmith kept the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it. So our Lord keeps us in the furnace of suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, 1 Pe 1:6-7, p. 393)

I LOVE that Peter gives a shout-out to the prophets in 1:10-12. It is a Scarlet Thread of Redemption kind of verse and what the Bible Book Club is all about: seeing that thread of Christ from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The plan of salvation was still a mystery to the Old Testament prophets, but they understood that their Spirit-authored prophecies of Jesus' suffering and glory were for those in a future time who would hear the gospel proclaimed through the Holy Spirit and believe.

What a privilege to be part of this mystery made known. The prophets could only guess, but we do not have to. The gospel is made clear to us. Peter exhorts his recipients to live holy lives in light of Christ's return. He exhorted them to be mentally alert, disciplined, and focused.

He also exhorted them to be holy (1:16; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26), as God is holy since we have been given His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). We are to walk away from our old life of disobedience and darkness into new lives of light (1 John 1:5)! This means "fearing" (reverencing) God and being serious about saying no to sin and living holy lives (1:17). When the Lord returns, there will be a judgment for our works when we are called to the "Judgment Seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10). He will judge us to find something good and not condemn us.

Then he reminded them that they had been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. God's love and forgiveness should give us love for one another. 1 Peter 2 will deal with the specifics of what that love means. 

He closed the chapter by quoting Isaiah 40:6-8. We have been born again through the living and enduring Word of God! We are alive and given the power to change.

REFLECTION

I am writing this post on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday; and for some strange reason, I decided to listen to Handel's Messiah this morning! Most of it is Old Testament prophecy. I was typing this New Testament post and got to 1:10-12, and my heart began to sing. It all lines up so well. Jesus is the "king of glory" who came to save us all (Psalm 24:7-10). Isaiah 53 just played and predicted the suffering of Christ (1:11).  Perfect timing from a perfect God.

This is a good time to plug Handel's Messiah. In December, we will go through all the Scripture in the movements of Handel's Messiah. This is a great review of all that we have learned over the last three years and is also a great Christmas devotional! I have it as a separate book if you want it for Christmas. 

Here it is for download: Messiah Meditations. 

Here it is in blog form: Messiah Meditations Online.

We will spend November doing a review of everything you learned by going through the Jesse Tree which is a great way to teach your children about the Scarlet Thread of Redemption. 

 APPLICATION

When trials come, do you rejoice or react? What is your theology of suffering? Look up James 1:2-4,12 and Romans 5:1-5. Talk to God about this.  

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for trials that purify us. We want them to make us like pure and genuine gold. Amen. 

Put James Back on the Bottom Shelf!

Only seven more books and 51 days left of the Bible Book Club!

James 5 - "Don't Grow Old -- Grow Up!"

LINK: James 5

BACKGROUND 

James gives his final words to the arrogant rich. Money can corrupt and become a cancer from within if it is hoarded. Jesus said we should store up for ourselves riches in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy (Matthew 6:19-21). Money is not inherently bad, but if you use your workers in the process, you better watch out! Money will be worthless when Christ returns, and we should use our time wisely in collecting the kind of treasure that will last into eternity in the Kingdom of God. Money is not evil but the love of it is (1 Timothy 6:10).

Poor laborers during that time were often thrown in prison or forced to sell all their possessions if they had debts. Sometimes even family members had to be sold into slavery. Some even died of starvation. James called the exploitation of these kinds of people, murder (5:6).

James 5:7 begins with a "therefore, be patient." The "therefore" is directly related to the coming judgment of the hoarding, and exploiting by the rich. Suffering saints were to "patiently endure" until the Second Coming of Jesus when he will right all the wrongs in this world. The world has tribulation (John 16:33; Acts 14:22).  The Greek word for patience in 5:7-8 is makrothumeo, which means to be "long-tempered," and the Greek word for endure in 5:11 is, hupomeno, which means "to remain under."  He uses the example of the farmer, the prophets, and Job when he speaks of patiently enduring. 

James warns against grumbling or blaming others when we are suffering. We should not judge others for their shortcomings because Jesus is the Judge who will evaluate us in the end (Matthew 7:1-5; 25:31-46).  God will make it all work out in the end because He is compassionate and merciful!

