Thoughts From James - Day 4

                                                         James 2:1-13

2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a] you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.”If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

                          Favoritism. What is it? "The Greek word means "lifting up someone's face" or in other words judging by appearance and on that basis giving special favor and respect. It pertains to judging purely on a superficial level without consideration of a person's true merits, abilities or character" per John MacArthur. He goes on to say that greek word was not used in any literature except the Bible. Why? The practice of favoritism was so common that it wasn't even talked about. God, in His word tells us it is a sin which was extremely counter-cultural and unheard of.

           So what is so bad about it or why is it called a sin?

"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes." Deut.10:17

"Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” 2Chron.19:7

"So the spies questioned Jesus: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." Luke 20:21

For God does not show favoritism.Rom. 2:11

"….and there is no favoritism with him."  Eph. 6:9

         So what is so bad about it or why is it called a sin? Lack of partiality is a quality of God's just like omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immutability, righteousness, etc. For us to be partial based on qualities that let's be honest, benefit us, is contrary to the very nature of God. To treat someone as worth more or having more value than someone else is abominable in God's eyes just like murder and adultery. God sent His son to die for the rich, poor, slave, free, male, female, black, white, democrat, republican, arab, jew, gentile, etc. He loves everyone equally and shouldn't we?

       My guess is that we all struggle with this or at least it affects all of us. For me as a doctor, I had to decide long ago, do I cater to those with insurance or do I take all comers equally? I tell my staff not to ask what kind of insurance patients have when they call. I try not to look when I see them for fear I might treat them differently. This is totally counter-cultural to the medical field. I even had a Christian partner who wanted to fill the waiting room with rich people on certain days and the poor on other days. The CEO of the hospital system back in 1990 addressed the medical staff and said, "We want to attract good patients to the hospital". I raised my hand and asked,"what do you consider good patients?" He responded, "Patients who have insurance."

    It's not just the medical field that struggles. I spoke with a waitress in my class and she told me how they decide who they want to pick to "serve" and what tables to avoid. As my wife serves at the rescue ministry, they even have "good" clients that get preferential treatment. Jesus would say, "No one is "good" except God." We are all equal at the foot of the cross. As we stand before the "glorious Lord Jesus Christ", we are aware of our distance and difference from Him. I've heard it said that there are at least 100 different beetles. What if one species thought they were superior to all others or the beetles developed a pecking order of importance. We would just laugh because to us they are all just bugs. It's the same with us and God. How laughable for us to consider one person better than another?

Thoughts From James - Day 3

                                            James 1:18-27

¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

          I highlighted what I want to talk about in this section - "The Word", or as we would say today, "The Bible". As you read through the New Testament, it is amazing how many times the Word or scriptures is mentioned despite the fact that the Bible wasn't formed until 300 years later. What did the early church consider scripture? Certainly the Old Testament, which was available as the septuagient was considered scriptures or the law. As a side note, to distance ourselves from the Old Testament and say that isn't for us gentiles or 21st century Christians, seems to go against the very thing that our faith founders depended on to change the World and establish Christianity. If it was considered "scripture" by those gentiles, it should be considered "scripture" by us. Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."  Paul says "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable..."

         Also they had the written letters of the apostles circulating which were considered scripture or innerant. Peter writes the following, equating Paul's writings with scripture;

"Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures"

         Lastly, they had the words of Christ which were circulating but also recounted orally by those still alive that had accompanied Jesus. How plentiful these witnesses , the copied letters, or the septuagient were is difficult to say but they were abundant enough that the following references were made;

Col.1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth

2 Tim 2:5 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2Cor 6:6,7 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,  in the word of truth, in the power of God

1thes 2:13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe

eph 5:25,26 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word

rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ

1pet 1:23-25 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.  For,“All flesh is like grass,And all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers,And the flower falls off,But the word of the Lord endures forever.”And this is the word which was preached to you

2tim 3:15,16 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for [i]training in righteousness;

1pet 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow ]in respect to salvation

Acts 17:11-13...they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul...

 Luke 16:31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Luke 24:32Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?

     And these are just a few. In this chapter of James he recounts 6 important and necessary things the scriptures do do and for us.

1. Brings us to life(can save us) vs.18,21 - We are spiritually dead yet the word of God is alive and brings the dead to life. As we witness, yes it is important to reason with people, but don't neglect quoting scripture because in a supernatural way the word ...

