Romans 12 Transformed Thinking Sermon

Romans 12 Transformed Thinking © 2012 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

I. A Renewed Mind is Necessary for Sacrificial Service and Experiencing the Perfect Will of God.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living/ongoing sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable/”of the word” service of worship. (Cf 6:11 reckon dead/alive 12:11 serving)

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove/demonstrate what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Caterpillar Christians are not much different from they way they were, nor from other worldings (no metamorphosis). They inch along on their own power (rather than riding breezes), blending in (rather than attractively reflecting God's glorious creativity), never rising above the circumstances, eating weeds (rather than sipping nectar), not reproducing. [robot not reprogrammed]

A Conformed Mind is bound by old identities and what others think (rather than free to be what God wants them to be), selfishly views itself as the center of the universe, lives for immediate gratification of senses (no spiritual insight nor eternal objectives), consumes vs invests.

A Transformed Mind, renewed by the Truth, is very conscious that this world is not all there is; that a new world is coming in which God rewards righteousness, service, and love; that independence is the essence of sin, and dependence is the essence of delight; makes disciples.

II. A Renewed Mind Has a Proper View of Oneself in Relationship to the Body (new identity, focus, and purpose)

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soundmindedly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

III. A Renewed Mind Serves with Grace by Faith to accomplish God's purposes in building up the Body.

6 Having then grace-things differing according to the grace that is given to us (1Cor 12:11), let us use them: (saved sinner or serving saint)

if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to the measure of the faith;

7 or ministry/service, let us use it in our ministering/serving; he who teaches, in teaching;

8 he who encourages/exhorts, in encouragement/exhortation;

he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

IV. A Renewed Mind Loves Purely (sanctifies & sacrifices oneself to do what is in another's highest interest -other-centered)

Love: 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth through the Spirit for a sincere love for the brothers, love one another fervently from a pure heart, 2 Peter 1:5-7 virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly love, agape love.

Service/Ministry: 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (cf 12:1; Matthew 25:40 done to me; John 21:17 feed sheep)

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute/harass you; bless and do not curse. Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Matthew 6:15 if you do not forgive...neither will your Father

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (other-centered emotions)

Unity: 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. 1 Corinthians 1:10 I plead with you, by the name of our Lord that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion/estimation.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Purity: 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Do most believers live like caterpillars or butterflies? How does one undergo metamorphosis? What happens if one doesn't?

2. Why is independence the essence of sin? Can someone be pleasing to Christ and not a functioning member of His Body (biblical)?

3. Why do you think the Holy Spirit gave differing grace to believers? How are the grace-things necessary for a Body to function?

4. Do you have to like someone to love them? Is love an emotion or a decision of the will? What hinders fondness and affection?

5. How has your life changed in response to the mercy of God? How have you changed others' lives? What help do you need?

1 John 1-2 Fellowship with God and Man

TMS 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Reaping What You Sow

2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say:

he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

7 So let each one give

as he purposes in his heart,

not grudgingly or of necessity;

for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

Observations: 9:6-7 God doesn't need our money, but we need to give. God actually provides us with the means of giving, and we are just being stewards of His stuff when we give. So we want to determine what He wants us to do with His stuff. God wants us to give of our own free will (as He wants us to live all our lives), choosing to do what pleases Him, and benefits us. So we should determine God's will for our giving, and then give, knowing we will benefit in return. We can't out-give God, and He is totally just in recompensing those who honor Him. See the context in 2 Corinthians 9 for a better understanding of giving, and the series of being faithful with God's treasure at the end of the TOYL book on Truthbase.net.

Application: Know that God gives you what you need, and will give you back more than you give or willingly “sacrifice.” (see Malachi 3:10 comments).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks that You have so graciously given of Yourself in providing my salvation in Christ, and in meeting all my needs; may I mirror Your grace and generosity in my giving. Amen.

1 John 1-2 The first epistle of John is considered the most difficult to outline in the New Testament, but it is fairly easy to understand and apply the individual verses without a thorough knowledge of the literary structure (like Proverbs). One commentator declared that the book made as much sense reading each sentence beginning at the last verse of chapter 5, as it did beginning in 1:1. However, there are discernible blocks of text (lots of structure in triads, etc,) and a logic flow, but the argument isn't as smooth due to our insufficient understanding, not John's writing. The apostle John writes to born-again believers so they may have fellowship with God and each other, and continue to abide in Christ (John 15)  so they can reap the abundant life God offers. The epistle addresses a number of errors and false teaching that could keep believers from being blessed. Just like in the end of his gospel, John reveals his purpose in writing at the end.

1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

1 John 1 Fellowship with God and Man

1:1 That which was from the beginning,

that which we have heard,

that which we have seen with our eyes,

that which we saw,

and our hands touched,

concerning the Word of life

2 and the life was revealed,

and we have seen,

and bear witness,

and declare to you

that eternal life,

which was with the Father,

and was revealed to us;

3 that which we have seen and heard

we declare to you,

that you also may have fellowship with us.

Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father,

and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

4 And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you,

that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him

and walk in the darkness,

we lie, and don’t tell the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son,

cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins,

He is faithful

and just

to forgive us the sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we haven’t sinned,

we make Him a liar,

and His word is not in us.

Observations: 1:1-4 John opens the epistle with words very similar to the prologue of his gospel: “in the beginning,” “the word”, and “life.” He testifies to Jesus (the word of life) so that the born-again readers may have fellowship/participation with the apostles in the life of God, so that their mutual joy might be full (because his children walk in the truth - 3 John 1:4). It might be worth making sure you understand what fellowship is: its root is “to have in common” and by extension “to share” or “participate in.” We share or participate in the life of Christ, both as the animating force of our spiritual existence, and the rule or practice of our lives. If Christ is not living in and through us, we won't have Biblical fellowship with each other. Unity is achieved, not by compromise, but by all parties moving to the truth.

1:5-7 Since God is light (another concept from John's prologue), and in Him is no darkness, then those who share His life (fellowship) can't walk in darkness, but must walk in the light (not live in sin). This general principle is stated in verse 5, and then elaborated in verses 6-10. Those who say they have fellowship with God, yet are sinning, are liars. But those who walk in the light, not only do have fellowship with God, but also have fellowship (as shared life) with other believers. This is not about sinless perfection, but about being forgiven through the sacrifice of Christ so that one can be cleansed from sin (see comments on Heb 9:14, where the blood of Christ cleanses our conscience from dead works so we can serve the living God).

