Philippians 1: 12-18
Paul was in a miserable prison, but he chose to look on the positive aspects of this uncomfortable and painful circumstance. Even though they could have been detrimental to Paul personally, he was instead looking at the advantages to the Gospel.
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,
So that
my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout
the whole Praetorian Guard and to everyone else,
Paul's imprisonment in Rome has allowed him to reach the personal Body
Guards of the Roman Governor with the Gospel, as well as everyone else
in the whole district.
And that
most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment,
have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
And most of
the other Christians who lived in Rome at that time, knowing that Paul
was there in the prison, had much more courage to speak out, preaching
to others boldly.
Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife but some also from good will;
He knew that they were preaching with different motives.
The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel;
Those preaching out of Love for God and love for Paul, were helping him get the word out, working with him.
The
former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure
motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
He also
knew that others of them were preaching with selfish motives, because
they wanted some of Paul's fame and were envious of his popularity.
What then?
So what?
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in Truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.
Paul was
glad that Christ was being preached, regardless of the motives of the
preachers. He knew that God doesn't demand perfection in His preachers,
only faithfulness to the Truth. And if the Truth of Christ was being
proclaimed, then he would rejoice.
And he
would continue to rejoice, and not take any of it personally. He was
just focused on Christ, not himself. So he could rejoice.
I wonder
how often Christian workers are envious of other Christian workers, and
do their jobs just trying to be better than someone else. Well, if the
jobs are getting done, then the Kingdom is being promoted; but those
workers will lose their rewards for doing it.
O my
Father, I pray for those who think they are your children, but do not
have that relationship with You that You want to have with them, they
just practice a religion. Father, I think those are the ones most likely
to be envious of someone else's following. Please get a hold of them
and show them how much You Love them.
And I pray
for all Your lambs, Father, who have not found their way to You yet.
They have lost their way. Please send Your workers into Your missionary
fields, to share Your great Love for them with them.
I pray also
for all Christians to be prepared for what You have told us what to
expect. Please teach us all, Father, to be strong in Your Spirit; to
carry out our responsibilities in our families, and in our neighborhoods
and in our places of employment. And to be ready to face our enemies
with a positive attitude of compassion and boldness, wearing the Armor
of God; so that we will be able to stand against them, and when
everything is done, to remain standing.
We are Your
children, Father. We are Your princes and princesses. And we are also
the living stones of Your Temple, and the soldiers in Your Military.
Train us and shape us up to be good soldiers to face the battles, so we
will learn to be good sons and daughters of the Great King.
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 quickly, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Approve Excellent Things
Philippians 1: 7-11
(7) For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
They are partakers of grace with him in that, in a sense, they had become partners with him in his imprisonment and legal obligations. Even when it might have been dangerous to identify with Paul openly, they had treated his misfortunes as their own and had come to his assistance with their gifts.
The defense and confirmation of the Gospel would be the negative and positive aspects of Paul's ministry, defending it from attacks and proclaiming its message with proofs.
And God's grace in both the imprisonment and the Gospel was seen in the Philippians in sharing Paul's ministry and confinement.
(8) For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Jesus loves us passionately, and He also likes us! And Paul likes and loves these believers at Philippi with the same love and affection that the Lord Jesus loves him with. God gives us His love to love others with, and Paul does this.
(9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
He wants their love to continue to grow into true agape love based on recognized principles from the word of God to understand Divine revelation, enabling them to have moral perception to practically apply genuine love in the myriad circumstances of life.
(10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the Day of Christ;
In Christian conduct and the exercise of love, discerning what things are excellent would include factors such as one's influence on others and self, and ask not, "is it harmful?" but, "is it helpful?"
The goal in view is the Day of Christ, in which every believer will stand before his Lord and give an account of his deeds (II Corinthians 5: 10). This sobering and joyous prospect should have a purifying effect on our life.
(11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
This fruit of righteousness is not mere human uprightness, but the spiritual fruit produced in us by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23). Consequently all the praise and glory will go to God since He did all the work.
O my Father, You are great! You are good! You have planned out our lives so that our choices will bring about Your righteousness in the midst of the evil in the world. Your plans are so clever in Your wisdom that everything in our lives will all work together for our benefit and Your glory.
Father, help us all to grow in our love for one another, and be able to approve the things that are excellent to do them, instead of the mere common things. Show us how Your power in us in Your Holy Spirit gives us supernatural power to accomplish what we couldn't do in our flesh. Use us, Father, to show the world Your majesty and sovereignty over all.
Send us out to every living person, to share with them Your love in the Good News of Christ having already provided all they need, so that they will be able to make an informed decision to choose You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, 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!
(7) For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
They are partakers of grace with him in that, in a sense, they had become partners with him in his imprisonment and legal obligations. Even when it might have been dangerous to identify with Paul openly, they had treated his misfortunes as their own and had come to his assistance with their gifts.
The defense and confirmation of the Gospel would be the negative and positive aspects of Paul's ministry, defending it from attacks and proclaiming its message with proofs.
And God's grace in both the imprisonment and the Gospel was seen in the Philippians in sharing Paul's ministry and confinement.
(8) For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Jesus loves us passionately, and He also likes us! And Paul likes and loves these believers at Philippi with the same love and affection that the Lord Jesus loves him with. God gives us His love to love others with, and Paul does this.
(9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
He wants their love to continue to grow into true agape love based on recognized principles from the word of God to understand Divine revelation, enabling them to have moral perception to practically apply genuine love in the myriad circumstances of life.
(10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the Day of Christ;
In Christian conduct and the exercise of love, discerning what things are excellent would include factors such as one's influence on others and self, and ask not, "is it harmful?" but, "is it helpful?"
The goal in view is the Day of Christ, in which every believer will stand before his Lord and give an account of his deeds (II Corinthians 5: 10). This sobering and joyous prospect should have a purifying effect on our life.
(11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
This fruit of righteousness is not mere human uprightness, but the spiritual fruit produced in us by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23). Consequently all the praise and glory will go to God since He did all the work.
O my Father, You are great! You are good! You have planned out our lives so that our choices will bring about Your righteousness in the midst of the evil in the world. Your plans are so clever in Your wisdom that everything in our lives will all work together for our benefit and Your glory.
Father, help us all to grow in our love for one another, and be able to approve the things that are excellent to do them, instead of the mere common things. Show us how Your power in us in Your Holy Spirit gives us supernatural power to accomplish what we couldn't do in our flesh. Use us, Father, to show the world Your majesty and sovereignty over all.
Send us out to every living person, to share with them Your love in the Good News of Christ having already provided all they need, so that they will be able to make an informed decision to choose You.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, 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!
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Rejoice, God Will Finish
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!
(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!
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!
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