Category: Mining the Scriptures

The message of the cross, the gospel of Christ, is the means by which God saves man, cf. Romans 1:15-16. Here it is contrasted with the wisdom of the world. The world has always allayed against God and His will. Nevertheless, God chose to save those He could through the preaching of the gospel message. Faith in Christ is the means to salvation. Without believing the testimony of scripture, a man is doomed to salvation.  “…it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (21).

It is interesting to note that even God’s foolishness is incomparable  to the wisdom of man. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (25).

Unfortunately, to most, the preaching of the gospel appears as foolishness, or a stumbling block.  There are few who are interested in God and His word.  They are arrogant in their so-called wisdom, and instead of believing and obeying, they refuse.

Truly, the way is difficult and the gate is narrow! (cf. Matthew 7:13).

Though all men have a knowledge of God, such that no one is excused from unbelief or corruption, many in every age have not given God sufficient praise or thanksgiving. It is a peculiar but easily established truth that men forget who God is, and seek to exalt themselves against him.

Paul expresses one way this is done — by the establishment of idolatry. It is a foolish pursuit, to take the almighty, preeminent and eternal Being in the universe, and seek to minimize Him. (Remake His image to be like men or animals).

God’s response? Allow it. Such a practice, rejecting God, has a deleterious consequence. When God is out of the picture, men are left to their own devices. It is seen in the corruption of worship, showing adoration for the “creature rather than the Creator” (25). It is also demonstrated here in uncleanness, which will be demonstrated further in later verses. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies” (24).

After the death of Judas Iscariot, in response to Psalm 109:8, it became necessary for the others to replace him as an apostle.  The two men considered, Matthias and Joseph (Barsabas Justus), were faithful disciples who had witness the entire ministry of Jesus. One of them was to officially become “a witness with us of His resurrection” (22).

This was not a choosing made by the disciples.  Instead they left the choosing entirely to God. First, they prayed to God. They asked God to “who which of these two You have chosen” (24).

Second, they cast their lots. Typically, the casting of lots would only choose through chance.  But this time the context indicates that God was in control. This was the disciples’ way to accede all will to God Himself.

The lot fell on Matthias.  He truly became one of the twelve.  His name is not mentioned again, but with the others he had the responsibility of teaching and edifying the church during its infancy.

Our text continues a discourse between John and Jewish delegates sent, probably by the Sanhedrin.  Who are you?!  Apparently, John was making a name for himself among the people.

John was clear. He was not the Christ. It was not his purpose to take glory from God’s son, but to “Make straight the way of the Lord” (cf. Isaiah 40:3).

Less clear was his statement that he was not Elijah. His answer in the negative perhaps explained a superstition then present that the prophet would be revived to herald the coming of the Messiah.  He was not the prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18?). This passage is a reference to Jesus Himself, not a prophet who would precede Him. However, Matthew 17:10-13, Mark 9:11-13, and Luke 1:17 all make a connection of John the Baptist with Elijah. Luke saying that he would go before Jesus, “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”

Jesus was the significant and greater personage, and John’s efforts were to prepare the people of Israel to accept him.

In Luke 1:36, Elizabeth (an older woman) is identified as a relative of the virgin Mary.  She had conceived in her old age, blessed by God, and would eventually give birth to John the Baptist.

Mary went to Elizabeth, and when they met, we are told, the babe leapt in Elizabeth’s womb.  This is a strong pro-life passage.  The word babe is from the Greek brephos and refers, depending upon the passage, to either an unborn child or a small child, an infant.  Two things are noted in verse 41.  The fetus was a baby, and the baby “leaped” indicating life.  This is scripture and logical.  Only God has the right to determine when life begins, not men.  It seems here that the unborn child of Elizabeth is regarding by the Holy Spirit as being alive.

Elizabeth understood the significance of the visit.  She called Mary, the “mother of my Lord” (43). She was honored by the visit.