1:8-10 Those who say they have no sin are deceived (psychologists say we're blind to most of our faults), and the truth is not in them. However, the corrective to sin, the Christian bar of soap, is to “name it and claim it.” Name the sin, and claim forgiveness. “Confess” means to “say the same thing” as God does about our behavior, that it is wrong, and leads to death. Acknowledging what is wrong is tantamount to forsaking it, for why would someone want to continue in what is wrong and deadly? Confession opens the door to cleansing. If we confess, God is faithful and just. The structure is chiastic, with God's justice being the basis of our forgiveness (Christ paid the penalty so we don't have to -Rom 3:23-26), and His faithfulness to His promises is the basis of our cleansing (1:7), so we can walk in the light of His truth. This is not justification, but the sanctification or holiness necessary for living in unity with a holy God (see comments on Mt 6:15).

Verse 10 essentially restates verse 8, forming an inclusio; those who would deny their sin are not only liars, but make God a liar as well. Such folks don't have the light of the truth in them, and are not in fellowship with God.

Application: God wants us to walk in the light so we can share His life; if we find ourselves slipping into the dark, use 1 John 1:9 to get back into the light.

Prayer: God, I praise You for wanting to share Your life with me; may I walk in the light and enjoy fellowship with You and my fellow forgiven believers. Amen.

1 John 2 Confidence at His Appearing

2:1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin.

If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

2 And He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.

3 This is how we know that we know Him:

if we keep His commandments.

4 One who says, "I know Him,"

and doesn’t keep His commandments,

is a liar,

and the truth isn’t in him.

5 But whoever keeps His word,

the love of God has most certainly been perfected in him.

This is how we know that we are in Him:

6 he who says he abides in Him

ought himself also to walk just like He walked.

7 Brothers, I write no new commandment to you,

but an old commandment

which you had from the beginning.

The old commandment is the word which you heard

from the beginning.

8 Again, I write a new commandment to you,

which is true in Him and in you;

because the darkness is passing away,

and the true light already shines.

9 He who says he is in the light

and hates his brother,

is in the darkness even until now.

10 He who loves his brother abides in the light,

and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.

11 But he who hates his brother

is in the darkness,

and walks in the darkness,

and doesn’t know where he is going,

because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

13 I write to you, fathers,

because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, little children,

because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers,

because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Don’t love the world,

neither the things that are in the world.

If anyone loves the world,

the Father’s love isn’t in him.

16 For all that is in the world,

the lust of the flesh,

the lust of the eyes,

and the pride of life,

isn’t the Father’s,

but is the world’s.

17 The world is passing away with its lusts,

but he who does God’s will abides forever.

18 Little children, these are the end times,

and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming,

even now many antichrists have arisen.

By this we know that it is the final hour.

19 They went out from us,

but they weren't of (ek) us;

for if they were of us,

they would have continued with us.

But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them were of us.

20 You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth,

but because you know it,

and because no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

23 Whoever denies the Son,

the same doesn’t have the Father.

He who confesses the Son has the Father also.

24 Therefore, as for you,

let that abide in you

which you heard from the beginning.

If that which you heard from the beginning

abides in you,

you also will abide

in the Son,

and in the Father.

25 This is the promise which He promised us, the eternal life.

26 These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.

27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you,

and you don’t need for anyone to teach you.

But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things,

and is true, and is no lie,

and even as it taught you, you will abide in Him.

28 Now, little children, abide in Him,

that when He appears,

we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming.

29 If you know that He is righteous,

you know that everyone who practices righteousness

is born of Him.

Observations: 2:1-2 John said in chapter 1 that he wants his readers to walk in the light and not sin. He reiterates that intent, and adds that if we do sin, we have an Advocate or Counselor with the Father, Jesus the Messiah, the Righteous. He is the atoning/covering sacrifice for our sins. But wait, there's more! Jesus died for the whole world (John 3:16) so He is the sacrifice for all people who put their faith in Him.

2:3-4 John gives a number of benchmarks throughout the book, so we don't deceive ourselves into believing what isn't true. We can have confidence that we know God if we keep His commandments. As Jesus said: “If you love me, obey me” and “Why do you call me Lord and don't do what I say?” (John 14:15; Luke 6:46). So if we are intimately acquainted with God, we will be keeping His commands. Those who don't obey are lying when they say they have a good relationship with God. The truth isn't abiding in them and there will be no fruit either (John 15).

2:5-11 Those who keep (abide in) God's word, have the love of/for God (objective genitive) brought to completion in living loyally for Him. This is how a believer knows they are living “in union with Him” (a major concept in the epistle); they who abide in Him, walk/live, as Jesus did, particularly in relationships with other believers that reflect self-sacrificial love (agape). This is in accord with the summation of the law (love - Galatians 5:14), the old command which Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43), and the “new” major command Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:34-45), expressing the higher standard to love self-sacrificially as Jesus loved them. The basis of the command is that the old dark order was passing away, and the new true light (of God's requirements) was already shining, for them to walk by. The one who hates his brother/sister is walking in the dark. The one who loves, abides in the light. One could argue that the old commandment was to believe and follow Christ (cf 3:23) but that command doesn't match the parallelism, nor the emphasis on loving others in the epistle. . 

2:12-15 It would have been the better division of the chapters, to begin chapter 2 here, since the earlier section relates to the theme of fellowship with God and others by walking in the light, and now John turns his attention to overcoming satanic obstacles to fellowship with God. There is a stylistic change of “I am writing to you” and the naming of three groups, possibly related to stages of spiritual development (young believers, mature believers, and those in the middle).

In verse 12 he writes to the “little children” whose sins are forgiven for the sake of God's glory or name. In verse 13 John addresses the same group, who have progressed from being forgiven to knowing God.

John writes to the “fathers” who have had a mature relationship with God, from the beginning, and are abiding in it, so the same content in is both verses.

John writes to the “young men” who initially have overcome the evil one, and then progressed to maintaining their strength by having the word of God abide in them (an ongoing necessity for fellowship -John 15).

2:15-16 Next John addresses their desires and values, which could trip them up. Unsanctified desires, derived from Satan's world, are the major reason believers continue to sin, and don't live in victory. See comments on Eve's temptation Genesis 3 and Jesus' temptation in Matthew 3. The desire for temporal power (pride-security/significance), pleasure (flesh), and possessions (eyes) motivate us to seek those things in the world, rather than the delights of the Father. The world, with its temporal trinkets will pass away, but the one who does God's will (which is knowable and doable) will abide forever. See series on Deadly Desires on Truthbase.net.

