Bringing Tongues Of Fire From The Sparks Of Faith…
LESSON 26
JAMES – JUDE
By Rev. G. Evan Newmyer
INTRODUCTION TO LESSON 26
This lesson will look at many of the remaining letters of the New Testament, leading us to the Book of Revelation. They give us the process of correction in justification process so we can enjoy it, rather than fight it. The scribes for these letters are, James the Pastor, Peter and John the Apostles and Jude the Prophet, each giving us information to place us into the Perfect Order God has for us.
James will begin with the works of faith to bring us into the Wisdom of God; James also defines Wisdom as the manner in which we deal with people and events, but in so doing he also shows there are two types of Wisdom. James is not twenty little letters, it’s one letter beginning with praying in faith, then ending with a prayer of faith both with the added connection of the Wisdom of God.
First Peter is written to those who desire to walk with Jesus in an overcoming faith centered, love motivated manner. First Peter defines the purpose for our faith, giving us encouragement to continue on. Second Peter is a warning to those who have fallen back to perdition, it will describe false teachers a long with their motives and actions.
First John shows us how to test the spirit, as well as what it takes to have fellowship with the Father. Second John adds to First John bringing clarification; and then Third John also adds giving us the importance of prospering in the soul, in order for us to truly prosper in God.
Jude finishes the lesson with the biggest warning of all, yet interjects Mercy, Belief, Faith and Patience. Jude speaks with the voice of a prophet, the use of metaphors, and allegories are indicative of a prophet. Jude also explains how we are fishers of men, yet we are not the inspectors of the Net.
This letter is not twenty different subjects, neither does it jump from “ask in faith” to “consume it on your own lust” without making a Godly connection. The entire message tells us to have the Wisdom of God in order to deal with events and people, especially God’s people in the same manner as God does. James also points out it’s a Process, we ask, God gives, but we must stand in Faith during the Process of Patience. Wisdom is not easy, there are times when it seems it would be better to react, than respond. The Faith of Jesus has given us many examples in how to deal with people and events in a Godly manner.
So, how does faith fit in? Faith is a continual nature to please God, which includes using the gift of God, regardless of the gift, in a manner God desires. James will show we can ask for Wisdom in various ways, but only asking in faith will we keep Wisdom operating in the manner God desires. Jude will confirm this premise by telling us there are some, few as they may be who twist the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness (Jude 4).
If anyone other than Jesus could tell us about prayer, it would be James, who was affectionately known as “old camel knees” because of the calluses on his knees from all the hours he spent on his knees in prayer. This letter pertains to prayer, but not general prayer as much as specific prayer for supplication and application.
This James is not the brother of John, rather he is James the Less, the Pastor in the Jerusalem church, and brother of Jude. Acts 15 shows this James also had the respect of the prophets and apostles, as they placed themselves under his authority: thus the old carnal attitude of “pastors are subject to prophets” is not according to the Bible. James was an apostle, but considered his pastoral role more important. Interesting considering how some today are called to be Pastors, but think being an apostle is a greater honor.
In Acts 15 James wrote most of the letter to the Gentiles regarding the controversy over circumcision; however, this letter is written to the converted Jews who were scattered among the Gentiles, advising them the Gentiles were brothers, and to be careful how they dealt with them. Paul talked about the Body in general as he noted the hand can’t say to the foot, because we think you’re not of the Body, we have no need of you. Or think we’re the Head and have no need for the rest of the Body. However, James is looking at the two groups making up the Body, Jew and Gentile, as he reaches the same conclusion Paul did, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile”.
In Hebrews we found faith comes from something unseen, we also found how some of us misread it to mean faith either produces the unseen, or faith is the unseen. James will clear up the issue, pointing out how Faith is seen. One could make the mistake thinking James is in conflict with Paul, after all Paul said by faith we are saved, but James says faith can’t save you. Oh wait, Paul said by Grace through faith, so there is no conflict. The Wisdom of God is an attribute of Grace, thus we can have faith, but lack Grace. After all many Old Testament saints had faith, but not Grace. Paul points to obtaining, James talks about what we do after we obtain in order to maintain. No conflict at all, just one adding to the other.
James will use four Old Testament examples, Abraham, Rahab, Job and Elijah, a good scribe knows both the Old and the New; however, they only do the New. Is James saying their faith is better than the Faith of Jesus? No, he shows they had the faith to endure the test, thus those with the Word in them have more a capability to endure.
James 1:1-3
The dating of this letter shows it was some time before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, probably just after the time of the letter going out in Acts 15. James doesn’t begin by saying he is the brother of Jesus, or he is a pastor, or even the brother of Jude, rather he begins by saying he is a servant, thus this is a teaching letter.
The doctrine is delivered, it’s secure; and James will not teach us the element of the Doctrine. What element of the rudiments would this fit? Faith toward God, it’s the premise of asking.
The Greek word for Servant is Doulos meaning A permanent slave who is such by their own will, this is someone who will serve in good and bad times, as faithful. The word Scattered doesn’t limit itself to the Dispersion of the Jewish people; rather we find it has some very interesting keys. James is talking to “brethren”, showing they have made Jesus Lord (James 2:1), which limits the confines of the group. The Jews who were dispersed among the Gentiles also had Judaizers among them. The Letter in Acts 15 gave doctrine to the Gentiles; this letter is asking the dispersed Jews to gain some Godly wisdom in order to deal with the Gentiles as brothers.
James calls them “scattered”, but then adds the word “greeting”, the world Greeting is the Greek Chairo, which is related to the Greek Charis (Grace). This word means Be glad, Rejoice, it was used by Jesus when He talked about being persecuted for the Word’s sake (Matt 5:12). It was tough being a Jew among the Gentiles, tougher yet to see the Gentiles being able to come around the Law of Moses. To most Jews it would mean the Gentile was not disciplined, or would abuse the Gift of God. Tougher yet was to find out you just allowed your old Jewish nature to cause a Babe in Christ to stumble, because you used the wrong wisdom. However, there may be a reason to Rejoice, just perhaps.
The Book of James is considered a Door to the wilderness, either going in, or coming out. If one rejects the cleaning and exposure, they are going into a wilderness of exposure, if they understand James, they can see it relates to “God Is”, the very premise we learn in the wilderness. The Children made the mistake of blaming God, the saint finds they are in the Hand of God, thus they learn to reject the spirit lusting to envy, as they believe God Is. The children allowed unbelief to erode their foundation, yet faith without a foundation soon slips away.
Verse 2 narrows this down to the persons being addressed as Brethren, in the Greek it reads “brothers of me” with the Greek Adelphos denoting unity. This is another clue, James was a Jew, but converted to the Christian faith, he was among the twelve before the Cross. To him the term “Brethren” in this sense pointed directly to those associated to the Body of Christ, or converted Jews. James being a converted Jew was directing his letter to converted Jews in the Body, who were dispersed among the Gentiles. Romans was written to Gentiles who felt they were better than the Jews, here it’s to the Jews who felt they were better than the Gentiles.
He doesn’t begin with, “Be sure you witness about all the good God is doing in your life”, or “be positive”, or “walk in faith, be strong, be courageous”. No, he begins with “Count is joy when you fall into different temptations” (1:2). The Greek word for Count is Hegeomai meaning To lead the way, Chief, To view, or Regard, this would lead to indicating how they fell into the temptation of demanding the Gentiles to be circumcised of the flesh, they are about to learn the premise was not Gospel related. This is confirmed when we see the Greek word for Fall is Pierasmos meaning Putting to the test, or Trial. The concept of making the Gentiles, Jews by circumcision of the flesh before the Gentile could receive the promise actually caused the Jew to fall into a test of their own faith. This also divides the temptation to do evil, from the test of our faith. The test was whether to accept them or not, but they placed restrictions on the Gentiles, even after seeing Jesus accepted them by baptizing them with the Holy Ghost. If one has the Holy Spirit, surely they are accepted by Jesus, what right to we have not to? The test failed then became a temptation for the Jew, causing them to fall. They can now rejoice, they are about to gain some Wisdom, in order to free them.
Any temptation to do evil must have two elements to be complete, the person doing the tempting unto evil must have a lust to envy in them, the one being tempted must have a lust to envy in them to complete the temptation unto evil. The third element James will talk about is taking the Good Gift of God, then twisting it to evil. It seems to be the premise here, the Good Gift is Grace, once we have the Better Covenant, why go back to the inferior?