James' warning against making an oath seems out of place, but people often make "bargains" with God when they are suffering and under pressure. If you are patiently enduring, there is no need to make bargains or oaths. We just need to be honest, straightforward, and trustworthy through it.

James concludes this wonderful letter with an emphasis on prayer. Prayer and its synonyms are mentioned seven times in eight verses and eight if you count "praise" as part of prayer (5:13-20)! 

Prayer demonstrates active care for other believers and faith in action as we pray for those who are sick and suffering. It is also a means of patiently relying on God through suffering and trials. It is interesting to note that the conservative commentators interpret the anointing with oil by elders as being for spiritual suffering and not for physical sickness. They contend that the Greek words for "healing," iáomai (5:16), "restore," sozo (5:15), and "sick," astheneo (5:14) and kamno (5:15), indicate spiritual healing and restoration of "spiritual weariness" rather than physical sickness, but my dictionaries say it can be either.  

He calls believers to follow the example of suffering, ordinary Elijah who prayed earnestly and persistently in faith for the cessation and resumption of rain (1 Kings 17:1; 18:41-46). Like Elijah, righteous believers, (because of the blood of Christ) can pray in faith and see God answer! "Tremendous power is made available through a good man's earnest prayer" (James 5:16, Phillips). We should also pray for and go after believers who wander from the Word of God.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION from Warren Wiersbe!

This brings us to the end of our study of James. His emphasis has been spiritual maturity. This would be a good time for us to examine our own hearts to see how mature we really are. Here are a few questions to assist you:

1. Am I becoming more and more patient in the testings of life? (Chapter 1) 

2. Do I play with temptation or resist it from the start? (Chapter 1) 

3. Do I find joy in obeying the Word of God, or do I merely study it and learn it? (Chapter 1) 

4. Are there any prejudices that shackle me? (Chapter 2) 

5. Am I able to control my tongue? (Chapter 3) 

6. Am I a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker? Do people come to me for spiritual wisdom? (Chapter 3) 

7. Am I a friend of God or a friend of the world? (Chapter 4) 

8. Do I make plans without considering the will of God? (Chapter 4) 

9. Am I selfish when it comes to money? Am I unfaithful in the paying of my bills? (Chapter 5) 

10. Do I naturally depend on prayer when I find myself in some kind of trouble? (Chapter 5) 

11. Am I the kind of person others seek for prayer support? (Chapter 5)  

12. What is my attitude toward the wandering brother? Do I criticize and gossip, or do I seek to restore him in love? (Chapter 5)  

Don’t just grow old—grow up! (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 5:19, p. 386) 

2023 Update: I have a couple of other tools to evaluate maturity in Christ:

The Critical Journey book

The Critical Journey Summary PDF

The author's website has free tools for evaluating where you are in this journey:

The Spiritual Life Inventory online. 

The Spiritual Life Inventory PDF (This is from my Dropbox in case the link is ever changed)

Life Model Works:

Maturity Skills Assessment  

PRAYER

Lord, I am so convicted to be a persistent prayer warrior for those who are suffering. Please help me do that. Amen. 

James 4 - Draw Near to God

LINK: James 4  (Meditate on and memorize 4:1-4)

BACKGROUND 

James 4 is called a diatribe with worldly believers. A diatribe is a "debate with an assumed opponent" using "the question-and-answer method along with many imperatives (commands)" (Precept Upon Precept: James, p.98). In this diatribe, he talks about the war within, the war with others, and the will of God versus making plans without Him.

The war within consists of our inner sensual lusts and pleasures that lead to war with others. James has already talked about conflict in previous chapters (1:19-20; 3:13-18) and will in the next one too (5:1-6). The Greek word for "pleasure" is hēdonōn. It is where we get the English word, hedonism, which is "the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life." 

The war within leads to war with others. Paul also addressed the issue of conflict in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8; 14:23-40, Galatians 5:15, Ephesians 4:1-16, and Philippians 4:1-3. It was common then, and it is common today. We set our minds and hearts on worldly things. We want more money, more possessions, exalted status, and recognition, even in the church. We will even fight to get these things. By the way, the murder in 4:2 is probably not physical murder but more figurative. The Amplified Bible says, "To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned." 