2:18-19 John warns them of the chief agent of Satan, the Antichrist, and the lesser minions, the false teachers who would seek to dissuade them from following Christ in the light. These false teachers went out from the the apostles, but they were not of (literally “ek” denoting source or origin, as in sharing the same source of teaching and doctrine) them. If the false teachers were from the apostles, they would have continued in the apostolic teaching. Their departure from the apostolic doctrine proved they were not based in them, and thus should be ignored. This indicates that the problem facing the readers is the same as that of the rest of the NT, Judaizers, who were denying the validity of the believer's experience in Jesus the Messiah, and teaching the OT as the basis of righteousness, rather than the words of Jesus. In fact they would go on to deny that Jesus was the Messiah (same word as Christ) of the OT, come in the flesh. Those who posit some sort of Gnostic teaching are ignorant of the fact that Gnosticism didn't become a coherent philosophy until the second century after Christ.

2:20-23 John reminds his readers that they have an “anointing” from the Holy One, so they have the correct knowledge, and don't need the Judaizing teaching. Apparently they still need John's instruction, and were in danger of being led astray, so they didn't know everything. The fact that they had an “anointing,” a reference to the Holy Spirit which the Messiah was to give, validated the Messiahship of Christ, and their accurate/true belief in Him. That was all they needed, not the false teaching of the antichrists. John isn't writing because they don't know the truth, but because they do know it (and don't need anything additional). No lie comes out of the truth; the liar is the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah. Note they are not denying what He did, but that He is the promised Messiah of Isaiah 40-66 fame (as well as other places in Isaiah and the rest of the OT).

Satan is the one who denies the Father (as he did in Isaiah 14) and the Son (as he was doing through his agents, the false teachers. Whoever denies the Messiahship of the Son, doesn't have the Father either (so don't pay attention to them). Whoever confesses/acknowledges the Son (as the believers did) have the Father also (and don't need anything else).

2:24-27 Therefore (conclusion of the above), the believers should abide/remain in the teaching they heard from the real apostles, and have it abide in them (John 15). If they abide/remain in the truth, they will abide in the Son and Father, and have the fellowship John promised in the beginning of the epistle, and the eternal life Jesus promised in the gospels (cf John 3:16, 36). So the recipients of the letter don't need anyone to teach them anything else. The anointing they received (the fact of receiving the Holy Spirit) teaches them all they need to know to ignore the false teaching. This is not a blanket statement to all believers that they don't need teaching, but is context specific to the audience, with regard to the error of the antichrists. Jesus gave the responsibility to teach people to obey (Mt 28:20); Paul instructed Timothy to teach people who could teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2); the Holy Spirit gave gifted men to teach (Ephesians 4); and the gift of teaching to the early church (1 Corinthians 12). The author of Hebrews outlined the Christian career path of progressing to be able to teach others (Heb 5), so obviously believers need teaching, just not the false teaching of the antichrists (those opposed to Christ as Messiah, and probably advocated Judaism as the means to getting blessed). John closes the chapter, and opens the next one with the instruction to abide in what they had been taught, so they would abide in union with Christ.

2:28-29 John exhorts the believers to abide/remain in union with Christ so that when He appears to judge and set up His Millennial Kingdom, they would have confidence to stand before His judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Those who were not loyal to Him, or who spent their time stumbling around in the dark, would be ashamed at His coming.

Knowing that Jesus is righteous (and requires righteousness for blessing) they know that everyone who is born of Him would also have/practice righteousness.

Application: If we abide in the truth and aren't deceived by the world or false teachers, we will live in love and righteousness, and thus have confidence to stand before the Messiah when He returns.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray You would guide me in understanding and applying Your truth, so I will abide in You,and will not be ashamed to stand before You when You return. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God wants us to share in His life, and have proper relationships with others. He provides the means of doing that with His truth (light), and forgiveness, and wants to cleanse us from all our sin.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the word of life and the coming Messiah, regardless of what anyone says. One day all will stand before Him and acknowledge that truth, even the Antichrist.

Us in a nutshell: We need to walk in the light and love each other if we are to share in the life of Christ.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Romans 10 sermon Good News

Romans 10 Good News © 2012 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

I. Heritage is not Holiness; Election is corporate and to Blessing (not individual forgiveness). Hardening is in our choices.

9:6 it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all ek Israel who are of Israel (Gal 3:7-9), 12 "The older shall serve the younger." 13 As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have exalted/raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. Ex 9:27 “I have sinned this time, the Lord is righteous?

APP: God can harden/fix people in their bad choices to display His glory/power in justly judging them; so be quick to obey (Rm 11:20).

harden

II. Those who want righteousness from God must be careful to do what is right in His sight

10: 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."

APP: The righteousness required for blessing is being careful to do what is right in God's sight, from initial reception to obedient receptivity.

III. We all have faith to believe that God is who He said He is, and will do what He said He'll do (Heb 11:6)

6 the righteousness of faith speaks 8 "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (the word of faith which we preach):

9 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation/glorification.

APP:Wholehearted belief and acknowledgment of Christ's Lordship is necessary for glorification. How is He your Lord?

IV. Faith relies on the Revelation of God about what has occurred, and will or won't happen in the future, and calls upon Him

11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him 13 "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Joel 2:32)

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: " How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Isa 52:7 Our God reigns)

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" (Isa 53:1)

17 So then faith is ek hearing, and hearing by/dia the word of God.

APP: Our faith/belief must be based upon the Revelation of God, and our behavior based upon our belief, if we're to reap the benefits.

V. God repeatedly reaches out to those who disobey and reject Him in an effort to get them to repent so it's totally their choice.

18 ...have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." 19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: " I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation." 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: " I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me." 21 But to Israel He says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

APP: Failure to submit to God's will is sourced in our willing ignorance and satanically influenced self-will, which we can change.

VI. God always keeps His sovereign promises, especially that of Blessing the whole world through the descendents of Abraham (Gen 12)

11:1 has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite...2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. 11..have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But thru their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

20 Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in goodness/virtue. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

APP: Justified believers will be cut off from blessing if they don't continue in goodness; those who repent and return will be blessed.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why would someone think that their ideas about what's right in God's sight are correct? How can a finite being know infinite truth?

2. Does praying for someone's salvation make a difference? How would God answer that prayer if the person/nation is uncooperative?

3. If we don't believe and act upon God's promises, nor deny ourselves daily to follow the Lord Jesus, what kind of “salvation” can we expect?

4. When and how do you call upon the Lord? What happens? For what benefits are you believing Him?

5. What can you do to experience the benefits of the good news and share them with others?

James 1-2 The Royal Law of Freedom

TMS 1 Corinthians 15:58 It's Always Too Soon To Quit 

1Cor 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

Observations: 15:58 Concluding the great chapter on the good news and the resurrection, Paul exhorts the believers to not give up serving the Lord. The word for labor means “to be beat up” as in work that sucks everything out of you. Believers are tempted to quit or slack off when the going gets tough, but in doing so they would miss out on the glory God has planned for faithful believers who please Him by doing His will. It there is no resurrection and reward of the faithful, then we might as well eat, drink, and be merry, for when we die, it's all over. But if there are rewards and differing degrees of glory as the gospel clearly taught (see 1 Corinthians 15 comments if you don't totally believe this), then it's time to buck up and face the wild beasts. God gives enabling grace to do His will in this life (2 Corinthians 12:9), and glorifies us with grace in the next life for doing His will in this one (1 Peter 1:13). It's all of grace, but works are still needed.

