Peace, Love, & Understanding

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• Heb 13:3 . . Remember prisoners, as though in prison with them; and those who
are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

The prisoners mentioned are not just any jailbird in lock-up; but rather, it's limited
to those who are "in the body" viz: in Christ.

"We are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and
mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a
profound mystery— but I am talking about Christ and the church." (Eph 5:30-32)

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body" (1Cor 12:12-13)

The tenor of the command is, I think, restricted to Christians mistreated and/or
confined for their religious beliefs and practices rather than actual crimes. There's a
lot of that sort of thing going on today in Muslim countries. America is well-known
for its religious tolerance; other countries, not so much.
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• Heb 13:16 . . And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices
God is pleased.

Doing good and sharing are bloodless sacrifices; and in point of fact are far more
likely to be accepted by God than the death of birds and beasts.

In the first chapter of the book of Isaiah, God lambasted Moses' people for bringing
all the correct, God-mandated sacrifices to the Temple. Why? Because those
sacrifices were insulting while His people were not only crooks; but also lacking the
milk of human kindness. The sacrifices that God preferred over and above the
Temple offerings were the below:

"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the
fatherless, plead the case of the widow." (Isa 1:17)

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt
offerings." (Hos 6:6)

So "doing good" consists of doing what's right, and seeking kindness and fairness
across the board for everyone; including the disadvantaged and the
disenfranchised.
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• Jas 1:19 . . Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

I can't help but wonder how many Christian parents have children whom-- in
teaching them good manners --they taught that it's impolite to interrupt when
others are speaking, but yet allow themselves liberty to practice just the opposite.

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.

"Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (Jas 1:20)
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• Jas 1:19 . . Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;

I can't help but wonder how many Christian parents have children whom-- in
teaching them good manners --they taught that it's impolite to interrupt when
others are speaking, but yet allow themselves liberty to practice just the opposite.

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.

"Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (Jas 1:20)
_

"Bibles God" ?

That sounds quite familiar.

 

[pinacled]

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

I can't help but wonder how many Christian parents have children whom-- in
teaching them good manners --they taught that it's impolite to interrupt when
others are speaking, but yet allow themselves liberty to practice just the opposite.

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.

"Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (Jas 1:20)
_

Matt 5:22

כו מַעְיָן נִרְפָּשׂ, וּמָקוֹר מָשְׁחָת-- צַדִּיק, מָט לִפְנֵי-רָשָׁע.
26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
כז אָכֹל דְּבַשׁ הַרְבּוֹת לֹא-טוֹב; וְחֵקֶר כְּבֹדָם כָּבוֹד.
27
It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
כח עִיר פְּרוּצָה, אֵין חוֹמָה-- אִישׁ, אֲשֶׁר אֵין מַעְצָר לְרוּחוֹ.
28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint. ]

2 timothy 1:7

 

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

The 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, intellect, bank account, career, clothing,
popularity, neighborhood, prestige, and/or social status.

"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?" (Jas 2:2-4)

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 at
church avoided me without my knowing it because my appearance and my vehicle
offended their sensibilities.
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• Jas 2:12 . . So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of
liberty.

The law of liberty is different than the law of the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. That
law is depicted in the New Testament as a law of bondage rather than freedom.
(Gal 5:1)

Within the context of James' epistle, the law of liberty-- i.e. the liberator's law (Rom
8:2) --judges Christians by their treatment of other people in accord with how
Christ wants them to be treated in his name.

NOTE: There are Christians out there who are so uncivil, so uncompromising, so
implacable so militant, so irritable, and so lacking the milk of human kindness, that
they would actually be doing Christ service by not identifying themselves with him.
Compare Mark 3:11-12 where Jesus commanded some evil spirits to keep their
mouth shut about his identity.
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• Jas 2:12 . . So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of
liberty.

