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  • James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king

    James – a Greater Thunder and a lesser king

    We know this about Jesus’ Apostles: twelve followed the Lord Jesus for three years .. everywhere. One of the twelve betrayed Him, but three Apostles were closer to Jesus than any man or woman born of this world

    Peter, James the Greater, and John

    – an inner circle of the Twelve.

    You probably already know this about James and John:

    and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”)

    Gospel of Mark 3:17 Legacy Standard Bible

    Thunder, Wild Horses & Swords

    We know little about James the Greater, the older son of Zebedee, but as one of three leaders appointed by the Lord Christ Jesus, Herod will soon set his sights on all three of these Apostles.

    • Peter led the Apostles and the Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
    • John was the youngest Apostle and the younger brother of James; perhaps by a year, five years or maybe more; but John outlived them all until about A.D. 100.
    • James and John had also both been disciples of John the Baptist before Christ took them in as part of His inner circle.

    Now about that time Herod the king [Agrippa I] laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

    Acts 12:1 :: Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)

    Today we look back at a context of Acts 12 with an old connection to John the Baptist and Herod.

    The Gospels, of course, proclaim the Good News that is to come out of all this conflict.

    Ἡρῴδης – Herod – ‘a hero’

    • †Ἡρώδης Hērṓdēs, hay-ro’-dace; compound of ἥρως hḗrōs (a “hero”) and G1491; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings:—Herod. – source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G2264 – hērōdēs

    Let’s bring to mind some recent history etched in the minds of the Jews and the Herod’s; an awareness of John the Baptist and his disciples James and John, a relevance of national significance I will contemporize from this first century context.

    Ἀγρίππας – [Herod] Agrippas – “Hero like”

    • Apparently from ἄγριος (G66)
      • of men and animals in a moral sense, wild savage, fierce
    • and ἵππος (G2462); a horse

    To the Jews, Herod Agrippa is a ‘hero-like wild horse’, wielding a Jewish king’s sword against Rome (but also his enemies) with a desperate hope of restoring the glory of David’s kingdom a thousand years before, as his grandfather (Herod the Great) had begun to rebuild.

    a 21st c. look at James the Greater

    Never forget that ALL Twelve of Jesus' Apostles (a Greek word of the common language of the Roman Empire) were Jews. Even in Galilee and Samaria Jews looked for a Messiah and hoped for a return of their kingdom. 

Faithful worshipers of the LORD knew Scripture in an anticipatory sense. Jews chosen by the One God in every captive Roman outpost of the A.D. first century looked longingly for their Messiah (Christ, in Greek) who will finally establish the Kingdom of the Lord in all the heavens and earth.

    ANY man who might stand against ANY king Herod (who is NOT the Messiah) or Caesar (who faithful Jews would not call, Lord) is a threat to the Roman Peace attained by Judea’s first family.

    Once again we will look at events preceding ACTS 12 as if it is today's date, in the year of our Lord, A.D. 2022. 
[All first century dates are approximate from various sources.]- RH
    • 2022 – Beginning of Acts 12
      • AD 44
    • 2018 – Peter shares the Gospel with gentiles in Caesarea (James & John presumably would have continued to lead the church in Jerusalem during Peter’s mission trip.)
      • AD 40
    • 2017 – Herod Antipas of Galilee, who had John the Baptist beheaded about ten years earlier, died.
      • AD 39
    • 2015 – Saul of Tarsus comes to the Apostles after his conversion.
      • AD 37
    • 2010 – Stephen, a leading disciple of The Way, sentenced by the Sanhedrin to death by stoning, after which Herod and the Jews authorize relentless persecution of disciples of Jesus’ Apostles.
      • AD 33

    14 Years ago + An Eventful Year.

    A.D. 30 would have been fourteen years ago and might linger in the collective memory of the church like these contemporary memories:
Actual Events of 2007: iPhone announced;  Mitt Romney, Rudi Giuliani, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden and many others are running for President of the U.S.; 
or Actual Events of 2008: President Bush signs the $700 billion bailout / Rescue package bill; Fidel Castro steps down as president of Cuba; Iraq war costs $3 trillion.
    • 2008 + Jesus Christ interrogated by the Sanhedrin and scourged by Romans, crucified on a Cross, raised from death, left a sealed tomb and appeared to the Apostles and hundreds of other disciples!
      • The risen Lord Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to believers on Pentecost.
      • Peter and disciples of Jesus proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple and
      • Accompanying signs and miracles sent by the Lord confirmed their teaching.
      • Therefore many Jews follow the Apostles’ teachings and believe in Jesus as the Messiah of God.
      • ALL this in ~AD 30!

