Philippians 1: 1-6
(1) Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
Paul was most likely in prison in Rome when he wrote this letter, during the process of the trial, which could have ended in either freedom or execution. This would have been his first imprisonment there, from which he was released after two years (Acts 28: 30).
Timothy was with Paul, and may have been his secretary.
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
The saints are the ones who have been sanctified; washed in the blood of Christ and set-apart from the world. All who have been saved and become Christians are saints right now, while they still live.
And Paul honors the leaders at this church in mentioning them, too.
(2) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is combining both Hebrew and Greek greetings into a distinctly Christian greeting, and these blessings come from both the Father and the Lord jointly.
(3) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
(4) always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,
Paul was a praying man. Often he shared his prayers with those He cared for, and he cared for all his brothers and sisters in the Lord, as well as his lost Jewish countrymen and other Gentiles who hadn't heard the Gospel yet. Such a big heart to care for so many.
(5) in view of your participation in the Gospel from the first day until now.
He was rejoicing in the wonderful rescue and redemption of these fellow believers, and appreciated that they also continuously participated, had fellowship, with him in the Good News from the first day they heard and accepted it.
(6) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the Day of Christ Jesus.
This is a wonderful, encouraging promise we can all claim. God always finishes what He starts, and that means you and me, too. When God the Father calls us to faith in the finished work His Son accomplished for each of us on the cross, this is just the birth. Now the newborns need the milk to grow, and then the meat of the word to mature. And God will not stop working on us and in us and even through us, until He is finished with His work.
He is molding our characters and morals to be identical to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are His body, which makes us His hands and feet in this world.
We are responsible to decide to think the way our Father thinks, and to agree to have His attitudes about people and things we encounter.
O my Father, help us all to rejoice in one another in the amazing salvation You have provided in Christ Jesus. Show us how to encourage one another in our journey along the narrow path where You have placed our feet.
Father, teach us how to be only positive in our words toward one another, and to strengthen and deepen our fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Father, grow us up into the maturity of the full stature of the Son of God.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Save His Soul From Death
James 5: 19-20
(19) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
James is talking to his brothers and sisters in the Lord, fellow believers. He says that if a fellow believer strays from the truth; this is someone who purports to be a Christian, but leaves the truth that Jesus died for each of us. This is the basic truth that causes us to be Christians, having the relationship with God that He wants with us. In other words, he just has a religion, no more saving than any other religion.
(20) let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
The one who is able to teach him how Jesus fulfilled the personal sacrifice as the Lamb of God for each of us individually, then was resurrected from death in the grave (the Gospel), then that person will be the means for God to save the sinner from eternal death (his soul), and will cover and wash away all his sins in the blood shed and splattered on the sides of the cross.
This sinner who had been deceived will then turn to God for cleansing and salvation, and will be born into God's family.
Then he also will be a true Christian, a brother or sister in Christ, not just a person who has a religion.
O my Father, please help us to see one another as You see us. Whenever there are any in the congregation of our assembly who don't realize Your truth, show us how to share with them how to be born spiritually.
Teach us how to share with everyone who does not know You yet, the words and concepts to speak to each one, that they would understand clearly and be able to turn to You in repentance and faith.
Father, You are not willing for any to perish, because You have made mankind to be Your children. Please send us out to find every lost sheep that has gotten tangled up in brambles, or trapped in a pit of deception. Show us how to deal with each one, to rescue them and draw them into that one fold with one Shepherd.
O Father, let us share with the whole world how much You love them, and have already done everything we need for us, that we are unable to do for ourselves. Let every living person hear to understand clearly, and make an informed choice to turn toward or away from You.
And no one will have any excuse! Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King and Judge over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(19) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
James is talking to his brothers and sisters in the Lord, fellow believers. He says that if a fellow believer strays from the truth; this is someone who purports to be a Christian, but leaves the truth that Jesus died for each of us. This is the basic truth that causes us to be Christians, having the relationship with God that He wants with us. In other words, he just has a religion, no more saving than any other religion.