James will give us two different circumstances, one is how God tests our faith, and the other is when some lust in us drew us away. This can be a tough area to grasp, if God sends a “test”, yet we filter it through a lust, we have then made it a temptation. If we are seeking God through a lust, we are tempting God, yet God has no evil in Him, thus we cannot entice Him to do evil. So what does He do? Sends back a test to expose the lust in us, so we can see it, then be cleaned of it. It was evident in the great quail hunt, they tempted God, yet He sent back a test of exposure. The third area is when someone with a lust tempts us, causing us to react from a lust, causing us to fall into the temptation. We can’t blame them, we fell because of the lust in us. If there is no lust in us, the same temptation sent to us then becomes a test for us. Jesus asked the religious leaders, “why do you tempt Me?”, yet He was not enticed, but through clarity saw the temptation and responded by sending a test as His response. Just as the Father was “tempted”, yet not enticed by the children (Numb 14:22, Ps 95:9 and Heb 3:9). The dilemma comes when we narrow the premise down to “God cannot be tempted, neither will He tempt us”, leaving out the word “evil”. The concept is “God cannot be tempted to do evil, and neither will He tempt us to do evil”.
Still in James 1:2 we find the Greek word for Divers is Peripipto meaning To embrace or Fall around, since it’s plural we find there is more than one Temptation. How many are there? Make a list, check it twice. No, temptations unto evil are lust centered, whether the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life. These lust elements exist in the spirit lusting to envy, which uses the wisdom of man. So, what happens when we do fall? A lust in us was exposed, so now what? Cry? Kick the cat? Quit? All signs of more lusts. No, we Rejoice, get happy. “yeah sure, in a pig’s eye”. No, really, what happened? A perfect example of exposure, a great opportunity for the Word in us to work. Things got tuff, the test came, we turned it into a temptation, rejoice it’s time to be clean in order to gain Peace in the Wisdom of God.
The Greek word for Knowing in verse 3 is Ginosko, a word we looked at in Colossians, it means To know something in the beginning or at the completion, but it doesn’t mean knowledge from on high, nor does it mean Wisdom or Understanding, rather it means to know intellectually, without the experience, which is the case here. Faith can have knowledge, but no experience. We can know all the attributes of God’s Wisdom, yet lack it in residence. We can define Grace, yet not have it. Wisdom is a character trait, it’s something found in the nature of a person, thus James concurs with Paul, we have faith and belief, but we better have Grace in order to enter “shall be saved”. Grace is the nature of God, it’s the New Birth, the Spirit that is of God. James, like Paul is merely saying, we may have faith, we did come to the Cross, but did we continue in the Faith? Did we seek to have the character of Christ? This entire letter will focus on the premise, we can take a Good gift from God, yet twist it into a self-benefit by applying the wrong spirit and wrong wisdom. On the same note we can receive the gift by faith, then endure until it becomes part of our Christ nature. We’re still the ones with the keys to the kingdom.
The Greek word for Proving is Dokimion meaning Approved or Accepted. The Trying also means Works (plural), it’s the Greek Katergazomai meaning To bring about. It was used in Ephesians 6:13 as “having done all”; the Greek word for Work is Ergon Denoting how a person acts under the proving, it also means the business at hand, or the business to be done, thus the term “faith with works” doesn’t mean going about telling everyone about our faith, it means our faith is working in an area to bring to pass what we asked for, so we can walk in it as God intended. If faith is the only element able to please God, then walking in the Gift in a Godly manner must be faith related. Faith is the present tense ability based on a future hope, but it’s also the visible of an invisible source.
If there was ever a place of warfare, this is it. This is the one area where the old man will send every wile he has. Why? This is Wisdom, God’s Wisdom exposes all the things of darkness, yet deals with them in a Godly manner. This area is the foundation for First Peter, the very area where we gain the purpose of our faith, even the salvation of our souls (I Pet 1:9).
The paradox here tells us to ask by faith, for something faith related, thus it all connects to faith. A working faith in love is always working to “please God”, whether we’re pleased or not. Wisdom may have us smile and love someone, who at the moment is completely unlovable. Wisdom may have us reject the temptation to be partial, when being partial is beneficial to our ministry. When someone with a checkbook, and pen in hand comes among us, yet we treat them far better than someone with either no, or little money, are we partial and in sin? Yes, God’s Wisdom is not partial, in fact James will use the very issue to show how the Faith of Jesus displayed the Wisdom of God.
James 1:4-20
The term, “but let patience” means to stay the course, keep allowing faith to work until God’s Wisdom is part of our nature. We found Patience is the joining factor between our belief of “God Is” unto gaining the Reward. Some of us have to think about “what would Jesus do?”, others respond as Jesus by having the same nature as Jesus. The whole idea here is like the Love of God, we can fight and fight not to do the eight things God’s love won’t do, then think we’re holy, but until we do the eight things God’s Love does by nature we’re not holy. We can attempt not to do the things of the wisdom of man, but it still doesn’t mean we operate in the Wisdom of God. The premise is a change of nature by allowing the Word of God to bring the nature change in us. When we allow the Wisdom of God to operate, even if it’s “against our interest”, we will soon make God’s Wisdom an attribute to our New Nature. God’s Love and Wisdom are elements we ask for, then believe we receive, they are not earned.
Patience must also have a purpose and a joy, and Joy isn’t always walking around laughing, it’s a confidence in a Godly purpose. Patience keeps us from disobedience, often staying the course is a warfare in and of itself. In Acts chapter 1 the disciples were told to “Tarry”, or Wait for the Power from on high, but prior they were casting out devils and doing all sorts of things. What power did they have to Tarry for? Sounds like they had enough Power. It was their error in thinking as well, Judas cast out devils, it was Judas he couldn’t deal with. The Power from on high is the power to change Natures, it’s the Seed of God delivered by the Holy Ghost, the New Man, the Greater He, the Holy Spirit of Promise, the very element God granted us in order to bring to pass, our souls being generated into a Spiritual nature by the Word in us, known as the Holy Spirit.
So what did the disciples do? Tarry? No, they held a board meeting to fill the slot of Judas. To them it seemed like the thing to do at the moment, but it was not staying the course, it was jumping out of the boat and walking on water again. When the Lord tells us to “wait”, it’s still doing something. The old nature will say, “what are you doing? Faith has works you know, so do something”. We hear the spirit lusting to envy, then reason, “yeah, all I’m doing is sitting here, everyone else is doing something, I remember the Bible talked about the lepers, and how they did something”. Then we reason the more in order to justify ourselves we conjure up the famed, “it’s a step of faith”, but faith comes by hearing, the last thing we heard was “tarry”, thus to Tarry would have been a act of faith.
Patience also keeps us from going over the limit, or doing things beyond what God told us. God could tell us to do one thing, but no we have a better idea, thus we venture off adding to the Commandment, which is not only disobedience, but like the sin of witchcraft. When we add to the Commandment we become the god over God, making our efforts witchcraft. It’s not by chance we find Faith and Patience linked together in all this, Faith begins with our belief in “God Is”, a lack of Patience says, “I must”. A lack of Patience will also cause us to reject the Proceeding Word, for some prior one, just so we can “do something”. A lack of patience will always lead to presumption, then into disobedience, even if we think we’re obedient by doing “something”. Saul thought he did everything God told him (and more), but found rebellion and stubbornness became his real “works” (I Sam 15:23).
On the same note, God’s Wisdom is not going to be complete for us in one second, it will take time, testings and experience. There will be times when we will use the old natural wisdom, simply because we used it prior, and felt it worked; however, the proof of having the Wisdom of God is the conviction comes after we use natural wisdom. An example would be when John forbid the man from casting out devils, yet Jesus said, No one who uses His name it can do Him harm, then Jesus told John, “let him be”. A little late, wouldn’t you think? John used what he felt was reasonable resolve to a situation, after all the man was not part of the inner circle, he was not ordained (you know), what right did he have to cast out devils? We go through the same thing, anyone who is baptized in the Name of Jesus, can baptize others in water, even if we don’t like the way they’re doing it. The newest convert has authority to do two works, cast out devils and baptize others in water. Teach? No, Preach? No, let not a Novice do so. Be Discipled? Oh Yes, but even the disciples did things during their discipling, but always at command, as well as limited in scope and territory.
Peter heard from the Father one minute, and from Satan the next, yet he couldn’t tell one from the other. When he said, “You are the Christ”, it was a good word, although he tended to over use for the wrong reason, it was still a Truth. A short time later it was, “Be it far from You Lord”, it was natural wisdom coupled with a natural word. Prior Peter heard “Blessed are you”, then decided “I speak for the Father, so here goes”, but Jesus told him, “Get you behind Me Satan”. Wow, God must have set him up, after all if God knows all things, surely He knew Peter would error within a few verses. God didn’t set him up, God granted him information regarding Who the Christ was; a little later he used his own natural reasoning and wisdom to tell Jesus what to do, therein lays the difference. The Father’s information was recognition, the other source was attempting to control, yet Peter didn’t know one from the other. Two different sources, both based on information; for us we find without God’s Wisdom we would have no idea which wisdom we used, we need the differences to see the differences until what is Godly becomes our nature.