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Application: When tempted to take the easy road, remember that the path to glory which Jesus trod is difficult, and uphill (that's where you'll find Him with your reward).
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I follow in Your footsteps as Your disciple, doing the works You saved me to do, faithfully and steadfastly by Your grace. Amen.


James 1-2 The epistle of Jacob (which was translated as James to secure the backing of a certain king for a famous translation -KJV) was probably the earliest epistle written and one of the last to be accepted into the canon. Medieval Martin Luther didn't regard James as authoritative because “In the first place it is flatly against St. Paul and all the rest of Scripture in ascribing justification to works 2:24.” He also wrote “...the epistle of St. James is an epistle full of straw, because it contains nothing evangelical.” Like many today Luther read his pre-suppositions and experiences into the text, rather than letting the Scriptures shape his understanding; he also failed to understand that words have different meanings in different contexts. While James clearly teaches justification by works, he isn't teaching forgiveness by works, but rather being just/righteous for the purpose of reward on the basis of our works, a distinction many modern interpreters still miss. The letter was written to forgiven believers, who already had put their faith in Christ (which was why they were scattered by persecution), to help them endure trials so they could be blessed when the Lord returns (which is why there isn't an emphasis on Jesus dying for their sins). The epistle has two bookends which make the purpose clear:

1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9...Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure.


A difficulty modern readers (and even medieval ones) have is in reading James after all of the epistles directed toward Gentiles. Much of James' thinking is rooted in the OT (especially Proverbs), and the Gospels (especially Matthew, written to the Jews), so one needs to read it in that context to enter into James' thinking.

James 1 Those Who Endure Are Blessed

1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion/scattered abroad: Greetings. 

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. 

6 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 

9 But let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position; 10 and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away. 11 For the sun arises with the scorching wind, and withers the grass, and the flower in it falls, and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who endures trials/temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears/gives birth to sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. 

16 Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. 

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 

19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 

22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer/performer of the work, this man will be blessed in/by what he does/performs. 26 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Observations: 1:1-8 James is considered by most to be the half-brother of Jesus, since James the brother of John was martyred very early according to Acts 12:2. He writes to the twelve tribes of Israel who were scattered abroad by the early persecution to encourage them to be faithful to the Lord Jesus the Messiah in the midst of their trials. Notice that the early believers are considered Jewish. In general terms, a trial is a temptation to quit following Jesus for eternal gain, and to settle for a temporal gain like power (security/significance), pleasure, or possessions, none of which endure. This would apply to loving one's life more than loyalty to the Lord, or loving the things of this world (like Demas) more than those of the next.
The correct perspective toward trials/temptations should be joy if one knows that the trying (refining – a term used for purifying metals) of their faith will produce endurance (the strength to remain under a burden). Letting endurance have (present imperative-command) its end goal will result in the sufferer having a perfected character, so that they lack nothing (at the return of Christ). Jesus had taught that fruit is a function of endurance (Lk 8:15) and in Luke 21:12-19 He warned of the persecutions His followers would endure, and then concluded that “by endurance you will possess/obtain your souls.” This meant they would obtain the exchange of their souls (put for their lives) in this world for life/dominion in the next, to which He had invited them in the call to discipleship (Lk 9:23-26).
If anyone lacked wisdom in their trials (in knowing how to chose the right objectives and the right means of obtaining them) which Proverbs said resulted in enduring riches, honor, and righteousness (8:18), all they had to do was ask. God wants people to know His will, so they can do it. The stipulation that the person ask in faith, without wavering, probably has an emphasis on faithfulness rather than confidence, since the antonym is being double-minded, and wavering between commitment to God and commitment to their temporal well-being. God is not going to withhold His wisdom for someone who isn't sure that He will give it, but will definitely withhold His guidance from someone who isn't committed to following it and Him wholeheartedly (Jn 7:17).
1:9-12 In persecution those who were among the haves, became the have-nots, as they frequently lost their wealth, status, and honor. James instructs the brother in humble/poor circumstances to rejoice in his high position in God's economy, and the rich to rejoice in their humbling. The reason is because riches don't endure, but God's blessing in return for suffering for His name's sake does (Mt 5:10-12).
Therefore, the one who is blessed (major theme of the Wisdom Literature as well as the rest of the OT, and Sermon on the Mount), is the one who successfully endures trials (like Job did -Js 5:11) for when he is approved (used of a proof coin struck in refined metal), he will receive the crown of life (rulership and dominion in the Kingdom) which the Lord promised to those who loyally love Him (Mt 19:28; Lk 22:30). This is the opening bookend of the epistle, answered by 5:11.  It is a book about getting rewarded, not forgiven. That's why it doesn't talk about the cross and the blood and all the other “evangelical” things Martin Luther was looking for, but it is the Good News/Gospel of the Kingdom that John, Jesus, Peter and Paul talked about all the time.
1:13-15 Having stated his thesis in the previous verse, James explores the source of the trials and temptations which believers must endure. God doesn't tempt us to sin; He wants us to be holy. The source of our temptations are our unsanctified and deadly desires/lusts. For years we've fed ourselves with spiritual junk food, and have no appetite for the real thing. But once we understand the sin process, we can flip it around and use it for holiness. We sin because we want to. We want to sin, because our value system tell us that a certain behavior will yield more benefit than another. So we indulge in sin, and refrain from holiness because we value the fruit of our wrong decisions. Each of us is tempted when enticed by our desires/lusts. Temptation isn't sin, but becomes so when we embrace it (literally the word is used for conception). Then sin is born, and when it is fully grown, it brings forth death (loss of life/dominion). When we succumb to temptation, it is sin (a missing the mark or standard). If we fail to abandon sin, but let it grow in our lives, it will kill us, depriving us of our abiding relationship with God in this life, lack of fruit, and lack of reward in the next.
The flip side is how really good (or is it bad?) sinners can become really good saints. If sin is drooling over then embracing and holding onto a desire for what is evil, then holiness is drooling over then embracing and holding on to a desire for what is good. If we set our mind on fleshly things, we will do them. If we set our minds on spiritual things we will do them. Being strong-willed is good if our will is set on things above (like Paul said in Romans 8, and Colossians 3, and Jesus did in Matthew 5:6; 6:21). So the key is to value the right things, which is a function of having our minds renewed with God's truth (see Romans 12:1-2; and the sermon on Sanctification: It Ain't Gonna Reign No More, on Truthbase.net).
1:16-21 Believers should not be deceived about the nature of the Christian life. God caused us to be born again by the word of truth, so we could live in the light. As the Father of light, He gives birth to light, so that we should be firstfruits of light. Therefore every child of God should put away dark behavior and receive/obey the word that saves our souls (as we walk as children of light). Although verse 19 does wonders for interpersonal relationships, that's not the primary application James had in mind. Believers should be swift to hear God's word, (James 1:21), slow to speak (James 1:13) and slow to grumble or complain about the circumstances God has allowed into their lives for their benefit, because complaining doesn't produce the righteousness God requires for reward. Remember righteousness is doing what is is right in His sight. They should eliminate all defiling and naughty (KJV) behavior (literally abundant or profitable evil/malice), and accept/receive the application of the implanted/engrafted word (the message of Christ and His Kingdom, that they heard) which is able (has power) to save their souls. It should be obvious to any reader of DTB that this is the third and final aspect of salvation which reverses the effects of the Fall, the glorification of believers (restoration to glory). See comments on the introduction to Matthew if you missed the distinctions between forgiveness/justification, holiness/sanctification and reward/glorification (James however uses justification to refer to the righteousness God blesses/rewards). This is salvation by works, addressed to believers.
1:22-25 Therefore, every believer should be a doer/performer of the word, and not just a hearer. Those who hear and don't do, deceive themselves into thinking that God doesn't require holiness. One who hears the word and doesn't incorporate it into their life through value and behavior change is like someone seeing themselves in the mirror, and then forgetting what they see. The usual application is that the word points out flaws that need to be fixed; if we ignore the flaws, we still have them. The believer who looks into the perfect law that gives freedom/liberty from sin (John 8:34-35), and continues in it (literally “abides alongside” it) is the one who will be blessed by (en) means of his/her performance (dative of means). This is not forgiveness by faith, but reward by works.
1:26-27 James adds two aspects of pure religion/worship which believers can be deceived about. If our “religion” doesn't affect our inner and outer life it's worthless (won't result in blessing/reward). James focuses on speech and other-centeredness. An unbridled tongue, which reflects an untamed heart, doesn't please God. Seeking to meet the needs of those for whom God particular cares (orphans and widows) is meritorious, if accompanied by holiness.
Application: If we want to be blessed, we need to endure the difficulties of following Christ, develop holiness and other-centeredness, as we learn and do God's will.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for giving me new life in Christ; may I live a new way, according to Your light, and experience the freedom and blessing You desire for me. Thanks. Amen.

