University of Jesus
TRANSFORMATION
Thursday, April 08, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 4:8-20
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you…
Here we learn what Paul thinks is most important for every student of Jesus. To be transformed into the image of Jesus! Christ...formed in you!
Transformation into the likeness of Jesus! This is the goal of every student of the Teacher. To become more like Him in heart and life!
Here Paul calls the Christians in Galatia his dear children. For he labored to bring them into the new birth of faith in Jesus. They became students of Jesus and were on the way to becoming more like Jesus.
Sadly, this process is in danger of being interrupted by false teachers, who seek to enslave these students of Jesus with requirements of the Law of Moses.
You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
Paul’s work is in danger of being destroyed if the Christians of Galatia turn their focus away from inner spiritual transformation. If they become entangled in religious customs that have nothing to do with being a good student of Jesus!
We can imagine Paul’s concern. He is far from them. He isn’t sure what is going on - how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!
Paul does what he can. He writes this letter warning them to refuse the teaching of those who do not care about this truth - Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.
Now as then, there is a persistent temptation for students of Jesus to think that customs and rituals are as important as spiritual formation. Falling for this leads to the dead-end of legalism, rather than the life-changing process of becoming more like Jesus which leads to eternal life.
INHERITANCE
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 4:1-7
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
The inheritance of God! This is everything God gives to those who are His sons and daughters. This includes forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life in heaven some day!
One does not qualify for the inheritance by the keeping of the Law, but by faith in Jesus. Not because of human effort, but because of Jesus’ perfect life, sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection!
Only a son or daughter can inherit from the father. And only those who are sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father can claim a portion in the inheritance God gives?
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
It is by faith in Jesus one becomes a child of God. It is by the grace of God – a free gift – not by efforts in keeping the rules, as important as that may be. In fact, Paul compares a life lived under the Law with slavery.
And a slave cannot receive the Master’s inheritance!
So how do we know we are His children?
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
It is the gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that validates our claim to the inheritance God gives His children. The Spirit of Jesus is proof of our relationship with the Father. By this we know we are His children.
It is through the Holy Spirit living in us that we know we are forgiven and living in the Family of God. And it is the Holy Spirit who helps us in our preparation to live forever in the Family of God - our final inheritance in heaven.
With Jesus as our Teacher and the Holy Spirit as our Tutor, we become more like Jesus and prepare ourselves to live forever in God’s Family.
COVERED!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010 12:20 AM
Galatians 3:26-29
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Paul uses familiar imagery here. Everyone knows clothes cover. Clothes also protect against the elements, cold and heat.
And certain clothes are needed for different occasions. What one wears to work in the field would not be suitable dress before a King.
What is the proper spiritual attire necessary to come before God and be pleasing to Him? There is only one answer – Jesus!
Anyone who comes to Jesus is covered! To be covered by Jesus means that nothing else is needed to be fully dressed before God. Without Jesus, even our best efforts at keeping God's commands leave our sins uncovered.
Paul is continuing to refute the idea that keeping parts of the Law of Moses could add anything to one’s standing before God. To be covered by Jesus’ life and death is the only way to be properly dressed before The King!
Paul reminds his readers of how they came to be clothed with Jesus. At the point their faith in Jesus led them to be baptized, they were clothed with Christ! Faith came alive and they became Sons of God by faith!
Their right standing with God did not come through any human effort. Believing is not a work. It is trusting in Jesus.
Being baptized is not a work. It is something to which one submits. In fact, it is a passive act, something that one allows another to do to him.
When faith leads one to submit to Jesus through the act of baptism in water, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit a student of Jesus can actually become more like the Teacher in heart and life. It is being clothed with Jesus that matters.
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
THE PROMISE
Monday, April 05, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 3:15-25
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.
Paul continues to marshal arguments against the teaching threatening the new churches he established in Galatia. Against the false teachers who were attempting to bind certain requirements of the Law of Moses upon students of Jesus!
He advances two arguments against keeping the Law of Moses:
1. The promise of salvation by faith in Jesus pre-dates the Law of Moses - The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
2. If salvation depends on keeping the law, then the promise shared with Abraham would be unnecessary - For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Paul then proceeds to answer the question – Why then was the Law of Moses given?
