Christ's Commandments

[WebersHome]

Continued From #240

-
412) Jas 1:19 . . Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to
anger;

Anger per se isn't evil; I mean after all, the Lord himself wasn't immune to
anger (Mark 3:5). And neither is the Bible's God immune to anger. (Ex 4:14,
Num 11:1, Rom 1:18, Rom 2:8)

Non-sinful anger can be a valuable tool if it's administered intelligently.
However, human anger is often spontaneous, impulsive, unfair, unjustified,
inappropriate, irrational, unnecessary, controlling, violent, emotional,
petulant, selfish, and reactive.

†. Jas 1:20 . . for human anger does not bring about the righteous life that
God desires.

NOTE: If talk show hosts were quick to hear and slow to speak, it would sure
be nice. I get very irritated by the way they blab and blab and blab and
constantly interrupt their guests in mid sentence.

413) Jas 1:21 . .Therefore, get rid of all moral filth, and the evil that is so
prevalent; and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

"moral filth and evil" in this case pertains especially to the wrong kind of
anger; which only leads to more and more actions the likes of which the
Lord cannot approve.

Christians are sometimes victims of a sort of knee-jerk reflex whenever they
encounter a word like "save". The koiné Greek word for it is sozo (sode'-zo)
which is an ambiguous word that can mean save, rescue, protect, and/or
spare.

Ambiguous words are not only a nuisance at times; but worse, they can be
misleading. James isn't talking about saving yourself from Hell and eternal
suffering by eliminating "all moral filth"; no he's talking about protecting
yourself from temptation; and if there's one tried-and-true method for falling
into temptation it's by flying off the handle. The instant a believer lets their
rage take over, they're opening a virtual Pandora's box which has the
potential to get them in all kinds of trouble.

†. Gal 5:19-21 . . Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are . .
hatred, contentions, and outbursts of wrath

People whose anger easily flares up are slaves to their anger and enjoy far
less peace than somebody whose anger is under control: thus peaceable
souls succumb to temptation with much less frequency than angry ones.

There's a guy up here in Oregon who founded a bread factory with his
brother that became very successful. You might know it as Dave's Killer
Bread. Well; Dave has rage issues. He was paroled from prison not all that
long ago and his life was on easy street until he lost his temper and got in a
bucket of trouble with the law. Poor Dave; his easy street days are over;
possibly for a very long time to come.

414) Jas 1:22 . . Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive
yourselves. Do what it says.

Some Christians need to hone-up on their spiritual grooming habits.

†. Jas 1:23-25 . . Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it
says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at
himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man
who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to
do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in
what he does.

I believe that "the perfect law that gives freedom" is the whole Bible from
cover to cover; as Paul said; "For whatever was written in earlier times was
written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Rom 15:4).

He also told his friend Timothy that all Scripture is inspired by God, and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in
righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every
good work. (2Tim 3:16-17)

Back in those days "all Scripture" was pretty much limited to the Old
Testament. Today it includes the New one too.

People who make a life-long habit of studying the Bible from cover to cover
can't help but be improved by it at least a little bit. The easiest, and the best
way I know to do this is by listening to a ½ hour program on radio called
Thru The Bible; hosted by a now-deceased minister named J.Vernon McGee.
His program takes five years to go through the entire Bible practically verse
by verse. The program loops; viz: when McGee gets to the end; the program
starts all over again. His method is pretty cool. When he gets done with an
Old Testament book, he starts one in the New Testament, and vice versa.
Program information is online at TTB.org

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #241

-
415) Jas 2:1 . . My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ--
the Lord of glory --with respect of persons.

The koiné Greek word for "respect of persons" is prosopolepsia (pros-o-pol
ape-see’-ah) which means: partiality.

Webster’s defines "partiality" as: partisan, prejudiced, biased, and/or
granting one person more value as a human being than another in regards
to particulars like age, race, gender, looks, size, education, beauty, brains,
bank account, career, clothing, popularity, neighborhood, and social status.

†. Jas 2:2-4 . . For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting
dressed in flashy clothing and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who
is low-income and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention
and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can
stand over there, or else sit on the floor" --well, doesn’t this kind of
discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?

When I first began attending church as an adult back in the decade of the
1970's, my wardrobe consisted entirely of shirts and trousers that I bought
on the cheap at Value Village-- a popular second hand store on the west
coast the same as Salvation Army and Goodwill.

I never told anybody where I shopped, although I've no doubt that some of
the folk I encountered in church could tell that my fashions were a tad out of
date because there were some upper income people attending that looked a
whole lot nicer than me; but I figured: what the hay; I had as much right to
attend in my previously-owned clothing as they did in their untainted high
end threads. Some of them had gold watches too while I sported a simple
Timex with an imitation leather strap; and I drove an aging 1968 VW Beetle
that needed paint. You know, looking back on that era, I sometimes wonder
how many people avoided me without my knowing it because of all that.

416) Jas 2:12 . . So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by
the law of liberty.

The "law of liberty" includes, but isn't limited to, loving your Christian
brother as Christ loves him (John 15:12). So then, treating a low income
believer with less regard than a high income believer fails to fulfill the law of
liberty.

†. Php 2:3-4 . . Do not be conceited, nor regard yourself as better than
others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than you.

There were these four 20-something girls in the singles group at the church
where I met my wife, who were a little clique of fashion-conscious females
that never associated with anyone but themselves. One of the guys,
disgusted with their elitist attitudes, named them the Holy Four. (chuckle)
That label was certainly apropos. Those four girls were so into themselves
that they were of no earthly use to anyone; and I never saw one of them
with a boy; no doubt because nobody was good enough for them. It was
kind of ironic in a way. All the normal girls were popular with the boys while
those four stuck-up fashion mavens were totally avoided; and they weren't
even friendly.

One evening, as I walked down the aisle in church to find myself a seat, I
attempted to cordially greet one of the Holy Four walking past me in the
opposite direction. Ms. Fashion Statement didn't even so much as look in my
direction or utter a single sound. All she did was reach up to one of her
shoulders, the one that was towards me, and execute a brushing gesture
with her fingers. Can you imagine somebody in a church that represents
Christ practicing that kind of snobbery? Unthinkable. (cf. Luke 7:36-47)

Leafing through the September 2009 issue of VOGUE, I couldn't help but
notice that the photographers posed many of their models with the most
assertive, arrogant, confrontational, and indifferent expressions and
postures imaginable. What in God's name is with that industry anyway?
Some of the VOGUE models reminded me of the hostile extras in the INXS
1988 rock video of "The Devil Inside". The Holy Four no doubt regarded
VOGUE as their Bible. Well, that was over thirty-five years ago. All four of
those snob-ettes are now old enough to be grandmas. I can't help but
wonder if they aren't still trying to fit into fashions appropriate for 20
somethings. (chuckle) They say time and tide wait for no man. Well, neither
does the aging process.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #242

-
417) Jas 2:17-26

Those nine verses need to be studied as a unit in order to correctly
understand James' instructions. The main points are these:

1• The dead faith about which James wrote is a faith whose only belief is
the existence of a supreme being; which is pretty ineffective since it's on the
level of a demon's faith.