Another example is the trust issue, with the Word in us we have the ability to operate in God’s Wisdom, but we never put our trust in people. We can trust someone to do as they should, but when we relay on someone to the point of placing our trust in them, we error. Putting our trust in someone indicates we have a reliance on them, we trust them to protect us, save us, secure us, provide for us, or grant something increasing our faith. It’s completely the opposite of “what do you care, you follow Me”. God’s Wisdom allows us to deal with events in a Godly manner; when the test comes we will see which wisdom we use in the face of adversity. If the wisdom of man we will fall into divers temptations, if the Wisdom of God, we produce a test. Of course we could use the wisdom of man, then call it the Wisdom of God, but the elements of each define which we used. Therefore, Patience stays the course, it also calls for us to limit ourselves to the calling at hand. Our faith holds to Patience until the time when the Wisdom of God as an active element in our Christian walk. Don’t forget Faith is a now issue, projected to a future happening. We believe we receive, it’s now, but our faith must also reach to the future when the element is complete, thus Belief says we asked, thus we have received, but then Faith sees the end, Patience keeps us on course until completion.
The last point is the real issue here, it appears later in chapter 4. Do we want the Wisdom of God so we look special and wise in the eyes of others? If so we desire to use it on our own lust of self-importance. Do we want the Wisdom of God so we won’t have to deal with people? If so, we are asking amiss. However, it we want the Wisdom of God so we can live up to the title, “Christian”, as Christ is displayed by our nature to a people who seek Christ, then we are asking in faith.
This enters the “good gifts from God”, all good gifts, regardless, are from God. If someone is a “good person”, it’s only because God gave them something Good to begin with. If someone did a “good thing”, it’s because God gave them the idea, or ability or both the idea and ability. How often do we hear, “Oh I don’t need Jesus, I’m a good person”. Never confuse “nice” or “likeable” with “good”, they are miles apart. Someone may be funny, likeable, or nice, but it doesn’t mean they are “good”. Only God gives Good gifts, thus all Goodness is of God.
The first test is, “who gets the glory”, the second test is, “did we keep the gift Good?”. Good questions, like the Great Quail hunt, the gift of the Quail from God was good, but what the children did with the Quail was not. Look at the opportunity, they had feathers for pillows, meat to raise, the quails came into the camp alive. However, they consumed the gift on their own lust, as they had a one night feast, then complained the next day. Did God know it? Yes, but the gift was also a test producing an exposure. God gave abundantly, but what did they do with the Abundance?
Korah was given a good gift through his family position regarding the things of the Tabernacle, but he sought the position of Moses by misusing his position. The gift was good, the position was good, what Korah did with it was not. Having a position and anointing in an office is Good, the purpose is Good, but anyone in the office can twist the position into a self-serving element, as did Judas. Patience keeps us from stealing God’s glory, or from making the Gift greater then God, Who gave the gift; an element addressed here. God’s Wisdom is vital, but it’s not God. The Faith of Jesus gives us access, but it’s not Jesus. Never elevate the things of God, above God.
Later James will tell us about Job who suffered affliction, but we also heard of the patience of Job (James 5:11). No one can read Job and not see how evil came on Job at the hand of Satan, but by the Permission of Jehovah (Job 1:12). Satan was limited as what he could do, and to whom, yet Job suffered affliction, yet God delivered Job. Although Job was not a Christian, the book of Job speaks of the experiences of being one. We go through affliction, but the purpose is always for our own good.
Like most of us when things go awry, instead of Job going to God, he allowed his three friends to give their natural theological ministering opinions. When the fourth man who had the key to the event began to speak, God moved, then came the breakthrough. What would have happened if Job would have told his three friends to shut up, then asked Elihu, “what do you hear from God?”? The Book of Job would have been 4 chapters long, rather than 42; however we can also see how Elihu waited, as he held his Patience until it was time to speak. As Elihu began to speak on God’s behalf causing God’s Wisdom to surface through the voice of God. Job heard, saw the Truth and was set free. During the other chapters preceding Elihu speaking Job heard the “wisdom of man”, he knew wisdom of man lacked the keys to set him free. Was Job happy through the testing? Not hardly, but the testing removed the unfounded “fear” he had by strengthening his faith as he was able to add the “experience” to his “faith”, making him better for the testing.
When faced with any event we must deal with it through the Wisdom of God, or we will surely use the wisdom of man. The event is never our problem, it’s our soulish reaction to the event becoming our problem. Soulish, carnal people always look for the vile, they blame other people, seek the error to justify themselves, yet faith people center their belief on “God Is” allowing them to find the precious by faith. What is the source of the wisdom of man? The spirit lusting to envy, although ineffective in our lives, it doesn’t mean we can’t use it. The danger is having authority over the spirit lusting to envy, yet using it for ones lustful benefit.
Discerning the exposed lust in ourselves is primary, seeing it in someone else is secondary. What if we do see it in others? What then? Punch them in the nose? “How dare you tempt me, you lustful nasty thing you”, as we hit them over the head with your family Bible. No, discerning it in others calls for the Wisdom of God to deal with what we saw. Using “ministry formulas” will get us hit over the head with their family Bible. Each event and each person is different, they call for differences only the Holy Spirit can bring.
Faith which is self-pleasing is not faith toward God, it’s faith toward self, thus it’s not motivated by what we can do for God, it motivated by what God can do for us. Natural wisdom always looks to excuse the exposure, “they made me do it”, “it was their fault”, or any number of self-based excuses. The Wisdom of God deals with the event, it never seeks to find fault, nor does it enter self-justification.
There are some who think faith is a gift from God to please us, but faith is given to us, so we can have something in us to please God with. Faith coupled with God’s Wisdom allows us to deal with the event in a Godly manner. However, a lack of Patience will say, “God is not in this”, or “there is no reward”, the lack of Patience removes us from the path of faith. We will find ourselves in the same event over and over again. Why? We lack the patience to endure, the same path of freedom is there, yet a lack of patience stops us before the reward is in hand. Belief begins our faith stand, but patience will allow us to endure until the reward is manifested.
The Wisdom of God is only available to those who are Born Again; these issues are not for those outside the Body, or who lack the Spirit. The Word in us is our Seal of being Born Again, James will say we can have faith, but without works it’s dead. Connecting again to the Doctrine of Christ, in this case faith without works is as dead as dead works. The works of faith are not going about telling everyone our religious philosophies, rather our faith works in the Patience, we endure knowing the reward is at hand. When the reward is in hand, the test becomes one of perfection in the area of the test. James will also talk about a work of faith after we have obtained, which is based in honoring God for the gift.
The word Perfect in verse 4 is again the Greek Teleios meaning Perfection, we know the New Man is Perfect, it’s our souls being formed into the perfection takes patience on our part. The phrase Wanting Nothing doesn’t mean our greed is fulfilled, neither does it point to material possessions, it points to being filled with the nature of Christ. The wording, “lacking nothing” could also read, “in nothing having lacked”, which makes more sense, since we’re talking about a situation regarding adding something Godly to our nature. It does little good to detect something wrong, if we don’t know how to fix it. If we deal with events in a Godly manner, the event always ends giving God the honor and glory. Our purpose of ministry is not to show everyone how powerful we are, but to show them Christ.
The word Nothing is the Greek Medeis meaning Not even one, the wording Having Lacked is the Greek Leipo meaning To leave or Forsake or Fail, thus it refers to the ability to remain stable during the test, or better allowing Patience to have her perfect work as we stay the course until we are complete in the New Nature.
James tells us how God gives the Good gifts, and does so liberally, plus God “upbraideth not” (v. 5). What does it mean? The word liberally is the Greek word Haploos meaning not complex, easy, when used in reference to the eye it means Seeing clearly, or seeing things as they are. God isn’t going to be trick us, neither is He going to be fooled by acts of self-pity, ego or phony faith. On the same note, if we have the Wisdom of God, neither are we going to be fooled. Upbraideth Not means God is not sorry for the giving, rather He will give more than is needed, what we do with it determines why we asked. The Greek word for Upbraiding is the same one used in Mark 16:14 when Jesus upbraided the disciples with their unbelief. It’s the Greek word Oneidizo meaning To defame, or reproach; yet here it’s the opposite of the manner it was used in Matthew. Here we see God will not withhold, neither will He chasten us for asking. We ask, God gives, but let’s keep in mind, “all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). Even the “Quail” was a good thing, we learn by the mistakes of others, so we’re not forced to learn by our mistakes. Even if someone misuses something of God, it only brings more assurance to those who use the gift accordingly.
We know in a view verses we have not because we ask not, or we asked amiss, so if we asked, yet we have not, does it mean God doesn’t give? No, not at all, it’s the misuse God is saving us from. Simon of Samara needed to get his heart right before God, then he would have received. In some cases not having is more beneficial than having. Only the clarity of the Word in us is going to discern the intent in the asking, we need to hear as well as ask.
Some ask for God’s Wisdom, yet they lack the Spirit, thus the have not. Some ask for God’s Wisdom yet they are still using the spirit lusting to envy, thus they are asking to consume the product on a lust. The foundation demands for us to have the Word (Spirit) in us, before we ask.