    James the Greater, of course, was in town [Jerusalem] to witness all of this recent history along with the other Apostles.

    During JESUS’ earthly ministry:

    ~AD 2006-2008 in our contemporized scenario:
    • 2006 – A great new prophet John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. Then Jesus calls Twelve Apostles to “follow Him.” James and John, already disciples of John the Baptist, follow Jesus.
      • AD 28 {3 years before Jesus was crucified}

    Luke 9:

    And calling the twelve together, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. .. And departing, they were going from village to village, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.

    Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead..

    And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded, but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

    Gospel of Luke 9:9 LSB – Herod inquiring about miracles of the Messiah Jesus and his Apostles

    JESUS was confrontational in the mind of Herod, just as John had been before the king had the Baptist beheaded.

    James the Great vs. an unbelieving Samaritan village

    [Some disciples of Jesus] ..entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him..

    And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But He turned and rebuked them..

    Gospel of Luke 9:54-55a LSB

    Why would James the Greater believe that he could command such judgment on an entire village?

    Because Peter, James and John had witnessed that Jesus IS God in flesh and blood!

    James the Greater, like Peter or like King Herod for that matter, is the kind of imposing man who wants to take charge.

    Gospel of the Apostle Matthew 20:

    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.” 

    Mark records in his Gospel:
Then James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” - Mark 10:35

    But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.” He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

    Matthew 20:22-23 LSB – Jesus’ answer to the sons of thunder..
    Remember our Lord’s assurance to James the Greater and to John: “My cup you shall drink..”

    James the Greater – a closeness to Jesus

    Peter and James and John all held close their friendship of Jesus, their Lord and Master Teacher, during those three years of Christ’s earthly incarnation.

    The Gospel of Luke 9:

    Now it happened.. that taking along Peter and John and James, He went up on the mountain to pray.

    Mark adds some detail in his Gospel: *brought them up on a high mountain alone by themselves.

    And it happened that while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and [flashing like lightning]. 

    James, John and Simon Peter were the only mortal men on that mountain with the Lord.
But then:

    And behold, two men were talking with Him, and they were Moses and Elijah, who, appearing in [splendor], were speaking of His [exodus] which He was about to fulfill at Jerusalem.

    Note here a similar failing of the flesh of Jesus' three closest friends, their inattention to the prayers of this Son of Man even as they would later fall asleep in Gethsemane. After the Lord's death and resurrection the three Apostles would confess their mortal limitations on both occasions.

    Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

    Gospel of Luke 9:32 LSB
    Jesus, with a face like lightning! The Prophet Elijah and Moses the LORD's shepherd of the Hebrews during their forty year exodus from slavery in Egypt appear with Jesus! 
All witnessed by Peter, John and James.

As if that wasn't enough GOOD NEWS on the mountaintop, similar to the sign at Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, the LORD speaks!

    ..  a cloud [occurred] and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

    Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

    Gospel of Luke 9:34b-35 LSB
    James the Greater, along with his brother and Simon, kept silent about this in those days, Luke records later.

    Fulfillment of Fourteen Years in Jerusalem

    In the minds of the Jews (including Herod) James was a likely successor to Jesus.

    Ἰάκωβος – James

    Did you know that James is a common name in Israel? i.e. James the Great AND James the Less are both Apostles

    It’s the same as Ἰακώβ, which even in Greek looks like the name of its Hebrew root:: יַעֲקֹב

    Jacob, who the LORD renamed, Israel.

    Along with Simon Peter (when he was not on a journey of his own) and his brother John, James the Greater proclaimed the Gospel of the risen Christ Jesus in Jerusalem.

    James proclaimed the Gospel in the Temple courtyards and streets of Jerusalem and led the daily lives of so many new followers of The Way. He worked in the leadership of the Twelve, which now included Mathias in place of Judas Iscariot.

