Word of truth

James 1:18-25 - He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

1 Peter 1:23 - For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

James 2:12-13 - Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

John 8:34 - Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Conclusions:

• The new birth comes about through direct action of the Holy Spirit, but the word of God also plays an important role, for it presents the gospel to the sinner and calls on him to repent and believe in Christ
• The imperishable seed is doubtless the word of God, which is imperishable, living and enduring
• Perfect law is the moral and ethical teaching of Christianity, which is based on the Old Testament moral law, as embodied in the Ten Commandments, but brought to completion by Jesus Christ
• In contrast to the sinner, who is a slave to sin, obeying the moral law gives the Christian the joyous freedom to be what he was created for
• Closely connected with Jesus, the truth is not philosophical truth but the truth that leads to salvation
• The truth will set you free from sin, not ignorance
• The judgment is James 2:12 is not for determining eternal destiny, for James is speaking to believers, whose destiny is already determined
• The judgment in James 2:12 is for giving rewards to believers
• A sinner is a slave to sin because he cannot break free by his own strength

Application:

• Have you been called to repent and believe in Christ?
• Are you being what you have been created for?
• Do you know the truth?
• Do you speak and act based on heavenly rewards?
• Are you a slave to sin?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Every Good And Perfect Gift Is From ABove

James 1:16-17 - Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Corinthians 6:9

Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Malachi 3:6 - "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Conclusions:

• People who engage in the practices of 1 Corinthians 6:9 as well as the other offenders in 1 Corinthians 6:10, are explicitly excluded from God’s kingdom
• “God is not a man, that He should lie” describes the unchangeability of the Lord and the integrity of His word
• Balaam is a foil for God—constantly shifting, lying, misleading, changing—a prime example of the distinction between God and man
• Contrary to what many in Malachi’s day were thinking, God remains faithful to His covenant
• Israel was not destroyed in spite of Israel’s history of unfaithfulness
• Wisdom enables one to face trials with pure joy
• Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications

Application:

• Do you engage in the practices of 1 Corinthians 6:9?
• Are you constantly shifting, lying, misleading and changing?
• Do you have a history of unfaithfulness?
• Do you have practical insight?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Nor Does He Tempt Anyone

James 1:13-15 - When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Genesis 22:1 - Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

Genesis 3:6-7,15,22 - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves…And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."… And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."

Job 15:35 - They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit."

Conclusions:

• Tempted refers to temptations that test one’s moral strength to resist sin
• Because God in His very nature is holy, there is nothing in Him for sin to appeal to
• Isaac had grown into adolescence or young manhood when Abraham was asked to sacrifice him
• God tested Abraham. God did not tempt Abraham, for God does not tempt
• Satan tempts us in order to make us fall; God tests us in order to confirm our faith or prove our commitment
• Abraham answered with the response of a servant, as did Moses and Samuel when God called them by name
• The three stages—desire, sin, death—are seen in the temptations of Eve and David
• Good, pleasing and desirable are three aspects of temptation
• Once initiated, sinful thoughts develop quickly into evil acts
• No longer innocent like children, Adam and Eve had a new awareness of themselves and of each other in their nakedness and shame
• The antagonism between people and snakes is used to symbolize the outcome of the titanic struggle between God and the evil one, a struggle played out in the hearts and history of mankind
• The offspring of the woman would eventually crush the serpent’s head, a promise fulfilled in Christ’s victory over Satan—a victory in which all believers will share
• In a terribly perverted way, Satan’s predictions came true
• Sin, which always results in death, cuts the sinner off from God’ gift of eternal life

Application:

• Do you accuse God of tempting you?
• Do you answer with the response of a servant?
• Do you conceive desire?
• Do you give in to temptation?
• Do you conceive sinful thoughts?
• Are you ashamed when you sin?
• Are you a believer?
• Have you been cut off from God's gift of eternal life?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible.

Blessed

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Genesis 22:1 - Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Matthew 5:10 - Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 Timothy 4:8 - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Conclusions:

• Abraham was tested, not tempted, for God does not tempt
• Satan tempts us in order to make us fall; God tests us in order to confirm our faith or prove our commitment
• Abraham answered with a response of a servant, as did Moses and Samuel when God called them by name
• What God has prepared is probably not to be limited to either present or future blessing; both are involved
• Theirs is the kingdom of heaven is a present reality as well as a future hope
• Psalm 1:1 speaks progressively of association with the ungodly and participation in their ungodly ways
• Blessed is the happy condition of those who revere the Lord and do His will, who put their trust in Him, and so are blessed by God
• The Psalter begins by proclaiming the blessedness of the godly and ends by calling all living things to praise God in His earthly and heavenly sanctuaries
• Counsel is deliberations and advice
• Sinners are those for whom evil is habitual; for whom wickedness is a way of life
• Mockers are those who ridicule God and defiantly reject His law
• Paul uses the metaphor of the wreath given to the winner of a race
• Paul could be referring to (1) a crown given as a reward for a righteous life, (2) a crown consisting of righteousness or (3) a crown given righteously by the righteous Judge
• That day is the day of Christ’s second coming

Application:

• Do you answer with the response of a servant?
• Do you love God?
• Are you persecuted because of righteousness?
• Do you revere the Lord, do His will, and put your trust in Him?
• Do you long for Christ's appearing?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Brother In Humble Circumstances

James 1:5-11 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Psalm 119:113 - I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Conclusions:

• A double-minded man is unstable in all he does
• Wisdom enables one to face trials with pure joy
• Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual inclinations
• The plans and purposes of the nations will not prevail

Application:

• Are you a double-minded person?
• Do you ask God for wisdom?
• Do you believe the word of God stands forever?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Comclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Holy Trinity

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28 - Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:14 - May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Conclusions:

• The benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 is Trinitarian in form and has ever since been a part of Christian worship tradition
• The mystery of the Holy Trinity is known to be true not through rational or philosophical explanation but through Christian experience, whereby the believer knows firsthand the grace, the love, and the fellowship that freely flow to him from the three Persons of the one Lord God

Application:

• Do you know the grace, love and fellowship that flows freely from the Holy Trinity?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Faithful

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

1 Corinthians 1:9 - God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Philippians 1:4-6 - In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Genesis 18:25 - Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Conclusions:

• Paul’s confidence rests in the nature of God, who can be relied on to complete what He begins
• God may be trusted to do what He has promised, namely, to keep believers strong to the end
• “God is not a man, that He should lie” describes the unchanging Lord and the integrity of His word
• Balaam is a foil for God—constantly shifting, lying, evading, changing—a prime example of the distinction between God and man
• Paul is confident, not only of what God has done for the readers in forgiving their sins, but also of what He has done in them
• Work refers to God’s activity in saving them
• Day of Christ Jesus is His return, when their salvation will be brought to completion
• It is God who initiates salvation, who continues it and who will one day bring it to its consummation
• Abraham based his plea on the justice and authority of God, confident that God would do what is right

Application:

• Does your confidence rest in the nature of God?
• Do you trust God to do what He has promised?
• Do you believe in the integrity of God's Word?
• Are you confident in what God has done for you?
• Are you confident that God will do what is right?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Stduy Bible