It's fine to believe in the existence of a supreme being; that's a good start.
At least it's a step above an atheist. But it is essential that the supreme
being that one believes in be the Bible's supreme being; and that the Bible's
supreme being donated His son's life to protect people from the wrath of God.

†. John 3:16-17 . . For God so cared for the world that He donated His only
son, so that everyone who relies upon him will not perish but have eternal
life. God did not send His son into the world to condemn it, but to rescue it.

Failure to believe just that much is lethal to one's future regardless of either
the quality, the amount, or the extent, of their works.

†. John 3:18 . .Whoever believes in him is not condemned; but he who
disbelieves is condemned already

2• Paul and James both wrote about Abraham. Here's what Paul wrote.

†. Rom 4:1-2 . . For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to
boast about, but not before God.

Here's what James wrote about Abraham.

†. Jas 2:21 . .Was not Abraham our father justified by works?

Poorly-trained Bible students are often stumped by the seeming
contradiction between what Paul wrote about Abraham and what James
wrote about Abraham; and that's because they're unaware that the word
"justification" is ambiguous. Paul's focus is upon the courtroom aspect of
justification, while James' focus is upon the argumentative aspect of
justification; viz: vindication.

Webster's defines "vindicate" as: to show that (someone or something that
has been criticized or doubted) is correct, true, or reasonable

From a courtroom perspective, justification refers to acquittal. While from an
argumentative perspective, justification refers to the defense of one's
reputation and/or allegations and affirmations.

In other words: the Bible says that Abraham believed God. Well, the proof of
Abraham's belief in God was his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac.

There used to be a platitude going around that once said: If you were
indicted under suspicion of believing in God, would there be enough
evidence to convict you? Well; there sure is for Abraham; no doubt about
it,

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Re: Continued From #243

-
418) Jas 3:1 . . My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall
receive the greater scrutiny.

The koiné Greek word for "masters" is didaskalos (did-as'-kal-os) which
means: an instructor; viz: rabbis, professors, teachers; et al.

Most internet Christian forums encourage discussion, but people oftentimes
use the forums not for discussion; but as a pulpit for preaching and
teaching: apparently not realizing that when they preach and teach on a
world-wide venue, they have appointed themselves to speak for God ex
cathedra. Well; that's risky because should their preaching and teaching
misrepresent God, and many do, they'll have to answer for it.

Some masters actually propagate darkness.

†. Luke 6:39 . . Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the
ditch?

I've seen people actually boast of leading a Sunday school class; as if the
position were an achievement. Let me warn you about something. If you
accept a position to teach Sunday school for the prestige, your heart is
definitely in the wrong place; nor are you fully aware of just how frightening
a responsibility it is to stand in for Christ and feed his sheep.

419) Jas 3:13-18 . .Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him
show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you
have bitter rivalry and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and
so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from
above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where rivalry and selfish
ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from
above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of compassion
and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The "seed whose fruit is righteousness" is oftentimes not sown in peace on
internet forums; nor is it sown on internet forums by people who make
peace. It's sown by flaming, competitive, assertive, confrontational people--
toxic, impulsive, mean-spirited personalities given to rejoinders, demeaning
comments, recriminations and fault finding. And if there's a problem, it's
never them; no, you are the problem, and for them; turning the other cheek
is no longer in vogue.

Those kinds of people do not like to be wrong, nor can they even bear to
think of themselves as wrong, nor are they likely to admit when they're
wrong because they're really not all that interested in the truth; but only in
defending their version of the truth; viz: their truth is far more important to
them than even the God's truth; and should you not accept their truth, then
it's because you have no understanding and need to come to your senses.
These people are neither wise nor gentle. They'll ride rough-shod over your
feelings like a skate-boarder barreling through Autumn leafs on the
sidewalk. It's just awful how little they care for the injuries their attitude and
their choice of words cause others.

People who take it upon themselves to teach, preach, and/or discuss the
Bible on internet forums have to be sensible, and they have to exemplify the
Gospel. They can't be doing it for the prestige, showing off, impressing their
friends, and/or competing with a rival. They have to be honest and
forthright. They have to have a heart, they have to be dedicated and
reliable: they cannot be vacillating, they have to practice what they preach,
and they cannot be sarcastic, obtuse, difficult, contrary, quarrelsome,
snobby, pretentious, demeaning, domineering, despotic, assertive,
confrontational, stubborn, pernicious, or pugnacious. Internet soap-boxers
have to be someone people can trust, and someone with whom they may
speak their minds without fear of reprisals instead of someone in whose
presence they have to walk on egg shells all the time.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #244

-
420) Jas 4:7 . . So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he
will shun you.

The Devil has the tactical advantage of being completely invisible, and no
more physical than the vacuum of space. So the human eye not only cannot
see the Devil, but human touch cannot feel him either. The Devil can't be
bumped into, he gives off no odor; he makes no sound, he takes up no
space.

The Devil rules in the world of men primarily by punching human nature's
buttons. There's your first clue in how to resist the Devil.

†. Gal 5:16-17 . . So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the
inclinations of the flesh.

Living by the Spirit isn't mysterious. All it really means is doing as God
wishes rather than permitting yourself to be manipulated by the impulses,
proclivities, predilections, and propensities of human nature. You can't stop
those forces of human nature from doing their thing any more than you can
stop your lungs from demanding you take breaths. But they can be
suppressed if one puts their mind to it.

†. 1Pet 5:9 . .Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.

The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania live in the midst of lion country. They are
not afraid to hunt the lions; who have learned down through the ages that
the Maasai are not easy meat; but rather, a threat to their survival. Every
once in a while a rogue lion will attack a lone Maasai, but as a rule, the lions
pretty much keep their distance. Most animals are terrified of lions, but not
the Maasai; no, they fight back, with weapons, and usually win. The lions
know this and so shun the Maasai as potential prey.

The point is: since you can't fight the Devil on his own terms, then the best
defense against his predation is to submit to God. Up to this point, I've listed
420 Christian commandments that, if complied with, will go a long ways
towards frustrating the Devil and making him keep his distance.

421) Jas 4:8-10 . . Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. Let there
be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep
grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he
will lift you up and give you honor.