Okay we asked, we believe we receive, now we’re ready for the Process, but what about Doubt? Doubt is the enemy of faith, as it moves in to the stop the process. The first step is to believe, then it’s have Faith in God. Jesus said to believe and doubt not, thus the believe issue is settled when we “said”, but now the Process begins and Doubt wants to move in to stop the process. Doubt is the disrupter of Patience, yet Patience is the Godly weapon we use to avoid doubt.
The word Entire is the Greek Holokleros meaning Having all its parts to be made a whole, or Nothing lacking to complete the whole. Here is the reward for our Patience, if we asked God gave, yet the Reward comes when God’s Wisdom is a working element of our character and nature. It’s not only possible, it’s part of the Promise granted us when we were Born Again. It does take time to move the old wisdom out, for the New to be instilled, but it’s worth it.
Verse 3 interjects the word Knowing, verse 5 talks about Wisdom, but Wisdom isn’t a matter of intellect, rather it’s the ability to deal with events and people. Here is the key, we first must Know what the elements are, then we will know which wisdom is attempting to manifest. Is it self-based? Or God based? From verse 5 until James 3:15 we find the various concepts of Wisdom, then James divides the two types of Wisdom, the first is from the earth (earthly, or natural), it’s also sensual (soulish), and devilish, but the Wisdom noted here in verse 5 is explained in 3:17-18 as Pure, Peaceable, Gentle, Easy to be entreated (teachable and willing to accept), Full of mercy (forgiving nature) and Good fruits (or Good Fruit as it’s noted in the Greek), but it is also without Partiality and without Hypocrisy, leading to the Fruit of Righteousness as the ability to sow Peace; therefore, it has nothing to do with intellect, or education, or natural knowledge, it has to do with the Ways of God.
What are these things? Attributes of a Nature, the elements or character traits of someone who is walking in the Nature of Christ. Our faith at work is working to keep whatever God gave us working in the manner in which God desires.
All this will center around asking for one thing, from the one thing we will lack for nothing. If we know how Jesus would deal with a situation, we will gain, as He did. On the other hand we can ask for all sorts of things, except the Wisdom of God thinking we’re “asking in faith”. This letter tells us the first thing we ask for by faith is God’s Wisdom, meaning it’s part of the Kingdom of God, then the things will be added.
It’s also important to know Wisdom is not to determine what church to go to, or what is wrong with the Body, or where to find some secret writings. Wisdom is how one deals with people and events, the Wisdom of God will not kill the Just, but the wisdom of man will. If we asked for God’s Wisdom presuming we were going to get some intellectual gift, we asked amiss. If we asked then went about slandering people, we asked amiss. If we prayed for this Wisdom to feel superior, or to avoid an event, we asked amiss. If we asked in Faith, then Patience will get us through the testing to the result, we Joy, for the end of the test is the goal. The test merely proves we are on the path to gain what we asked for.
A test is to refine, a temptation is to destroy. Testing exposes those things desiring to destroy our Godly purpose. James will go over many areas of exposure, showing us why we will Rejoice when the fall into divers temptations.
A double-minded person is “dual-soul” (double minded), James gives us an example; anyone who blesses God, yet curses people who are made in the similitude of God are double minded. There is only one group who fit the “similitude of God”, the Body of Christ (James 3:9). The word Similitude is the Greek Homoiosis, it’s only used here in James 3:9, it means an Image, as in the “Image of His Son”.
During the test we have to consider what is being tested; is the Wisdom of God being tested? No, it’s our Faith being tested, the purpose to refine the request to it’s intended Godly result. In the TR verse 5 reads, “Let him ask from God giving to all freely and not reproaching”, If we are Born Again we find when we ask the Wisdom is given immediately, but in order for to be a manner of Faith by nature it will take a work to bring it into the confines of The Faith. As God’s Wisdom becomes established in our nature, the wisdom of man leaves.
The wording “Let him ask” is the Greek word Aitema meaning A request based in being humble. Ahh, another key, we ask in faith, thus an aspect of faith is being humble. James makes this very issue later when he says “humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Lift you up? Wisdom of God? Yes, they relate.
The word Wisdom is the Greek Sophia meaning A skill, Tact or Expertise, referring to ability, thus showing the difference between Knowledge and Wisdom. Unless we are Born Again with the evidence of the Engrafted Word in us none of this is going to work. Without the Word in us all this is merely a theological term and concept. If the Word is Engrafted, what is it Engrafted into? Your skull? Your ear? Your soul? Ahh, the two shall be one, when we ask for the Wisdom of God, guess who was already using it? The New Man? Yes, you don’t think the New Man, who is created after God’s True Holiness and Righteousness is going to use the spirit lusting to envy do you? No, neither is the New Man going to use the knowledge or wisdom of man. This is a faith issue, the clue is the concept of a double-mind, rather than a double spirit. We can mind the flesh or the Spirit, we can follow the Spirit of Truth, or we can use the spirit lusting to envy, of course the only real success is minding the Spirit of Truth.
The word Wavering comes from the same Greek word Paul used in Romans 4:20 for Staggered, the suggestion is the same, moving from one point to another, never sitting in one place long enough to smell the roses. It’s the opposite of Patience, relating to not staying the course. This also connects to the double-mind, one second we use the Wisdom of God, the next the wisdom of the world. The process is removing the wisdom of man, which will cause us to fall into divers temptations. Yet, if we can tell the difference, we Rejoice, knowing the Wisdom of God is resident.
What other forms of wavering can we think of? Jumping out of the boat and walking on the water? Yes. Starting all sorts of things the Lord hasn’t called us to do? Yes. For the most part the poor souls coming week after week to the altar for prayer about the same thing over and over and over again simply lack Wisdom. They deal with their mates through the wisdom of man, then wonder why they fight all the time. They deal with people in the workplace with the wrong wisdom, then wonder why they are angry all the time. The wisdom of man has elements, envying and strive are the main pillars, they are products of the spirit lusting to envy. Dealing with the event, and dealing with it in a Godly manner are different.
What’s worse as those who use the wisdom of man find themselves guilty of failure, ending up right in front of the altar, or they fall head long into self-pity, with the “woe is me, woe is me, I will never learn” excuse. They need the Wisdom of God as part of their Born Again nature. The first thing the Wisdom of God is going to produce is Pureness, which connects to Holiness, when Holiness manifests all the masks fall. If we don’t know who we are, how are we going to know who we are in Christ? The Process demands a mask removal with a Pureness of mind. When the Wisdom begins the first thing we find is we really don’t know who we are, who we thought we were turns out to be a mask, usually a mask among many, all of which are ripped away, bringing to pass the real us in Christ.
When the pressure of our Gethsemane activates, do we fall on the rock? Or do we pick up stones of theological abuse? Do we respond, or react? Do we allow our anger to guide us? Or do we follow Peace with all men? Do we make sharp nasty remarks thinking we’re clever? Or do we make Peace? What do we do? We can’t allow the old man to define anything, especially our manner of dealing with people. “You told them what God wanted them to know” ; Not! “You were so humble when you yelled at them”; Not twice! “You looked so wise” Not even close. We must be able to see our own actions, when the testing comes. What did we do? Did we blame the devil, or seek God? Did we admit we were drawn away by our own lust? Or blame someone else? The key to the Wisdom of God is knowing who we are, then we will see others as they are. The truth of everyone drawn away by their own lust never allows us to blame anyone when we fall, but we can rejoice in the honesty of knowing the Word in us is freeing us from the lust (v. 14).
We have to stop being double-minded, saying our nightly prayers is great, but kissing the old nature good night isn’t. Talking to God, and holding to the ways of the world, are a deadly combination. If we Love God, they we will walk in faith to have the same Wisdom He does.
The word Unstable in verse 8 means Undependable, it’s the Greek Akatastatos meaning Unsettled, it was used in conjunction with the soul, not the Spirit. Peter will show the wicked have unstable souls, in both cases it means moving from thing to another. A another Greek word is Akataachetos meaning One can’t be restrained, another is the Greek Ataktos meaning Unruly, or Prone to rebellion. All these point to the wild unsaved soul of man attempting to play mind games, or hiding behind masks. Really it defines the nature of Ishmael, when in danger he wants to be saved, then he will mock you, or attempt to kill you. The old nature will play all sorts of mind games when we get serious about walking in God’s Wisdom. The old man is the lustful nature of the prince of the power of the air, all he knows is disobedience, yet his weapons are words of suggestion, but he has no power to carry them out. The old man is looking for some old lust, any lust he can use against us, don’t become a slave again, rebuke him, then get on with the business of staying the course. Even if we fall, we know it was a lust, thus it’s time to be free as we get up, repent and stay the course. We win in this thing, if we discern.