(20) let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
The one who is able to teach him how Jesus fulfilled the personal sacrifice as the Lamb of God for each of us individually, then was resurrected from death in the grave (the Gospel), then that person will be the means for God to save the sinner from eternal death (his soul), and will cover and wash away all his sins in the blood shed and splattered on the sides of the cross.
This sinner who had been deceived will then turn to God for cleansing and salvation, and will be born into God's family.
Then he also will be a true Christian, a brother or sister in Christ, not just a person who has a religion.
O my Father, please help us to see one another as You see us. Whenever there are any in the congregation of our assembly who don't realize Your truth, show us how to share with them how to be born spiritually.
Teach us how to share with everyone who does not know You yet, the words and concepts to speak to each one, that they would understand clearly and be able to turn to You in repentance and faith.
Father, You are not willing for any to perish, because You have made mankind to be Your children. Please send us out to find every lost sheep that has gotten tangled up in brambles, or trapped in a pit of deception. Show us how to deal with each one, to rescue them and draw them into that one fold with one Shepherd.
O Father, let us share with the whole world how much You love them, and have already done everything we need for us, that we are unable to do for ourselves. Let every living person hear to understand clearly, and make an informed choice to turn toward or away from You.
And no one will have any excuse! Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King and Judge over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
The Earnest Prayer Of A Righteous Man
James 5: 12-18
(12) But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by Earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
He says to stop swearing casually as a matter of course in speaking. Get out of that habit. Our word should be our bond, and an oath should not be necessary. We should be honest and ethical in our speech, so that when we make an affirmation or denial people will know that it is unquestionably the truth.
In the careless use of swear words, a person is in danger of taking God's Name in vain, for which he will come under judgment (Exodus 20: 7).
(13) Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
No matter what is going on in your life, stay in touch with the Lord, whether to share troubles with Him or to enjoy His blessings.
(14) Is anyone among you sick? then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord;
The word used here for "sick" is astheneo, which means a physical weakness and illness. So for this we are to call for our church elders to come to pray over him, and also to "anoint with oil" which is a medicinal instruction, and could refer to a massage.
(15) and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up,
He uses a different word here for "sick," kamno, which is more general and refers to faintness, sickness, or even weariness.
So, the prayer offered is the power, asking the Lord to heal whatever condition the person is suffering.
and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
So the healing of the Lord extends from the physical to the mental and emotional all the way to the spiritual. This "if he has committed sins" is a suggestion that the illness or weakness could be a result of sins (see I Corinthians 11: 30), and they will be forgiven him, as he confesses and forsakes them, in the healing.
(16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
As he confesses his sins against another, the other will also confess to him, and they will pray for each another. This is every believer, not just the pastors and elders.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
The righteous man is any believer, not just a leader in the church, but ordinary men and women.
(17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the Earth for three years and six months.
(18) Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the Earth produced its fruit.
Elijah was not any more of a super-hero than any of us in Christ. His superhuman power to shut up the sky against rain, and to open it again, is the same super-power that we have. He prayed earnestly just as we can do, and God's power effected the drought and then the rain, in response to this righteous man (I Kings 17: 1, 18: 42-45).
James is assuring us that such answers to prayer are within the reach of any believer. We just must live our lives righteously and pray earnestly in faith, and our prayers will be effective.
O my Father, thank You for Your greatness and Your goodness, to Love us beyond what we can ever understand, and to give us Your own Holy Spirit to dwell in our human spirit, making it alive, and giving us the power to break bad habits and live lives that are pleasing to You.
Father, help us understand that You want to answer our prayers, and that when we believe You, and are seriously earnest, then You will move heaven and Earth to give us Your answer.
Whether we are asking for healing, or for salvation of a loved one, or even to close the heavens and bring a drought, You will answer, and bring about Your purposes by what we ask. And You will receive all the credit, all the glory.
O Father, send out Your children to share with the whole world how much You love them and that You want to answer their prayers, too. Show us how to teach them Your ways, and draw to Yourself all who want You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever, Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
(12) But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by Earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
He says to stop swearing casually as a matter of course in speaking. Get out of that habit. Our word should be our bond, and an oath should not be necessary. We should be honest and ethical in our speech, so that when we make an affirmation or denial people will know that it is unquestionably the truth.
