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Showing posts from June, 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 1:16-18 - A Biblical Perspective

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Introduction : God has given us the privilege of being His children (John 1:12). As his children, our faith is tested, that it might produce steadfastness for our maturity (James 1:2-4). With respect to temptations, each is “lured and enticed by his own desire,” for God himself “tempts no one” (1:13-14). This points us to the necessity for every believer to have an accurate knowledge of God, based on what He has revealed about himself from His Word, the Bible.  “ Do not be deceived ” (1:16)— to be “deceived” means to be led away from the truth or to be led into error, to be led away into sin. This points to what Satan does and who is, as revealed to us in God’s Word. He leads away from the truth into error. He appears as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), even quoting Scripture (Luke 4:9-11), mixing truth with lies (truth, twisted, is not truth at all). He is the father of lies (John 8:44). He blinds the minds of the unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4).  In contrast to the Enemy who seeks to destro
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James 1:13-15 - God and Temptation

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Review: During life’s troubles, the believer gets to enjoy the intimacy of his relationship with Christ as he receives His grace to persevere  “trials” and “temptations”— same root word, which means—to test, scrutinize, to examine, to try, to entice; but, these two terms, though appearing to be similar,  are not the same.  a) God allows “trials” for the purpose of proving, testing, and strengthening the quality of the believer—that is, his faith (James 1:3). Consider Abraham when he was tested by the command to offer his only son; Job, whose possessions were taken away; Joseph, who was sold by his own brothers; Daniel and his three friends, who were accused before the king. b) Each person is “tempted” when he is “enticed,” “dragged away,” “lured out” or “drawn away” (a picture of a bait for fishing); and, this luring away is “by his own desire.” Primarily, a man’s “temptation” comes from within! One’s desire from within, “when it has conceived gives birth to sin… and brings forth death
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James 1:12-15 - The Believer's Call to Persevere

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Review: No one is exempt from trials. Whether poor or rich, each is to depend on and rest in the Lord.  Today’s Focus — James 1:12 A Call for Believers to Persevere — A compound word in the Greek, “to persevere” or to remain steadfast literally means “to stay under” or “to remain” (to not flee under misfortune or trials). Figuratively, it means “to undergo or to have fortitude, to abide, to endure, to patiently suffer or endure testing.” Consider the athlete, as an example, who keeps on, holding fast until he finishes. Thus, to persevere is to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ.  The one who remains steadfast under trial is “blessed” —same root word in Matthew 5 where Christ uses the word “blessed” repeatedly. Question: how can one be happy when one has to endure trials or ill treatment or perhaps injustice? Although It may be reasonable in our minds to rejoice in the context of a mother in labor or of an athlete nearing the finish line, to rejoice when suffering, humanly speaking, is
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James 1:9-11 - Rejoicing Because of My Worth in Christ

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Introduction: While James 1:2-8 appears not to connect with verses 9-11 (as there seems to be a change in the subject matter from “trials” to a contrast between pride and humility), we see that verse 12 continues with the subject of trials. There is, therefore, an actual connection— that is, whether one is poor or rich, both undergo trials!  What does the Bible teach about pride and humility? a) Pride is an abomination to the Lord. Pride is bound for destruction. See Prov. 8:13, 11:2, 16:5, 16:18; God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride is evil. See James 4:6,16. b) Humility is to be the “clothing” of believers in Christ. With the humble is wisdom and God’s grace. The humble will be exalted. See Phil. 2:3-4, 1 Pet 5:5, Luke 14:11. The contrast in James 1:9-10 : The lowly brother (the believer who is poor or one who is of humble circumstances)  as opposed to the rich (the believer who is materially wealthy). Although some would view James’ reference to the ric
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