Monthly Archive for June, 2000

James 1:2e

Published on June 30, 2000 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
 
various
 
Christians fall into “various” or variegated trials. We do not face trouble on one front but on many fronts. We encounter diversified, manifold trials. The word “various” carried the idea of many-colored. Trial comes in all shapes and colors. There are many hues to the trials of a Christian.
 
Principle:
God allows all shapes of trials to come into our lives to develop different aspects of our character.
Application:
The Christian must cope with all kinds of trials. The emphasis is not on the number but the variety of trials we face. Everyone has trials and has them regularly and in different ways. We face loss of loved ones in death, loss of financial expectations, misunderstanding, broken relationships, criticism or judgment from others.
Christians will also face trouble because of their testimony. We should expect this and should be no surprise. God wants to test the effectiveness of our faith.
Sometimes our problems come in the form of people. Some people are blatantly infuriating. We might face financial problems. Some might miss out on a great career opportunity. All these areas try our faith.
“Yet man is born to trouble,
As the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).
“Man who is born of woman
Is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
“Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help” (Psalm 22:11).
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James 1:2d

Published on June 29, 2000 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
 
fall into
 
The words “fall into” mean to fall into something so as to be encompassed with trials. Christians at times find themselves enveloped and surrounded by trials.
 
Falling into trials involves both movement and impact. Christians come suddenly upon adversities and encounter deep difficulties. This trial is something we “fall into” not by our own devises. This trial did not come as a result of our personal sin but by God putting it into our life.
Principle:
God puts trials into our lives not due to our own making but to His designs.
Application:
Most of us count it all joy when we avoid trial. Some of us get into trouble by our own folly. This trial is something we “fall into.” It is not a trial of our own making but something of God’s making.
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James 1:2c

Published on June 28, 2000 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
 
when you fall into various trials
 
The word “when” indicates that it is inevitable that we will encounter trial. No Christian escapes trials. The idea of the Greek word is whenever, not if we fall into various trials. There is no doubt that trouble will come.
 
Principle:
It is inevitable that every Christian will face trial.
Application:
All trials benefit the believer. The trials here are not temptations but trials of the soul. No one gets through life without trouble and trial. That is the result of the Fall. Every Christian should expect trial and develop a biblical coping mechanism for dealing with trouble.
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).”These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
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James 1:2b

Published on June 27, 2000 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
 
all joy
 
The degree of our joy in trial is “all.” We should see no trial that comes into our lives as an exception. God places all trials into our lives for a purpose. Instead of complaining about our troubles, we rejoice in them in a total point of view. Christians should not divide life into enjoyable and not enjoyable experiences. Everything that comes into our lives as Christians is a point of joy.
 
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Principle:
The fundamental orientation of a believer in trial should be joy.
Application:
It is important to distinguish “joy” from happiness. Happiness depends on positive circumstances to happen to us. “Happiness” comes from a root that means circumstance. “Happen” has the same root as “happiness.” When we face severe circumstances, we cannot be happy because the circumstances are not good. However, we can have joy in adverse circumstance because we know that God has a plan for our lives. Joy is the inner animation of our soul independent of circumstance and situation. We have no regrets because we know we are in God’s plan.
Trial in itself is no joy; but knowing that God’s sovereign hand put it into my life is a joy.
“So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…” (1 Peter 1:6-8).
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).
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James 1:2

Published on June 26, 2000 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…”
 
My brethren,
 
James viewed dispersed Jewish Christians throughout the world as his “brethren.” He uses this affiliation with Christians 15 times in his epistle. He balances his commands with compassion.
 
count it
Christians under duress should face trial with an attitude of joy. They should look at trial as the sovereign plan of God for their lives. We should not descend into a sad dejected state of mind that does not allow us to face our problems.
The word “count” is an accounting term. It means put trial to the positive side of the ledger. Christians face their trials head on by understanding God’s sovereign working in their lives.
“Count” is an imperative, a command. Christians must choose to calculate joy in their lives because facing trial in this way is not natural. We must consciously choose the attitude of joy in trial based on the fact of God’s sovereignty. Christians are to take control of their attitude by orienting to God’s plan for their lives.
Principle:
God’s sovereign purpose allows us to put our trials in perspective.
Application:
Christians must intentionally put their trials under God’s plan in their attitude. Christians are to calculate each experience God sovereignly allows into our lives as a point of joy because we know it is from the hand of God. Nothing is capricious in God’s plan; everything has a purpose.
Mature Christians carry an attitude of joy under trial. Carnal Christians complain and gripe about their lot. They seem to have no sense of God’s sovereign plan for their lives. Mature Christians clearly understand God’s sovereignty and purpose for them.
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James 1:1

Published on June 25, 2000 in James. 2 Comments
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“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings”
 
The first verse of James contains the conventional salutation or greeting.
 