Verse 45 indicates that Elizabeth recognized the faith of Mary.  Mary believed what the angel said.  Mary could be said to be the first to have faith in Jesus.  Her life from that point on would be eventful!

The Lord left the synagogue in Capernaum and immediately went to Peter’s house.  (There is evidence the location of both the synagogue and Peter’s house are still known).  The village of Capernaum was small, and the two buildings are located close together.

There Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter. It was a compassionate action by Jesus, allowing her to then serve Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James and John. Most interesting, there is significance in what the event reveals about Peter.

First, Peter had the domestic qualification of being “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2) to be an elder of the Lord’s church. And he was an elder (cf. 1 Peter 5:1). Consider that the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are requirements, not suggestions.

Second, Paul was able to use Peter to show the legitimacy (scriptural basis) for supporting the work he did. He indicated that he and Barnabas had the right to “take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas” (1 Cor. 9:5).

In this text we have an example of great inhumanity. Herod the Great, concerned that his position might be threatened, committed clear murder of innocent children. The purpose was to destroy what he perceived to be a possible rival. However, the parents of Jesus were warned by an angel of God, and escaped from Herod to Egypt.  They remained there until Herod died. The date is not exactly known, as differing assumptions render the birth of Jesus in different years. However, the interval was not long, as Herod died soon after, and his son reigned in his place. Hosea 11:1 was fulfilled, a foreshadowing of the Lord’s time spent in that foreign land.

In the interim, Herod had all the male children of Bethlehem and the region who were at or below the age of 2 killed, in a paranoid attempt to destroy Jesus. Traditional estimates of 14,000 to 144,00 infants killed are no doubt wildly exaggerated. It was more probably between 12-40 children. Regardless, it was brutality. It was also a fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15, causing great pain and agony to many.

It is believed that all of the apostles other than John were martyred for Christ.  They were given a great responsibility in the early church, and great authority, delegated to them by the Lord. But this made them obvious targets of persecution.  While John kept his life, he was exiled to the small island of Patmos “for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (1:9), off the western coast of Asia Minor. This is where he wrote the book of Revelation, which is dated either prior to the destruction of Jerusalem (69 AD) or late in the first century during the reign of Domitian (96 AD). If the latter date is accepted, this makes John a very old man at the time of writing.

The book, as indicated by the text, is a record of visions he received while “in the Spirit.”  The “Lord’s Day” in the text probably refers to the first day of the week, when Christian worship is offered (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

He was instructed by the Lord (described in verses 12-20), to write and share with the Asian churches the things he saw and heard.

Though Jude’s primary purpose was to warn about false teacher’s, he also writes several words of instruction to his readers.  In fact, verses 20-23 contain such, beginning with the phrase “But you…”  As such these have application in our lives as well.

Build your faith (through an examination and cultivation of God’s word. We are to constantly be improving in our Christian walk).  Pray in the Holy Spirit (this most probably indicates that we are to pray in accord with God’s will, that which the Holy Spirit has shared through His inspiration of the word). Keep yourselves in the love of God (this is our responsibility, to keep ourselves in God’s love. Obedience is how we show our devotion and love for Him). Look for Christ’s mercy (as Cornelius and other seeker’s of truth have done).

Finally, verses 22-23 explain how we are to deal with the sins of others. This depends upon the circumstances of the sin and sinner, how fully they are taken in the sin, and what is best to save them.  Some need longsuffering and compassion, while others need a more direct  and hasty treatment, “pulling them out of the fire” (23).

Light contrasted with darkness.  This is a concept that John talks about often.  A true Christian is “in the light.” This refers to a right relationship with God, who is our illumination. It is the place a Christ is supposed to be.  But, any man who claims such a place, and yet shows hatred for others (in this context, another brother in Christ) remains in the darkness rather than the light.

God loves the world (cf. John 3:16).  Love must be characteristic of His children, especially love for those in this glorious family. If we love our brother we abide in the light, “and there is no cause for stumbling.” (10) Light illuminates, making the way easy, and directing the paths of the child of God.