In verse 9 we find the link to the double-minded person noted in verse 8, let the “brother” of low degree rejoice, as he is exalted. What? Wait, take it to “humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He will lift you” (James 4:10), and “therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men” (James 3:9), with “Pure religion and undefiled before God, and the Father is this…” (James 1:27). Double mind is humble before God, yet haughty before the brethren. A double-mind exalts itself in the face of the brethren, but thinks God is doing the exalting. The Wisdom of God will not operate through a haughty soul. There must be something regarding this Faith issue has to take place, James is working up to it.
Up to this point James is really asking us to be teachable as we submit to the Spirit. We fell into temptation, yet we are the only ones who can see it’s opportunity for the Wisdom of God to work in our own lives. We will see what caused us to fall, why it caused us to fall, and how the Engrafted Word will set us free.
In verse 10 we get our first look at the “rich”, if we class this with material goods, or money we will miss the entire concept of the letter. To a Jew a “rich man” was one who was subject to the Promise, a “poor man” was a Gentile. It’s the context here in James; the Rich man (converted Jew) is made “low”, not saying he humbled himself rather we find he “is made low”, which is the Greek word Tapeinosis meaning To be humbled, or To be abased. The “reason” or the “because” is he is like the flower of the grass, and shall pass away (v. 10). Our time here on this earth seems like a long time to us, but really it’s quick, but the time need not be wasted. When we know our time is short, yet the Body of Christ has been around for 2,000 years it does humble us. We’re not all that great, we make a contribution to the entire plan, no more, no less. The Rich man (Jew or Converted Jew) has been around a long time, but so what? James shows the Gospel is moving to the Gentile, as important as the Jew thought he was, in the overall picture they are no more important than any other member of the Body, neither are we. It went from “the Abrahamic Covenant” to the “Body of Christ”, who then is greater? Christ of course.
The word for Rich is the Greek Anthupateuo which gives the verse a different meaning than some have assumed, the Greek word was used to show a Proconsular, or one of authority, regardless of wealth. This shows the metaphor Rich doesn’t mean, “money is power”, rather it points to those who were given authority from Abraham, those who have a right to the Promise by birth, the metaphor Poor points to those who were Gentiles. Before Rahab joined the Jews, was she a Jew? Not hardly, she was a Gentile, who lived among Gentiles. She didn’t come out of the wilderness as did Joshua, she didn’t come out of Egypt, as did Moses, she didn’t belong to the “circumcised” by birth as did Miriam, but she was nonetheless “saved” by association, both her and her household, the reward for her was being accepted as a Jew, then dwelling in the land of Promise (Joshua 6:25-27).
During the Process there will be temptations, but Patience gives us the ability to endure, yet knowledge grants us a foundation. Unless we know what Temptation is, how it works, and how it relates to a test, we will blame everything and everybody every time we are exposed by the Wisdom we asked for. We may have accused a person, then found we were completely wrong. James will tell us it’s a fault, we must go to the person and make it right. Pride and arrogance are lusts keeping us from being humble before God, or man. Admitting we were wrong is a humbling experience, but it’s also Godly (v. 5:16).
We are not going to fall based on the lust of someone else, it will always be our own, thus we find Pride is a lust. The excuses at the fall are a prime example of how fast Pride entered, “the serpent he did beguile me”, “it was those people, they enticed me, it wasn’t my fault”, “Well you’re the one who made me do it”, all Fall Nature excuses, they didn’t move God then, neither do they move Him now. Even if we were enticed by someone’s lust, it was the lust in us yielding to their lust. Can it happen? Yes, they are arrogant, yet we respond in pride. They make a nasty remark, we attack them with uncontrolled anger. One lust attacking another does not spell Victory.
Verse 12 has a ton of words, Blessed, Temptation, Tried, Crown of life, Promised to them who love Him. All these tell us why the testing comes, and why we must endure. If we love the lust, or the feeling the lust gives us more than we love Jesus, we will be led away by the lust. If we don’t care what Jesus thinks about our behavior, the lust is ruling us. If we accepted the Cross of Jesus, the rulers of darkness are subject to us, we don’t have to allow them to operate in our lives. All the elements of the spirit lusting to envy are subject to us, it’s not the other way around.
To be Blessed in this case is more than a reason to be happy, it’s having the Blessing in hand in order to be a Blessing. The word Temptation is the same one we find throughout the text, it’s also the same Greek word used for Testing, but the word Tried is different, it’s the Greek Dokimos meaning Receivable, or Proved, it connects to the “furnace of adversity”, it also relates to the “baptism of fire”. We received the Holy Ghost to endure and survive the fire as it burns away the useless things of hindrance.
The Crown of Life is not some golden fancy medieval crown, it’s a wrath of Victory. The Lord has promised it to those who can yell the loudest? No, it’s to those who love Him, it’s the foundational element of faith in God. If we love Him, we will do as He says.
Now to define Temptation further, when we are tempted, we never blame God (v. 13). God didn’t send us the lust, He didn’t tempt us, our own lust drew us away, or twisted the good gift into evil. God sent something good, quail, a position, an office, a revelation, a talent, or something else, yet we filtered it through a lust twisting its purpose. We have a God granted talent, yet we use it to make ourselves popular, or admired by man, we used the good gift, by the wisdom of man. Don’t blame God, it’s our own fault.
Once we see what we’ve done, we repent, them the crooked road is made straight. If we ignore it, then the pressure doesn’t get worse, it gets lighter. The first time Jesus cleaned out the Temple He took a whip to those who sold the items of sacrifice, the second time He cleaned out the Temple He didn’t strike anyone, the third time He merely spoke of the widow they are robbing. Each time it became less and less, thus each time they ignored the warning the further from God they drifted, until the temple was destroyed by a Gentile in 70 AD, and has yet to be rebuilt.
There are several Greek words used in the context of Tempting, all of which help us in this matter. The wording Being Tempted is the Greek Peirazo, it could read “I am tempted”, thus referring to the recipient of the temptation; the Greek Apeirastos means Incapable of being tempted to do evil, it’s only used here in James 1:13 in reference to God, thus God is incapable of producing a temptation since it’s intended to lead us to do evil, thus we prayed “lead us not into temptation”, rather than, “tempt us not”. There is a difference, we don’t want to force God to lead us into a place where temptation waits just to expose our lust; we want to be tested, cleaned and prepared. The best way is to receive the Wisdom of God, enabling us to deal with the lust in a Godly manner.
The wording Drawn Away is the Greek Exelko meaning To drag out, or To draw back, both are correct, showing someone was delivered, but the enticing is an attempt to pull them back. This connects to the concept of being drawn back to perdition, if we ignore the testing, or reject the exposure, the rulers of darkness will led us back to perdition. We Rejoice when we fall, since the falling tells us there was something in us to make us fall. The exposure, if we fall, there was something to cause it which is not conducive to our new nature.
What would be a lust exposed, or a testing from someone else, it ends as a temptation in us? If someone told us, “you have to deal with your manipulation”, we would laugh them to scorn, “are you crazy, I never manipulate”, then we would manipulate them to prove we don’t. The exposure came, but we rejected it, then used the lust to prove our innocence. This is different than knowing to do good, and not doing it. This is an area where a lust is blinding us to the lust, we presume we have a gift of manipulation, causing us to be deceived. The exposure is to bring to light, what we have kept in the darkness. Of course God doesn’t give up, He will send others to expose the lust in us, yet if we continue to ignore the obvious we will draw back to the darkness to protect the lust.
Temptation has many forms, the one James will look at is how God gives us a good gift, yet our own lust twists it. This is the same context as Jude 4, as he tells us how some turn the Grace of God into Lasciviousness. Is Grace Lascivious? No, but the lust in the person took the good gift and made it evil. If they fall because of it, they are not to blame God.
Another area is when someone with a lust tempts another. Jesus was taken into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, so was Jesus tempted to do evil? No, because He didn’t receive any of the suggestions of the devil. The children in the wilderness tempted God the entire forty years, so was God tempted to do evil? No, the temptation in order to be complete calls for the one doing the tempting to have a lust, and the one being tempted to not only have a lust, and act upon it. If either lacks the lust, then the temptation is not complete. In the case of God, if we tempt Him, He sends a test back, but we can’t tempt Him to do evil, since there is no evil in God (got it?).
The Lust is the target, but there is a process of sin as well (v. 15). The wording Having Conceived is the Greek Sul-Lambano, we know the word Lambano by now, but here we have the addition of Sul, thus Sullambano means To catch hold of; therefore, when either the temptation, or testing come it’s to determine if we will “catch hold of it”, by identifying it as a test, or temptation. The test is always to sharpen our faith, which will also enhance Wisdom. The temptation to do evil comes from an evil source, usually from someone who has a lust they haven’t dwelt with. Like a stronghold, a lust becomes a trait, or a filter, which has to be exposed and dealt with. One manner of exposure is God allowing the lust in another to draw us away, so the lust in us can be exposed. It’s good, if we receive it. However, if we attempt to excuse our behavior by saying, “oh it wasn’t me, they enticed me”, we missed the point.