James 2 The Royal Law of Freedom

2:1 My brothers, don’t hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory with partiality. 2 For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your synagogue, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; 3 and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place"; and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool"; 4 haven’t you shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Don’t the rich oppress you, and personally drag you before the courts? 7 Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? 

8 However, if you fulfill the royal/kingdom law, according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 

10 For whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom/liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs/rejoices over judgment.

14 What profit is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15 And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled"; and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what profit/good is it? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. 18 Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? 21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body apart from/without the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from/without works is dead.

Observations: 2:1-9 Believers, who possess faith in the Messiah of glory, should not show partiality to the rich at the expense of the poor, hoping to get benefit from the rich. In doing so, they will forfeit benefit from the Lord of glory for failing to love as He commanded. God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith (because they would have to trust Him more), and consequently to be heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who loyally love Him (not to those who just believe that He died for their sins). Those who show partiality despise those God will honor, and honor those who despise anyone not like them. Those who don't get worth and value from being pleasing to God, try to get it from being better than others, which makes for unpleasant relationships. Apparently the rich to whom James refers were also speaking against (blaspheming) Christ as well. If believers want to do well, the route they need to take is that of fulfilling the kingdom (or kingly, hence the meaning royal) law of loving their neighbor as themselves. They can only do this if they are not looking to others to meet their needs (the cause of most dysfunctional relationships). It is only as we experience the love of God in His meeting of our needs, that we are free to meet the needs of others. We don't experience the abiding love of God unless we are keeping His commandments (John 14:21; John 15). So the law of liberty (1:25 and 2:12), also known as the royal/kingdom law goes something like this:

God's love meets my needs (while I'm obeying) so I'm free to meet the needs of others, expecting nothing from them in return (but expecting Christ's reward). 

This is the law that God expects us to fulfill (2:8), and which we will be judged by according to verse 12. Those who show partiality in putting down those who are not in a position to help them, and honoring the dishonorable in hopes of temporal blessing commit sin, and are lawbreakers. The OT moral law (as opposed to the ritual, sacrificial and ceremonial law) revealed the righteousness God wanted from His people so He could bless them. That's why a good definition of righteousness is: being careful to do what is right in His sight. Only those who demonstrated that righteousness were blessed in the OT. The majority didn't, and weren't.
2:10-13 Whoever breaks one part of the law, has in fact broken the entire law (like breaking a window). People love to define righteousness as not doing what they don't like to do, so they are free to do what they want. This isn't God's standard. God's standard is the law of liberty, which He expects to govern our speech and actions. He promises that our speech and actions will be judged by the law of freedom (which is news to most Christians, who couldn't tell you what it is if their life depended upon it). Believers will be judged without mercy if they have shown no other-centered concern for the needs of others. But God will show mercy in judging those who have sought to live in love as Christ commanded. This is not judgment to determine whose sins are forgiven, and who goes into the lake of fire, for forgiveness is by faith in Christ's substitutionary atonement, which alone can satisfy God's justice and pay the penalty for our sin (see comments on Romans 3).
2:14-19 Having established that believers are going to be judged by the Kingdom law of liberty, which requires their speech and deeds to be done in loyal love, and that mercy is shown to those who have shown mercy, James then elaborates on the necessity of those works. He is not talking about the judgment of the lake of fire in which unbelievers pay the death penalty for their own sins, but instead for the judgment which determines their blessing of glory in the Kingdom (just re-read 2:1-13 for the context).
The very first Bible "study" I attended was in a dorm room at college, where this passage was being discussed. Some were arguing for faith, others for works. I didn't know the correct interpretation at the time since I wasn't clued into context, but I did know that neither camp made sense. That's been my experience in looking at most commentators (people who make comments) on difficult or disputed passages. Unless one determines the meaning of words from the context of the author's argument, there is more heat than light.
Can faith without works profit or save/glorify someone? The last use of “save” was in 1:21 of the obedience necessary for glorification and being blessed (1:25 by works). Just having faith gets one into heaven (rather than the lake of fire) but a unemployed faith doesn't profit one at the judgment seat of Christ (see comments on 2 Corinthians 5:10). Just saying be warmed and filled doesn't profit a brother or sister in need, unless there are works to benefit them. So too, faith without works is dead, giving no Kingdom life/dominion/glory to its confessor. Faith that God rewards (see Hebrews 11, particularly verse 6), must have works, for faith that pleases God must believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. One can demonstrate one's faith by good works (for which we were created in Christ Jesus – see comments on Ephesians 2:8-10), but it's hard to show one's faith without them. It does not follow that one doesn't have faith if there are no works (a major modern misunderstanding). It just means that the unemployed faith one has won't be laying up any treasure in heaven. A faith without works doesn't mean that a person isn't a born again child of God, it just means that they are not a very good child. It is through belief in Christ, not works that we are given forgiveness. It is through faithful works that we gain reward. The demons have belief in one God, but it doesn't do them any good in terms of their future (Jesus didn't die for demons). 2:20-24 James now turns to two OT examples of how faith with works resulted in blessing. Abraham was justified by works when He offered Isaac on the altar. Readers of the OT or Hebrews 11 will have noted that this is after he had believed God and had demonstrated Hall of Fame faith. In Genesis 12 Abraham first responded to God's revelation by faith. In Genesis 15:6 it is stated that he believed God's promise of blessing and it was credited to him as righteousness. Then, in Genesis 22:12 he demonstrated fear of God and obedience, and God responds with doubly blessing him (22:16-18). The issue is obedience and blessing, not initial faith. Now we need to understand James' use of justified. From the context it is clear that it has to do with reward and blessing, not in the justification/forgiveness by faith Paul usually talks about. Justified means to be just or righteous. It can be something demonstrated or declared, depending upon the context (see Thayer's Lexicon in the OLB or Biblos Strong's #1344). The condition of being just or righteous has many possible meanings. It can mean being just in one's dealings with others, or rightly related to God, or being careful to do what is right in His sight, etc. The fundamental lexical skill of Bible Study is to determine the specific nuance or meaning an author intended from the range of possible meanings found in a lexicon. The same applies to issues of grammar and syntax. The way one determines the meaning is to understand the context, and plug in each possible meaning for each variable until everything fits together according to the argument of the author.