There are many ways that commentators look at 4:5, but because it follows on the heels of a discussion about worldliness, the best way to read this verse is that "the Holy Spirit, imparted to us by God at conversion, yearns enviously for our total loyalty and devotion to Him" (The Epistle of James: Tests of Living Faith by D. Edmond Hiebert). The Amplified Bible says, "The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love." 

We need to abandon our spiritual adultery (4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Ezekiel 6:9-10; Hosea 2:19) with the world and be wholly devoted to our one true Husband (Isaiah 54:5)! And our God is a very jealous (in a good way) Husband (4:5) who wants to bless us far beyond anything the world can give with grace upon grace. This continual grace is greater than the enemy within, the power of the enemy, and the world without. 

In this diatribe James gives us a path from proud to lowly by submitting to God, taking a stand against the devil (who exploits the evil desires within by worldly temptations from without), drawing near to God, and confessing, with deep sorrow, your sins (1 John 1:9). This is all part of the process of humbling ourselves before the Lord (Micah 6:8). I had a pastor who used to say, "The way UP is DOWN!" Amen! 

Another "war without" involved condemnation and judgment of other believers (11-12). 

Here, again, we see the wrong use of the tongue. Christians are to speak “the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); they are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism. If the truth about a brother is harmful, then we should cover it in love and not repeat it (1 Peter 4:8). If he has sinned, we should go to him personally and try to win him back (Matt. 18:15–19; Gal. 6:1–2). 

James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people. Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9–10), but they must not act like God in passing judgment. We must first examine our own lives, and then try to help others (Matt. 7:1–5). We never know all the facts in a case, and we certainly never know the motives that are at work in men’s hearts. To speak evil of a brother and to judge a brother on the basis of partial evidence and (probably) unkind motives is to sin against him and against God. We are not called to be judges; God is the only Judge. He is patient and understanding; His judgments are just and holy; we can leave the matter with Him. (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 4:11-12, p. 267) 

The Jews were the great traders of the ancient world. James concludes his diatribe by taking aim at their belief that they were in control of their future destiny. James emphasizes that man's future is in God's hands and that all plans must be committed into His hands for safekeeping. God knows what is best for us, even when we do not.  

James concludes the chapter with an exhortation to do good which is really a reiteration of all that he has been saying thus far in this great epistle! 

REFLECTION 

My sophomore year (1979) in college was possibly the worst year of my entire life. I was playing basketball, which was a full-time job in and of itself, carrying a full load as a science undergraduate, struggling with some pretty deep sin issues (war within), and in conflict with someone who I thought was the most important person in my life (war without). Despite being stressed and struggling, I skipped bible study one night. I returned to a handwritten 3 x 5 card in my mailbox:

Draw near to God and

He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

As I read this card in the tiny hallway, with the yellow walls, at the bottom of the stairway of my sorority house, I was immediately convicted. You could say that those eleven words were the turning point in my life. 

And I have not looked back.

Life is a balancing act, but James 4:8 tells us what our ONLY priority needs to be. All other things fall into place after it.

Dr. A.W. Tozer has a profound essay in one of his books, entitled, “Nearness Is Likeness.” The more we are like God, the nearer we are to God. I may be sitting in my living room with my Siamese cat on my lap, and my wife may be twenty feet away in the kitchen; yet I am nearer to my wife than to the cat because the cat is unlike me. We have very little in common. 

God graciously draws near to us when we deal with the sin in our lives that keeps Him at a distance. He will not share us with anyone else; He must have complete control [emphasis mine]. The double-minded Christian can never be close to God. Again, Abraham and Lot come to mind. Abraham “drew near” and talked to God about Sodom (Gen. 18:23ff), while Lot moved into Sodom and lost the blessing of God.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 4:8, p. 370) 

APPLICATION 

Draw near to God and

He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Eleven words that can change your life. 

Do not be afraid. A whole life awaits you.

Perhaps you need to stop whatever you are busy doing today and make God your number one priority by drawing near to Him. Go for a walk with Him and talk! 