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
James does not call himself “the Lord’s half-brother” or the leader of the church in Jerusalem but the “bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He viewed himself as a slave to his half-brother! Mary had six children.
James gives full credit to the deity of Christ. He puts the Lord Jesus Christ on the par with God. We should translate the word “and” in the phrase “and of the Lord Jesus Christ” as “even.” Thus the phrase should read, “a bondservant of God even of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
James means “Jacob.” He was a half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 1:25; 12:46-47; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; Galatians 1:19). Jesus’ other half-brothers were Joseph, Simon and Judas. Mark says that Jesus had some half-sisters (Mark 3:31-35). His brothers did not initially believe on Him but thought He was crazy (Mark 3:21).
“Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.’ For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (John 7:2-5).
The resurrection changed James’ view of Jesus (Acts 1:13,14; 1 Corinthians 15:7). After the resurrection, Jesus personally appeared to James. After that James believed on Him and eventually became the key leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:1f; 21:17–18; Galatians 2:9-12). According to Josephus, James was martyred about A.D. 62.
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
The words “scattered abroad” in the Greek is the word “dispersion.” This word initially referred to Jews scattered among Gentile nations, the Diaspora (John 7:35). This dispersion began in the sixth century B.C. when the Jews were exiled to Babylon. In this case, “scattered” means Christian Jews dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. The 12 tribes were Judah, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Greetings
The word “greetings” means be glad, rejoice and was a common greeting by everyone of that day.
Principle:
God does not favor us on the basis of privilege but on the basis of grace.
Application:
Christian servitude to Jesus the Lord is not by coercion but by choice. As James did not claim fame on the back of his brother the Lord Jesus, so Christians should not care about fame but about service to Jesus.
There is no advantage in physical birth in knowing Jesus personally. James was the Lord’s half- brother but rejected Him as Saviour until the resurrection. Although he was a member of the royal family of the Messiah, he remained an unbeliever until the resurrection. No assets such as physical birth gain any approbation with God. Natural ability does not cut any ice with God. God uses people with and without talent.
God always uses people because of His grace and God’s grace always excludes human assets or merit.
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Galatians 6:18

Published on June 24, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
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“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen”
 
We come to the benediction and final word of the apostle Paul to the church at Galatia. Paul does not give any salutation to the Galatians because of their biblical distortions of self-righteousness. He was in the business of serious communication of the principle of grace in this epistle.
 
Brethren,
By his use of “brethren,” Paul extends a touch of love to the Galatians. The Galatians are in the family of God. In the final analysis, the Galatians and Paul are in the family together.
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Paul closes Galatians on a note of grace just as he began the epistle with grace (1:3,6). Paul finishes with his trademark–grace. All his letters close on that note.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Grace belongs to Jesus Christ. He both bought grace for us and distributes grace to us. Paul’s parting point is that grace revolves around Christ and His work.
be with your spirit.
All Christians need “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” with their spirit. This is the human spirit. As believers absorb grace, they will grow in Christ. This is Paul’s desire for the Galatians.
Amen
The final word of Galatians is a word of confidence. The word “amen” means so be it. Paul in summary form affirms his own conviction that grace is the centre of Christianity. Self-righteousness is the polar opposite of genuine Christianity.
Principle:
Jesus embodies the principle of grace.
Application:
The Bible is Christ centric and Christ is grace centered. The better we understand the principle of grace, the better we understand and love Jesus Christ.
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Galatians 6:17

Published on June 23, 2000 in Galatians. 4 Comments
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“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus”
 
From now on let no one trouble me,
 
Paul gives a challenge to the Galatians to look at the price he paid for taking a stand for the cross of Christ, the doctrine of grace. Paul calls for an end to the conflict over law and grace.
 