If we are drawn away, it’s because of our lust. This is important, if we are enticed, it’s some lust in us, pure and simple. The other point of this is when someone operates from the good gift in the manner God desires, but we don’t like it. They did a good thing, we received it as evil, but was it evil? No, just like the Pharisees who went about seeking error, they assumed they found error in Jesus, so did they? No, no one ever has, but they thought they did. Today it’s the same, someone thinks they have found an error in the Bible, or an error in the life of Jesus, or an error in some ministry, but the error is neither in the Bible, or in Jesus, often neither is it in the ministry, it’s in the person seeking error. They have a lust of envy in them being enticed, thus it’s the envy not the other person who caused the enticing. If error jumps up in our face that’s different, Jesus dealt with error by the Wisdom of God, as we should. We read something, it makes us mad, yet we can’t find an error, so we say, “I think not”, without evidence, we were just exposed.
The wording Bringing Forth can also read Produces, it’s the Greek Tikto meaning To bring forth to be used; the word Finished also means Full formed, it’s the Greek Apoteleo meaning Ability to accomplish; therefore, we find Jesus being led into the wilderness, the devil bringing three temptations, but there was no evil in Jesus, thus there was no lust in Jesus, meaning the temptation was not complete. The devil tempted, Jesus on the other hand took the temptation and sent back a test to the devil. Neither do we find any evil coming from Jesus against the devil, rather the evil remained with the devil. When someone tempts us, they must do so from a lust they have, but for the temptation to be Complete we just have a lust in us to bring about the enticing to an action.
The process is the lust, to the conception of a plan, the plan into an action, which produced the sin, the action of the continued sin ends in death. James shows the Lust took hold, the person put a plan together, causing us to fall into divers temptations, the sin comes when the person puts the plan into action. We Rejoice because we didn’t put the plan into action, we repent if we did. Then we allow the Word to be Engrafted to bring about a deliverance.
There is a vast difference between, “huh-oh it pushed my button”, and “How dare you question me, I come against you in the Name of Jesus”. When anger surfaces to protect us, or the person exposed bursts into anger against us, how do we handle it? Or does it handle us? Do we see the person as our enemy? Or do we check our own baggage to see if we have some lust in us just surfaced? If we have no lust in an area, yet God uses us to say something to someone, but they react in anger to protect their ego, do we also react in anger? The paradox is we were used to expose a lust, they reacted with another lust, one of anger, but our lust of anger reacted as well. The wonderment of God used us to expose, but we found something in us exposed as well. The question is, Did we discern the “divers temptations”. God will use all sorts of lawful ways to bring us into a place to be cleaned so we can stand pure and holy before Him.
The Process gives us warning, yet it all links to the “saving of our souls”. God sends a test, we have a lust, the thought comes, the Word separates and exposes it, we see, then submit to the cleaning before it becomes an act. Our faith has just worked, before the lust had time to be an action, we sought God, knowing something of the flesh has been exposed. However, on the same note, someone shows up tempting us, we respond by the Wisdom God, for us it became a test of our faith. Yet, it someone tempts us and we fall, the Word convicts us by separating and exposing the lustful act, then we rejoice because the time has come to be free (vs. 12-15).
We can’t twist the gift, then say, “well God changed His mind”, or “God knew we were going to use it this way, so He ordained it”, or the biggest excuse, “God knows my heart”, He does, but He is working to save our souls. On the same note, there is no temptation come us which is not common to man, and God will, with the temptation make a way for us to escape. This doesn’t say the Temptation came from God, it says whatever temptation we’re in, it’s common to man. Faith isn’t going to ignore the event, it will get us through it with a Godly benefit. I’m not moved by what I see is different from I’m not going to look.
In verse 16 the word Err is the Greek Planao meaning Gone astray, To wander or To be scattered. In this case it shows there are things appearing evil, but it doesn’t mean they are. Whenever God is involved, it’s not evil. It seems to get lost at times, Jesus told Peter how Satan would sift Peter, but the result was good for Peter. Did Satan sift Peter? Yes, Peter denied the Lord three times. However, there was the phrase, “when you are converted”. Jesus allowed, He didn’t make it happen, but He allowed knowing the result was good. In all this we must be teachable, the purpose for discipling anyone is to make them teachable.
Now wait, is James saying there is no good in the world? No, what he is saying is if there is any good, no matter where it’s found it’s from God, whether man gives the God the glory or not. Oops, it would be a testing or a temptation too. If we give God the glory it’s a testing, if we give ourselves the glory we are tempted by our own prideful lust. Someone in the world comes up with an good idea, do they give God the glory? Do we? Ahh, the test, how do we respond when someone in the world appears to do good? Do we come against them, or do we give God the glory? Perhaps God allowed them to do “good” to expose a lust in us: if we think the people in the world are the enemy, where are going to toss the net? In the field?
Although we see the English word Gift, we know there are different Greek words used for the word “gift”, neither word seen here for Gift is the Greek Charis (Grace). The first usage is the Greek Dosis which is the Act of giving, then Dorema meaning The thing given. The context shows The Act of giving is Good (Greek Dosis) the thing given is Good (Dorema), thus the intent of God is to give a Good gift so it can do Good. Since God has no evil, His can’t give us anything evil, intended for evil, or purposed for evil. What then makes it evil? The lust in the person misusing the gift.
This explains how God will use the Temptation to make a way for us to escape, but He won’t use the lust, there is a very big difference. God uses the temptation to expose the lust, the way of escape is the cleaning of the Water by the Word in us.
We entered this race to be Saved, but at times our souls really don’t like the process. There are some things of the old nature held as “old friends”, but they are lusts. Some of those worldly traits may not seem bad, but they taint the good gift. What if God had someone give you something small, a notepad, or a book, or even a flower, but you run around all puffed up and giggly showing it off so you could feel important or involved? What is it? A lust, the gift was good, it was given by a good hearted servant, but you received it through a lust, then allowed the lust to take the glory. The Wisdom of God will stop the action in its tracks, we will not mix a bragging attitude into our witness.
The word Variableness is the Greek Parallage meaning to change, the word Turning is the Greek TrupePhos meaning to turn back the course, which we now know means a lack of Patience. We’re in the boat, Jesus is walking on the water, we’re all headed to the same spot, let’s get there when Jesus does. The word Lights is the Greek meaning The Light itself, or what is from the other Lights to gain their light. Jesus is the Light, not one of the lights, we are one of the lights, thus the gifts we receive relate to the Light.
The gift, regardless of the Gift given is a product of God’s Will, not ours. We are begotten of God, thus the ability was not of man, but of God, the performance of the purpose of the giving is also of God. Do we consider being Born Again a good thing? Yes, would we sell our soul to the devil? No, then way misuse any of the gifts God gives us?
The Greek for the word “Will” in this case is Boulomai, expressing the intent was to do good, thus it’s never used of evil people or of a evil purpose; therefore, the Will of God is always to Do Good. Take the quail, God gave because it was His nature, the giving became a test on the people, were the children really hungry, or were they greedy? Would they receive the gift by giving God the glory? Or consume it on their own lust? When the quail came out of their nose the lust was exposed, but did they see it? No, they lacked awareness regarding the obvious, at times we do the same.
This connects to John 1:13 where we read, “which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”; therefore, verse 18 shows James is talking to converted brethren, only those in the Body of Christ can fit “beget He us with the Word of Truth, so we should be a kind of Firstfruits of His creatures”. Firstfruits? Who came first? Ahh, we are not the Image of God until we are Born Again. After we are Born Again we need God’s Wisdom as a working element in our lives and nature; however, it also calls for a bit in the mouth of reason. We must be swift to Hear, slow to speak, just we must be slow to wrath, linking it together gives us be angry and sin not. The religious rulers tempted Jesus with questions, but He answered them, so was He tempted? No, He was swift to hear which means He detected the temptation; slow to speak, answering by Wisdom, which was in Peace meaning He avoided entering wrath. The wrath of man never works the Righteousness of God, thus the righteousness of God never comes from the wrath of man, but the Wisdom of God brings forth the Fruit of Righteousness, sown in Peace of them who make Peace (James 3:17-18 & 1:20).
Verse 19 draws us to Ecclesiastes 5:1 where we are told to keep our foot (not feet) when we go to the House of God. Be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they fail to consider they do evil. The words detect the source, the source the type of spirit being used. We listen to their words, do we detect unbelief, doubt, bitterness, hate, or an intent bent on envy? If so the nature behind those words is looking to tempt us. Would God allow it? Yes, because it can also be a test as a means to sharpen our faith. God grants us opportunity to use His Wisdom and Knowledge, if not why did He give them?