In other words: Walk with God, and He will walk with you.

†. 1John 1:6 . . If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the
darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

Failure to walk with God renders a believer out alone after dark, and
subsequently vulnerable to Satanic predation; which means they will be
manipulated by the flesh rather than by the Spirit; which could ultimately
lead to an untimely death. (e.g. Acts 5:1-11, 1Cor 11:17-30, Rom 8:13,
1John 5:16)

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #245

-
422) Jas 4:11 . . Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.

The koiné Greek word for "speak evil" is katalaleo (kat-al-al-eh'-o) which
means: a traducer, a slanderer.

Webster's defines "slander" as: the utterance of false charges or
misrepresentations which defame and/or damage another's reputation
and/or a false and defamatory oral statement about a person; viz: libel.

Webster's defines "libel" as: 1) a written or oral defamatory statement or
representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression, and 2) a
statement or representation published without just cause and tending to
expose another to public contempt.

According to Webster's, a statement (or a photograph) need not be untrue
to qualify as libel. If the statement, and/or the photograph, is unnecessarily
denigrating and/or embarrassing to someone, though it be 100% true, then
it qualifies as libel.

For example: When Donald Trump was in the process of procuring land in
Scotland for a golf course, there was a low-income man living on the land in
a ratty hovel. Trump ran that man into the ground for living like that and
even took a camera crew out to the man's home to film it. Afterwards, in a
news conference, he said: "I'm only telling the truth". Yes, the man's place
was a rat's nest; but was it really necessary to expose that poor man to
public embarrassment? No. Trump wasn't being honest, he was being cruel;
and that's exactly the kind of evil speaking that Jas 4:11 prohibits.

Is Jas 4:11 saying that I cannot criticize someone? No; it isn't saying that at
all. I mean, after all, Christ was, and is, very critical. The important thing is
(1) to make very sure that the statements are true, and (2) that they really
matter; or otherwise, keep it to yourself.

What I'm talking about here is "tact" which Webster's defines as: a keen
sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or
avoid offense.

There are some things we could say about others that, though true, aren't
necessary. For example, if you were to inadvertently see one of the ladies in
the office scratching an itch on her derriere; is it really necessary to go
blabbing about it all over the office? No; and in point of fact, to do so would
be libelous, not to mention possibly in violation of local labor laws banning
the fomentation of a hostile workplace. If that lady ever found out you were
blabbing about her derriere she might be so mortified as to make it difficult
for her to show up for work.

One evening, at a single's group meeting, I overheard a friend seated behind
me comment that a certain woman in the group was very attractive; and I
could tell by the look in his eyes that he was seriously considering making a
move on her. Well, having had personal contact with that woman, I told my
friend that he could do better because that particular lady was conceited,
cruel, insensitive, and mean-spirited; in other words she was somewhat
psychopathic; which Webster's defines as: a mental disorder marked by
egocentric and antisocial activity.

Was I wrong for saying what I did about that lady? No. I knew for my own
self that woman was bad news and it was my honest intention to spare my
friend the emotional pain he was sure to endure by approaching her. In that
particular case, the ugly truth about someone mattered.

Some years ago when I was working as a welder/ship fitter in a family
owned boatyard on Shelter Island in San Diego, one of the boss' adolescent
sons came out on a skiff I was helping to construct. He remarked to one of
the men standing there, in my hearing, that I looked stupid.

Do I look stupid? Yes, I do. It's been a curse my entire life. If you were to
meet me, your first impression would be that I'm a lummox. Some people
look intelligent, and some people look just the opposite. I'm among the ones
who look just the opposite; and I was looking low-brow way before Weird Al
Yankovic came out with a rock parody in 1985 titled: "Dare To Be Stupid."

So then, what the boss' son said was true. But was it necessary? No; it was
thoroughly unnecessary, and in point of fact his thoughtless remark cut me
deeply; but what could I do? He was the boss' son. Anon, that boy grew up
to become one of worst cases of male vanity it has been my misfortune to
encounter in life. Though he came of a good family, the boss' son had the
nature of a churl; through and through.

Words are weapons,
Sharper than knives.
INXS
The Devil Inside
by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #246

-
423) Jas 4:11-12 . . He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother,
speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are
not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save
and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

Someone is sure to jump to the conclusion that James is referring to Matt
7:1-5 but this has nothing to do with that. What we’re talking about here is
a kangaroo court which Webster’s defines as: (1) a mock court in which the
principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted, (2) a court
characterized by irresponsible, unauthorized, or irregular status or
procedures, and (3) judgment or punishment given outside of legal
procedure.

When a group of beer buddies, and/or a coffee clutch of girl friends, get
together and rake somebody over the coals behind their back, those buddies
and girl friends are conducting a kangaroo court in which the evidence
presented is typically hear-say, feelings, thoughts, and impressions. I
believe the common colloquialism for that activity is "character
assassination."

Typically the accused is never informed of the trial, nor given an opportunity
to confront their accusers, nor are they granted the right to an appeal.
Sadly, yet all to commonly, once kangaroo courts reach a consensus, the
condemned person’s reputation among those kinds of "judges" is ruined
forever with no chance of repair.

424) Jas 4:13-16 . . Come now, you who say: Today or tomorrow, we shall
go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business
and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Instead, you ought to say: If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or
that. But as it is, you vaunt your braggadocio; all such vaunting is evil.

What’s wrong with prosperity? Nothing. The problem here is not prosperity;
the problem is selfish ambition. According to John 15:16, Christ informed his
followers that he selected them for three purposes : (1) to go, (2) to bring
forth fruit, and (3) to associate with his Father, He did not select them to
wander off and do as they please.

†. Eph 2:10 . . For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I think some of the more ambitious believers sometimes forget that
Christianity is not a democracy. No; it's a theocracy, and Christ is its
monarch with ideas of his own for their lives.

†. Php 2:5-8 . . Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ
Jesus . . . who, being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

†. Matt 10:38-39 . . Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is
not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his
life for my sake will find it.

Even Christ was subject to another's agenda.

†. John 5:30 . . I seek not to please myself, but rather, Him who sent me.

†. John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do
the will of Him who sent me.

Christians sometimes forget just how fragile life really is. At any moment,
they can be terminated by health, crime, or accident. It's the brevity of life
that makes it so essential that people not squander it on selfish ambition. If
at all possible, bloom where you're planted instead of running off to make
your fortune

†. Eph 5:15-17 . .Therefore be intelligent in how you walk, not as unwise
men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

=======================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #247

-
425) Jas 5:1-6 . . Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries
which are coming upon you. Your riches have spoiled and your garments
have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have decayed; and their
decay will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is
in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

. . . Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has
been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did
the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

. . .You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned
and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

To think that passage was meant for the ears of Jewish Christians! (Jas 1:1)
Anti defamation watch dogs would no doubt dearly love to get that edited
from the New Testament; even though it was one of their own who penned
it. (Jas 1:2)

James' remarks can't help but bring to mind the way business moguls exploit
immigrant labor in agriculture, meat processing, and the garment industry.