    “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

    Luke 9:54b – [likely the words of James the Greater]

    And this Greater Apostle of the inner circle of the Messiah of Israel would have recalled the rebuke of the Lord in a newfound daily humility in serving his risen Lord, the Christ Jesus.

    But He turned and rebuked them, and said,

    “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of,

    for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”

    And they went on to another village.

    .. whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me;

    for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

    Gospel of Luke 9:48b – invitation of Jesus Christ & humility in following Him

    Acts of the Apostles 12:

    Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to harm them.

    And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.

    Acts of the Apostles 12:2 LSB – Herod Agrippa I executes James the Greater

    To be continued…

  • The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    The Tongue is a Fire! – Speaking of Christians

    If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

    James 1:26 CSB

    Contents of 3-part series

    We began this forum for freely speaking whatever is on your mind with the substance and consequences of speaking out in POLITICS. November in the U.S. is always a contentious time and the approaching year of Presidential politics will offer more intense variations on the themes of hypocrisy and hatred.

    As the politically correct and often biased words of media might suggest, RELIGION has no say so in these arguments. The movie scene depicted in the photo for this series suggests a time when all of this correctness fails for all of us, including media.

    Next and finally, today we will take a look at what the Bible has to say about such things. Examine your heart further along with me as our tongues speak up (sometimes inappropriately) for Jesus Christ.

    Don’t be deceived

    Paul preaches to the church in Ephesus:

    Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Ephesians 5:6

    James suggests early in his letter how easily we deceive ourselves.

    James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God…

    He offers a remedy to hypocrisy, of which we will quickly be accused. And James illustrates our self-examination in the mirror.

    22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

    23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

    Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath!

    It’s just not our nature (Christian or not).

    Because we speak out so quickly, we show how easily we are deceived. It is the same deception of our own hearts mentioned in Genesis 3:13

    And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, H5377 and I did eat.

    Disobedience Brings God’s Judgment

    This has always been the warning of the LORD’s true prophets to a people who claim religious favor while displaying hypocritical sin.

    The Lord will judge and many have warned us throughout the millennia in scripture given by Almighty God.

    In order that you may anticipate my outline from the Lord’s word, we will examine four of these chronologically:

    1. Jeremiah ~687-520 B.C.
    2. John the Baptist ~A.D. 30
    3. Jesus Christ
    4. James, brother of Jesus, leader of the church at Jerusalem ~A.D. 50

    Jeremiah 9:

    3 “They bend their tongue like their bow;
    Lies and not truth prevail in the land;
    For they proceed from evil to evil,
    And they do not know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The LORD, through the Prophet Jeremiah, condemns the tongue of the religious leaders of Judah.

    5 “Everyone deceives his neighbor
    And does not speak the truth,
    They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
    They weary themselves committing iniquity.
    6 “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
    Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the Lord.

    The Tongue that Answers Hypocrisy

    How is this any different than the hypocrisy of some who claim God today?

    Though this condemnation is directed toward Jews around 627 Before Christ, the Lord could well convict so-called christians of this 21st century in the year of our Lord.

    For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?
    8 “Their tongue is a deadly arrow;
    It speaks deceit;
    With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor,
    But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.
    9 “Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the Lord.
    “On a nation such as this
    Shall I not avenge Myself?

    The Lord does not condemn the nations for the fire of their accusations against God, but those who claim the Name of the Lord whose tongue deceives their neighbor and speaks deceit.

    How are we not like those condemned here, where our tongues of fire shout against the evils of the world, “I’m mad and hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

    John the Baptist

    In a captive Israel (and Judah) after centuries of silence from the Lord, many recognized John as a Prophet of God. Jesus confirms it.

    “And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

    The testimony of Jesus Christ about John the Baptist – Matthew 11:14

    REPENT! you religious hypocrites

    John never said this in so many words, but repentance of sins and hypocrisy of the tongue by religious leaders held center-stage in his ministry to the crowds in the wilderness.

    Matthew 3:

    4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

    Although the son of a priest, John followed the Lord’s leading away from the Temple limelight into the wilderness. And his raiment reminded all of the great Prophet Elijah. John’s fiery calls for repentance he directed not to idolatrous followers of other religions, but to the Jews.

    Our most enduring impression of John may be his public accusation of the leaders of religion who came to hear him in the wilderness.