The argument in James is pretty clearly about blessing and glorification of believers rather than forgiveness of pagans. Verse 22 spells out what meaning of justified James had in mind: faith being perfected, or brought to its fulfillment by bringing the worker to glory. Abraham had faith, which when combined with his works, realized the end goal of his faith, his blessing/glorification. An oft-repeated theme in the NT is that being forgiven is not the goal of life on this planet, but being brought into the glory of the Messiah in His kingdom is, the blessed hope of the believer (see comments on Eph 1; Heb 2:10; Titus 2:13; 1Peter 1, etc). As a result of Abraham's faithful works he demonstrated the righteousness God desired, and the Scripture of Genesis 15:6 was fulfilled. In addition, Abraham was called a friend of God.
This use of justified to refer to something other than forgiveness by faith is also used by Paul in Galatians. This excerpt from the introduction to the post on Galatians 1-3:

“The justification in chapter 2 is most likely not forgiveness (since they already had that) but a declaration of the righteousness they needed for blessing (inheritance and reward) in the future Age of the Messiah (kingdom). This is just like the OT requirement to do what is right in God's sight (righteousness) to receive the promised blessings. The just, (as in justified/forgiven), shall live (as in receive the blessings of the Messianic kingdom) by faith (as in continuing to believe that God will do what He said He'll do -Heb 11:6). The righteousness God requires extends beyond forgiveness, as the rest of the epistle demonstrates. People cannot read their preconceptions into chapter two and then ignore all the evidence in the rest of the epistle, and be right." 

And this from Galatians 2:

“Justification usually refers to being declared righteous in reference to the penalty of sin, also known as the forgiveness aspect of salvation (see introduction to Matthew for the different aspects of salvation). Here Paul is looking beyond forgiveness to the righteousness God requires for reward in the Kingdom. To receive this declaration the just person needs to live by faith. Living by faith is more than a one time belief in the substitutionary atonement, but an ongoing trust in the promises of God (see Faith Actuates God's Promises on Truthbase.net if you've never studied what the Scripture says faith is). To live is not just a deliverance from the lake of fire, but to exercise dominion/glory in the realm of God's promises (Dt 30:19). This is the only understanding that is consistent with all the facts. It's not about past forgiveness, nor present position, but future righteousness (knowing and doing what is right in God's sight.)" 

Despite what Martin Luther thought, Paul and James were saying the same thing; he just didn't understand what either of them was saying because of his preconceptions from Catholicism. A person is declared righteous by God as a result of faith in Christ's death on their behalf, and demonstrates the righteousness God rewards as a result of their faithful works, done in faith. 2:25-26 The example of Rahab, a non-Israelite, illustrates the same concept. Her reception of the spies who came to Jericho was based upon her hearing about and believing that the God of the Israelites was the one true God (Joshua 2:9-11) and her protection of them was (Joshua 2:12-14) the basis of her blessing. Thus, by her works she demonstrated her righteousness, which God rewarded, not only with protection, but with inclusion in the Messianic lineage. God always saves on the basis of faith. The content of the faith, and the exact nature of the salvation or deliverance is dependent upon understanding the context. Here James concludes with saying that as the body without the spirit (pneuma, breath) is dead, dominionless, and useless, so too faith without works is dead, dominionless, and useless. Remember the issue is reward and blessing not forgiveness.
Application: What works accompany your faith? What glory will accompany your works?
Prayer: God, thanks for forgiving and loving me, and meeting my needs, so I'm free to meet the needs of others in loving them; may I do so in a righteous manner that pleases You. Amen.


Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God judges believers on the basis of how they have lived in light and love. Those who do so will be blessed; those who don't will lose out on blessings (but are still forgiven).

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus gave the Kingdom Command: love your neighbor as yourself. He loves us and meets our needs so we're free to meet the needs of others.

Us in a nutshell: We are justified or declared righteous on the basis of our faith in Christ, but we are just and demonstrate our righteousness by our works done in faith that God blesses those who do what is pleasing in His sight. How we treat others is a good indication of our heart and values, and to whom we are looking for reward. If we focus on sin, we will wind up doing it; if we focus on righteousness, we will wind up getting it.

Where to Go for More:
Truthbase.net

Hebrews 1-3 Sharing In Christ, If...

TMS Matthew 6:33 What Are Your Priorities in Life?