The law of liberty is different than the law of the covenant that Moses' people
agreed upon with God as per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. That
law is depicted in the New Testament as a law of bondage rather than freedom.
(Gal 5:1)

Within the context of James' epistle, the law of liberty-- i.e. the liberator's law (Rom
8:2) --judges Christians by their treatment of other people in accord with how
Christ wants them to be treated in his name.

NOTE: There are Christians out there who are so uncivil, so uncompromising, so
implacable so militant, so irritable, and so lacking the milk of human kindness, that
they would actually be doing Christ service by not identifying themselves with him.
Compare Mark 3:11-12 where Jesus commanded some evil spirits to keep their
mouth shut about his identity.
_

The Torah(law) of liberty is a part in whole of The Royal Torah(law).
Where in The elders of Yisrayl dined with The Lord of Host whom honors The 2 greatest commands.

[ Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? ]


Full context is very important in both study and teaching from all of scripture. Who are the poor that are despised?
Are they the congregation that offered in free will of all their possesions to be constructed as a The Mishkan.
At the very first.
Ya'akov(james) refers to those who,"Love Him."

Blessing Always

 

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• 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 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 leaves 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
ought to be sensible, and they ought 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, militant, pernicious, or pugnacious.

Christians that teach and/or discuss the Bible with others really ought to be
someone they can trust, and someone with whom they may speak their minds
without fear of reprisals instead of someone in whose presence everybody has to
walk on egg shells all the time.
_

 

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• Jas 4:11a . . Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.

The 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.

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? (cf. Gen 9:20-22)

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; and
these days, it could even be construed as sexual misconduct. 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.

Words are weapons,
Sharper than knives.
The Devil Inside
INXS
Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence
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• Jas 4:11b-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.

One way to speak evil of the law, and judge the law, is to misrepresent the law by
construing it to mean things it doesn't say in writing; in other words: to overrule it
and/or criticize the law as out of date.

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.
_

 

[pinacled]

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• Jas 4:11b-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.

One way to speak evil of the law, and judge the law, is to misrepresent the law by
construing it to mean things it doesn't say in writing; in other words: to overrule it
and/or criticize the law as out of date.

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.
_

Excellent point.
Many an example of public opinion warped by a crowd mind is present from the trial of Yeshua till this day.
A lawless court bent on destroying holiness with libel and slander in many forms of media that are self described as arts.

And mammon has a handful of guilt for enabling these false courts of judgement.

Sound judgement is for those of The House of The Lord.

Blessed be The Holy One

 

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• Jas 5:1-3 . . Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and
silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will
devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days.

Gold doesn't react with oxygen so it won't rust. However, under certain conditions
gold will tarnish, e.g. long-term storage in boxes, bins, and or environments
containing organic sulfur compounds. In other words; James condemns the rich for
stockpiling their gold and never putting any of it to a use beneficial to their fellow
man.

The worst case scenario is the hoarding of gold that rightfully belonged to laborers
who worked to earn it.

"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." (Jas 5:4)

James' final comment actually accuses unfair labor practices of murder because
they deprive the working man of a living wage; and of course most of the world's
working men do not challenge unfair labor practices in court because they simply
cannot afford to; and in some countries, they would risk severe political reprisals if
they dared.

"You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you."
(Jas 5:6)

The "righteous man" in this context refers to people putting in an honest day's work
and not being fairly compensated for it and/or employers contriving tricky ways to
short change them by deducting trumped up expenses from their pay. There's a lot
of that goes on in the garment industry.

It's still true even in our day that only the rich and powerful can afford justice.
However; there's a day coming when that imbalance will all come to an end.

"He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor." (Ps 72:4)

"But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the
afflicted of the earth;" (Isa 11:4)
_

 

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• 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.

If there’s a personality clash between you and a fellow believer; God forbid you
should drag other people into the middle of it! And keep in mind that God is an
eavesdropper. He hears and sees everything we do, think, or say. Don't let Him
catch you maliciously shredding a fellow believer's reputation, assassinating their
character and/or running them into the ground behind their back. (cf. Matt 18:15)
_

 

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• Jas 5:16 . . Confess your sins to one another

The word "sins" is an arbitrary editorial insertion rather than a translation; viz: it
isn't in the Greek manuscripts; 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; and to do so without recriminations, without rejoinders,
and without feigned indignity. (cf. Matt 18:15-17)
_

 

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• 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).