In the careless use of swear words, a person is in danger of taking God's Name in vain, for which he will come under judgment (Exodus 20: 7).
(13) Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
No matter what is going on in your life, stay in touch with the Lord, whether to share troubles with Him or to enjoy His blessings.
(14) Is anyone among you sick? then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord;
The word used here for "sick" is astheneo, which means a physical weakness and illness. So for this we are to call for our church elders to come to pray over him, and also to "anoint with oil" which is a medicinal instruction, and could refer to a massage.
(15) and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up,
He uses a different word here for "sick," kamno, which is more general and refers to faintness, sickness, or even weariness.
So, the prayer offered is the power, asking the Lord to heal whatever condition the person is suffering.
and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
So the healing of the Lord extends from the physical to the mental and emotional all the way to the spiritual. This "if he has committed sins" is a suggestion that the illness or weakness could be a result of sins (see I Corinthians 11: 30), and they will be forgiven him, as he confesses and forsakes them, in the healing.
(16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
As he confesses his sins against another, the other will also confess to him, and they will pray for each another. This is every believer, not just the pastors and elders.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
The righteous man is any believer, not just a leader in the church, but ordinary men and women.
(17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the Earth for three years and six months.
(18) Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the Earth produced its fruit.
Elijah was not any more of a super-hero than any of us in Christ. His superhuman power to shut up the sky against rain, and to open it again, is the same super-power that we have. He prayed earnestly just as we can do, and God's power effected the drought and then the rain, in response to this righteous man (I Kings 17: 1, 18: 42-45).
James is assuring us that such answers to prayer are within the reach of any believer. We just must live our lives righteously and pray earnestly in faith, and our prayers will be effective.
O my Father, thank You for Your greatness and Your goodness, to Love us beyond what we can ever understand, and to give us Your own Holy Spirit to dwell in our human spirit, making it alive, and giving us the power to break bad habits and live lives that are pleasing to You.
Father, help us understand that You want to answer our prayers, and that when we believe You, and are seriously earnest, then You will move heaven and Earth to give us Your answer.
Whether we are asking for healing, or for salvation of a loved one, or even to close the heavens and bring a drought, You will answer, and bring about Your purposes by what we ask. And You will receive all the credit, all the glory.
O Father, send out Your children to share with the whole world how much You love them and that You want to answer their prayers, too. Show us how to teach them Your ways, and draw to Yourself all who want You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever, Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 9, 2020
Perseverance
James 5: 7-11
Now James is talking to the believers again.
(7) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
This exhortation to patience is built around three illustrations: the farmer, the prophets, and Job.
The "therefore" here may be referring to the oppression of the righteous poor (in verses 1-6 of this chapter). The verb be patient is the attitude of self-restraint that does not try to get even for a wrong that has been done. It usually represents long-suffering patience toward persons rather than things. So James calls for patience toward the rich oppressors that will last until the coming of the Lord.
The word he uses for coming was a common term used to describe the visit of a king to a city or province of his kingdom, so it portrays Christ as the King coming in His majesty.
The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
The first illustration of this patience is the farmer, who waited patiently for both the early and late rains, which came in the fall and the spring, and were necessary moisture for a successful harvest. No farmer would try to dig up the crop before it was ready, but was patient to wait all the time that was necessary.
(8) You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
In addition to patience, they were to strengthen your hearts, to be strong in the inner man. They were to provide solid support, so he can stand unmoved by trouble; because the Day that everything will be set right is imminent.
(9) Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door.
Christians are to be patient both with outsiders who oppress them and with fellow believers who irritate them. "Complaining" here is an inner distress that may not even be expressed outwardly beyond a sigh or groan. It is an attitude of bitterness or resentment, that is hateful, rather than loving, and will be judged. And the Judge has already put His hand on the latch, and is ready to enter at any time!