Mt 6:33 “31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God

and His righteousness,

and all these things

shall be added to you.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Observations: Mt 6:33 Instead of worrying about the trivial needs of this temporal existence, we should be trusting God for our daily bread, and be pursuing the eternal rewards God has awaiting believers in the future. The Sermon on the Mount is about how to get blessed in the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah (see comments on Mt 5-7 if you aren't totally convinced of that). Seeking first the kingdom is to seek our blessing/reward in His kingdom, by embodying His righteousness (which He requires of us). It is not something we automatically get, otherwise we would not be told to seek it. If we focus on pleasing God, by doing what He said (like this verse), He will focus on meeting our needs. He knows that we need the things which we're tempted to get anxious about, and has abundant resources to meet them. There will always be the daily temptation to worry about what has to be done, but God gives daily strength and grace to do all He wants us to do each day. So if we're trusting Him to do that, we can concern ourselves with our Heavenly Father's business.

Application: How are you seeking first (as in top priority) God's kingdom and righteousness? Putting quality time into DailyTruthbase, morning and evening, might be a good start.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You that You know my needs, and can do a far better job of meeting them than I can; thanks that I can trust You to meet them; please guide me in doing what You want me to do with the life You've entrusted to me. Amen.

Hebrews The unnamed author of Hebrews writes to Jewish believers who were being pressured to return to Judaism. He shows them that what they have in Christ is superior to what they had previously, and warns them that they will lose out on blessing if they abandon their hope in the promises of Christ, and fail to progress to maturity. It's not about losing justification/forgiveness but losing out on glory/reward. He builds to a climax in chapter 10 and exhorts them to continue in faith, hope, and love, and then chiastically expands on faith in chapter 11, hope in chapter, 12, and love in chapter 13.

Hebrews 1 Final Revelation and Future Ruler

1:1 God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. 3 His Son is the radiance of His glory, the very image of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they have. 5 For to which of the angels did He say at any time, "You are my Son. Today have I become your father?" and again, "I will be to him a Father, and  He will be to me a Son?" 6 Again, when He brings in the firstborn into the world he says, "Let all the angels of God worship him." 7 Of the angels He says, "Who makes His angels winds, and His servants a flame of fire."

8 But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows."

10 And, "You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 12 As a mantle,  You will roll them up, and they will be changed; but You are the same. Your years will not fail." 13 But which of the angels has He told at any time, "Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?" 14 Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Observations: 1:1-3 Unlike Paul's epistles, there is not formal greeting and introduction. The author jumps right into showing that Christ is superior to the OT law, which was given through many prophets, in contrast to Christianity which was communicated through the final revelation of God, His Son Jesus. Jesus is not just a prophet, but as Son, is the heir of all things, and also the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The world holds together (as in electrons and planets don't spin out of orbit), by the word of His power. He is the radiance and revelation of the very image of God. Not only that, He is the One who alone made purification for our sins, and now is seated at the right hand of God. In an Ancient Near East victory banquet, the position of honor was at the right hand of the Emperor, where the future ruler of the conquered territory sat. Jesus finished His prophetic and priestly work and was now awaiting the timing of His role as King.

1:4-9 Christ is also superior to the angels (the ones the Jews considered mediators of the law) because He inherited a superior name/reputation/glory to them. Not only is He a son (in Suzerain-Vassal treaties, the greater power was called Father, and the one with whom he had a covenantal relationship was called Son), but the angels were to worship Him. Angels are servants before the throne of God, but Jesus sits on the throne, bearing the scepter of righteousness. Verses 8-9 are the chiastic center of the structure that goes to 2:4. Because He loved righteousness and hated iniquity, God anointed Him (“anointed” = “Messiah” in Hebrew; “Christ” in Greek) as King with the oil of joy/gladness (12:2), with/beside His companions (3:1, 14). Both joy and companions (partners/sharers) will be important later in the book. The latter are those who share in His reign, and the joy is that of being King with His faithful companions. Jesus received His Messianic Kingship because of His character, expressed in loving what is good and hating evil (which is similar to the basis of our reward as well).

1:10-14 Jesus' superiority is seen in His role as eternal Creator, who not only created the heavens and earth, but endures beyond them. Angels are not seated at the right hand of God, but are the servants of those who shall be heirs of salvation (a reference to glorification of faithful companions of the Messiah).

Application: Jesus was exalted because He hated wickedness and loved righteousness; we should do the same.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks that You have given Jesus as our Savior, and example, exalting Him to glory; may I never be tempted to abandon Him and go back to the way I was. Amen.

Hebrews 2 Don't Drift Nor Disobey

2:1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

5 For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. 6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, "What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. 9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many son's to glory, to make the author/captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." 13 Again, "I will put my trust in him." Again, "Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me."

14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Observations: 2:1-4 In light of the fact that Jesus is the final revelation of God, and the future ruler of the world to come, believers need to give more careful attention to the message they heard regarding Him, lest they drift on by the destination God has planned for the men. This is the first of five warning passages in Hebrews, all addressed to the same audience (Jewish believers in Christ), warning them against failing to continue to follow Christ as revealed. The consequence was not loss of justification/forgiveness The word "drift" is used of a ship going with the flow of the current and missing its port or harbor. Believers who aren't careful to know and do God's revealed will for them, will miss the destination God has planned for them (cf Eph 1 - companionship with the Messiah; clearly conditional in Hebrews 3). The reason the author gives for paying careful attention is that the OT spoken by angels was binding, and every infraction received a just payback (only used in NT in 10:35 and 11:26 of reward), therefore those who would neglect the greater message given by someone greater than the angels would receive a greater punishment. As the author says, how would they escape (used in Rom 2:3 of sinning believers not escaping the judgment of God; and in Lk 21:33-36 of watchful believers escaping judgment) the neglect of such a great salvation (glorification, not justification). The salvation of the Messianic Age (which would reverse the effects of the Fall in returning people to glory) was first spoken of by the Lord (Lk 22-28-30)

Luke 22:28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Then the message was confirmed/authenticated to the audience by those (apostles) who originally heard it, with signs and wonders and the giving of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This would be another argument against Pauline authorship (besides the lack of Paul's typical introduction), since the message was not confirmed to him by the other apostles, but by Jesus Himself.

2:5-9 God didn't subject the world to come, of which the author is speaking, to angels. It should be obvious that this is the Messianic Age, which starts when Christ returns to resurrect His own and reign until all enemies, will be but under His feet. The last enemy is death, so there will be a period of rule between His return and the time death is destroyed. See comments on Ephesians 1:22.

1Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”

The author quotes Psalm 8, applying it to the exalted Son of Man (Dan 7:10-14) who takes up His rule after the Tribulation. Everything is subject to Him, but we don't see it yet. In the USA, a president and other officials are selected in November, when they win the election, but do not actually take office and begin to “rule” until January, to provide for an orderly transfer of power. Christ “won” at the cross, but has not yet begun to reign (1Pt 5:8; Rev 11:15). What we see instead of all things being subjected to Him in glory, is the means by which He gained glory, which is the example for us. He is crowned with glory and honor because He suffered to do the Father's will in dying for the sins of everyone/all (as in the world - Jn 3:16; so much for limited atonement).