Some kids are easily corrected simply by a cross glare and a stern scolding; while
other kids require a stronger hand.

I once heard a cute story of a man who would 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 giddy-up.

"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." (Ps
32:8-9)

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.
_

 

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• 1Pet 1:22b . . See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

The Greek word translated "love" in that passage is agapao (ag-ap-ah'-o) which is
actually a very easy love to practice because it doesn't consist of sentiments like
affection and fondness; which are components of the other love in the New
Testament translated from the Greek word phileo (fil-eh'-o).

Agapao is impersonal; commonly expressed in things like charity, kindness,
sympathy, lenience, and tolerance; viz: agapao isn't expressed by liking people;
rather, it's expressed by being nice to people, i.e. civil; defined by Webster's as
adequate in courtesy and politeness: mannerly.

Phileo, on the other hand, is personal and not as common as agapao because phileo
is felt rather than expressed; viz: phileo refers to emotional attachments.

An excellent contrast between the two loves is seen by comparing John 3:16 and
John 16:27.

In the first; God is shown sympathetic.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

In the latter, God is shown affectionate.

"The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I
came from God."

Obtaining God's sympathy is very easy because that's on Him; whereas winning His
affections is not so easy because that's on us.

"If you obey my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have obeyed my
Father's commands and abide in His love." (John 15:10)

Anyway; 1Pet 1:22b only requires Christians to be civil, which I'm convinced is
within everyone's capabilities; even for Christians whose sensitivities are those of a
catcher's mitt or a wooden nickel.

A pure fervent heart refers to taking Peter's requirement seriously enough to make
a determined, conscientious effort to comply with it; viz: every Christian, even the
bi-polar ones, really ought to be doing their level best to be good people not just
some of the time, nor even most of the time; but all the time-- at the very least
among themselves and with each other.
_

 

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• 1Pet 2:1a . . Lay aside all malice

The Greek word for "malice" is kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which basically refers to badness,
i.e. depravity, malignity, and trouble.

Malignity commonly describes aggressive cancers, which tend to spread and
produce death or deterioration, viz: malignant people are passionately and
relentlessly malevolent; defined by Webster's as having, showing, or arising from
intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred.

Seeing as how malice is controllable; then I think it safe to conclude that there are
some people whose mean-spirited behavior is by choice, i.e.
deliberate.
_

 

[pinacled]

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• 1Pet 2:1a . . Lay aside all malice

The Greek word for "malice" is kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which basically refers to badness,
i.e. depravity, malignity, and trouble.

Malignity commonly describes aggressive cancers, which tend to spread and
produce death or deterioration, viz: malignant people are passionately and
relentlessly malevolent; defined by Webster's as having, showing, or arising from
intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred.

Seeing as how malice is controllable; then I think it safe to conclude that there are
some people whose mean-spirited behavior is by choice, i.e.
deliberate.
_

And the root of malice is envy

 

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• 1Pet 2:1b . . Lay aside all deceit (a.k.a. guile, cunning, and duplicity)

The Greek word for "deceit" is dolos (dol'-os) which basically refers to a decoy;
defined by Webster's as someone or something used to lure or lead another into a
trap.

Decoys can also be used as diversions, e.g. red herrings.

Dolos also refers to trickery; defined by Webster's as the practice of crafty
underhanded ingenuity to deceive or cheat, for example Gen 3:1.

A very common form of deceit is something called dissembling; which basically
means to conceal one's true feelings with pretense. I think it's pretty safe to say
that everybody at one time or another practices dissembling; it's pretty much a
natural propensity.

Peter's instructions don't say to avoid deceit, they say to lay it aside; viz: stop it.
_