(10) As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
James' second illustration is the prophets. As he takes them as a group, we may look at Jeremiah in particular, who was put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20: 2), thrown into prison (Jeremiah 32: 2), and lowered into a miry dungeon (Jeremiah 38: 6), in his old age; yet he persisted in his ministry without bitterness or recrimination. Men like him serve as a model for believers who are oppressed and mistreated.
(11) We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Job is the third illustration of those who have persevered. He may be recalling his words in 1: 12 where he points out the enviable joy of the person who does not cave in under trial.
The word used for "patience" in 5: 7-10 is the self-restraint that does not retaliate, but here in 5: 11 it is perseverance in difficult circumstances.
We talk about the "patience of Job," but here James talks about his endurance. He is an outstanding example of perseverance in the most trying situations. His experience is also proof that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy," as we see in what the Lord finally brought about for him. Because Job persevered, God gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42: 10-17).
To sum up today's study, we learn that we are to not retaliate but to exercise long-suffering patience with the rich who oppress us, and stout-hearted perseverance in whatever trying circumstances that may assail us.
O my Father, this is not an easy lesson to learn. Please help us to grow and mature in the character qualities of the family of God. Strengthen us to see others as You see them, and to not go overboard in our responses to those who oppose us.
Teach us how to portray our Lord in all that we do, to show the world how good You are and how You love every one of us, even those who reject you. Help them to also know who You are, Father, so that they will have a clear choice whether to turn toward or away from You.
O Father, send out Your children to show the whole world who You are. That our love for one another will show the world Your love. And draw into Your family all those who are searching for truth and worth and purpose.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord; that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Now James is talking to the believers again.
(7) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.
This exhortation to patience is built around three illustrations: the farmer, the prophets, and Job.
The "therefore" here may be referring to the oppression of the righteous poor (in verses 1-6 of this chapter). The verb be patient is the attitude of self-restraint that does not try to get even for a wrong that has been done. It usually represents long-suffering patience toward persons rather than things. So James calls for patience toward the rich oppressors that will last until the coming of the Lord.
The word he uses for coming was a common term used to describe the visit of a king to a city or province of his kingdom, so it portrays Christ as the King coming in His majesty.
The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
The first illustration of this patience is the farmer, who waited patiently for both the early and late rains, which came in the fall and the spring, and were necessary moisture for a successful harvest. No farmer would try to dig up the crop before it was ready, but was patient to wait all the time that was necessary.
(8) You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
In addition to patience, they were to strengthen your hearts, to be strong in the inner man. They were to provide solid support, so he can stand unmoved by trouble; because the Day that everything will be set right is imminent.
(9) Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is standing right at the door.
Christians are to be patient both with outsiders who oppress them and with fellow believers who irritate them. "Complaining" here is an inner distress that may not even be expressed outwardly beyond a sigh or groan. It is an attitude of bitterness or resentment, that is hateful, rather than loving, and will be judged. And the Judge has already put His hand on the latch, and is ready to enter at any time!
(10) As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.
James' second illustration is the prophets. As he takes them as a group, we may look at Jeremiah in particular, who was put in the stocks (Jeremiah 20: 2), thrown into prison (Jeremiah 32: 2), and lowered into a miry dungeon (Jeremiah 38: 6), in his old age; yet he persisted in his ministry without bitterness or recrimination. Men like him serve as a model for believers who are oppressed and mistreated.
(11) We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Job is the third illustration of those who have persevered. He may be recalling his words in 1: 12 where he points out the enviable joy of the person who does not cave in under trial.
The word used for "patience" in 5: 7-10 is the self-restraint that does not retaliate, but here in 5: 11 it is perseverance in difficult circumstances.
We talk about the "patience of Job," but here James talks about his endurance. He is an outstanding example of perseverance in the most trying situations. His experience is also proof that "the Lord is full of compassion and mercy," as we see in what the Lord finally brought about for him. Because Job persevered, God gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42: 10-17).
To sum up today's study, we learn that we are to not retaliate but to exercise long-suffering patience with the rich who oppress us, and stout-hearted perseverance in whatever trying circumstances that may assail us.
