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Showing posts from May, 2020

Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

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  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is interesting. Th
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James 1:6-8 - Asking in Faith

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Review: God knows our inadequacies; therefore, we are exhorted to ask NOT for a solution to our problems, NOT for the removal of trials, BUT to ask for wisdom IN the midst of trials. This emphasizes our need to be dependent upon God on a moment to moment basis, and the provision of wisdom by our God who is generous! Focus: James 1:6-8 The necessity of faith— “But let him ask [for wisdom] IN FAITH.” Heb 11:6- “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek him.” FAITH = “a conviction of the truth.” In Scripture, this is a conviction that pertains to a specific object—that is, Christ through whom all things were made, who was sent by God to be the Savior of the world. Thus, this faith referred to “is the believer’s unwavering confidence based on who God is and what He has done, according to the Scriptures.”  Knowing, then, that God does what He says, we trust and obey Him, for He is trust
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James 1:5 - Living Wisely

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Review- The believer can meet trials of various kinds with joy because he understands or knows the reason behind trials: 1) they produce steadfastness; 2) they mature us. Ponder on 2 Pet.1. A closer look at James 1:5 Not all believers are able to live wisely or are living wisely — this is indicated in verse 5a when James says, “IF any of you lack wisdom…” —The “wisdom” spoken of here is set in the context of daily life in relation to the trials that come. This “wisdom,” therefore, can be defined as “the proper application” of the proper knowledge and understanding of God and His will, as revealed in the Bible. “Right doctrine. Right living.” (It is important to acknowledge that we all experience a lack of wisdom, as was experienced by the disciples when they faced a storm at sea. They became anxious and fearful, although Jesus was with them on the boat! This leads us to the next important truth…. A believer’s deficiency can only be supplied by God— this is indicated in verse 5b when Ja
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James 1:2-4 - Consider It All Joy: Delighting in Difficulty - Part 2

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Review: the universality of trials and the choice a believer has in facing trials James 1:3-5 The purpose for trials— they produce steadfastness!  This truth about trials is assumed to be a fact that genuine believers already “know”— Verse 2 says , “for you KNOW that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” This “knowing” speaks of having understanding, and is the same root word that speaks of the intimate knowledge between a husband and a wife (eg., he “knew” his wife). Therefore, as it is said in 1 Pet. 4:12, “do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” In view of what we know about the purpose for trials, we then ask “what?” instead of “why?” (for we already know why trials come)—We can ask, for example, “Lord, what are you desiring for me to learn during this trial? Lord, what do you want me to do?” (See, for example, Acts 8:36, 16:30)  This purpose behind trials gives us the reason for rej
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James 1:2-4 - Consider It All Joy: Delighting in Difficulty - Part 1

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Intro: Martin Luther regards the epistle of James as lacking emphasis on the Gospel, as compared with Galatians and Romans. He calls it the “epistle of straw.”  However, in this instance, Luther who comes from a background that sees works as a means to salvation, failed to see that the epistle of James does not contradict the truth that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. James’ message is clear: true faith results in good works. He does not contradict Paul’s focus on faith but complements it.  What we learn from James 1:2-4 Trials are sent to lead us to steadfastness. (This is in contrast to temptations which attempt to lead us to sin) In life, trials are inevitable: It is not a question of “if” (that is, speaking of a probability) but of “when”  (that is, speaking of a certainty!). Verse 2 tells us to “count it all joy… WHEN you meet trials of various kinds.”  Truths about trials or suffering: 1 Cor 10:13, 1 Peter 5:8-11, Romans 8:18, John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:12-1
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James 1:1,2 - Introduction

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Type— a general letter, addressed to believers (as opposed to a letter written to a specific person—eg., Titus) Writer— “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” There are 4 individuals with the name “James” in the NT. The two most likely candidates for authorship are: James— the son of Zebedee, the brother of John (Matt. 4:21). Acts 12:1-2, however, indicates that this James was martyred. His death makes him an unlikely author.  James— the brother of Joseph, Simon and Judas, the half brothers of Jesus, the sons of Mary (Matt. 13:55, John 7:5- prior to Christ’s death and resurrection, “not even his brothers believed him.”). This James later became a pillar of the church (Gal.2:9) and speaks to address the assembly in defense of the Gospel (Acts 15:13-19). This address is of similar style to the epistle of James, making it probable that this James is the writer. The Writer’s description of himself- “a servant” (doulos). See Exodus 21 (Laws about Slaves). James sees himself
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