Gold, of course, doesn't easily corrode; nor does it literally eat people's flesh
like fire. The point is, that when unscrupulous Christian moguls stand before
Christ to be evaluated as per 1Cor 3:10-15, the wealth they obtained by
means of unfair labor practices will return to bite them in the derriere. Their
money and possessions will have no more power to buy them influence and
protection from justice than a bin full of discards at Good Will.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #248

-
426) Jas 5:7-8 . . Persevere, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the
Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being
patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; be
strong, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

The koiné Greek word for "at hand" is eggizo (eng-id'-zo) which means:
to make near; viz: approach

So then, at hand doesn’t necessarily mean the Lord is poised to drop in any
second now, but rather, his arrival is approaching, and according to the
Bible, it will be as instant, sudden, and unexpected as a bolt of lightning
when it happens.

†. Matt 24:27 . . For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes
even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

†. Rev 22:12 . . Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to
render to every man according to what he has done.

The koiné Greek word for "quickly" is tachu (takh-oo') which means,
among other things suddenly (as by surprise)

Christ is scheduled for two returns.

During the first, he won't actually touch-down on the planet's surface but
will simply station himself somewhere in the sky and assemble together
everybody who qualifies as his sheep; both the deceased sheep and the
living sheep. The bodies of the deceased sheep will be raised from the dead
immortal, and the bodies of the living sheep will be instantly transformed
immortal without their having to undergo a normal death. (1Cor 15:51-52,
1Ths 4:13-17)

Once Christ's sheep are all rounded up, then the Lord will depart with his herd
and not be seen in the regions of the earth again for about seven years,
during which the awful calamities depicted in the book of Revelation will take
place.

After it's all over, Christ will come back and touch-down on the planet's
surface, set up his headquarters in the city of Jerusalem, and proceed to rule
the earth for a millennium as the monarch depicted in Dan 7:13-14. (cf. Rev
20:4-6)

Anyway, what James is saying is that it’s possible to get caught with your
knickers down when Christ returns the first time since the moment of his first
return has been variously predicted with about as much reliable accuracy as
the moment of an earthquake; viz: it is far better to be caught doing
something good when he returns-- or at least morally neutral like sleeping,
brushing your teeth, folding socks, opening the mail, and/or eating breakfast
--rather than caught doing something he cannot approve like watching porn,
quarrelling with a spouse, mistreating the kids, road rage, J-walking,
coasting through a stop sign, spray-painting graffiti on a subway car, or
cussing the neighbor’s dog.

427) Jas 5:9 . . Do not complain against one another, brethren, that you
yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the
door.

Although watching porn, quarrelling with a spouse, mistreating the kids,
road rage, J-walking, coasting through a stop sign, spray-painting graffiti on
a subway car, or cussing the neighbor’s dog, is bad enough; kangaroo
courting is even worse.

If there’s a personality clash between you and a fellow believer; God forbid
you should drag other people into the middle of it! Just think how
embarrassing it would be to have the Lord return for his sheep right while
you’re in the very process of shredding a fellow believer's reputation,
assassinating their character and/or running them into the ground behind
their back. Unthinkable.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #249

-
428) Jas 5:10 . . For an example of suffering and patience, brethren; take
the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name.

In rock music, role models are called influences. But whatever your
preference, role models are handy for providing a pattern for the kinds of
people we wish to be and/or the kinds of people we ought to be.

One of my favorite prophets was Noah. Can you just imagine the mockery,
and the cruel remarks that poor man must have endured while he was
constructing the ark? And the feelings of futility? He was a preacher of
righteousness for 120 years (2Pet 2:5) and the only converts Noah won
were his own wife, his three sons, and their wives. When the ark embarked,
there was only a paltry eight human beings aboard.

According to Gen 6:1-2, there were other holy men on earth during Noah's
days but they sold their souls for sex and subsequently died in the Flood
right along with everybody else.

Noah was an oak: he never caved to the pressures of his era’s social
customs nor duplicated their spiritual hypocrisy. Noah held his ground,
remained true to the Bible’s God; and as a result, survived the Flood totally
unharmed. He’s listed in the Bible as one of the most righteous men who
ever lived.

†. Ezk 14:13-14 . . Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent
unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of
bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Even if these
three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only
themselves by their righteousness: testifies Yhvh God.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #250

-
429) Jas 5:12 . . Above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or
by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no be no;
so that you may not fall under judgment.

Does this mean Christians shouldn’t even take an oath in court to tell the
truth? No, it doesn’t mean that at all; I mean, after all, Christ took an oath
in court. (Matt 26:62-64, Mark 14:61-62)

God takes oaths. (Gen 22:15-18, Heb 6:13-18, Heb 7:20-21)

Angels swear (Rev 10:5-6)

Paul swore. (Rom 1:9)

Israel's covenanted law, which Christ came to defend (Matt 5:17-19)
requires oaths on special occasions. (e.g. Ex 22:10-11, Lev 5:1, Num 5:19,
Deut 29:10-15)

So then, not all oaths are wrong.

The problem is, people are too careless with their oaths. They’re wont to say
“I swear to God” and/or "Hand to God" for just about everything. And they
make promises sealed with the same words. Those promises are a snare
because like Jesus said “you cannot make one hair white or black”. Sure
enough, when you seal a promise with an oath, the forces of heaven and
hell, the stars in their courses, dumb luck, brute force, circumstances
beyond your control, and the neighbor's dog are going to make it impossible
to keep that promise. Will God grant you an excuse? Nope. In order to grant
you an excuse, He would have to compromise not only His integrity; but also
the dignity of the name by which you swore; and that He will never do.

Some years ago I cosigned a loan for a fellow welder who was down on his
luck. Sure enough, he fell behind on a payment and the finance company
telephoned me. I went down and made good on the payment (and all the
rest after that one too) because my name was on that contract; ergo: my
credit reputation was at stake. The co-worker was thunderstruck and
protested that he intended to make the payment: it would just be a little
late; that’s all. (sigh) Dead-beats just don’t get it.

It’s one thing to break your word, or default on a loan, or breech a contract;
but it is a whole other thing to break an oath; so if at all possible; don’t
swear by God’s name.