    What the crowds witnessed

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,

    “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:7-8 ESV

    I could easily say more about John’s tongue of fire as it also applies to Christians, but I’ll save it for a more detailed look at John the Baptist, greatest of the prophets who the Lord sent before the Messiah Jesus.

    Proverbs for the Tongue

    There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

    The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

    Proverbs 12:18-19 KJV

    Christ Jesus

    As John and the Spirit testified, Jesus is more than a man who speaks truth. He IS the Perfect truth established before time for all time, the Son of God the Father!

    Previously in this series I mentioned Jesus’ caution about the tongue of one saying “raca” or “you fool” being liable to hell. Although this ought to be caution enough for those claiming Christ, here I will add an additional insight from Jesus about hell.

    Jews, Messianic Jews and Christians may differ on our views of hell; its punishments, certainly who is condemned and the nature of eternal life after death. Nevertheless, considering not the illustrative nature of the parable, but the truth of what the Messiah Jesus must witness by His very word, take just this one scene to heart.

    Luke 16:

    Jesus’ parable follows three more familiar parables about the lost followers of the LORD, Shepherd of Israel.

    Most hearers compare Jesus’ two main characters, a rich earthly master and his poor servant by identifying Jesus’ parable as The Rich Man and Lazarus. For many this may confuse the issues of resurrection (identified with the name of this other Lazarus) and salvation for the wealthy (which Jesus seems to oppose on many occasions).

    Neither wealth nor resurrection are at issue in this parable.

    Prior to this parable, Jesus categorically states:

    “Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.

    Luke 16:16 NLT

    Jesus on Social Injustice

    J.B. Phillips focuses our attention more to the issue of how we act toward others during this mortal life, introducing this parable: Jesus shows the fearful consequence of social injustice.

    It’s a tragic tale describing the inequities of this life, followed by a scene of the rich man gazing upon heaven from hell. The rich master and faithful servant have died, their fates having rewarded each justly.

    And from among the dead he looked up and saw Abraham a long way away, and Lazarus in his arms.

    ‘Father Abraham!’ he cried out, ‘please pity me.

    Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.’

    Luke 16 excerpt J.B. PHILLIPS

    This follower of the LORD who had every blessing in life pleads to Abraham to intercede for him while he suffers the agony of hell! It would be like asking a saint of old or mother of our Lord to help you. Just cool my tongue from the agony in these flames.

    Jesus has already separated the sheep from the goats. This is no intermittent place of punishment where relief through others may take place.

    Dear brother or sister in Christ,

    Therefore, watch your tongue and actions in this mortal life. For we must now be perfect in Him before a world hearing us as Christ, named ‘Christians.’

    James

    Earlier this year I addressed the turmoil of religion and politics which preceded the appearance of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. If you would like to read more follow this link to James and Jerusalem’s Controversy.

    The applications of James to Christian contemporary thought may be helpful to each of us personally, particularly what I taught previously on this in James – Preaching to a Worldly Church.

    Even though I recently covered the entire book of James, his application to Christians is worth repeating as a brief conclusion to this 3-part series: The Tongue is a Fire!

    FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY:

    DISCLAIMER: IF you do not believe in God, no need to read further. As Jeremiah aimed his tongue of rebuke to the Jews and as John the Baptist also called God’s chosen to repentance, this is not for those who refuse the Lord’s grace.

    And so, you who claim Christ consider this:

    Your contemporary issue of how God can use your tongue of fire to save the world may not agree with scripture.

    Roger Harned – TalkofJesus.com

    Which issue excites your tongue to cry out, “you brood of vipers?” Abortion? Equal rights for women? Helping poor migrants trying to come to America? Healthcare, food and shelter for the poor? Fair elections? Tolerance for other religions?

    All of these causes may excite your witness to others, but the leaders of the church will warn you and me to watch our tongue and act like Jesus.

    You cannot go wrong by keeping the love of Jesus on your lips and the fruit of love in the harvest of your relationships with others. But look more closely at nearly every New Testament writer and the sayings of Jesus:

    Our words of refinement and love are for each other – brothers and sisters in Christ. If our actions match the love of Jesus, only then will the world take note of our words.

    James 3:

    2 For in many things we offend all. – KJV

    Christians excel in this, but the world should not be offended by you. Rather, the world is offended by Christ Jesus and will not accept the grace of His love.