However, hatred keeps one from the light. Without light we do not know where we are going.  Sightless and yet walking is a dangerous proposition.  Physically we can stub an toe.  Spiritually we can lose our soul, a far worse possibility.

Love is the answer.  Love for one another.  Don’t fool yourself!

This section of Peter’s epistle uses several examples from scripture to note God’s judgment. First is the angels who sinned, of which we know little beyond speculation. However, this judgment seems to be the first meted out by God. We are familiar with the flood, and the judgment of the ancient world. Next are Sodom and Gomorrah, who God destroyed with fire and brimstone. He states these two cities serve as an “example to those who afterward would live ungodly” (6).

In the midst of such judgment of evil stood righteous men like Moses and Lot, who were oppressed by the evil which surrounded them. But, they were spared by God.

This is to let us know today that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (9).

As always, your standing before God and treatment by Him depends upon your own obedience or disobedience.  God treats us all fairly because God is just!

Peter in previous verses had established the end of the faithful.  An “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1:4).

This salvation was not fully revealed in times past. The prophets of old had questions about it as they spoke of the promise of it in words supplied by God. They did not fully comprehend the nature, or the time when redemption would come.

Now we have all revealed.  We can look to the New Testament and read from it all that Jesus had to suffer to secure our redemption. We know of His resurrection, His ascension, and His reign in heaven at God’s right hand. We are so blessed with this knowledge, and that we live in the “last days.”

As our redemption is secured through our belief and obedience to the good news of Christ, we have reason to rejoice. We have had revealed to us things that even angels could not fully comprehend before Jesus came.  We know, we can read. We are blessed by God!

Those who hold to the doctrine of salvation by faith only must ignore the admonitions of the Holy Spirit in this text. Remember, the writer was not just James, he was inspired. So, verse 21 tells us that we must stop practicing filthiness and wickedness. In other words, we must repent.

We also must obey, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The idea that God does not require works of obedience to receive us is a lie. To equate the requirement of obedience to “earning” our salvation is a simply not so. God has made clear His insistence upon our obedience. Otherwise we are fickle.  Responding to the extended grace of God by seeing it; and then immediately forgetting it as a man who looks into the mirror, but immediately forgets what manner of man he is; shows a blatant disrespect for the Almighty. God directs His blessings upon those who are led to obedience, not on those who only hear, but do not do.  We must “look into the perfect law of liberty and [continue] in it.”

Here in our text the writer talks about why Jesus did what He did while on earth. Since we humans and flesh and blood, Jesus too became fully human (cf. John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8). His intent in coming was to free us from the bondage of sin and death, by gaining the victory over the devil, “him who had the power of death” (14). He did this through His death on the cross, serving as a sufficient sacrifice for sin.

Jesus did not do this for angels, but for humankind, “the seed of Abraham” (16). It was necessary for our redemption that Jesus become in all points like we are (Philippians 2:8; Hebrew 4:14-15). He is unique, both man and God. His humanity makes Him a “merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God”(17) i.e. no one can take his position as  both our High Priest, and our propitiation for sins.

In being a man, He was tempted like us. So, this gives Him the power to aid us in our own temptations. Praise be to God.

It is important to note that here Paul is giving Titus instructions on what to teach. It is important to declare the “whole counsel of God”, (cf. Acts 20:27). An aspect of that declaration is to teach every person, young or old, male or female, how they should direct their lives.

There are specific admonitions that different ages or genders need. This is not sexist or ageist, it is merely an acknowledgment of the order of life, and what God always requires of us.  With this in mind, the text is a treasure trove of good instruction.

Older men are to be characterized by sobriety and reverence. The old women as well, and they are to teach the younger women with less experience.  The younger women are to show love, deference and care to their husbands and children.  The younger men are to be act with maturity. They are to have integrity and soundness in action.

Finally, bondservants are to serve their masters with fidelity as Christians should always do.  The exhortations are simple, but needed. As too often they are ignored.