12 But above all things, my brothers, do not swear, neither by heaven nor by earth nor with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, lest you fall under judgment.
19 My brothers, if any one among you is led astray from the truth and someone turns him back,
20 Let him know that he who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that one's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
James Chapter 4 - Dealing with Pleasures, the World, and the Devil
3 You ask and do not receive because you ask evilly that you may spend it on your pleasures.
7 Be subject therefore to God; but withstand the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-souled!
12 One is Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?
14 Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears.
15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
7 Be subject therefore to God; but withstand the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-souled!
12 One is Lawgiver and Judge, who is able to save and destroy. But who are you who judge your neighbor?
14 Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears.
15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
James Chapter 3 - Bridling the Tongue
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the pilot wills.
5So also the tongue is a little member yet boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest so little a fire ignites!
6And the tongue is a fire; the very world of unrighteousness, the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every nature, both of beasts and of birds, both of reptiles and of creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human nature;
8But the tongue no one among men is able to tame; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not to be so.
11Does the spring, out of the same opening, gush forth the sweet and the bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives? Or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there disorder and every worthless practice are.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, compliant, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
5So also the tongue is a little member yet boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest so little a fire ignites!
6And the tongue is a fire; the very world of unrighteousness, the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the whole body and sets on fire the course of life and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7For every nature, both of beasts and of birds, both of reptiles and of creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human nature;
8But the tongue no one among men is able to tame; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
10Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not to be so.
11Does the spring, out of the same opening, gush forth the sweet and the bitter?
12Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives? Or a vine, figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic.
16For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there disorder and every worthless practice are.
17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, forbearing, compliant, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
James Chapter 2
14 What is the profit, my brothers, if anyone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister 1is without clothing and lacks daily food,
16 And any one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet you do not give them the necessities of the body, what is the profit?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
22 You see that faith worked together with his works, and by these works faith was perfected.
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
15 If a brother or sister 1is without clothing and lacks daily food,
16 And any one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, yet you do not give them the necessities of the body, what is the profit?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
22 You see that faith worked together with his works, and by these works faith was perfected.
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Book of James tells us about: the Practical virtues of Christian perfection
1. Enduring trials by faith -- 1:2-12
2. Resisting temptation as God-born ones -- 1:13-18
3. Living a God-fearing life by the implanted word according to the perfect law of freedom -- 1:19-27
4. Having no respect of persons among the brothers -- 2:1-13
5. Being justified by works in relations with the believers -- 2:14-26
6. Bridling the tongue -- 3:1-12
7. Behaving in wisdom -- 3:13-18
8. Dealing with pleasures, the world, and the devil -- 4:1-10
9. Not speaking against the brothers -- 4:11-12
10. Confiding not in self-will but in the Lord -- 4:13-17
11. (Warning to the rich -- 5:1-6) Awaiting the Lord's coming with long-suffering -- 5:7-11
12. Speaking honestly without swearing -- 5:12
13. Healthy practices in the church life -- 5:13-20
2. Resisting temptation as God-born ones -- 1:13-18
3. Living a God-fearing life by the implanted word according to the perfect law of freedom -- 1:19-27
4. Having no respect of persons among the brothers -- 2:1-13
5. Being justified by works in relations with the believers -- 2:14-26
6. Bridling the tongue -- 3:1-12
7. Behaving in wisdom -- 3:13-18
8. Dealing with pleasures, the world, and the devil -- 4:1-10
9. Not speaking against the brothers -- 4:11-12
10. Confiding not in self-will but in the Lord -- 4:13-17
11. (Warning to the rich -- 5:1-6) Awaiting the Lord's coming with long-suffering -- 5:7-11
12. Speaking honestly without swearing -- 5:12
13. Healthy practices in the church life -- 5:13-20
James Chapter 1: Enduring Trials by Faith
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into various trials,
3 Knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, because when he has become approved by testing, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted of evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lusts;
15 Then the lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and the sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
19 You know this, my beloved brothers; but let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore putting away all filthiness and the abundance of malice, receive in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 And become doers of the word and not hearers only, who delude themselves.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this one's religion is vain.
3 Knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.
5 But if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, because when he has become approved by testing, he will receive the crown of life, which He promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted of evil, and He Himself tempts no one.
14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lusts;
15 Then the lust, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and the sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
19 You know this, my beloved brothers; but let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 For the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore putting away all filthiness and the abundance of malice, receive in meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 And become doers of the word and not hearers only, who delude themselves.
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this one's religion is vain.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Hebrews Chapter 13 - Virtues for the Church Life
2 Do not forget hospitality, for through this some, without knowing it, have entertained angels.
5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, being satisfied with the things which are at hand; for He Himself has said, "I shall by no means give you up, neither by any means shall I abandon you'';
6 So that being of good courage, we say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me?''
7 Remember the ones leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their manner of life, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.
9 Do not be carried away by various strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by the food of sacrifices, by which those who walk were not profited.
15 Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing His name.
16 But do not forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey the ones leading you and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.
5 Let your way of life be without the love of money, being satisfied with the things which are at hand; for He Himself has said, "I shall by no means give you up, neither by any means shall I abandon you'';
6 So that being of good courage, we say, "The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me?''
7 Remember the ones leading you, who have spoken to you the word of God; and considering the issue of their manner of life, imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.
9 Do not be carried away by various strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be confirmed by grace, not by the food of sacrifices, by which those who walk were not profited.
15 Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise continually to God, that is, the fruit of lips confessing His name.