It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come…Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
The Law cannot save from sin, because nobody can keep the Law perfectly. That’s why salvation must come through the grace of God. A promise of God, not a covenant of Law.
The coming of Jesus is the promise made to Abraham. Salvation then is by faith in Jesus, not by keeping the Law. Those teaching the necessity of keeping parts of the Law of Moses are mistaken.
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
Students of Jesus are only and completely saved by faith in Jesus!
FAITH NOT WORKS
Sunday, April 04, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 3:1-14
After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
This is Paul’s question to those who may be tempted to live by the Law of Moses in order to have a right relationship with God. He reminds them that God – the Holy Spirit – came to live in their hearts by faith, not by law-keeping!
Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
Law – even God’s Law – does not have the power to save anyone. Law only informs a person about what is right and wrong, it cannot transform a life. Nor can keeping rules make anyone right in the sight of God, for nobody can keep the law perfectly.
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
God gave the Law of Moses to show what kind of life is required to please God. Of course, God knew man would not be able to keep these rules perfectly. Man’s failure was supposed to help him realize the need for something else.
That something else is the coming of Jesus, his perfect life and sacrificial death on our behalf.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that…we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
It is only by faith in what Jesus has done for us that God declares us to be right before Him. And only the Holy Spirit living within can give power to change our hearts and live a life pleasing to God
Paul reminds every student of Jesus that becoming more like the Teacher requires Divine Help. Human effort alone will never do it.
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
ONLY JESUS!
Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 2:11-21
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Jesus was Jewish. All of the apostles were also. In fact, most all of the first students of Jesus were too!
So who can blame some of the early Jewish Christians who wrongly believed that Gentile Christians should keep the traditions and customs of the Law of Moses as they actually continued to do?
Jewish festivals, circumcision and other customs continued to be valued and practiced by Jewish Christians. Becoming a student of Jesus didn’t change their cultural orientation overnight. And it was difficult for some to understand why Gentiles shouldn’t become more Jewish in their behavior.
But God sent Jesus to save everyone, including the majority of people in the world who are not Jewish, rather Gentile. And receiving the Good News of Jesus – becoming a student of Jesus – was never intended to be a conversion to Judaism.
Neither did Jesus intend to destroy the Law of Moses. How could He, when He is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses and all of the prophecies of the Old Testament. Jesus is the embodiment of Judaism’s promise to the world.
A promise given to Abraham years before Moses was even born. That through his descendents One would come who would bless all nations.
What we see in the Book of Galatians is a collision of cultures with a question hanging over it. Just what if any of the customs of Judaism will be required by Gentile when they become students of Jesus?
Paul’s answer is nothing is needed except faith in Jesus and willingness to follow His teaching. This was the truth for Jewish Christians and for Gentiles too. Only Jesus!
So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
PAUL'S AUTHORITY
Friday, April 02, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 2:1-10
For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul continues to defend himself against those who were attacking him in order to discredit his message. These false teachers were requiring the Gentile Christians to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Paul wants them to know that even in Jerusalem; the church does not require Gentiles to be circumcised.
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem…yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
He tells of false brothers who tried to require Titus to be circumcised. Paul wants them to know how he stood against this - We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
At issue in all of these details is whether a relationship with Jesus is sufficient for a person to be saved. By adding legalistic requirements, the false teachers are saying Jesus isn’t enough. It is Jesus, plus this or that!
Paul concludes by letting them know that the apostles in Jerusalem accepted him and his mission to the Gentiles. And they did not advise him to require circumcision as a part of the message of Jesus. That belonged to the custom of the Jews.
James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
PAUL'S DEFENSE
Thursday, April 01, 2010 9:37 PM
Galatians 1:10-24
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
False teachers have come into the churches of Galatia after Paul left and undermined His teaching. Because of this, Paul is in the unenviable position of defending His credentials as an apostle in order to defend his message.
He doesn’t do this to promote himself, but rather to show that His teaching comes directly from Jesus. Whereas, these false teachers do not have the authority of an apostle as Paul does.