O my Father, this is not an easy lesson to learn. Please help us to grow and mature in the character qualities of the family of God. Strengthen us to see others as You see them, and to not go overboard in our responses to those who oppose us.
Teach us how to portray our Lord in all that we do, to show the world how good You are and how You love every one of us, even those who reject you. Help them to also know who You are, Father, so that they will have a clear choice whether to turn toward or away from You.
O Father, send out Your children to show the whole world who You are. That our love for one another will show the world Your love. And draw into Your family all those who are searching for truth and worth and purpose.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord; that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Wailing Howling
James 5: 1-6
James is now addressing rich farmers who are most likely not believers. He doesn't tell them to repent and return to the Lord, he just warns them against the coming judgment.
(1) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
Weeping may or may not be audible, but the wailing howling definitely is very loud. These men are commanded to accept the miseries of judgment that is coming.
(2) Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
In that day, wealth was held in foodstuffs and clothing, and these having been hoarded in storage so long, they have gone to waste.
(3) Your gold and your silver have rusted;
The Greek word katiotai may refer to rust, tarnish, or corrosion. Since gold and silver do not rust or corrode, he must be referring to tarnished metal, indicating how long the hoarded wealth had lain idle.
and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.
They had more wealth than they would ever have been able to spend, yet their workers were deprived of their wages. The idea that the corrosion will eat their flesh like fire is a graphic way of declaring that their greed will result in their own destruction, as if the corrosion that ate their riches will actually eat their very flesh.
It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
These rich people have hoarded their treasures in the last days, as emphasizing that it may even be in the last hour before the Lord returns. So they wouldn't have time to spend it anyway.
(4) Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
The second crime they are being charged with is that they're not paying their workers what is due them. He says that the money itself is crying out, still in the possession of the dishonest farmer.
And the workers are complaining, and their complaints are also reaching the ears of the Lord, who commands armies.
This title, Lord of Sabaoth, is used for the commander of hosts of angels, stars, and Israel's army. So this is our Lord God Almighty. And He is the One who will vindicate the workers.
(5) You have lived luxuriously on the Earth and led a life if wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
The luxurious living is a soft, enervating luxury that tends to demoralize. And the wanton pleasure describes extravagant and wasteful self-indulgence. In their self-indulgence, the rich people have given their hearts all the luxury and pleasure they wanted, as in a day of slaughter as a feast, a continual party. Or, as in Jeremiah 12: 3, the day of judgment, that they will be as cattle, completely unaware of impending destruction.
(6) You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
The fourth and final crime of the wicked rich men was that they had murdered innocent men. Earlier in the second chapter of this letter, the rich are accused of dragging believers into court (2: 6), here they are charged with murder.
This is not to be taken as figuratively, but literally. Examples of this are Christ, Stephen, James the son of Zebedee, and the author himself.
The word dikaion, sometimes translated as "innocent men," is given here more correctly as the righteous man. It is that class of people who were known as the righteous that James had in mind.
More than being innocent, they were believers, and were mostly from the ranks of the poor (see 2: 5-7). The Greek text abruptly declares, ouk amtitassetai hymin ("He does not oppose you").
These wicked rich men were guilty of attacking not merely a righteous man but a man who was defenseless or who refused to fight back.
I see this happening today, when unrighteous people who have been customers of small, independently owned, Christian businesses, receiving their good will for many years, suddenly turn on them and request that they participate in a celebration honoring something that they know God condemns. They will then drag them into court in order to deprive them of their livelihoods, their means of supporting their families, and more. They try to divest them of everything they have in the world to sustain their lives.
This is evil. James is saying that these evil people have nothing to look forward to except fiery judgment, at the coming of the Lord, which may be very soon now.
But God is not willing for any to perish, even these evil people! If they would turn to the Lord, away from these evil practices and lifestyles, the blood of Jesus would wash even them as white as snow and break their addictions to these evils.