16 But do not forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey the ones leading you and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable to you.
Hebrews Chapter 12: The Fifth Warning -- Run the Race and Do Not Fall Away from Grace
1 Therefore let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, put away every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and run with endurance the race which is set before us,
2 Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For compare Him who has endured such contradiction by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary, fainting in your souls.
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all sons have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
11 Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it.
15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall away from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one meal gave up his own birthright.
28 Therefore receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly with piety and fear;
2 Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For compare Him who has endured such contradiction by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary, fainting in your souls.
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline?
8 But if you are without discipline, of which all sons have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
11 Now no discipline at the present time seems to be a matter of joy, but of grief; but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised by it.
15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall away from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one meal gave up his own birthright.
28 Therefore receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly with piety and fear;
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hebrews Chapter 11 enjoyment - FAITH
Definition of faith:
1 Now faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Witness of faith:
6 But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was lovely, and they did not fear the king's decree.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 Choosing rather to be ill treated with the people of God than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin,
26 Considering the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked away to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he persevered as one seeing the unseen One.
28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the pouring out of the blood so that the bone destroying the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, in which the Egyptians, while making the attempt, were swallowed up.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 Who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong in weakness, became mighty in war, routed the armies of foreigners.
39 And these all, having obtained a good testimony through their faith, did not obtain the promise,
40 Because God has provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
1 Now faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Witness of faith:
6 But without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to Him, for he who comes forward to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw that the child was lovely, and they did not fear the king's decree.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,
25 Choosing rather to be ill treated with the people of God than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin,
26 Considering the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked away to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he persevered as one seeing the unseen One.
28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the pouring out of the blood so that the bone destroying the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land, in which the Egyptians, while making the attempt, were swallowed up.
32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 Who through faith overcame kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong in weakness, became mighty in war, routed the armies of foreigners.
39 And these all, having obtained a good testimony through their faith, did not obtain the promise,
40 Because God has provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Hebrews reveal FIVE warnings to us... :) Give heed....
The first warning -- Give heed to what is spoken concerning the Son
The second warning -- Do not come short of the promised rest
The third warning -- Be brought on to maturity
The fourth warning -- Come forward to the Holy of Holies and do not shrink back to Judaism
The fifth warning -- Run the race and do not fall away from grace
The second warning -- Do not come short of the promised rest
The third warning -- Be brought on to maturity
The fourth warning -- Come forward to the Holy of Holies and do not shrink back to Judaism
The fifth warning -- Run the race and do not fall away from grace
Hebrews Chapter 9 enjoyment
Hebrews 9
26 Since then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested for the putting away of sin through the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is reserved for men to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time to those who eagerly await Him, apart from sin, unto salvation.
26 Since then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested for the putting away of sin through the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And inasmuch as it is reserved for men to die once, and after this comes judgment,
28 So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time to those who eagerly await Him, apart from sin, unto salvation.
Hebrews Chapter 2 enjoyment
Hebrews 2:1 [Therefore we ought to give heed more abundantly to the things which have been heard lest perhaps we drift away]
Hebrews Chapter 1 enjoyment
Hebrews 1:9 [You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy above Your partners]
Hebrews Chapter 10 enjoyment
8 Saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You did not desire nor delight in'' (which are offered according to the law),
9 He then has said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will.'' He takes away the first that He may establish the second,
10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily, ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never remove sins;
12 But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever on the right hand of God,
13 Henceforth waiting until His enemies are made the footstool for His feet.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after having said,
16 "This is the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord: I will impart My laws upon their hearts, and upon their mind I will inscribe them,''
17 He then says, "And their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall by no means remember anymore.''
18 Now where forgiveness of these is, there is no longer an offering for sin.
29 By how much do you think he will be thought worthy of worse punishment who has trampled underfoot the Son of God and has considered the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay''; and again, "The Lord will judge His people.''
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to mind the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings;
33 On one hand, being made a spectacle both in reproaches and in afflictions, and on the other, having become partakers with those who are treated the same.
34 For you both sympathized with those in bonds and accepted with joy the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better possession and one that abides.
35 Do not cast away therefore your boldness, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance in order that, having done the will of God, you may obtain the promise.
37 "For in yet a very little while the Coming One will come and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.''
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of them who have faith to the gaining of the soul.
9 He then has said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will.'' He takes away the first that He may establish the second,
10 By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily, ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never remove sins;
12 But this One, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever on the right hand of God,
13 Henceforth waiting until His enemies are made the footstool for His feet.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after having said,
16 "This is the covenant which I will covenant with them after those days, says the Lord: I will impart My laws upon their hearts, and upon their mind I will inscribe them,''
17 He then says, "And their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall by no means remember anymore.''
18 Now where forgiveness of these is, there is no longer an offering for sin.
29 By how much do you think he will be thought worthy of worse punishment who has trampled underfoot the Son of God and has considered the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay''; and again, "The Lord will judge His people.''
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to mind the former days, in which, having been enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings;
33 On one hand, being made a spectacle both in reproaches and in afflictions, and on the other, having become partakers with those who are treated the same.
34 For you both sympathized with those in bonds and accepted with joy the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves have a better possession and one that abides.
35 Do not cast away therefore your boldness, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance in order that, having done the will of God, you may obtain the promise.
37 "For in yet a very little while the Coming One will come and will not delay.
38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul does not delight in him.''
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to ruin but of them who have faith to the gaining of the soul.
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