Pondering Scripture with Jeremiah Cox: Recent Episodes
Jeremiah Cox
A practical discussion of scripture in both textual and topical formats.
If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to email me: jeremiahstancox@gmail.com
Jesus requires us to take up our cross and follow Him. This path is difficult, but it is a must. The easier path leads to destruction, but the way of the cross leads to home in heaven.
People will go to tremendous lengths to save their physical life. Yet, this life is but a vapor. What about their spiritual life? “And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2:40, ASV)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). What does this mean? Why is it important?
Peter spoke of some who were warping the gospel - "untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). Things that are good can become instruments of destruction if they are used improperly. This is no less true with the gospel.
When God created in the beginning, He set in motion immutable laws. These natural laws cannot be challenged without dire consequences. In creation, God also made the invisible. The invisible things are also governed by immutable laws. Like the natural laws, the laws governing the unseen, that which is spiritual, cannot be challenged without dire consequences.
We live in an egocentric society. This is often manifested in the advice that is pursued, given, and received. Much of what the world tells us starkly contradicts what Jesus would tell us. We should not listen to the world's advice, but instead listen to that given from Jesus.
Psalm 1:1 is examined. What the blessed man is not stands as a warning against the lifestyle of the ungodly. The description gives a progression, an evolution, from one level of depraved thought to greater levels of a depraved life.
James ends his epistle with an effort to encourage the correction of erring brethren by noting what a tremendous blessing such brings.
James revisits some topics from earlier in his epistle - suffering and prayer. When suffering, one of the greatest tools provided by God for the Christian to make it through is prayer. Prayer can save the sick. Prayer can access God's forgiveness when needed. Prayer avails much.
James prohibits the readers from swearing. Rather, they are to be honest in their dealings with others, letting their "Yes" be "Yes," and their "No," "No." Jesus taught the same, and a look at His teachings furthers our understanding of James'.
James follows his address to the ungodly rich with further discussion directed toward his brethren. While they are oppressed by the rich they are to remain patient. They must not themselves revert toward ungodliness for the Judge is at the door. Instead, they should have confidence in the reward.
In this episode of "Pondering Scripture," Jeremiah continues a study of James with the fifth chapter. James addresses the ungodly rich who are oppressing the readers to impress his audience with God's awareness, and the vengeance He will visit these oppressors with.
In Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus answered the disciples' dispute about greatness in the kingdom with the example of a humble little child. We need to return to some of the virtues we had as children.
In Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus answered the disciples' dispute about greatness in the kingdom with the example of a humble little child. We need to return to some of the virtues we had as children.
In Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus answered the disciples' dispute about greatness in the kingdom with the example of a humble little child. We need to return to some of the virtues we had as children.
Another effect the worldly wisdom had on the reader's of James' epistle was they way the planned. They were presumptuous, arrogant, and boastful. Their planning, through a worldly mindset, left God out of the equation. They were negligent. Our plans must always include God.
James continues to address some problems among his readers stemming from their earthly wisdom. As their wisdom was not from God's word, neither were the judgments they were making against their brethren. James explains that when they make such judgments they judge the law, and usurp the authority of the Lawgiver.
James continues his reproof of the worldliness in his audience with a call to repentance. If we want Divine favor we must humbly submit to Him in all things. He will then lift us up to a relationship with Him wherein we are the recipients of immense blessings.
James addresses the outcome of the worldly wisdom possessed by some of his readers and discussed at the end of chapter 3. There was strife among the brethren due to their carnal desires for pleasure. They were not mindful of the spiritual, but were at enmity with God. God desires the entire devotion of His children.
The teacher of God's word must be speaking the wisdom from above. His life will manifest which wisdom he possesses. Those who possess wisdom from the earth are not fit to teach, and must not boast and lie against the truth.
The reason James warned about becoming teachers is further elaborated. The tongue (used for speech by metonymy) has great potential. While it is not in any way inherently evil, its potential for evil is immense. The teacher must understand that their teaching holds much power - for good or bad. The understanding of this is essential before one proceeds to teach.
James continues his epistle with a discussion of the tongue as it especially pertains to the office of teaching. He warns that teachers will receive a stricter, or greater judgment. Those who teach must understand the weight of teaching God's word. They must understand they will give an answer in judgment for every word they speak. Therefore, it is required in teachers that they, being mature in Christ, are able to control their speech.
Paul and the apostles were appointed to a task which naturally led to going without in many respects. Yet, their task was to enrich the lives of those to whom they spoke. The gospel was the treasure they carried about in earthen vessels. Still today, whether a disciple of Christ is rich, or dirt poor, they have much to share with others. We should never be discouraged about how little we may have in the flesh. The child of God is an heir of immense wealth.