for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus
The word “marks” is the Greek word stigma. A stigma was a permanent brand, tattoo or mark burnt into the skin. Paul carried brands around like a cow or a slave. It was a sign of ownership of a cow or slave. Paul’s stigma was a branding for his service in standing for the grace principle. Paul clearly demonstrated the price he paid for the cross. The Galatians saw that themselves when he was in Galatia.
The idea of “bear” is to undergo experiences that mark one as the slave of some master. That is the burden Paul bore. He bore or endured the burden of the cross.
“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).
Principle:
Christians should carry the indelible mark of belonging to Christ.
Application:
People who take a stand for the grace principle of the cross will pay a price. We must count the cost.
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
A good measure of our belief system is how much we are willing to pay for it. Do you have the scars to prove it?
We should be careful about assailing the enlistees of the army of Christ. Keep your static to yourself. All annoyances are a distraction from the real reason we are here.
All Christians must carry the blood-stained banner of the cross. They will not be the most popular or pleasing people but they will be faithful to God. We should view ourselves as soldiers, not floating along on a rosy bed of easy. People should clearly mark us as those who belong to Christ, who bear His indelible mark.
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Galatians 6:16

Published on June 22, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
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“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God”
 
And as many as walk according to this rule,
The word “walk” means to draw up in a line, to proceed in a row as in the march of a soldier, go in order. Militarily the idea is to go in battle order. Secular Greek used the word “rule” for a carpenter’s measuring line. The idea is to direct one’s life, to turn out well by living by fundamental biblical principles.
peace and mercy be upon them,
God’s peace and mercy comes to those who walk according to His principles. Peace here is the peace of God, God’s own peace, the peace that comes from God.
Mercy is the forgiveness of sins (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5). Christians also need God’s mercy in the fight against persecuting legalism.
and upon the Israel of God
The “Israel of God” are Jews, not Gentile Christians. The New Testament is not anti-Semitic. All other 64 occurrences of “Israel” refer to Jews. There are true Jewish believers and those who are not in “the Israel of God.” But the Israel of God are physical Jews who became believers in Christ.
“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called” (Romans 9:6-7)
Principle:
We do not gain peace and mercy by our own devising but by living according to God’s principles.
Application:
Christians receive peace and mercy from God when they follow His principles, not principles of their own devising. The Christian life is a walk, taking one step at a time.
Christians do not walk by their own rules. We follow God’s regulating principles. We cannot establish the principle of salvation nor can we establish the principle of sanctification. We cannot change the conditions of God’s principles. The believer who conforms to His standards will receive His blessings of peace and mercy.
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
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Galatians 6:15

Published on June 21, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
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“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation”
 
For
 
The word “for” links verse 15 with verse 14. This verse explains why Paul does not yearn for the applause of the world.
 
in Christ Jesus
Paul looks at legalism in the light of the believer’s status quo in God’s eyes. Ritual cannot measure up to a believer’s position in Christ because Christ did all the work necessary for salvation. He did all that is necessary to satisfy an absolutely holy God. There was no merit on our part whatsoever.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything,
Circumcision is of little moment in God’s scheme of things. Human work cuts no ice with God. Circumcision was the pet theological idea of the legalistic Judaizers. Their goal was to get the Galatian believers to submit to circumcision.
but a new creation
It is regeneration that is important, not some ritual. The fact that God introduced us into His blessings transcends the mechanics of religion because it transforms the believer into God’s economy. This is an intrinsic change, not extrinsic.
Regeneration is the essence of true Christianity. The cross can do what circumcision cannot do. Circumcision cannot change lives by radical transformation of character but the cross can. The cross cuts ice with God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The word “new” means new in quality, not new in the sense of recent. The person “in Christ Jesus” is new in quality. He is new because of what Christ did. He now has imputed righteousness–God’s righteousness put into him.
Principle:
Christ did all the work needed to satisfy the standards of an absolutely holy God.
Application:
Religious rites do not impress God. Church membership or baptism do not impress God. The central factor that impresses God is the cross and the new standing that it affords the person who trusts the cross for salvation. The Law is powerless to bring about this new transformation. This is the fundamental error of legalism.
Properly oriented believers always rejoice in what God does and in what Christ did because they understand that Christianity is not a merit system. On the contrary, Christianity is a grace system–it is all about what God does in Christ.
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