1Pt3

Nothing reflects God's design better than a highly functioning family! God made us male and female. Same in value, different in responsibility. We are to compliment each other in the way we function in obedience to God.

The bible is full of specific but different instructions for men and women. These instructions are a part of God's original design. As we fully embrace our roles, God is honored and the gospel is adorned in culture. 

Christ died for us all equally. He instructs us to live according to our genders in a way that honors Him. When we fight against these basic instructions we are actually fighting against God.

1Pt2

We are to be "living stones", working together to build a "spiritual house" that offers "spiritual sacrifices" to our God who is the "Chief Cornerstone and the Shepherd of our souls".

Paul uses the term, "living sacrifice" and now Peter describes us as "living stones". Two oxymorons to bring to light deep spiritual meaning. We are the building blocks of the church. Solid yet alive. Firm and secure. With Jesus as our example and the foundational "Stone" on which all of our lives are set.

God is the architect and we are to be cooperating with all He is doing as His "chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, personal possessions, and proclaimers of His praise." Our lives are to reflect the realities of all He has done for us.

This is a great challenge. It brings new meaning to being "rock solid"!

1Pet1

To all you "temporary residents" of this world…live holy lives. We were made to live in obedience to Christ. Easy to say, hard to do.

I have lived in Ames for almost 40 years. That is most of my life. In 30 years of marriage, my wife and I have lived in 11 different homes. All in Ames. Recently, while filling out a new passport application, I was asked to give my "permanent residence". Without hesitation I put my new address! I could almost guarentee I will be living somewhere else when my new passport expires.

Peter thought about his life on this earth as "temporary". His permanent address was heaven. He lived this life in a manner that reflected that he knew where he would live "permanently". He instructed all of us who have placed our faith in Jesus to live in the same way. 

His theme: Why live our lives for the things that won't last, when we can be living our lives for things that will never fade. We have an inheritance in heaven. Live in the light of that reality.

 

Jm4

If we can read this chapter and not be convicted, we likely are not actually engaging our minds with what we are reading!

Consider this verse 4. "Adulteresses! Don't you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?" What does that mean? Who are we living for? Are we living for God and what matters forever? Or, are we wanting God to make our earthly lives better?

Earlier in this chapter James clearly says that when we ask God for things so that our lives will be better, our motives are "evil desires". God does not exist to make our lives in this world great. He exist for His glory.

We are to "draw near to God, and He will draw near to us." He is the One who satisfies all of life. He is the One we should pursue. I love what John Piper writes in his books. He says, "God is most satisfied with us when we are most satisfied with Him."

Lots to think about.

Jm3

Don't have dull ears and a sharp tongue! Rather, let your actions speak the truth about your life. These two sentences would summarize James 1-3.

I always get to James 3 and feel so much conviction! Since I am a teacher and since I tend to speak a ton of words, I often feel guilty after reading this chapter.  NOT controlling my tongue is immaturity and sin. God help me be more guarded in the way I use words.

Our words can either build up or destroy, encourage or discourage, bring peace and unity, or division. Jesus said we will give an account for EVERY word that comes out of our mouth.

So convicting. Let's watch our words. Let's use words to help others not hurt them.

Jm2

"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."

This is a verse likely not in our memory packs! Why…because it causes us to struggle. So is salvation by works?! Absolutely not. In fact, James is making it clear that faith and works are inseparable. Later he will say, "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

I love the tension that exist in James! I love the conviction that exists in James! James, the half brother of Jesus, was already frustrated by so called "Christ followers" who were not following Christ at all. No different than Paul who wrote on many occasions about the same kind of people. 

Faith has substance. It brings life. It is "perfected by works". It brings obedience into the lives of believers.

Hopefully, this brings tension into our world. Not doubt. But obedience.

Js1

"Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, … be a doer of the word and not a hearer only."

I have often used this verse without considering closely the context. Listening is a great skill and we all should be better listeners. But, listening to what? Clearly James is wanting us to listen to the "word of God"! And not only to be listening but to be "doing" it.

Think about the things we have heard lately from the scriptures. Are we doing them? Are we working hard to put into practice the things we are hearing? If we are, we will be blessed. (v. 25)

Only fools hear what God says to do and then don't do it! Be doers today.