PRAYER

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
   And it told Thy love to me;
   But I long to rise in the arms of faith
   And be closer drawn to Thee.
   • Refrain:
     Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
     To the cross where Thou hast died;
     Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
     To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
   By the pow’r of grace divine;
   Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
   And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
   That before Thy throne I spend,
   When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
   I commune as friend with friend!
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
   Till I cross the narrow sea;
   There are heights of joy that I may not reach
   Till I rest in peace with Thee.
5. (Frances J. Crosby, pub.1875)

James 3:13-18 -- True Wisdom

LINK: James 3:13-18

BACKGROUND

What comes out of our mouths comes from what is in our minds. We need to cultivate wisdom and understanding.  Very intelligent people can also be very foolish in their behavior. Wisdom is relating truth to everyday life. True wisdom is contrasted with false wisdom:  

True Wisdom ---False Wisdom

From above ------From below/earthly (15)

Pure ---------------Sensual/unspiritual (15)

Godly ------------ Demonic (15)

Good behavior ---Evil practice (16)

Humble -----------Arrogant (14)

Peaceable ------- Disorderly, full of turmoil (16)

Yielding ----------Selfish ambition (16)

Compliant ------- Selfish ambition (16)

Merciful ---------- Envious (14,16)

Fruitful ---------- Fruitless (16)

Impartial -------- Partial (James 2)

Sincere ---------- Lies against the truth (14)

REFLECTION

I have been in ministries when there was constant strife and turmoil. There was no restraint on the gossiping, back-biting, put-downs, and complaining. There was self-ambition as people jockeyed for positions of prominence, even lying on their way up to the top. There was outright hatred between members (no one would ever admit this, but actions showed differently). Most of the time, I was an observer, glad that God had carved out for me a little side-ministry with people who did not practice these things, but a few times I was sucked into the vortex, and it was horrible. 

I have been in other ministries where people have had just as much conflict, but it is seen as normal because we are sinners, and it is handled Biblically by loving confrontation rather than with backbiting, gossip, or put-downs. If it is too much to handle privately, there have been confidential coaches and mediators to help the parties find peace. I praise God for these wonderful, healthy situations!

Currently, I am in a ministry like the latter kind. I about fell out of my chair when a woman from my Bible Study called to apologize for something she had said about me in front of the whole group. I had not even taken offense, but she felt convicted by the Lord. This has happened more than once when people have apologized for their words. I am surrounded by very wise men and women. This helps me to grow in wisdom as I see these examples of Christlikeness. 

I have become so used to this fabulous "culture of peace" in my home fellowship that I am thrown off kilter when I am around others who backbite, gossip, put down, and complain. "Bad company does corrupt good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33), and I need to get better at standing up to it or walking away from it rather than entering into it by my silence and even joining in. One thing I have learned (and keep learning over and over again) is that if people are gossiping and complaining about others, it is just a matter of time before they start talking about you. I continue to learn hard lessons in this area!

APPLICATION

So, how do we grow in wisdom so that we can have control of our tongues? Here are some thoughts:

1. Confess your sin in this area (1 John 1:9)
2. Depend upon Jesus Christ who is the "wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30)
3. Saturate your mind in the Word of God because it helps us know wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5-6; 2 Timothy 3:15; Psalm 119:9, 11)
4. Pray to God for wisdom and self-control (James 1:5; Ephesians 1:17)
5. Resist the devil and put on your armor because the devil does not want you to be wise or self-controlled (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11-17)
6. Discipline your mind and think about what is true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely about others rather than complaining about them (Philippians 4:8)
7. Listen, think, and pray before you speak (James 1:19)
8. Surround yourself with wise people and separate yourself from unwise ones who have no self-control (1 Corinthians 15:33; Hebrews 10:24, 25)
9. Ask someone to hold you accountable in the area of your tongue (Proverbs 27:17)
10. Find a "culture of peace" in your home fellowship. 

Also, I try to read The Peacemaker by Ken Sande regularly. I am always convicted and reminded of my need to be vigilant in this area rather than becoming "soft" in it!

If you want to see about establishing a culture of peace in your church, go to 

Peacemaker Ministries

Relational Wisdom 360 (Ken Sande's organization)

PRAYER

Lord, I am humbled and convicted by this passage. Teach us to number our days so that we may present to you a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Teach us self-control in our tongue. We ask this in the name of Jesus who is the wisdom of God. Amen.