Quite a few municipalities have taken God's name out of their oaths and
simply require the testifier to swear in court to tell the truth; and leave out
the "so help me God" part. An oath like that goes on record just as binding
as one's signature on a legal document. But if your courts require you to
include "so help me God" during the swearing-in process, do it because
that's for keeps rather than a locker-room bull session.

The US President is not required by the Constitution to include the phrase
"so help me God" in the oath of office; so when one is sworn in, it's his
prerogative to leave it out.

Considering the gravity of an oath taken by God's name, I would be scared
to death to accept an office that requires any such oath; especially an
appointment to the US Supreme Court. Though all nine members are
supposedly experts in Constitutional law; they seldom, if ever, are
unanimous on anything. That means somebody on that court is dishonoring
God and they will one day be called into account for it. Those judges might
be the highest court in the land, but they are not higher than the God of
their oath of office. But Supreme Court appointees are typically not
interested in God's feelings about anything; they're only interested in the
appointment; and these days, an appointee need not be an expert at law at
all since they're only required to render opinions rather than absolutes. No,
their politics need only be in line with the President who appointed them in
order to qualify for recommendation.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #251

-
430) Jas 5:13 . . Is anyone among you undergoing hardship? Let him pray.

431) Jas 5:13-14 . . Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

Never ask the ones undergoing hardship to sing. They're really not in the
mood. They should pray while the cheerful sing.

432) Jas 5:14 . . Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of
the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name
of the Lord

It's all too common for religious fanatics to allow their underage children to
die from treatable medical conditions on the basis of that verse. Where do
we draw the line with the so-called "freedom of religion" guaranteed in the
US Constitution's first amendment? Answer: We draw the line at the child's
inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; which,
according to America's Declaration of Independence; are not only God-given
rights, but also a self evident truth that men were created with those rights.

The DOI goes on to say that all men are created equal. It doesn't say grown
up men; it says all men, which means that women and children have just as
much right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as anybody else.
Parents who deny those rights to their children are nothing in the world but
wicked despots; and in point of fact the very kinds of twisted monarchs the
DOI targets.

Christ himself addresses this issue indirectly by means of his teachings on
the seventh day Sabbath; which, in a nutshell, says that the Sabbath was
made for man, not the other way around. (Mark 2:27)

†. Matt 12:11-12 . . And he said unto them, What man shall there be among
you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day,
will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than
a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days.

The sanctity of human life always takes priority over the sanctity of the
Sabbath. So then, hospitals, doctors, nurses, firemen, law enforcement,
soup kitchens, rescue missions, Red Cross, Haiti emergency workers, etc.
who are busy on the Sabbath do not sin. Do they break the Sabbath? Yes;
but the sanctity of the Sabbath is secondary to the sanctity of human life.

So then, I would have to say, in accordance with Matt 12:11-12, that people
who deny their children adequate medical care in the name of religion regard
the value of their own flesh and blood as something less than that of a
beast.

It's okay to have elders pray for your child, and it's okay to anoint them with
oil as per James 5:14. But after that, parents really should take their
children to a doctor because the sanctity of human life is far more important
than strict observance of one's religious rituals.

There used to be an old saying going around in Christian circles that went
something like this: When a farmer prays for a crop, he should say amen
with a hoe. In other words, don't just sit back and wait for a miracle when
it's in your power to take some action; and if you don't, then in my opinion,
you deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law when a child in
your care dies from a treatable condition.

†. 1Tim 5:8 . . If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his
own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Children aside; the real purpose of summoning elders is not so much to
conduct a healing service, but rather, for a discussion of the possible
reasons behind a church member's ailment (Jas 5:15). A believer's infirmity
may be just the normal round of human existence, but then again, maybe
the Lord is trying to get their attention. Well-trained, experienced elders can
sleuth that out and assist a fallen brother (or sister) to rectify their
association with the Lord if perchance that's the case. (cf. 1Cor 11:17-30,
Gal 6:1, 1John 5:16)

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #252

-
433) Jas 5:16 . . Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for
one another, so that you may be healed.

The word "sins" is an arbitrary editorial insertion rather than a translation;
viz: it isn't in the Greek manuscripts so somebody penciled it in. So we could
safely re-translate that verse to read "Confess to one another".

There's quite a number of key words in the Bible that sometimes trigger a
knee-jerk-reflex in people's minds and "confess" is one of them. It would
seem to me that James isn't commanding Christians to confess their sins to
one another as Father Confessors for the purpose of absolution; but rather:
to simply man-up and admit when they're wrong. (cf. Matt 18:15-17).

The prayer for healing is for the ones whose ego is so big and bloated that
they cannot bring themselves to admit when they're wrong even if their very
lives were to depend on it.

434) Jas 5:19-20 . . My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth,
and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the
error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of
sins.

Not all sins are worthy of death (1John 5:16-17). And a sin that's fatal for
one believer may not be lethal for another. I mean, look at David; he
committed the awful sins of premeditated murder and adultery, yet God
allowed him to live (2Sam 11:1-2Sam 12:14). But when Ananias and his
wife Sapphira lied about the proceeds from the sale of their property, they
were summarily executed. (Acts 5:1-10). And in Corinth, the health of only
some was struck after desecrating the Lord's supper; while others were
executed for the same reason (1Cor 11:17-30).

This indicates that the Lord disciplines His loved ones on an individual basis
rather than an indiscriminate, class-action basis. Some kids are easily
corrected simply by a cross glare and a stern scolding; while other kids
require a stronger hand. The outside world can't understand this kind of
disparity because they cannot relate to Christianity's God as an intelligent
parent; they can only see Him as a dispassionate judge; which is appropriate
for their status as fugitives.

I once heard a cute story of a man who used to whack his mule upside the
head with a wooden stake prior to getting up on the seat of his buckboard.
Someone asked him why he hit the animal. The man replied: That was to
get his attention, otherwise he won't budge when I snap the reins and yell
giddyup.

†. Ps 32:8-9 . . I wish to instruct you, and teach you in the way you should
go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Don't be like the horse or the
mule, which have no discernment, but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not obey you.

For some believers, a whack up alongside the head is all it takes to motivate
them to straighten up and fly right. Others are so incorrigible that only a
brush with death finally convinces them that God is serious.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #253

-
435) 1Pet 1:13-18 . . Gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix
your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ.

The koiné Greek word for "gird up" is anazonnumi (an-ad-zone'-noo-mee)
which means: to gird afresh; viz: re-gird. Webster's defines gird as: to
encircle or bind with a flexible band (as a belt).

The re-girding Peter is talking about is sort of like a man putting his pants on
in the morning and tightening his belt to hold them up. He does that every
day before he goes out the door for the day. But here we're putting on pants
in one's mind; viz: it's a daily attitude adjustment.