He would rescue them from the deceptive snares that have trapped them, and set them free. He would put His own Holy Spirit into their spirits, and teach them His ways. Then they would be able to experience the joy of the Lord, and the happiness of knowing how valuable they are, and how much they are loved!
O my Father, I pray for all Your children, especially those who are being persecuted, slandered, attacked, and despitefully used. I pray that they would know that You are holding them in Your lap, and feel Your strong, gentle arms around them, protecting them. Continue to have their brothers and sisters who can to assist them in their betrayals and tortures and travails.
Father, You love us more than we can ever imagine! You made us all to be Your own children, with worth and value to even put us in positions over Your holy angels.
Thank you, Father, for all that you have done for us, and for Your greatness and majesty. Thank You for calling us, and saving us, and re-molding us into the very character image of Your dear Son.
O Father, no one is beyond Your reach. No one has done anything so evil that You cannot forgive. Father, You want us to want to love You back, and You will not violate the free will You gave us.
Please send out Your children to share with all the world how much You love them, to show them who You are and what You have already done for them in Christ Jesus. Give them all the understanding to make an informed decision whether to turn toward or away from You.
Father, send us especially to all of Your embryonic children, to bring them to the birth into Your family; and grow us all up to maturity into the full stature of the Son of God.
And no one will have any excuse when they face the coming judgment.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
James is now addressing rich farmers who are most likely not believers. He doesn't tell them to repent and return to the Lord, he just warns them against the coming judgment.
(1) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
Weeping may or may not be audible, but the wailing howling definitely is very loud. These men are commanded to accept the miseries of judgment that is coming.
(2) Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
In that day, wealth was held in foodstuffs and clothing, and these having been hoarded in storage so long, they have gone to waste.
(3) Your gold and your silver have rusted;
The Greek word katiotai may refer to rust, tarnish, or corrosion. Since gold and silver do not rust or corrode, he must be referring to tarnished metal, indicating how long the hoarded wealth had lain idle.
and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.
They had more wealth than they would ever have been able to spend, yet their workers were deprived of their wages. The idea that the corrosion will eat their flesh like fire is a graphic way of declaring that their greed will result in their own destruction, as if the corrosion that ate their riches will actually eat their very flesh.
It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
These rich people have hoarded their treasures in the last days, as emphasizing that it may even be in the last hour before the Lord returns. So they wouldn't have time to spend it anyway.
(4) Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
The second crime they are being charged with is that they're not paying their workers what is due them. He says that the money itself is crying out, still in the possession of the dishonest farmer.
And the workers are complaining, and their complaints are also reaching the ears of the Lord, who commands armies.
This title, Lord of Sabaoth, is used for the commander of hosts of angels, stars, and Israel's army. So this is our Lord God Almighty. And He is the One who will vindicate the workers.
(5) You have lived luxuriously on the Earth and led a life if wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
The luxurious living is a soft, enervating luxury that tends to demoralize. And the wanton pleasure describes extravagant and wasteful self-indulgence. In their self-indulgence, the rich people have given their hearts all the luxury and pleasure they wanted, as in a day of slaughter as a feast, a continual party. Or, as in Jeremiah 12: 3, the day of judgment, that they will be as cattle, completely unaware of impending destruction.
(6) You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
The fourth and final crime of the wicked rich men was that they had murdered innocent men. Earlier in the second chapter of this letter, the rich are accused of dragging believers into court (2: 6), here they are charged with murder.
This is not to be taken as figuratively, but literally. Examples of this are Christ, Stephen, James the son of Zebedee, and the author himself.
The word dikaion, sometimes translated as "innocent men," is given here more correctly as the righteous man. It is that class of people who were known as the righteous that James had in mind.
More than being innocent, they were believers, and were mostly from the ranks of the poor (see 2: 5-7). The Greek text abruptly declares, ouk amtitassetai hymin ("He does not oppose you").
These wicked rich men were guilty of attacking not merely a righteous man but a man who was defenseless or who refused to fight back.