James 3:1-12 -- Is Your Tongue Doing Double Duty?

LINK: James 3:1-12

BACKGROUND

In Jewish culture, teachers (rabbis) were given a place of high honor. This is probably why James warned against too many of the believers becoming teachers because of their desire for honor and recognition. Teaching is not just about honor but about responsibility, and those who teach have a higher standard placed upon them. They must "practice what they preach." 

The book of James is about maturity, and one of the marks of a mature believer is the ability to control his or her tongue. James has already alluded to the tongue in James 1:19, 26; and 2:12, but he elaborates on this principle in James 3 using two illustrations for the tongue's ability to direct, two illustrations for the tongue's ability to destroy, and two illustrations of the tongue doing double duty. 

Direction

The tongue is small like a bit that controls the horse and a rudder that steers a ship.

By Thowra_uk (Arabian head) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)],
 via Wikimedia Commons

http://www.menkent.dk/svendpics/rudder.jpg

Photo by orbtal media on Unsplash

Assuming the rudder and the bit are in good working order, the only possibility of their malfunctioning is in the hands of the person directing them. This person can give great direction or cause great destruction!  I like that James emphasizes that we all have stumbled in this area (3:2). Being that he was a mature believer and leader in the early church, this gives me hope!

Destruction

The third illustration is the spark that can destroy an entire forest.

Photo by Paul Keiffer on Unsplash

When I wrote this, wildfires were burning in Russia causing misery to Moscow residents. As I update it today, wildfires are burning throughout the Western United States. The biggest was started by a camper who lit a small, illegal fire.

Wildfires can be started by just a cigarette being thrown away or even the wheels on a train touching a track. Using this illustration, James is saying that even little words can touch off a forest fire of misery! We have to be so careful. 

For lack of wood the fire goes out, 
And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, 
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26:20-21

Tongues are "petite but powerful" (Bible Knowledge Commentary: Volume 2, p. 827)! 

Finally, the tongue is like a wild animal that cannot be tamed. Untamed tongues are like unleashing hungry lions or grizzly bears into the body of Christ. (See the movie Grizzly Man if you want to see an illustration of what wild animals can do!)

Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash

When animals are tamed or fire is controlled, they can be tremendously useful. So it is with the tongue, but it can only be tamed by God. 

Double Duty?

Finally, our tongues should be consistently spewing forth fresh water and good fruit rather than bitter water and foreign fruit. Our tongues should be consistently giving delight to those who hear (God and man) rather than doing contrary double duty!

REFLECTION 

For every word in Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, 

125 lives were lost in World War II.

(Be Mature (James) by Warren Wiersbe, James 3:5-8) 

I was astounded when I read this quote because I am reading Hitler's autobiography right now! I should say I am trying to read it because it is hard for me to read his diatribes against Jews and pretty much everybody who got in the way of his desire to save Post World War I Germany from its weak and powerless state. In Hitler, we see the destructive power of words that led to the literal destruction of approximately 72 million people! I do not want to be there when Hitler meets our God.

All of us can stand to check our words regularly. Recently, I had to get on the phone and apologize to a friend for something I said about another person. Thankfully, I have not had to do that in a very long time, but it was a good reminder that we all stumble in many ways!

I also need to consider who I am talking to and tailor my speech accordingly. This summer I have passionately challenged, in the same manner, two different people. One cried for an hour, told me I really discouraged her and assumed malice in my words (of which there was none). The other said, "This is what I like about meeting with you, you say things that challenge me!" With the first person, I needed to be "weak" because she is weak and fainthearted (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Isaiah 50:4). With the second, I could be a bit stronger because she is ready for it. I need to become "all things to all [wo]men" (1 Corinthians 9:22) with my tongue. This has always been a tough lesson for me since I am more on the challenging end of the spectrum when it comes to my gifting in exhortation, and sometimes I do not know I am coming across too strong until something like this happens. Then, I can turn the "rudder" of my tongue another way based on what I know about the person. I am still learning. 

Update: I wrote this original post in 2010, and I have grown in being able to tailor my words according to the person! YAY!  

APPLICATION 

Evaluate your speech over the last day. Is your tongue doing "double duty"? 