2:10-18 It was appropriate/fitting for Jesus to be perfected, brought to the end goal, by suffering. “Perfected” is an important concept in Hebrews (5:9; 7:19, 28; 9:9;10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23) indicating the end goal of the process of life. Jesus is the Pioneer or Captain of our salvation, who goes before us in the path we must follow. The word can also mean “author” as in Acts 3:14; 5:31; and even Heb 12:2, but the idea of a leader whom we follow fits this context best.

Hebrews 5:8 “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation (glorification) to all who obey Him”

Note that God's purpose, after having Jesus death for all, is to bring many sons to glory. This is the chiastic center of 2:5-16. The path to glory involves suffering. (No pain; no gain.) Jesus who sanctifies (makes holy -Heb 13:12), and those who are sanctified, are ek one Father, therefore Jesus isn't ashamed to call mere but holy mortals His brothers. The author quotes Psalm 22:22 which is just after the hinge verse of the psalm where God saves the sufferer.

Since the children had flesh, Jesus took on flesh to die in their place, and destroy the power of the devil, who through fear of death enslaved people to do his will. Jesus wants to deliver all from bondage to sin and death into the glorious liberty of the sons of God (Rom 8:21). Jesus doesn't give help to angels but those who are the offspring of Abraham (by faith). Jesus was made like His brothers in all things so that He can be a faithful high priest, not only in making atonement, but in helping those who are tempted to be victorious over sin.

Application: Jesus wants to help us win the victory over sin and the devil, and lead us to share in His glory.

Prayer: Oh Captain of my salvation, may I loyally follow You, through whatever pain and suffering You deem best, in faith and faithfulness, to glory. Amen.

Hebrews 3 Sharing is Conditional

3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus; 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, as also was Moses in all his house. 3 For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone; but he who built all things is God. 5 Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken, 6 but Christ is faithful as a Son over his house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the rejoicing of our hope firm to the end.

7 Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear his voice, 8 don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tested me by proving me, and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was displeased with that generation, and said, ‘They always err in their heart, but they didn’t know my ways’; 11 as I swore in my wrath, ‘They will not enter into my rest.’" 12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unfaithfulness, in falling away from the living God; 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called "today"; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end: 15 while it is said, "Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion." 16 For who, when they heard, rebelled? No, didn’t all those who came out of Egypt by Moses? 17 With whom was he displeased forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 To whom did he swear that they wouldn’t enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 We see that they were not able to enter in because of unfaithfulness.

Observations: 3:1-6 In light of Jesus being the final revelation of God, and the future ruler of the world to come, who leads His faithful brothers to share/partake in His glory, through suffering, the author exhorts his audience to consider Jesus. The specific aspect the holy brothers/sisters are to consider is that His faithfulness resulted in His glory. Contrasted with Moses, Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, as both the builder and ruler of the house (dynasty). Thus the initial audience shouldn't go back to the law and Moses, but follow Jesus instead. We will share in His house/rule if (conditional) we hold fast our moral confidence and rejoicing sourced in our hope (and consequent faithfulness), firm, without wavering, until the end. This does not mean our sins aren't forgiven, if we waver, but that our glory will be in doubt if we disbelieve. Just like most who were redeemed from Egypt (parallel to justification) didn't make it into the blessings of the Promised Land (parallel to glorification; see comments on 1Cor 10 if you have any doubt of this).

3:7-17 In light of the fact that those who aren't loyal aren't sharers in the rule of Christ, the author exhorts the NT audience to not be like those in the OT, who failed to obey God's revelation, but instead hardened themselves against Him (Psalm 95). See the sermon on Roman 9 (last post and on DailyTruthbase.net) where it is shown that people sin because they harden their own heart against God. He sometimes fixes them in their decision to  display His glory and justice in judging them, but He doesn't force them to sin. The Exodus generation didn't continue to trust and obey God, and therefore missed out on His rest, which was blessing in the Promised Land. Not knowing His ways (law) and erring in their heart (making their decisions according to what pleased their unsanctified desires rather what pleased God) caused God to be displeased with them, and deprive them of the blessings He had planned (land flowing with milk and honey) when He delivered them from Egypt. NT believers are exhorted to watch out for themselves and each other, so no believer develops an evil heart of unfaithfulness (just like the Exodus generation), in departing from following the living God. NT believers should encourage each other daily, so none in their midst will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It isn't God who makes our hearts hard and insensitive towards doing His will, it is our choice to embrace sin which causes the callus to form over our conscience, to the point where we insanely rebel against God. Those who rebelled against God's word were those who had placed their faith in God and Moses when they were redeemed from Egypt (Ex 14:31) and had been baptized into Christ and partook of Him (1Cor 10). Those who say believers don't or can't sin are deceived and deluded. Forgiven, justified, Spirit “indwelt” believers in Christ will only share in His future Millennial blessings if (conditional) they hold fast their moral confidence without wavering. Those who sinned in the OT were disciplined by loss of inheritance/reward. The disobedient in the NT will face the same discipline. There is no other way to read the verses. The translation of “unbelief” instead of unfaithfulness slightly obscures the meaning in some versions, but the parallel with the nation of Israel makes it clear, unfaithful believers will lose out on God's promised blessings. The Promised Land, where Israel would have enjoyed the earthly blessings of God, is not to be equated with heaven or the eternal state, but rather with the Kingdom the Lord Jesus will set up on earth in fulfillment of God's OT and NT promises.

Application: God designed the fellowship of believers to encourage one another to persevere in holiness for their future rest/reward or glory, especially in keeping each other from being deceived and hardened against God by sin. When was the last time you encouraged someone to not sin?

Prayer: God thanks for the promise of Your blessing, the examples of the OT and the encouragement of faithful saints in NT times; may I be faithful to follow You, and help others do the same. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God communicated through His prophets in the past, but has now finalized His revelation in His Son. He has exalted Christ because of His obedience in loving righteousness and hating wickedness. God has put everything under Christ, but that is not yet seen here on earth.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is superior to anything and everything in Judaism, and therefore should be followed to glory. He was exalted because of His obedience, and shares His glory and reign with companions who are faithful to Him. He not only died for all people but is leading many sons to glory, though the path of suffering. He will return to rule and reward.

Us in a nutshell: We who believe in Christ must faithfully follow Him if we would share in His glory. Those who depart from doing so will suffer disinheritance because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness, just like the Exodus generation did. We have the responsibility to watch out, not only for ourselves, but for each other was well. Our future rest is our reward in heaven, until get there, we should run to win.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net