    2-6 [PHILLIPS] We all make mistakes in all kinds of ways, but the man who can claim that he never says the wrong thing can consider himself perfect, for if he can control his tongue he can control every other part of his personality!

    Think of it. If you control your tongue, you can be perfect; that is, Christ-like. Your actions will finally become perfect, because you mirror our Lord.

    5b [NASB] See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

    The Not So Good NEWS of Today

    Can you think of some in the public eye whose tongues easily set social media on fire?

    Sadly, Christians participate in the hot debates of those worldly things which have little or nothing to do with Christ. I admit it. My speech before others sparks debate. Yet is it for Christ?

    Are you a disciple of your political party? Of your particular issue? Do you show religion as condemnation and faith as opposition to the value of others?

    8 [NASB] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.

    Again, the hypocrisy of ‘christians’

    As we pointed a finger toward ourselves in an earlier post in this series, this is hypocrisy. James tells us that it must not be. He asks the church to direct our teaching first to ourselves.

    [PHILLIPS] … your lives will be an example of the humility that is born of true wisdom… —don’t deny the truth that you must recognise in your inmost heart… For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

    TRUE. True in the world and true in the church. Jealousy and rivalry lead to disharmony and many kinds of evil. Don’t get caught up in it all.

    Listen to this: James’ instruction to Christians in how to be perfect can be found in two verses of his letter. Consider them before your tongue turns your life off course in the next storm of public opinion.

    Wisdom from Above

    17-18 [PHILLIPS] The wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no breath of favouritism or hint of hypocrisy. And the wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves.

    Would a list help?

    From the KJV, But the wisdom that is from above is:

    • pure,
    • peaceable,
    • gentle,
    • easy to be intreated,
    • full of mercy
    • good fruits,
    • without partiality,
    • without hypocrisy.

    We cannot be pure while leavened by the hatred of the world. And the world’s peace looks much different than the peace of Jesus.

    Can you imagine any more gentle example than our Lord Jesus Christ?

    Easy to be intreated would be advice from more obedient times meaning compliant or easily obeying. Modern translations sweeten it a bit calling this trait, ‘reasonable.’ Are you reasonable or compliant in your conversation with others?

    Full of mercy: there’s a trait we wish to encounter. Compassion, true compassion for others; not claims of a nice ‘christian’ to treat others with mercy, but Christ-like compassion for another.

    Jesus said:

    “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

    the words of Jesus to religious leaders – Matthew 9:13

    Are you a Pharisee of this 21st century in the eyes of those you encounter? You with ears to hear, hold your tongue until your heart finds mercy.

    We know many parables of Jesus about the fruit of righteousness. Do you show others how you, a sinner, have changed? Like John the Baptist scorned the Pharisees and Scribes coming for baptism:

    “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Matthew 3:8 NASB

    Has Jesus changed you? Did your tongue receive Christ’s bridle of restraint of your words of witness to the world?

    Is your witness for a cause OR for Christ Jesus? What do your words say?

    Show no partiality or favoritism in your faith. Be unwavering for Jesus rather than swayed to the right or to the left by the crowds.

    NO Hypocrisy

    Hypocrisy is the mask of appearances, the make-up of our image. It is the false face of the world and their accusation of masked ‘christians.’

    The fire of our tongue will betray our motives. And our fruit of hypocrisy is witness against Jesus.

    Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 12:9 NASB

    It is the genuine love of Jesus Christ, sincere faith in our Lord. The world must see Jesus in your actions, but first the world will hear your words.

    Are the words of your mouth witness that Jesus IS your LORD?

    OR

    Do you just have something more to say back to the world from your fiery tongue?

    Remember the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, dear saint and fellow sinner. For you would not want to hear the Lord say,

    “I never knew you.”

    May the grace, mercy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ help you to hold your tongue from evil and witness His love through the Holy Spirit.
  • Good Works – a letter from Peter – 3

    Good Works – a letter from Peter – 3

    What do our good works have to do with faith?

    Peter opens his letter to a persecuted church concerning this salvation with blessings.

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

    The Apostle calls us to holy living and then continues by defining it.

    1 Peter 2:

    Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.