The word Swift in verse 19 is the Greek Eis meaning An action into a place or thing; the word Hear is the Greek Akouo meaning To hear with attention, it goes with “hearing you shall hear”; the word Slow is the Greek BradusLaleo meaning To talk at random. To talk at random shows there is neither a bit nor watchman over the person’s mouth, they say what their mind feels like saying. This is much different than answering the question, rather they have no idea of their intent, or purpose, they are speaking to hear themselves talk. meaning Not acting hasty, the word Speak is the Greek
James also speaks of the battle after the battle, when God’s Wisdom speaks, what do we then do? Allow pride to enter? “Wow, it was great, I gave them the perfect answer, am I good or what?”. Pride attempts to make entry before the act, during the act, and after the act. Humbleness is a constant mental state knowing if it wasn’t for God, there would be no Wisdom. To God goes the glory, regardless.
The “Word” in us is not the Bible, it’s Jesus, the New Man, it’s what God Begat in us. We will listen to the New Man, be slow to say something, just to say something. The Holy Spirit may have us wait to answer, until the person is “hung by the tongue” and can’t escape the exposure. The Holy Spirit may have us just smile, or not answer at all, or answer the intent, rather than the question. All of these Jesus did, He is our example.
James 1:21-27
James now begins to speak on being easily entreated (teachable); someone can tell us for hours about the weeks they spent being discipled, but if they are not teachable they are not discipled. James 1:21 points to Ability, we held our Patience until the Seed of God came forth, we endured until we were Born Again, now there the Engrafting Time, a Time when the Word engrafts into our souls, so the two can become one nature.
The wording “Lay Apart” is the Greek Apotithemi it’s used in Romans 13:12 as “cast off” in the phrase “cast off the works of darkness”; therefore, this word means to reject something, it doesn’t mean to work day and night to hide something. The word Filthiness is the Greek Rhuparia meaning Dirty, as A garment spotted by the flesh; the word Superfluity is the Greek Perisseia meaning Something pushed to the surface, which shows the exposure is not to be rejected; the word Naughtiness is the Greek Kakia meaning Evil habit of the mind, not only the doing, but having an evil habit of the mind, which points to holding the old nature. All three, Filthiness, Superfluity and Naughtiness connect to “earthly, sensual and devilish”, the three pillars of the spirit lusting to envy.
These words also define “defiled” and “unspotted”, showing to be unspotted from the world one must have the Word in them; therefore, James is not giving the undefiled religion as “another” way, rather he is showing how Mercy is a must for all of us, it’s still honored by the Father, but we must also have the Word in us to remain unspotted from the world.
This is still predicated on us Receiving, the word Receive in verse 21 is the Greek Dechomai meaning To accept an offer deliberately, or readily. If God gives Liberally, we must accept Liberally. This is the same concept as Put off the old man, and Put on the New. We can’t be deceived into thinking the old man will give up easily, it will be a battle, but one wherein the victory is already in hand before the first shot is fired. The New Man came to us with the same attitude and expectation as Jesus, the concern of the New Man is not to kill us, or destroy us, or see us cast us into hell, but to save (Sozo) our souls. The old man is subtle, deceptive, using pride, ego and arrogance, yet if we are humble, all those fleshly elements become ineffective. To the carnal or natural mind humbleness and submission seem stupid and foolish, but to God they are powerful weapons of our warfare.
The key word to verse 21 is Meekness which is the Greek Plesmone meaning a gentleness, or a mindset easily entreated and ready to receive whatever God is presenting to us, whether we like it or not. Some appear religious in order to please their self-interests, or to appear moral, or superior over the sinner, or to build their pride, it’s hardly Meekness, or Humble. Some demand from others, or attempt to control them, yet it’s not submissive.
The Word in us is cleaning us, it’s the lust is attempting to pull us back to perdition. The deception of the fall nature turns the Truth into a lie, it claims God is out to belittle us, harm us, destroy us, then says the lust is going to please us, give us the feeling we like, or make us happy. In all this we want to remember, we are not out to study the soul, we want our souls saved. However, we better know the wiles of the enemy, or we may end up using them thinking we doing God a service.
The lust will put on many masks, even to the point of using deception to cover the deception. The lust is exposed, there it is plainly, or is it? The lust will use whatever it can to vent itself, the exposure simply shows a “lust” exposed, but the exposed lust may not identify itself. Most of the time it has to do with validity, acceptance, control, superiority, or something along those lines. Once the exposure takes place, we “say” to the mountain “Go”, but we don’t pretend to be our own savior. If we think we can cure ourselves the lust will then vent itself, making us think we were able to save ourselves, when in truth we have only enhanced the lust. We allow the Spirit in us to clean us, self-cleaning is of little use.
The Wisdom of God will identify the lust, the Word in us will separate it from us, by bringing something to our souls Godly in nature. Every time a piece of evil leaves, something of God takes it place. James is making a division, we find the Godly attributes connect to the Word and Wisdom of God, but the lust connects to the wisdom of the world, and the spirit lusting to envy, which is always self-based and soulish.
We have Incentive, we stand with the New Man and stop playing with the things of darkness. Until we can see those things, we will continue to use them, calling them “of God”. We know it’s true, we see it all the time. Someone who is proud and haughty acting like it’s the anointing, yet they haven’t a clue to what they are doing. The Word in us brings Clarity above all else, things are pure, divided and separated so the thought and intent are exposed. Is the Word in us reading our mind? Yes, so, why not? Is it reading the minds of others? Discerning the ways of a person, yet the carnal minded think someone is reading their mind, but the Spirit manifestation exposes the intent.
The word Engrafted is the Greek Emphutos, it goes further than planted, rather it means To germinate, it always means the engrafting came from another source; therefore, it’s not merely receiving the Seed, it includes the growth process unto the engrafting to make us complete in the Spirit. All this shows the New Man is the Word, Another Comforter, the Stronger One, Jesus in us, the New Man, the only element where we will find the Mind of Christ.
The phrase “save your soul” could also read “save the souls of you”, either is correct since it’s the purpose of the test. The word for Save is the Greek Sozo meaning Deliverance, thus we have been delivered, we are being delivered and Jesus is fully able to deliver us. This connects to the Hebrews 10:38-39, where we found the Just live by faith, here we find the Just have works of faith as well.
Verse 22 must be taken into context with verse 21 or we miss the point; a Doer is one who receives by Faith with beautiful thoughts, or better, thinks like Christ. A “Doer of the Word”, isn’t one who reads the Bible, it’s one who Allows the Engrafted Word to work. It’s a matter of walking in the Spirit of Christ, if in the Spirit we are Christ like by nature. We can’t say, “Oh yes God is able to save our souls”, then reject the engrafted Word, we must be a doer of the Word.
The word Doer is the Greek Poietes meaning a “performer”, so does it mean we play some mind game? No the Classical Greek shows this word pointed to the Poets who performed their works in front of people, in those days the concept was to have “beautiful thoughts”, here it’s the same context, a Doer has thoughts related to the Word, rather than thoughts based on a lust. Paul used the same Greek word in Acts 17:28, where it was translated as “poets”. The metaphor applied to the Word shows in order to have Beautiful thoughts, Beauty must live, and Beauty lives by the Word in us.
The word Deceiving in verse 22 is the Greek Paralogizomai meaning To exercise one’s reason, or To reason falsely or incorrectly, or To judge according to the wisdom of man. This word is a preview to James telling us about the wisdom of man, as it compares to the Wisdom of God. This is also the reason God uses a “mirror”, the spirit of man is deceitful, it tricks us into thinking we’re something we’re not, or we’re not something we are. God is forthright, our hope is in Jesus to be what we are to be. God gave us the means by giving us the New Man, there is no deception in the New Man. There are signs to define the differences, some James covers, others will be covered by Peter and John.
Verse 23 shows the Hearers connecting it to the Doers. The word Hearers is the Greek Akroates in the negative, showing the one hearing has no intent on doing. This shows us there are differences in “hearing”, some hear with a ready mind to be a Doer, some hear but want God to be the Doer. The “hearer only” will only accept what pleases them, but reject what doesn’t, in either case they are quick to give the “amen”, but they never apply the teaching. The Word in this case is still the Word in us, thus one can have the Spirit, yet remain carnal.
The word Natural is the Greek Genesis, the same word from which the first book of the Bible is named, it stands for a Principle thing. The context shows we see the “surface” in the mirror, but we walk away not knowing what is inside. The Mirror of God exposes what is inside; not all exposures are the mirror, but we can’t discount it either. We see someone, and wonder “are they Christian, so controlling, so nasty”, we may be seeing ourselves. Of course we know at times God shows us the elephant to expose the flea in us.
The word Straightway or the phrase, “Goes his way” is the same as “Immediately”, which is the Greek word Eutheos. The context shows the exposure is there, but then we turn walk away ignoring what we saw. God sent someone to reprove us, they were right, what they said was right, but we rejected it. In this case the deception came Immediately, but we put up another mask to hide the exposed mask. It’s not an easy area, one must have courage to receive exposure and act Godly upon it. However, the result is so good, even the scrubbing of the Water by the Word can be a pleasure if we understand what is going on.