There used to be a popular term going around in Christian circles regarding
the "purposeful life". It's a good term, and quite the opposite of a drifter's
life; which is a life that has no purpose. Webster's defines a drifter as one
that travels and/or moves about aimlessly. In other words, a drifter is a
vagabond, which Webster's defines as somebody who leads an unsettled,
irresponsible, or disreputable life. Though believers inhabit the current earth
as pilgrims (1Pet 2:11) they're not to do so as vagabonds and/or drifters.

A purposeful life is a life with an objective; and the one objective that every
believer should keep in their mind's sights is that this life is only a temporary
journey; viz: a pilgrimage. Their permanent life is yet to come (cf. Heb
11:8-16). So they shouldn't get too attached to this one; but rather, get
themselves attached to the next; and the next is a world ruled by a monarch
who has very different ideas than the world's in regards to good citizenship.

436) 1Pet 1:14-16 . . As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who
called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is
written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.

"conformed" is speaking of habits. Take for example alcoholism. The popular
diagnosis these days is that it's a disease. Well; it if is, then it's the only
disease I know of practiced by fools.

†. Prov 20:1 . . Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.

Alcoholism isn't a disease; it's a habit, and one of the habits that Christ's
believing followers are commanded to make a habit of avoiding.

†. Eph 5:18 . . Do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation,

437) 1Pet 1:17-18 . . And if you address as "Father" the one who impartially
judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in reverential fear
during the time of your stay upon earth

I once heard of a preacher complain that he wished his congregation were as
afraid of the Devil as they are of holiness. (chuckle). Well, obviously his
congregation lacked purpose; their attitude was that of drifters and
vagabonds. They were all believers; they had that much going for them.
They just needed somebody to throw cold water in their faces and wake
them up to getting their eyes off the ground and getting their eyes up on the
brass ring.

†. Col 3:1-4 . . So then, since you have been resurrected with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and
your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life,
appears, then will you also appear with him in glory.

People in heaven no doubt make a habit of treating God with reverential
fear; that is: they respect both Him and His wishes. Down here, people
make a habit of insolence and rebellion; even some of the people wearing
a Christian ID tag.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #254

-
438a) 1Pet 1:22a . . Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit

The grammatical tense of the words "have purified" is past rather than
future. So it isn't "when" you purify your souls. In other words, the souls of
the Christians to whom Peter penned his epistle were already purified before
it arrived; and they did it not by means of a denominational affiliation; but
rather, by obeying the truth; and they're obedience was "through the Spirit"
rather than through human artifice.

Q: What is soul?

A: The Greek word for "soul" is very similar in meaning to the Greek word
for "spirit" except that "soul" refers a tad more to one's creature existence.
In other words: soul speaks of the man that was created from the dust of
the earth and into which God breathed the breath of life.

Soul, therefore, speaks of the fact that man is an organic primate whose
mind is produced by a 3-pound lump of flabby organic tissue housed within
his bony little skull-- and not even all three of those pounds are devoted to
cognitive processes.

The Hebrew word for "soul" is nephesh; which isn't limited to human life.
Several varieties of created life are categorized as nephesh in the book of
Genesis; and in point of fact, all life that was aboard Noah's ark, including
human life, is categorized as nephesh.

The Greek word for "purified" in 1Pet 1:21a is hagnizo (hag-nid'-zo) which
speaks of a peculiar kind of hygiene; for example:

†. John 15:3 . . Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken
unto you.

†. Heb 10:22 . . Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed
with pure water.

438b) 1Pet 1:22b . . unto sincere love of the brethren, see that ye love one
another with a pure heart fervently

The koiné Greek word for "pure" in this case is katharos (kath-ar-os') which
means: lacking impurities; which can be illustrated by tap water versus
distilled water. Tap water contains impurities like chlorine and various
metallic and non metallic elements; whereas distilled water consists of
nothing but hydrogen and oxygen; viz: H[SUB]2[/SUB]O

I think what Peter is saying that believers be on guard against hypocrisy;
viz: one's lips mouthing love for their fellow believers while in their hearts
actually thinking very little of them.

For example; my wife and I were once invited over to the home of a fellow
Sunday school couple for dinner. When we arrived, guess what? An Amway
manager was all set up and waiting for us. The dinner invitation was a bait
and switch to conceal the Sunday school couple's scheme to lure us into
signing on with Amway.

That was not an exhibition of pure, fervent love; but rather an exhibition of
dishonesty, deceit, and ulterior motives. That couple was friendly and cordial
enough alright in Sunday school, but away from church they were covert and
predatory; taking advantage of the good nature of their fellow Christians to
snare them in a commercial venture.

†. Matt 5:8 . . Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #255

-
439) 1Pet 2:1-3 . .Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy,
envy, and all evil speaking; as newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the
word, that you may grow thereby.

Oftentimes it's a good idea to read the Bible with an English dictionary at
hand because words like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy tend to fly right
past our eyes without giving them much thought.

Anyway, in order to be successful with item #438b --which commands to
love one's fellow believers fervently with a pure heart-- it's necessary to
comply with item #439. Things like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and
defamatory remarks are not love; no, they're cruel and mean-spirited.

Here in 1Pet 2:1-3 those toxic behaviors are categorized as junk food, which
is not the kind of nourishment one should be feeding a growing child; as if
they could even digest it. So then, believers who neglect to study the Bible
-and learn what is and what is not appropriate behavior for a believer --are
certain to end up stunting the spiritual growth of the new self they obtained
via their spirit birth as per Jesus' testimony at John 3:3-8.

An especially ugly behavior Peter listed is envy; which Webster's defines as:
painful, or resentful, awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another,
coupled with a desire to possess the same advantage. In other words, envy
is the root of rivalry which is one of the most destructive human passions
there is. Cain killed his brother Abel out of a spirit of rivalry.

†. 1John 3:12 . . Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.
And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his
brother's righteous.

It was a spirit of rivalry that led to the Lord's crucifixion.

†. Matt 27:16-18 . . And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called
Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them:
Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called
Christ? For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

Webster's defines "rivalry" as: 1) to be in competition with and, 2) to strive
to equal or excel.

Envy not only breeds rivalry, but other toxins too like spite; which Webster's
defines as: petty ill will, malice, or hatred coupled with the disposition to
irritate, annoy, or thwart; which is defined as: to defeat the hopes and
aspirations of another. In other words, thwart's intent is to discourage
someone, to break their spirit and make them lose respect for themselves.
Needless to say, a spiteful person is a person so bitter that they're unable to
feel pity or sympathy; which is a bad thing because sympathy is highly
blessing-worthy.

†. Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

People prone to envy share a very common denominator: they simply must
be either equal to, or better than, others. It's that simple. And if they cannot
be equal to, or better than others, then nothing would make them happier
than to see those others dead, maimed, silenced, disfigured, dishonored,
disgraced, humiliated, and/or handicapped for life.

The singles group I attended prior to meeting my wife used played volleyball
on Sunday afternoons. One day, I sustained a pretty good elbow to the
temple and had to step out of the game for a moment or two till I got my
senses back and the pain subsided enough that I could return to the game.

Nobody stopped playing even long enough to ask me if I was alright; not
one person; and every one of us all knew each other. What does that tell
you about the spiritual condition of the Christians playing volleyball with me
that day? Well, if you haven't guessed it yet, I'll tell you. They were infected
with a spirit of envy; which is a hard-hearted spirit-- thoughtless, cruel, and
insensitive.

What made them that way? Well, some of them were out of work, while I
had a good job as a professional welder in a boatyard on beautiful Shelter
Island in San Diego. Some of them were divorced, while I was never
married. Some of them were single parents, while I had no children
burdening my life. Some of them were paying alimony and/or child support,
while all the money I earned was mine to do as I pleased. Some of them had
gotten laid too soon in life, while I was still a virgin. Some of them were rank
and file pew warmers, while I sang bass in a church choir of 90 voices in a
church with 4,000 members on the books.

You see, many of those Christians playing volleyball with me that day were
losers while I was a winner-- their lives were a mess, while mine was
promising. It's pretty easy to see why no one felt the slightest concern for
my safety when I got elbowed in the temple; isn't it?

Yes, envy is a very, very ugly beast: there's no love in envy, only ice
mingled with malicious feelings and imaginations. Where's the Good
Samaritan in that? A cute fable. Where's turning the other cheek? Out of
vogue. Where's the golden rule? A cliché.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #256

-
440) 1Pet 2:11 . . Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain
from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

The words "fleshly lusts" are derived from 1) sarkikos (sar-kee-kos') which
pertains to the base nature, and, 2) from epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah)
which means a longing.

What Peter is talking about there is giving in to whatever comes natural: viz:
doing what's instinctive and reactive as opposed to one's better judgment.

Webster's defines instinct as: 1) a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or
capacity, 2) a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to
make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without
involving reason, and 3) behavior that is mediated by reactions below the
conscious level.

Fleshly lusts are not what you might call "reasonable behavior" because they
are basically gut passions that require no thinking. When people fly off the
handle, sleep with somebody on the first date, utter an epithet, make a
smart-aleck remark, and/or act on impulse and such; they are only doing
what comes natural to the beast residing within themselves. People are, in
the final analysis, little more than human wildlife; just naked apes ruled by
the nature of an ape; and I've a sneaking suspicion that's what God meant
at Gen 6:3 when He said "Man is flesh".

441) 1Pet 2:12 . . Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that
in the thing in which they slander you as malefactors, they may on account
of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of
visitation.

The koiné Greek word for "visitation" is episkope (ep-is-kop-ay') which is
an ambiguous word that means, among other things, inspection and/or
evaluation.

Webster’s defines "inspection" as a checking or testing of an individual
against established standards; for example : the avoirdupois ounce is a
standard, the meter is a standard, and the inch is a standard.

In the old days, merchants used a balance to count out monies like gold and
silver. They would put a "standard" weight in one of the balance's pans and
then begin placing gold and/or silver in the other pan until the pans
balanced; viz: until the pans were at the same elevation on either side of the
scales' fulcrum point. Justice is often depicted as a blindfolded woman
holding a balance in one hand, and a sword in the other. The law is in one
pan, and the defendant's conduct is in the other; for example:

†. Dan 5:27 . .You have been weighed on the balances; and came up short.

If it turns out that the criticism that the lost hurled at believers was
unjustified, then they will have to pay. In so doing, how will they glorify
God? Well, the slanderers themselves may not pay their respects to God, but
their retribution will certainly honor His standards.

442) 1Pet 2:13-15 . . Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the
Lord's sake : whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as
unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the
praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye
may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Every ordinance of man would of course include traffic laws like J-walking,
unsafe lane changes, drifting through stop signs, tailgating, road rage,
exceeding speed limits, feeding parking meters, crossing streets against the
light, blocking driveways, failure to yield the right of way, illegal U-turns; et
al. People who disregard traffic laws are said by Peter to be ignorant and
foolish.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #257

-
443) 1Pet 2:16a . . Live as free men

Some of Christ's believing followers in the Roman empire were slaves;
so it was legally impossible for them to live as free men without risking
severe consequences. I think what we're looking at here is that Peter is
encouraging the Christians to whom he wrote to voluntarily accept their
status as slaves instead of resenting it. In other words: free men have
choices; and even though some of the Christians were slaves against their
will, they were free to choose to make the best of it or let it get to them.

A pretty cool platitude that I once heard goes like this: Bloom where you're
planted. So; if you should find yourself planted in adverse circumstances;
make up your mind to make the best of it. This is something wherein you
have a choice; even though you have no choice about being stuck. It's really
all about attitude adjustment.

444) 1Pet 2:16b . . Do not use your freedom as a cloak for evil; live as
servants of God.

The koiné Greek word for "cloak" is epikaluma (ep-ee-kal'-oo-mah) which
means: a covering, i.e. (figuratively) pretext

Webster’s defines "pretext" as a purpose, a reason, or motive alleged, or an
appearance assumed, in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs;
viz: a pretense.

Webster’s defines "pretense" as: a professed, rather than the real intention
or purpose

Pretense is one of those behaviors that nobody has to be taught how to do;
no, even little kids can do it because pretense is a natural behavior-- a basic
instinct.

†. Ps 58:3 . . Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are
wayward and speak lies.

Christ is known for honesty.

†. John 1:17 . . grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

†. John 8:45 . . I tell you the truth

†. John 14:6 . . I am the truth

†. 1Pet 2:22 . . Neither was guile found in his mouth

Therefore, those who live as servants of God really ought to be honest too.

†. Eph 5:1 . . Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

†. Eph 4:25 . .Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak
truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Dishonesty, in any form, is not only unworthy of God's servants; but it's also
hell-worthy.

†. Rev 21:7-8 . . All liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death.

†. Rev 21:27 . . No one who practices lying, shall ever come into the holy
city, the new Jerusalem.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #258

-
445) 1Pet 2:17a . . Honor all men.

The word "men" is not actually in that verse. It was added by translators
presumably to clarify the text. So it should read: Honor all.

The koiné Greek word for "honor" is timao (tim-ah'-o) which means: to
prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere.