Paul’s concern is for the spiritual health of the churches he worked so hard to establish. He fears they will fall from the grace of God into a system of legalism being taught by others. He only presents his credentials to underscore the truth of what he taught these Christians, so they won't be led into error.
Paul’s defense of his authority as an apostle of Jesus indicates something of what these false teachers must have been saying about him.
But when God…was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was…
Apparently, these false teachers were saying that Paul does not speak for the other apostles, some of whom were still in the city of Jerusalem.
Perhaps they made the argument that the other apostles felt as they did, that the Gentile Christians should be circumcised and keep the law. And therefore, Paul was wrong not to require they keep the custom of the Law of Moses.
Paul, therefore, is forced to present his credentials as someone called by Jesus. And that his message to them was only what Jesus Himself had revealed to him.
While the apostles in Jerusalem are primarily seeking to teach Jews, Jesus has given Paul the special mission and revelation to the Gentiles.
NO GOOD NEWS!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 5:00 PM
Galatians 1:1-9
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.
This letter from the apostle Paul to the churches in the province of Galatia addresses a grave problem. The persistent tendency to legalism!
Legalism is a religious term used to describe an attempt to be right with God based on how well one keeps His rules.
Of course, students of Jesus desire to refrain from conduct the Teacher has warned against. And they desire to do everything Jesus has taught them to do. But this effort to keep the rules is best understood as a grateful response to God's grace!
Being obedient to the teaching of Jesus sounds like a good thing to do, and it is! However, a person becomes legalistic when they begin to think their attempt to be obedient is what gives them good standing with God.
The problem with this system of religion is that nobody can be perfectly obedient. Everyone sins. And since everyone sins, nobody can claim a relationship with God because of their perfect obedience.
And more importantly, legalism destroys the Good News of Jesus. In fact, legalism is no good news at all. It replaces the free gift of God’s grace with faulty human effort. If our obedience could save us, why did Jesus come to die for us?
The only basis for a peaceful relationship with God is trust in Jesus. For Jesus is the Good News. And it is our faith in His perfect obedience to God and His death on the cross in our place that makes us right before God.
Paul is fighting legalism in this letter, because some false teachers were trying to enforce certain legal requirements of the Law of Moses on the Christians in Galatia.
Legalism is such a serious perversion of the Good News of Jesus Paul writes - …Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
INTRODUCTION TO GALATIANS
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 11:32 AM
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to address a serious problem troubling the churches in the province of Galatia. The teaching of legalism!
Legalism implies one can only be in a right relationship with God based on human effort. Legalism stands in contradiction to the Good News Jesus brings to the world...
That only through Jesus can one come into relationship with God!
Paul worked very diligently to take the Good News of Jesus to the Gentiles. He was very successful in establishing many congregations.
However, there were some legalistic teachers who followed behind him upsetting the peace of these Christians.
These false teachers were Jewish Christians who tried to convince the Gentile Christians they needed to keep certain traditions of the Law of Moses.
One of the main ideas they taught was the necessity of circumcision. They went so far as to say that if the Gentiles weren’t circumcised they could not be saved.
Paul saw this for what it was. An attack on the sufficiency of Jesus!
For it is only by through the life and death of Jesus that anyone can be right before God. It is trust in the work of Jesus on our behalf that makes the story of Jesus such good news for us. Because our obedience will always fall far short of the perfection required to be in fellowship with God.
The entire letter of Galatians is Paul’s argument that Jesus is not only all we need to be saved, but any attempt to add other requirements is a repudiation of Jesus.
Galatians is a letter upholding salvation as the free gift of God. Our works cannot possibly justify us before God. Our sins outweigh our obedience on the scales of God's justice! Sins can only be forgiven by the grace God provides through Jesus' sacrifice for us.
Paul knows if these churches fall into the trap of legalism they will fall from this grace of God. But this letter is for students of Jesus in every age, for it is a basic tendency to try to be worthy of God’s gift by human effort. If this was sufficient, why then did Jesus come to die for us?
PRAYER
Monday, March 29, 2010 5:00 PM
James 5:13-20
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
This raises a question. Who is righteous?
Other passages of Scripture make it clear that nobody is righteous, for all make mistakes and sin. On the other hand, everyone who comes to Jesus is made righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross.