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit

   Also, don't be afraid of "Christianese". If the Bible uses the word "save" we can use it too.

2. Irritates us  vs.19,20 - When we look into the mirror of God's word, it shows our faults which can make us mad, defensive, or defiant. If nothing in the Bible contradicts us, then we either have to think humans wrote it or we are perfect. When we are confronted by it, rather than getting mad or making excuses, or ignoring it, we need to humble ourselves, come under it's authority and admit we have a problem.

3. Changes us vs.20 - It brings about righteousness. As we look intently into it, humble ourselves under it and then obey through the Holy Spirit living in us, we start looking like Jesus. We produce righteousness. We bear fruit (vs.18) which, since we are in Christ, will be Christlike actions.

4. Kills our self-centeredness vs 18,27. First fruit offerings were offered to the Lord completely and consumed. The Word planted in us helps us die to self and be completely surrendered to Christ. One of the signs of that is serving people, especially people that offer us nothing in return like widows and orphans.

5. Helps us resist temptation vs. 27 - Having the Word of God filling us will help prevent us from being polluted by the world. David says,"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee". Jesus resisted Satan's temptations through quoting scripture.

6. Blesses us by doing it. vs 25 -  A law that gives freedom?? Biblical teachings on finances leads to financial freedom. Biblical teachings on sexuality lead to marital intimacy. Teachings on relationships leads to a great marriage, friends that last a lifetime, etc. Teachings on moderation lead to health freedom from addictions, etc. Want a blessed life? Follow the Bible.

   " Scriptures" and "Word of God" are mentioned 79 times in the New Testament. Add to that "The Word" and you are well over 200. The Bible is not optional. It is essential for salvation and sanctification. Are you looking intently into it or occasionally perusing it?

Thoughts From James - Day 2

                                        James 1:13-18, 22-25

¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶ Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.


     Last time I talked about some reasons we "lose our faith" and especially as it pertains to youth. I put "lose your faith" in quotations because I believe that if you are truly born again, you will persevere. I think the Bible teaches that and that is a blog for another day, but it is certainly true that as John said,
 "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1John 2:19

     Last time we said that people leave because of trials - favorable circumstances going away, and because of lack of wisdom - not understanding God, the Bible, suffering, science and the Bible, etc. Here are 2 links you could follow to see real life examples of this;

   Michael Gungor  https://www.christianpost.com/news/gungor-i-dont-believe-in-god-anymore-227508/

    Charles Templeton  https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/charles-templeton-missing-jesus/

          The third reason is found in the next passage of James - Our sin nature is just so strong and Satan knows which fishing lures we will bite on, and he dangles them in front of us until we decide to sin. In order to justify it, we say, "Well, that part of the Bible isn't relevant to today" or "You can't believe the Bible anyway because science has disproven it" or "What kind of God puts those desires in you and says no?" Whenever I hear of youth, especially college students doubting the veracity of the Bible, I know what's up - they want to have sex. Sure, trials and lack of wisdom can lead to falling away, but usually the impetus is people want to sin and the Bible won't let them. Trials and lack of wisdom I feel lead more often to the double-minded person. It's sort of like my theory on divorce. People will live in a bad marriage until another option comes along. People will put up with a half-hearted marriage until another lover is waiting in the wings. Then they have to choose. People will "put up" with Christianity until an offer comes along that they can't refuse.
           My dad started a church with a physician named Bob many years ago. Some years later, Bob left his wife and kids for a nurse in his office and left the faith. When my dad went to talk with him he told my dad, "I can't believe I wasted all those good years of my life following God." You see, he didn't have a trial or an intellectual problem with Christianity - he had a desire to sin that was incompatible with following Christ so he chose the sin.

       This is the ploy Satan used in the garden and he still uses it today. "God is withholding something from you. He doesn't want you to be free. Did God really say...?" How do we combat that? The same way we do trials and lack of wisdom. A relationship with God, a love relationship with God says, "Yes those things look attractive, but knowing God, He wouldn't deny me of that unless He had good reason. I choose to believe Him." Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Do you trust God enough to say like James did that His law gives freedom and is perfect even though at times it seems restrictive? You see, it is a lot easier to give up on a set of beliefs if sin looks irresistible, than to give up on a person who you love and trust.

       If you want more on this, go to this Andy Stanley message and start at the 25 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6TegeZpmEY