What is the key to taming the tongue? Stay tuned for tomorrow's post!

PRAYER

Lord, give us self-control in the area of our tongues. We cannot do it on our own, but we can by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Convict us and teach us. We want our tongues to be tools of direction and delight for Your glory. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

James 2 - Where the Rubber Meets the Road in Faith

LINK: James 2

BACKGROUND

This chapter talks about putting our faith into practice.  The writer specifically addresses the sin of favoritism in the church. Jewish culture in that day was all about recognition and honor, but the rich and poor, ordinary and famous, were equal in God's eyes. In fact, God has chosen "the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom" (2:5). God's people needed to reflect that kingdom value by seeing them as God sees them. 

We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34).  It is called the "royal law" because it was given to us by God, the King of kings.   Jesus said it was the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and all the Law and the prophets hang on the two commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor.  Pretty important. 

Here is a comparison/contrast of the Two Kinds of "Faith" in the second part of this chapter:

Faith without works really is not faith at all. Faith will manifest itself in the fruit of works. True faith leads to action. It goes from the head to the heart to the hands.  

REFLECTION

On Loving Our Neighbor

Loving others is always a tough one for me. Basically, I love everybody! With that said, I have had to learn that there are some people that I can love, but they do not have to be my intimate friends. I cannot have everyone in my life, and I have not always been particular about the people with whom I have intimate relationships. That has sometimes led to a world of hurt for me (because I wear my heart on my sleeve). 

So, the trick is not showing partiality in the midst of having some people who are more intimate than others. I have learned to let God make the call on who He has for me to move towards. In the past, I have not listened to His voice and let my emotions and compassion dictate, and that has led to being bitten in the hand as I try (in the flesh) to feed their deep and fathomless, empty hearts of need. Bad idea! Only God can do that anyway! 

I read some wise words from Wiersbe this morning (Can you tell I really like him?):

Christian love does not mean that I must like a person and agree with him on everything. I may not like his vocabulary or his habits, and I may not want him for an intimate friend. Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me. It is an act of the will, not an emotion that I try to manufacture. The motive is to glorify God. The means is the power of the Spirit within ("for the fruit of the Spirit is love"). As I act in love toward another, I may find myself drawn more and more to him, and I may see in him (through Christ) qualities that before were hidden to me. (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 2:8–11, p. 352)

On Faith and Works

I do a comparative study of the Qur'an and the Bible with my Muslim friend once a week.  We studied Abraham's obedience last week. The two stories in both books line up. I was able to share the verses about Abraham mentioned in James with her because many Muslims believe that when we say, "Salvation is a free gift," that implies that we do not believe in works. Works do not save us, but they show the gift of salvation is really in our lives!  So, you cannot have one without the other. If you do not have both, you probably do not have real faith.  

APPLICATION

Do you show partiality based on a person's social standing and economic position? 

Is your faith evident by tangible service?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for giving us righteousness because of the blood of Christ; that we do not earn it but receive it as a gift by faith. Work that faith through us to our hearts of love and hands of service. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

James 1:19-27 - Are You Marked by the Word?

LINK: James 1:19-27

BACKGROUND

James exhorts his readers to get rid of the anger and evil in their lives and accept the message God has planted in their hearts. The allusion here is to the Word being a seed and our hearts being the soil. It looks back to the Parable of the Sower that Jesus shared in Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23. The seed of the word is "rooting" itself in our hearts.

If the Word is implanted firmly in our souls, this will be manifested in our works. If there are no works, James says that there is a serious question as to whether there was any faith in the first place. It is not enough to be religious ("the outward practice, the service of a god") and have faith, we need to live a life of faith.  

One of the first things that James talks about as evidence of faith is self-control in the area of the tongue (we will talk about that in more detail in James 3). He also talks about other-centeredness when it comes to those less fortunate than us (orphans and widows) and purity in an impure world.

In summary, Warren Wiersbe says we need to be different in the areas of "speech, service, and separation from the world" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, James 1:26-27, p. 349).