Students of Jesus are not righteous by themselves. God continuously declares them to be so based on their trust in what Jesus has done!
James is saying that every faithful student of Jesus is a person whose prayers are powerful and effective!
This true because every student of Jesus remains in a constant state of righteousness by the forgiveness Jesus provides. And because they are in a right relationship with God, their prayers are heard and answered!
James says that students of Jesus should pray when they are in trouble. This is good news because every day difficulties arise in life. Problems in marriage and family, job stresses, financial troubles, accidents and even death of loved ones.
It is of great comfort to know in every situation our prayers make a real difference, especially when we are in the middle of a life-sized problem!
James also says prayers are effective in times of illness - Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Prayer is also powerful to help us overcome sin in our lives - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
Prayer is perhaps the most under-appreciated and under-utilized privilege available to us.
Jesus was a person of prayer. Good students of this Teacher take note.
JESUS IS NEAR
Sunday, March 28, 2010 5:00 PM
James 5:7-12
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
James closes his letter with words of encouragement every student of Jesus can appreciate. Be faithful because Jesus is near!
Every student of Jesus senses His presence. In every moment of life our Teacher has promised to be with us. To never leave or forsake us!
However, when circumstances of life bring trials, difficulties, tensions and troubles, we may be tempted to ask – Why is this happening to me? Is Jesus really near right now?
James reminds us that Jesus is near and that His coming is near – Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.
Don’t give up. It won’t be long until the trial is past. It won’t be long until Jesus returns!
James counsels patience in our trials.
Having patience, as James uses the word, is more than remaining calm when things irritate us. The word literally means to stand up under the strain of a heavy load!
It is strength under pressure. The power to be faithful when it isn’t easy to do so!
It is also waiting, as a farmer waits for the rain. Not giving up, but trusting Jesus will stay ever near.
James also warns us not to grumble against one another. Isn’t that the tendency when things aren’t going well? We look for a scapegoat, someone to blame.
The One who is near, the One who is coming is also the judge of such behaviors - The Judge is standing at the door!
So persevere because the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. He knows our trials and will intervene on our behalf! Jesus is near!
PROPHETIC
Saturday, March 27, 2010 5:00 PM
James 5:1-12
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.
Here James sounds like Amos or another of the Old Testament prophets railing against social injustice.
Some things never change - The rich get richer and the poor get poorer!
What troubles God – and should disturb students of Jesus everywhere - is how the rich get richer and why the poor get poorer!
James says very often people enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Isn’t it amazing that nothing escapes the watchful eye of the God of heaven? He sees the smallest details of our lives. He observes and judges!
He dislikes the inequity that exists in the world. A world where some live in opulent luxury while others starve to death!
A day of reckoning is coming. A day when the scales of justice will tip in favor of the oppressed!
A day of punishment is coming to the oppressor. They will receive the disapproval of God. On that day, their ill-gotten gains will do them no good.
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
Students of Jesus take note. God cares about fairness in all our dealings, especially when we occupy a position of power over others. God would have us become more like Jesus. Remember how He was a special friend to the poor.
THAT'S LIFE!
Friday, March 26, 2010 5:00 PM
James 4:13-17
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James is talking about the brevity of life.
Visit with those who have lived to be a hundred years old. They will not speak of long life. Instead, they seem surprised at how fast the time flew by.
We aren’t promised a tomorrow. Physical bodies all come with a lifetime warranty, but the problem is some lifetimes are not very long!
Life is fragile, uncertain. Anything may happen.
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come. Today is all we can be sure of in this life.
That’s why the Lord’s will is so important!
Because at the end of life, we pass through the door of death to behold the face of God! Then we will fully realize the importance of our relationship with Him.
Gone will be the false ideas that we are in charge of our own destiny. We make our plans and will have what we will have!
There is a limit to the power of man to determine his own fate. That’s why James counsels us to begin to include Jesus in all our daily plans now - If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.
Someday soon for all of us it will be very clear just how dependent we are upon the Lord for everything. But whether we understand this fact or not, it remains the everyday truth nonetheless.
That’s life!
And that’s why James reminds students of Jesus to be busy doing the good they can do – while they can!