Part of the pain and anguish a Christian must experience and endure may rightly be described as the chastening of the Lord. It does not necessarily imply wrong doing on the part of the disciple, but it is God's use of what is bad for our good, and His glory. We can be stronger in Christ when in our weakness we turn to Him for strength. Also, this struggle may bring about sorrow. Christians are not people who always have a smile on their face. Suffering, anguish, and sorrow are a part fo the human experience. However, they are certainly people that constantly have cause for rejoicing, and therefore should never let themselves be swallowed up with sorrow.
Christians are not called to a life of fame. Rather, they answer a humble calling. They may not be known abroad, but what is important is that they are known by God. Also, the life of discipleship is not one exempt from suffering. The "gospel of health and wealth" is a lie. Jesus suffered, and promised we will too. However, we are being transformed daily into the glory of Christ.
Even though we are living a godly life in Christ Jesus our good may be spoken of as evil. Whether the report is entirely fabricated, or the truth is put in a negative light, the world will speak evil of God's children. But other Christians will recognize the good, and God certainly will. The world will also accuse the Christian who teaches truth as being a deceiver. Jesus was accused of the same. However, God's truth stands, and so will we if we proclaim it and live in it.
This is episode 1 of 5 of the topical study, "Profitable Paradoxes." In defending his ministry, the apostle Paul listed several paradoxes which were true for him (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:8-10). These are no doubt true for all Christians in the context of their own discipleship. Paul's first paradox - "By honor and dishonor." Christians will no doubt receive honor from God for doing His will. However, Christians will also receive dishonor from the world in doing so.
James does not start a new discussion, but continues his discussion of doing all that God's law requires. Such is described as perfect faith, or faith that is complete. Faith is made complete, or perfect, when it is accompanied by the works of obedience ordained by God. We cannot decide to only do part of what God says - such is incomplete faith. The faith that is alive, and thus pleasing to God in the life of a Christian is a faith that works, or obeys God in all things.
James continues his discussion of partiality by showing in part why it is wrong. It is a failure to keep the entirety of the "royal law." Both the rich man and the poor man are the subjects of the law, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." When they only practiced such toward the rich man they stumbled in one point and became a transgressor of the entire law. This leads into a discussion of faith that is "perfect," or complete - a faith with works. God wants us to be doers (1:22-25) of the entire word, applying it in every situation it is to be applied. We are not showing such faith if we pick and choose which laws to keep, nor are we when we pick and choose whether to apply a certain law in varying situations which demand application.
James shifts his attention to a particular problem among brethren in the first century that continues to be a problem we have today - partiality. This action of partiality is at variance with "the faith," and will furthermore be shown to be in opposition to being "doers of the word." While the specific topic has changed, there are general themes that remain in James' mind as he pens this wonderful epistle.
What is it that God has done which gives us blessed assurance? Where is the confidence of our salvation found? This episode offers 5 points concerning the assurance God offers.
It is wonderful that God offers us assurance of our standing with Him. However, instead of seeking the assurances God has offered us in His word some go beyond it to find assurance where it cannot be found. They find comfort in matters which God has not revealed. If assurance is found without scriptural basis it is false assurance.
The Bible says we can be confident in our salvation. This is vitally important, but why? Is it okay if a person is not sure of their standing with God? What might that doubt cause? What is the role of confidence in the Christian's walk with God? Hope - confident expectation - is a necessity for the spiritual man.
Can we be confident in our salvation? Are we afforded assurance of our standing with God, and of the prospect of heaven? Is it arrogant to claim such confidence of salvation? God offers confidence, expects us to be confident, and we must be confident if we are to live the way God calls us to live.
James continues with the principles established in the first chapter. The Christian is to hear God's word and do what it says. The religion one practices by replying against God, i.e. failing to bridle the tongue, is useless. True religion is that which asks for God's wisdom in order to apply it wholly, and without hesitation. James mentions two facets of "pure and undefiled religion."
James continues his discussion of the need for God's wisdom to endure trials by encouraging his readers to hear God's word, receive it in a spirit of humility, and obey it in order to procure its blessings.
James shows the end goal of enduring trials - the crown of righteousness. He also elaborates on the way of the "double-minded" man described earlier in the text. His "own desires" are temptations to evil. They will result in death. He should not delude himself by thinking this comes from God, but should acknowledge God's way as that which is "good" and "perfect," and obey Him instead.
James continues his discussion of enduring trials by giving attention to trials of two specific groups of Christians - the poor and the rich. Any Christian, no matter their social status or financial status, needs to focus on the spiritual. The poor man has riches in heaven, as does the rich man, but the rich man must view his physical possessions as temporary.
This episode considers the content of James 1:1-8. How does God want us to handle trials? How can we grow from trials?