I see this happening today, when unrighteous people who have been customers of small, independently owned, Christian businesses, receiving their good will for many years, suddenly turn on them and request that they participate in a celebration honoring something that they know God condemns. They will then drag them into court in order to deprive them of their livelihoods, their means of supporting their families, and more. They try to divest them of everything they have in the world to sustain their lives.
This is evil. James is saying that these evil people have nothing to look forward to except fiery judgment, at the coming of the Lord, which may be very soon now.
But God is not willing for any to perish, even these evil people! If they would turn to the Lord, away from these evil practices and lifestyles, the blood of Jesus would wash even them as white as snow and break their addictions to these evils.
He would rescue them from the deceptive snares that have trapped them, and set them free. He would put His own Holy Spirit into their spirits, and teach them His ways. Then they would be able to experience the joy of the Lord, and the happiness of knowing how valuable they are, and how much they are loved!
O my Father, I pray for all Your children, especially those who are being persecuted, slandered, attacked, and despitefully used. I pray that they would know that You are holding them in Your lap, and feel Your strong, gentle arms around them, protecting them. Continue to have their brothers and sisters who can to assist them in their betrayals and tortures and travails.
Father, You love us more than we can ever imagine! You made us all to be Your own children, with worth and value to even put us in positions over Your holy angels.
Thank you, Father, for all that you have done for us, and for Your greatness and majesty. Thank You for calling us, and saving us, and re-molding us into the very character image of Your dear Son.
O Father, no one is beyond Your reach. No one has done anything so evil that You cannot forgive. Father, You want us to want to love You back, and You will not violate the free will You gave us.
Please send out Your children to share with all the world how much You love them, to show them who You are and what You have already done for them in Christ Jesus. Give them all the understanding to make an informed decision whether to turn toward or away from You.
Father, send us especially to all of Your embryonic children, to bring them to the birth into Your family; and grow us all up to maturity into the full stature of the Son of God.
And no one will have any excuse when they face the coming judgment.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 7, 2020
The Lord And Businessmen
James 4: 13-17
(13) Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
These are Christian businessmen who think they own the world.
(14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Even the longest life is like a puff of smoke, that disappears. One life in the history of the world, is as less than a moment.
(15) Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that,"
As Christians, they should already know this. But they are arrogant.
(16) But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
Instead James must remind them that it is evil, a sin.
(17) Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
This is sin of omission. These men (and women) even today need to hear this.
O my Father, please help us all to heed this, especially those of us who are in business for ourselves. I pray for all the Christian businessmen and women to remember to tithe on their income, and to help the less fortunate with gifts of benevolence.
Father, send out Your businessmen and women as missionaries each time they go out of town, as well as at home. Let them enjoy the fruits of their labors, and also share. And those who have amassed much of this world's goods, let them form foundations that will help the less endowed, and the poor.
My Father, send out Your children into all the world, to spread the seed of Your word until every living person can know how much You love them. And to bring Your unborn children to the birth into Your family.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the glory of God the Father, through all future eternity. Amen.
Even so, come soon and quickly, Lord Jesus!
(13) Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
These are Christian businessmen who think they own the world.
(14) Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Even the longest life is like a puff of smoke, that disappears. One life in the history of the world, is as less than a moment.
(15) Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that,"
As Christians, they should already know this. But they are arrogant.
(16) But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
Instead James must remind them that it is evil, a sin.
(17) Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
This is sin of omission. These men (and women) even today need to hear this.
O my Father, please help us all to heed this, especially those of us who are in business for ourselves. I pray for all the Christian businessmen and women to remember to tithe on their income, and to help the less fortunate with gifts of benevolence.
Father, send out Your businessmen and women as missionaries each time they go out of town, as well as at home. Let them enjoy the fruits of their labors, and also share. And those who have amassed much of this world's goods, let them form foundations that will help the less endowed, and the poor.
My Father, send out Your children into all the world, to spread the seed of Your word until every living person can know how much You love them. And to bring Your unborn children to the birth into Your family.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the glory of God the Father, through all future eternity. Amen.
Even so, come soon and quickly, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 6, 2020
Criticizing
James 4: 11-12
(11) Do not speak against one another, brethren.