REFLECTION

Regarding the connection between knowledge and practice, D. Edmond Hiebert writes:

Under this view the verb looks back to what was said in verse 18 and acknowledges that the readers knew the reality of the Word's regenerating power. "But" they must not stop there; they must allow the Word to continue to function in daily life . . . . "But" (de) is best taken as implying a divergence between their knowledge and their practice as Christians. James would remind them that their knowledge of the new birth through the Word must lead to a new life directed by the Word. (The Epistle of James: Tests of a Living Faith, p. 123)

I wrote this quote down as I studied James years ago:

"Many believers mark their Bibles 

but their Bibles never mark them."

Author Unknown 

This is why the application of Scripture is so important. It isn't enough to listen to, read, observe, meditate, and interpret Scripture. We need to apply it!  

Remember: 

"The Scriptures were not given 

to increase our knowledge but 

to change our lives."

D.L. Moody

APPLICATION 

Have you been marked? 

Do you find joy in obeying the Word of God, or do you just study it and learn it? 

Has the Word been so rooted in your soul that it has gotten from your head to your heart and hands? (I have a great illustration of a "Bible Betty" that I draw for people in my Bible studies to illustrate this point, but I don't know how to replicate that in this blog. I will have to get my son to work on something since he is pretty savvy that way!)

Do you regularly apply the Scriptures? Application is the most important part of Bible Study. Here are some questions to help you learn more about applying the Scriptures to your life:

I learned this in my early days as a Navigator. I do not know who the original author is. 

There is a fuller explanation about application available for download HERE.

PRAYER

Lord, teach us not only to be hearers of Your Word but doers also. Amen. 

James 1:1-18 -- Where Do You Turn in Trials and Temptations?

LINK: James 1:1-18 

BACKGROUND

James

Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries calls James "the primary reader for every child of God who longs to know how true faith behaves." James is immensely practical. It deals with perseverance under trials, wisdom from above, the power of the tongue, the sin of partiality within the church, the oppression of the rich toward the poor, and the interrelatedness of faith and works.

James was the half-brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19) and the primary leader of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9; Acts 12:17; 15:13). The Greek in this epistle is similar to the speech made by James in Acts 15.  It has been surmised that James became a believer after Christ's resurrection because John wrote, "For even His own brothers did not believe in Him" (John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7). Here is a fun fact: His actual name was Jacob, but somewhere along the way, English translators chose "James," and it has stuck.

The letter was written to first-century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine. Since no mention is made of the Jerusalem Council in A.D. 49 (Acts 15), it is believed to have been written before that between A.D. 45 and 48. Some believe it was written after the events in Acts in A.D. 62. 

Martin Luther did not think James should be part of the canon of Scripture and called it a "right strawy (of little or no value, worthless) epistle."  He thought it contradicted Romans and "salvation by faith alone," but you will see as you read it that it complements Romans because true salvation always results in works. True faith works! 

For more about Martin Luther and the book of James, see HERE.

James 1

Faith endures trials. God allows trials to make our faith stronger. I love the definition of the Greek word for endurance, hypomonḗ. It literally means an abiding or remaining (monḗ) + under (hypo). 

Hypoménō, hypomonḗ:

A. The Greek World. hypoménō has the senses a. “to stay behind,” “to stay alive,” b. “to expect,” c. “to stand firm,” and d. “to endure,” “to bear,” “to suffer.” hypomonḗ means a. “standing fast” and b. ‘“expectation,” “waiting.” While hypoménō is at first ethically neutral, hypomonḗ becomes a prominent virtue in the sense of courageous endurance. As distinct from patience, it has the active significance of energetic if not necessarily successful resistance, for example, the bearing of pain by the wounded, the calm acceptance of strokes of destiny, heroism in face of bodily chastisement, or the firm refusal of bribes. True hypomonḗ is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward but inwardly by love of honor.  (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 582)

God wants us to be perfect (teleios means "wanting nothing necessary to completeness, full grown, adult, of full age, mature") and complete (holokleros means "no part wanting or unsound, entire, whole; retains all that was initially allotted to it and wanting nothing for its wholeness"). Completeness means being restored to what we have always been intended to be in Christ. We sometimes resist this process with all that is within us.

We can expect trials, and we can expect God to give us wisdom in the midst of them. We just need to ask for it without any doubt that He will answer us because His goal for us is maturity. 