    Peter asks new Christians to ‘desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.‘ He then continues by contrasting Christ, as the Living Stone of the Temple, to those who reject Jesus as a stone over which they stumble because they disobey God.

    This brings Peter to call upon all Christians to do good works now that we are no longer part of worldly unbelievers destined to destruction.

    Good Works

    1 Peter 2:11-

    11 [YLT] Beloved, I call upon [you], as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly desires, that war against the soul…

    Where do you stand with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, asks Peter?

    • Are you now a stranger to the worldly and sojourner through this mortal life?
    • Or do you cling to those same fleshly desires which always drag our flesh into sin and our souls into judgement?

    Live honorably among unbelievers

    12 [CEB] Live honorably among the unbelievers. Today, they defame you, as if you were doing evil.

    Young’s Literal Translation speaks of ‘having your behaviour among the nations right’ and the NASB states: ‘Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles.’

    Believers know God and true followers of the Way of Christ Jesus have received the Holy Spirit through His grace. We must live differently, Peter urges us. And he also gives a reason for good works through our honorable witness to those who do not yet believe.

    Though unbelievers accuse us as if we are doing evil (which, of course, they commit as well), ‘they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’ [NIV]

    How do others recognize Christ through our good works?

    In a word, subjugation; Christians submit to authority for our Lord’s sake.

    Submit yourselves

    I can tell you right now that you are not going to like this next part… because I don’t. I resist it and want to talk about freedom and grace instead.

    Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good.

    1 Peter 2:13 CSB

    You may say, “Emperor? That doesn’t apply to me.” But other versions use the example of ‘every human authority’ as ‘the king.’ And note that governors are sent out to praise those who do good, but to punish those who do evil.

    The sword of scripture gets even sharper by our examination of other versions.

    Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme… 1 Peter 2:13 KJV

    “Every ordinance of man?”

    A King, County Commissioner, Mayor… President of either political party? Ordinance, as in every Law passed by Congress or Parliament? I don’t like it one bit.

    The one in authority.

    Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

    Philippians 2:3-4 NASB

    “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” Paul writes to the church in Philippians 2:5.

    Submit yourself for the Lord’s sake.

    It’s hard for us to act like Jesus. His humility is not the first thing that comes to mind in our witness of His benefits to us. Paul give us the reason in his letter to the Romans:

    “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.” – Romans 8:7

    We do not want to submit to anyone, yet because of our faith must do so ‘because of the Lord.’

    1 Peter 2:15 For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves.

    Slaves

    There’s another word we don’t like. (Not very politically correct either.) -Slaves! Submit as God’s slaves.

    Shall we water it down or dilute scripture’s meaning?

    Some English translations call on us to become ‘bondservants’ of God and others simplify it with the word ‘servant.’

    Maybe that’s a little better, like a butler, gardener, waitress or food delivery person at your door. I might occasionally take on the role as a servant of God with minimal complaint. The actual Greek word is δοῦλος doulos.

    • a slave, bondman, man of servile condition
      • (of the Lord, maybe, but not likely to other men)
    • metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
      • How can I do that?
    • devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests
      • This is Peter’s meaning for Christ’s servants.

    Honor by Christian Servants

    I could mention names here, causing dissension between the believers, but honor in our public witness by ‘christians’ frequently falls far short. I’ll just ask you (and myself), “Do you honor those Peter lists as a bondservant of God?

    Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor.

    1 Peter 2:17 Common English Bible

    Honor everyone? I cannot keep words that do not honor some from my witness to unbelievers.

    Love everyone in our church? Is Peter serious? We are a bunch of sinners! And as Paul once suggested I can claim, ‘of whom I am the worst.’ The good works of Grace between Christians can be our most challenging witness. I have already mentioned that ‘the emperor could be the king, president or other most powerful government leader. Examine your own witness.

    Please note that Peter points to everyone or the world first. Then he narrows into our relational connection to others in the church. Peter reminds us to fear God. (Look it up.) And lastly, in essence, honor civil leaders responsible for the good works of our society at all level.

    Good Works of Christ’s Good Servants

    Next Peter will outline the reasons for us to serve from our various stations of this life in the flesh, a moral life of good works serving others. These include: masters and slaves, husbands and wives.

    Will you witness Christ when persecuted?

    Do your good works glorify God?

    To be continued...