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
SUBMIT TO GOD
Thursday, March 25, 2010 5:00 PM
James 4:1-12
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Here James shares the secret of a powerful life. Submit to God!
When Jesus asks those of us who become His students to follow Him – submit to His will – we should understand this is something He has already done.
He submitted to the will of His heavenly Father in all things. And because He humbled Himself – even to death on a cross – the Father lifted Him to the highest place. He rose from the dead and rules from heaven!
Submission is the secret to Jesus’ powerful life and James would have us know submitting to God is also our path to an exalted life!
James mentions three areas where submission is vital and shows how failing to submit leads to frustration of purpose.
Our relationships
Our prayers
Our choices
Think about how our pride can work against us in each of these areas of life. Also, Consider how humility can create greater harmony and happiness.
A humble and submissive attitude creates peace in all our relationships at work and at home. Pride causes contention. And frustration because ultimately we need the cooperation of others to accomplish almost anything.
James indicates our prayers will be answered when we stop asking for what we selfishly desire and humbly seek God’s will for our lives.
Finally, submitting to God’s will leads us away from the destructive power of sin to the better will of God for our lives – God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Students of Jesus will make great progress in becoming more like Jesus when they learn the power in submission. It leads to the highest and the best!
TWO WISDOMS
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 5:00 PM
James 3:13-18
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
James warns of a kind of worldly wisdom. Not from heaven but of earth. Not spiritual but evil!
It is the wisdom of envy and selfish ambition, terms James mentions twice here. It is self-centered, not others-minded. The ability, position and possessions of others spark jealousy, pride and a competitive spirit.
Given free reign, this way of looking at the world leads to conflicts and evil behaviors! In the cut-throat, dog-eat-dog race to the top, anything goes. Fights, aggression, dishonesty, favoritism and self-promotion!
In short it is a selfish life. Lived with little or no regard for the welfare of others! It is me, myself and I!
The irony of this self-preoccupation is the almost total neglect of self in all the ways that ultimately matter. The final result is a lack of personal spiritual growth in the attributes that make one more fully human. The soul shrivels even as the material accomplishments and possessions pile up.
By contrast, the wisdom of Jesus brings the best kind of life, good deeds done for the benefit of others in a spirit of humility.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Being a good student of Jesus produces a peaceful life. Peace within and peace with others!
James says that it is in this atmosphere of peace the fruit of righteousness grows into a bountiful harvest.
A person is living wisely who focuses on becoming more like Jesus. Developing in heart the characteristics of the best person who ever lived. This is the wisdom of being a student of Jesus.
TAME THE TONGUE
Tuesday, March 23, 2010 5:00 PM
James 3:1-12
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Look at Jesus life! You will find perfection. Not only in what He did but in everything He said.
Students of Jesus, who seek to be like their Teacher, soon discover how difficult it is to control their tongues. In fact, as James says, if we could fully control our tongues, we would be perfect.
Here James uses six images that speak of the power, influence and danger of the tongue.
A bit, a rudder, a raging fire, a wild animal, a spring of either sweet or bitter water, and fruit of one kind or another!
A Bit – Small but Controlling
A Rudder – Extremely Influential
A Raging Fire – Dangerously Destructive
A Wild Animal - Uncontrollable
A Spring – either Sweet or Bitter
A Fruit – either One Kind or Another
Obviously, how well one controls the tongue is critical to spiritual health and well-being. Everyone would do well to become more like Jesus and seek to tame the tongue!
One who allows free reign to their speech, saying whatever comes to mind – good or bad - destroys their life.
It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire.
The tongue is also a powerful force for good. Our words can speak health, comfort, encouragement, truth, peace, mercy, joy and love.
This is the challenge for every student of Jesus. Tame the tongue! Restrain its destructive potential! Release its life-giving power into the lives of those around us.
This is the way Jesus has shown us.
FAITH & WORKS
Monday, March 22, 2010 5:00 PM
James 2:14-26
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Students of Jesus have puzzled over the relationship between faith and works. The problem arises over the perceived difference between what James says here – faith without deeds is dead – and Paul’s statement in the Book of Ephesians that our salvation does not come through our works.