To reach maturity, we must be entirely surrendered to His will:

God uses trials to wean us away from childish things; but if we do not surrender to Him, we will become even more immature. 

In James 1:9–11, James applies this principle to two different kinds of Christians: the poor and the rich. Apparently, money and social status were real problems among these people (see James 2:1–7, 15–16; 4:1–3, 13–17; 5:1–8). God’s testings have a way of leveling us. When testing comes to the poor man, he lets God have His way and rejoices that he possesses spiritual riches that cannot be taken from him. When testing comes to the rich man, he also lets God have His way, and he rejoices that his riches in Christ cannot wither or fade away. In other words, it is not your material resources that take you through the testings of life; it is your spiritual resources. 

We have three imperatives from James so far: count—a joyful attitude; know—an understanding heart; let—a surrendered will; ask—a believing heart.  (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, Jas 1:4, p. 340)

Trials can take the form of testings on the outside, but sometimes they can be temptations on the inside. James 1:13-18 focuses on how to handle these temptations. "When our circumstances are difficult, we may find ourselves complaining against God, questioning His love, and resisting His will. At this point, Satan provides us with an opportunity to escape the difficulty. This opportunity is a temptation. . . . A temptation is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way, out of the will of God" (The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 2, James 1:13-18, p. 341-342). Temptation is not from God. He is all goodness, and He is the giver of all good gifts, even though Satan would like us not to believe that (remember he has done that since the beginning in Genesis 3).

 "God's gifts are always better 
than Satan's bargains." 

Warren Wiersbe

Amen!

REFLECTION (written in 2013)

I memorized James 1:2-4 in the Philip's paraphrase many years ago, and I cannot tell you how many times it has ministered to my soul in trials:

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. 

I needed to be reminded of this passage this morning as we are in a big transition with my husband's new job being 89.9 miles northwest of here. One of my sons is still in high school so I need to be here while my husband stays closer to his new job.

Transition brings trials and stress, and I am trying to welcome it all as a friend. But today I feel more down and sad than anything. I need to just keep processing and pressing on. God has provided this good gift for us (there were no jobs in our current city), but we do not have the wisdom to know how this will all play out, but God does!

So, I am trying to welcome this new friend into my life, "Come on in, sit on down. I embrace you." But I am still in that process and asking for wisdom in how to respond to it all and surrendering my will to His. My husband's first full day away was harder for me than I thought, but I am a wimp without my husband. Someday I will be a "mature woman with the right sort of independence," but we will always be in a process toward that end our whole lives. 

We just need endurance for the process. My friend said on my Facebook page this morning, "You have super endurance." But I do not feel so enduring today.

Update: We have been through three months of this new job, and God has given us endurance and blessings far beyond anything we have prayed for in Ephesians 3:20 style! Praise be to God. How good to read what I wrote here and to have "let the process go on" as it says in the Philip's version!

2015 Update: Now we are two years into the process, and it has still worked out really well for us! We see God's sovereign purpose in my husband staying with his mom and aunt as they are getting older. 

2020 Update: COVID allowed him to work from home for a year, and when he was called back to come back on-site at the job out of town, he got a job near our home! He has been back for over three years, and I am so grateful!

APPLICATION

Think about the various types of trials: financial and relational. Look up cross-references to trials: Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 4:12-13.

How do you face the trials of life? Do you ask God for wisdom in the midst of them or do you turn to other people or give into temptation? (YES, I ate a whole pint of Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream at the end of my first full day without my husband.)

God knows the perfect way to handle it because He is perfect in wisdom (Romans 11:33-36; Daniel 2:20-23; Job 12:13, 16; Isaiah 9:6) and gives it generously. 

Do you welcome trials in as friends with joy or shut the door in their face and throw a temper tantrum? 

We can have four reactions to trials: 

1) get bitter and angry

2) have a pity party

3) blame it on God and/or 

4) lash out at other people. 

What is your usual reaction? 

Do you turn to people instead of God? (They can help lead you to God or be an idol that keeps you away from God.)

Do you give in to temptations that eventually lead to sin?

Process and press into our GOOD God today! 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You want to complete what is lacking in our faith. We do not always know the whys and wherefores, but we trust in You completely. Amen.