Human nature tends to honor the people it admires, and marginalize the
ones it doesn't. That's another of those characteristics of the base nature.
However, favoritism is not a divine characteristic, no, it's the nature of
human wildlife.

I flunked Civics class in my senior year of High School and had to make it up
in summer school in order to graduate. There was no bus service for
summer school so I had to find my own way and I had no car. A rich kid in
my class passed within 60 feet of the country store in my town on his way to
school so I'd walk the two miles from my home to the store and bum a ride
with him every day in his spiffy new four-speed, Chevrolet Monza: one of the
first American cars to come out with a rear mounted pancake engine.

All went well for a week or two until one day the rich kid was running late.
Subsequently I was running late too since the rich kid's Monza was my
transportation. He came roaring by without stopping, and in point of fact,
didn't even look in my direction nor even bother to wave.

When I finally got to school, I asked him why he didn't stop and pick me up
like usual. His reason? HE was running late. I couldn't believe his excuse! He
would have lost at most a mere 30 seconds pulling over to pick me up; but
no, HE was running late.

It so happened that rich kid was a musician who played rhythm guitar in a
rock & roll band. I just have to wonder if he would have left Chuck Berry
stranded had it been him who needed to get to school that day. No, of
course not. That rich kid would have stopped for Chuck Berry; but not for
me because in his mind I was a nobody who didn't matter.

1Pet 2:17a is a difficult command to obey. It’s easy to honor achievers,
aristocrats, dignitaries, sports figures, federal heads, the sexiest man in
Hollywood, Ms Americas, fashion gurus, television stars, and celebrities, et
al; but it is very difficult to revere geeks, creeps, freaks, ugly people,
handicapped people, nobodies, dummies, weirdoes, odd balls, rank and file
pew warmers, and the very aged. (I don’t know how many times I’ve seen
aged people spoken to by younger people as if they were retarded children.
That is so demeaning.)

†. Rom 12:16 . . Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits.

Webster's definitions of "condescend" are actually contradictory. One says it
means to descend to a less formal or dignified level; viz: to waive the
privileges of rank. The other says it means to assume an air of superiority.

The koiné Greek word for "condescend" is sunapago (soon-ap-ag'-o) which
means: to leave together and/or travel together; viz; to associate with
people.

The koiné Greek word for "low estate" is tapeinos (tap-i-nos') which means:
depressed; viz: pushed down, humiliated or humbled (in circumstances or
disposition)

A church group I once attended was invited to a private home one evening.
When I arrived, I noticed people were huddled on the floor, broken into
groups of peers; sort of like sacred cliques. Isolated off by himself was the
group’s resident geek-- a strange kind of fellow who, though he was over 30
years old, still lived at home with his mother and had some very quirky
prayer requests from time to time.

Since most of the cliques were composed of people quite a few years
younger than myself, I was more or less relegated to joining Mr. Geek; who,
as it turned out, was pretty savvy engineering-wise and had a surprisingly
analytical mind.

Seated there on the floor with Mr. Geek, a feeling of sadness and rejection
swept over me as I realized just how ostracized he and I were by the rest of
the group: me for being older, and he for being an odd duck.

At that same “Christian” event was a gay Native American guy. He was
leaving just as I was arriving so we stopped to chat for a bit before I went
on in. While we chatted, another group member arrived whom we both knew
personally by name. I greeted the new arrival with a friendly hello; but you
know what that person did? He looked at me sideways with wariness and
suspicion like I was Charles Manson or something and neither stopped to say
hello, nor responded with a single word; and I am positive it was solely
because I was seen in the company of a gay man.

You know what I am going to really like in Heaven? There are no cliques, no
prejudice, no bias, and no disparity. Total strangers will greet me, and
accept me, as if they’ve known me all their lives. That will be very nice.

NOTE: Webster’s defines "relegate" as: 1) to send into exile: banish, 2) to
assign to a place of insignificance or of oblivion: put out of sight or mind,
and 3) to assign to an appropriate place or situation on the basis of
classification or appraisal.

You know who else is difficult to revere? A snob; which Webster’s defines as:
1) one who tends to rebuff, avoid, an/or ignore those regarded as inferior,
and 2) one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge
or taste.

Snobs are infected with superiority complexes and correspond to those Paul
labeled “wise in your own conceits.”

Webster’s defines "conceit" as: an excessive appreciation of one’s own worth
or virtue.

A healthy self-image is to be desired, however, when your self-image is such
that it makes you think that you are somehow too good to associate with,
and/or to be seen with certain kinds of people then you've crossed the line
into conceit; and become disgusting to both Man and God.

†. Prv 6:16-17 . . There are six things which Yhvh hates, yes, seven which
are an abomination to Him . . . haughty eyes, et al.

The Hebrew word for "haughty" is ruwm (room) which means: to be high
actively, to rise or raise. In other words; to be lifted up; viz: exalted. The
popular colloquialism “high and mighty” would correspond to haughty.

========================================

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #259

-
446) 1Pet 2:17b . . love the brotherhood

The koine Greek word for "brotherhood" is adelphotes (ad-el-fot'-ace) which
is pretty much restricted to Christ's believing followers and excludes the
outside world because in order to qualify for Christ's family circle; it's
necessary to undergo a special birth in order to obtain the right to identify
one's self as his kin.

†. John 1:12-13 . .To all who received him; to those who believed in his
name; he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of
natural descent, nor of human decision, nor a husband's desire; but born of
God.

1Pet 2:17b is impossible for a snob to obey since the degree of love that
must be felt for one’s siblings in Christ's family circle has to be on the same
plain as the love that Christ feels for them.

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" is widely thought to be one of
Christ's commandments; but it isn't. He got it from the covenant that Yhvh's
people agreed upon with God as per Lev 19:18 and Lev 19:34.

Christ's commandment goes beyond the covenant that Yhvh's people agreed
upon with God. He says: As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
(John 13:34 and John 15:12)

Bottom line is: the covenant demands humane love, while Christ demands
divine love; which is a much harder love to produce than humane love
because only people blessed with a divinity's nature can produce divine love.
Good luck with that.

447) 1Pet 2:17c . . fear God, honor the king.

Some things in life are inseparable; like it’s just about impossible to go
swimming in a pool that has no water in it. Well, fearing God and honoring a
king are like that; in other words, Christian scofflaws, by their civil
disobedience, actually dishonor the very God whom they profess to revere.

†. Rom 13:1-2 . . Let every person be in subjection to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist
are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the
ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation
upon themselves.

Christians need to be cognizant of Rom 13:1-2 whenever they're tempted to
drift through a stop sign, feed parking meters, J-walk, lie to their state's
Employment Department, obtain food stamps under false pretenses, or
cheat on their taxes, etc.

========================================