There is no contradiction between James and Paul, only a difference in emphasis.
By emphasizing works, James isn’t saying faith is unimportant. Nor is he arguing that as long as we obey God’s commands it doesn’t matter whether we have faith or not! He is saying, true faith will reveal itself in action.
By emphasizing faith, Paul isn’t saying works are unimportant. Nor is he arguing that as long as we have faith it doesn’t matter whether we obey God’s commands or not. He is saying that all the works in the world apart from the grace of faith cannot save anyone.
True faith always produces the action or work of obedience.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless.
James recalls the faith of Abraham that moved him to act in obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac. - You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
We understand. Both faith and works are important. They complement each other, with works completing our faith.
James is simply calling those who have faith to get busy doing what God requires.
FAVORITISM
Sunday, March 21, 2010 5:00 PM
James 2:8-13
Mercy triumphs over judgment!
Jesus will one day judge everyone. The thought of our own personal accountability before God should make us merciful in our judgments of others.
James wants us to understand that showing favoritism to some means that we are being unmerciful to others - If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right!
This is the problem with favoritism. It leaves some people outside of our love. And James says that when we do this it is a sin and we are convicted as lawbreakers! Not only because we broke the command to love everyone, but also because of our reason for failing to do so.
What causes us to show favoritism? Isn’t it because of our prejudice? Perhaps against the poor or the uneducated! Maybe that someone’s sin is particularly odious to us!
Whatever the reason, we must have forgotten that we also are sinners - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
When we fail to show mercy to anyone, we destroy the bridge over which we ourselves must pass. For we too are sinners and must necessarily hope to receive mercy from the Righteous Judge!
The Teacher said, Judge not that you be not judged! Being merciful and loving to all - without favoritism - makes perfect sense when we understand our need for God’s love and mercy.
The tendency to judge some as unworthy of our time, fellowship or respect means we are being unmerciful and unloving. It really means we are failing to be good students of our Teacher. This is the evil of favoritism!
For Jesus loves everyone in the world, died for everyone in the world and invites everyone in the world to become His student and friend.
LOVE LIKE JESUS
Saturday, March 20, 2010 5:00 PM
James 2:1-7
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.
By definition a friend is someone for whom you have a special affection. A relationship that is more open and preferential than others. James isn’t saying students of Jesus cannot have friends.
Even Jesus had special friends like this. Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Peter, James and especially John!
But having favorites is the natural result of getting to know them and therefore having admiration and affection for who they are.
Favoritism, on the other hand, stems from malignant prejudice against a person before we even get to know anything about who they really are.
We quickly judge them and accept or reject them based on their appearance, education or status - have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
What James seeks to curb is this human tendency that instinctively works in our hearts to pre-judge people based on externals. Then automatically open our hearts to some and close them to others.
James uses the example of showing favoritism to a rich person and disrespecting a poor person. Perhaps this prejudice is pervasive because of our selfishness and insecurity. After all, a rich person may benefit us economically while a poor person cannot and may in fact have the opposite effect.
Students of Jesus follow the Teacher who had favorites but did not show favoritism. He did not seek to curry the favors of the rich, the religious intelligentsia or the political power brokers.
Jesus taught and healed and cared for the poor and the rich alike. He associated with the uneducated masses and was at home in the meanest place and He died for all and anyone can become His student!
PURE RELIGION
Friday, March 19, 2010 5:00 PM
James 1:19-27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…
A student of Jesus is one who practices Pure Religion. Providing for the needs of orphans and widows!
And this truth is as relevant today as when James wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago. For God does not change!
In fact, long ago in the Old Testament Scriptures, God repeatedly voiced His concern for the most helpless in society. Fatherless and widows!
In ancient times and in many countries today, to be an orphan or widow is to be among the poorest of the poor. Often in desperate need of daily necessities!
However, in modern times the more prosperous nations provide for their own citizens in the form of government subsidies for food, housing and even medical care. And not coincidentally, nations with a significant Christian population are relatively affluent.
Consequently, students of Jesus in such cultures do not often see orphans or widows in need.
How then should students of Jesus’ respond to the orphans and widows suffering throughout the world?