One who talks about another is a gossip! James is telling his hearers to stop criticizing one another.
He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the Law and judges the Law; but if you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.
The Law here probably refers to the command in Leviticus 19: 18; "Love your neighbor as yourself." To speak against your neighbor is to violate this law. The person who does this places himself above the law and, by his action, declares that rule to be bad or unnecessary, rather than submitting to it and keeping it. Instead, he's passing judgment on its validity and sets it aside.
(12) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
The only One who has the authority to give laws and to judge according to those laws, and is able to either save or destroy people according to the laws, is God alone.
So if you are judging people, pointing out their defects and faults, who do you think you are? Do you think that you have that authority over another person? Are you the master over that person, his or her owner?
God is the owner of us all, Jesus bought all of us for the price of His blood poured out at the foot of His altar, the cross. We do not own people, especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
We have no right or authority to criticize someone else's servant. I am not to enter my neighbor's house and tell her how to clean her home or what her children should wear to school! She is responsible for these things, and she is not accountable to me!
This is what we're doing when we gossip. We are putting ourselves into the place of the Lord, declaring ourselves their lord, usurping God's authority!
O my Father, please help us to realize the seriousness of this wagging of our tongues against one another! Only You are God, we are not. Only Your Son is Lord, as You have placed the Lordship and responsibility over all Creation into His hands.
Father, teach us how to love one another, as we love ourselves. Show us how we want to be talked about, and speak of others in that vein. And help us to love one another as You have loved us, even when we don't approve of them.
Even when we think they are wrong, and are harming themselves and others, let us realize that they are accountable to only You, and help them to understand their errors with respect and gentleness. Father, we cannot do this without Your Holy Spirit in us.
My Father, strengthen us in Your power, to love one another, and to show the world how much You Love us all, to draw all Your embryonic children to the birth into Your family. Grow us up into the maturity of the full stature of the Son of God. Fill Your magnificent house with all of Your uncountable family, surrounding Your great banquet table to enjoy sweet fellowship forever with You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
(11) Do not speak against one another, brethren.
One who talks about another is a gossip! James is telling his hearers to stop criticizing one another.
He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the Law and judges the Law; but if you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.
The Law here probably refers to the command in Leviticus 19: 18; "Love your neighbor as yourself." To speak against your neighbor is to violate this law. The person who does this places himself above the law and, by his action, declares that rule to be bad or unnecessary, rather than submitting to it and keeping it. Instead, he's passing judgment on its validity and sets it aside.
(12) There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
The only One who has the authority to give laws and to judge according to those laws, and is able to either save or destroy people according to the laws, is God alone.
So if you are judging people, pointing out their defects and faults, who do you think you are? Do you think that you have that authority over another person? Are you the master over that person, his or her owner?
God is the owner of us all, Jesus bought all of us for the price of His blood poured out at the foot of His altar, the cross. We do not own people, especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
We have no right or authority to criticize someone else's servant. I am not to enter my neighbor's house and tell her how to clean her home or what her children should wear to school! She is responsible for these things, and she is not accountable to me!
This is what we're doing when we gossip. We are putting ourselves into the place of the Lord, declaring ourselves their lord, usurping God's authority!
O my Father, please help us to realize the seriousness of this wagging of our tongues against one another! Only You are God, we are not. Only Your Son is Lord, as You have placed the Lordship and responsibility over all Creation into His hands.
Father, teach us how to love one another, as we love ourselves. Show us how we want to be talked about, and speak of others in that vein. And help us to love one another as You have loved us, even when we don't approve of them.
Even when we think they are wrong, and are harming themselves and others, let us realize that they are accountable to only You, and help them to understand their errors with respect and gentleness. Father, we cannot do this without Your Holy Spirit in us.
My Father, strengthen us in Your power, to love one another, and to show the world how much You Love us all, to draw all Your embryonic children to the birth into Your family. Grow us up into the maturity of the full stature of the Son of God. Fill Your magnificent house with all of Your uncountable family, surrounding Your great banquet table to enjoy sweet fellowship forever with You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
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