A recent United Nation’s study revealed that over 50% of the families throughout the world have a total net worth of under $1,100. This includes the total value of all possessions and savings.
This means that orphans and widows in such societies are virtually penniless!
This also means that anyone who has more than $1,100 dollars is richer than 50% of the people in the world.
Fortunately, the world is a smaller place today. Students of Jesus can easily reach out with significant help to the helpless who live in far-away countries and practice what James calls Pure Religion!
CHOOSE LIFE
Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:13 AM
James 1:13-18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…
James is talking about the spiritual life, but he uses the comparison of physical birth and growth.
Just as we all are physically born and grow up, students of Jesus are born again. Then with Jesus as Teacher and the Holy Spirit as tutor, students of Jesus spend the rest of their lives growing up into the likeness of Jesus.
Unlike our physical existence, which eventually ends in death, our new birth and life in Jesus never ends. Our life becomes everlasting. A gift from God!
In contrast with God’s good and perfect gift of life, stands another way of living. This life does not seek to become more like Jesus. It seeks to fulfill the flesh and satisfy the cravings of human nature instead.
James also uses the metaphor of conception and birth to describe this way of living that ends, not in eternal life, but in death.
This is how the life given over to sin is described. It is a life dominated by human passions and desires which are the source of temptations.
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
What James is asking us to do is to pause a moment and think about what is going on inside of every human being. To get above ourselves and be sensitive to inclinations of heart that have the power to lead us away from the good life God gave us.
James is not suggesting students of Jesus can live without sin. He is reminding them not to embrace a way of living that leads to death - Do not err, my beloved brethren...
Rather to focus on the gift of life God gives through Jesus!
TESTING
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 5:00 PM
James 1:2-12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…
James is writing to Christians who suffer persecution. How should a student of Jesus react in such trials?
James has a surprising answer – Consider it pure joy!
We might understand if he advised us to endure the trials or even muddle through them the best we can. But be happy about it!
Is he joking?
Now James isn’t saying we will ever enjoy suffering. Nor did he say trials should be joyful experiences. He said we should consider it so. He is asking us to view suffering for Jesus from a different perspective.
Trials can cause us to grow, become stronger and therefore more mature in our faith. These results of trials should be viewed as a source of joy.
…the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete…
Following Jesus involves a degree of suffering. It’s unavoidable! Becoming like Jesus, doing what Jesus did leads to trials because a life lived like His leads to confrontation with the values of the world.
And Jesus suffered, but the result was a resurrection from the dead and glory with the Father in heaven.
James wants students of Jesus who suffer for their faith to know they too will have a reward. This should be a source of joy in the trial.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JAMES
Friday, March 19, 2010 9:52 AM
James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
The author of this book is thought to be the physical brother of Jesus. One who did not believe in Jesus in the beginning, but eventually came to faith and even prominence in the church at Jerusalem.
James is one of the first books of the New Testament, probably written to Jewish Christians who were scattered from Jerusalem during the persecution of Saul.
The writer moves quickly from discussing the value of suffering to practical day-to-day Christianity. Faith in action is the general theme.
It is not enough to be a Christian if this is not shown in one’s conduct.
This is what becoming a student of Jesus is all about. Changed behavior that springs from a changed heart! A heart transformed by a faith that cooperates with the Spirit in becoming more like Jesus.
The writer provides several tests of faith.
1. How responsive am I to God’s Word?
2. Does my faith lead me to be impartial to everyone?
3. Is my faith moving me to improved behavior?
4. Is my faith producing greater self-control?
5. Does faith lead me to repudiate worldliness in favor of God’s values?
6. Is my trust in God evidenced by my prayers to Him?
Someone has said that the Book of James is the Good News is shoe leather. Like Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, this book leaves little room for theoretical maneuvers. Perhaps this is why Biblical scholars have generally denigrated it.
However, for groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, who seek to modify human behavior, the Book of James, the Sermon on the Mount and First Corinthians chapter thirteen are frequently quoted and relied upon.
Brothers, my brothers or my beloved brothers frequently appear in James. Because of his Elder Brother, James now has many brothers and sisters. This is a book for those who want to be better students of Jesus!
No comments:
Post a Comment