The word Forgets or Forgot is the Greek Epilanthano meaning To hide, or Something hidden, or A failure to remember, which stems from hiding something. Putting this together we find the soul will hear, but without submitting with meekness to the Word in us the person will put on another mask to hide the exposed mask.
James speaks of the Perfect Law of Liberty and the Royal Law, here it’s the Perfect Law of Liberty, which could also read the Perfect Law of Freedom, it relates right back to God giving Liberally. The word Liberty or Freedom is the Greek Eleutheria meaning A free person, or one set at liberty, as in Mercy granted by the Acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18). This is the Jubilee, which is not a specific year for us, but a Season when we have the Word in us. We have the Liberty to accept the exposure, or reject it. We have the Liberty to run this race lawfully, or unlawfully. Liberty carries responsibilities, we have the knowledge, but how do we use it? To puff ourselves up? To belittle others? Do we use it to make us feel superior? If so, it’s how we will use the Wisdom of God as well.
Here we find the result of the testing of our faith is to bring forth the Wisdom of God in all events. All this connects and explains how Liberty is Freedom, and our Freedom is found in the ability to deal with events in a Godly manner. Freedom is a strange word, if we are free, we are free not to do, as well as to do. No one is going to force us to walk in the Wisdom of God, it’s why we ask by faith.
The word Continue in verse 25 is the Greek Parameno, which is a compound word with Para (with) and Meno (to remain), thus it’s not merely remaining, but remaining With something or someone. It also has the implication of Standing nearby someone, to Continue means we must Stand, and the Standing must be Nearby Jesus, or we’re not standing at all. This connects to Mark 16:16 as well, it’s based on being in the Body (baptized), plus a continual belief to bring about “shall be saved”.
This explains the works of faith to bring the Wisdom of God will take Experiences, yet the Experiences mean we will deal with people and events; however, it also means each case cleans off another spot, bringing us deeper and deeper into the Nature of Christ.
The word Bridle in verse 26 is the Greek Chalinagogeo meaning Not only to bridle, but one must be willing to be led as well, thus we find the false are unable to hold their tongue, as the works of pride spill forth, rather than Wisdom and Mercy. The example of how Wisdom is perfected is Jesus (of course), who was led into the Wilderness by the Spirit for the specific purpose of being tempted. Did Jesus go about yelling at the Father? No, did He go into the wilderness crying or begging the Spirit not to take Him? No, did He go in laughing at the victory He knew would come? No, He did business in a Godly manner, but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all this, it means our Joy is in Jesus, not in defeating the devil. Sound strange? We found in Luke how true the statement is (Luke 10:18-20). When we joy in our power over the ineffective darkness or devil, we tend to lose our appreciation and respect for the Authority over us.
The word Pure points to the Wisdom of God, thus Pure and the Engrafted Word must relate. This goes right back to Hebrews 4:12-13, if the Word in us is Engrafted, then the Word is discerning and dividing, while engrafting us into the New Nature.
James now defines the word “religion”, showing us religion is something we do regarding man’s relationship with man. Religion is not going about telling people about our religious philosophy, religion is how we deal with people, as we find here in verse 27. A religious minded person twists the meaning, presuming their religious philosophy is their “religion”. How we deal with people still takes the Wisdom of God coupled with Mercy. In verse 27 the word Religion is the Greek Threskos meaning Duties of outward service, indicating what we do in regard to mankind. Recalling how God looks at the treatment of His people as a treatment onto Him, we can see this also relates to “representation”. Although these are acts of Mercy, not Grace, we can see they involve dealing with people. We also see these are before the Father, thus the relate to our “son of man” position we gained in Mercy. From this we can conclude Grace is a relationship between the individual and God, Religion is how we relate to mankind.
The old nature will not hesitate to use misquoted, or twisted Bible concepts in his temptations, “see here in James 1:27, do the undefiled religion and be honored before the Father, go feed the poor, don’t worry about this Spirit or wisdom stuff”. Wait, there is one thing in James 1:27 it goes beyond feeding the poor, “unspotted from the world”. James never says the undefiled religion will save you, nor did he say these are issues of faith. James just said the Engrafted Word is able to save our souls, it’s his point. The deeds are good, but if we use them to avoid the call to have the Word Engrafted in us, we are being unequal. These are duties the Jews did without the Spirit, yet they were required to do them, we are not required by Commandment, rather we do them based on our Nature, and Liberty.
None of this is saying feeding the poor is evil, far from it, it simply shows there is more to this. One can feed the poor, yet fail to bridle their tongue and their religious works are vain (v. 26). We can’t separate verse 26 from 27 thinking we’re saved because we gave someone in need food, yet we talk ugly of the brethren. The undefiled religion has two meanings, the surface meaning is three fold, feed the widows, care for the orphans, and remain unspotted from the world. However, what good does it do to feed the entire world, yet remain spotted by the world? None, but what is this spot from the world? Ahh, the flesh, which uses the wisdom of the world, the spirit lusting to envy, producing the tongue set on fire. It all fits, we must seek the Wisdom of God, and allow the Engrafted Word to save our souls in order to fit “unspotted from the world”.
James will also talk about those who come to our door, but going door to door speaking about our religious concepts and theology is not the “undefiled religion” or “the works of faith”, rather the test comes when they come to us in need, are we all talk? Or do we have an action indicating who we are? Faith takes an action, even if it’s waiting, it’s still an action. Does our faith show works connected to the Faith? Or do we talk about faith, yet have no works to back it up? Do we tell them “God loves you, get off my porch”, or do we find them some food? Do we tell them “have faith brother”? Or do we do something to show we are of the Faith? The allegory tells us if we have faith it will show as we seek the Wisdom of God. Like the children in the wilderness, did we have faith to enter, yet failed to believe after we entered? Or do we continue to believe as we walk in faith?
The mystery of verse 27 goes further, looking at it closely we find he only lists those who are under “affliction”, and to “visit”, but he doesn’t mention to cure, so what does it mean? The wording “to visit” is the Greek Episkeptomai meaning to Look at something, or examine it closely, or Look upon with mercy, therein lays the key to the Undefiled Religion. If we are running around doing things, thinking “Oh I’m so holy, look at all the good I do”, we are doing nothing, but exalting our pride and egos, all vain efforts. If we are operating from Mercy, then we are walking in compassion. The acts of compassion by mercy really don’t think about how good we look in the doing, rather they hear, “when I was hungry you gave Me food, you visited Me in prison, if you did to the least you are my brethren”.
The word Affliction is the Greek Thipsis meaning To break, or compress, this is the not the same Greek word used in James 5:13. In James 5:13 it’s the Greek Kakopatheo meaning To do evil, it means having evil done unto us, but here in 1:27 it means the person we are dealing with is in distress, or under great pressure. The key to the entire matter is remaining Unspotted from the world. The word Unspotted is the Greek Aspilos meaning free from any spot, it was used in I Peter 1:19 showing Jesus as the Precious Lamb without Spot, thus to remain unspotted we need the Word in us. We can visit everyone in the world, yet use the ways of the world in dealing with them, and be none the better. We can sheer the sheep to get the money to feed the poor, and be worse off than we were. The point being, James is not saying the undefiled religion isn’t good, rather he shows it is good, but it does little good unless we add “unspotted from the world”. James separates the two activities of Mercy and Grace, the Word in us will save our souls, but feeding the world yet remaining spotted by the world will not save us. This has to connect to the Engrafted Word, as the works of faith connect to being a Doer of the Word.
The wording in verse 27 also gives us some metaphors to deal with; to a Jew a Widow is a backslider, from the context, it would relate to one who has failed to ask in faith, is then found in distress, thus they need Spiritual ministry based on the Wisdom of God. The “fatherless” would be those without the Father, or those who lack Mercy, they need ministry by the Spirit through the Wisdom of God to know the Mercy of the Father. Thereby showing this isn’t restricted to feeding the poor, it goes much further, showing the words of James are hard, they go right to the point, but the purpose is to bring back the Widow, and restore the Father-less.
The metaphoric content is made clearer by looking at the word Fatherless or Orphan, it has the same context as “I will not leave you Orphans”, the word comes from the Greek Orphanos meaning One who wanders in darkness. If they are “Fatherless” they are without the Father, anyone without the Mercy of the Father is in darkness, but they can only come to the Father through Jesus.
James 2:1-6
From Pure to Without Partiality and Hypocrisy, thus we are still talking about Faith and Wisdom, as Wisdom is connected to Experience, the Experience to the works of Faith. It seems clear enough, especially since James is talking about the “faith of our Lord”, as the Faith of our Lord showed us something about how the Lord’s Faith worked. What was the something? Being impartial, and without partiality is an attribute of God’s Wisdom; therefore our faith at work is found when we work to walk in the Wisdom of God.
However, James in defining the concept, and defined what impartial means. Some of us think being impartial means treating all people the same, in some regard it’s true, however, it’s also clear Jesus treated the disciples different than the Pharisees, even within the disciple grouping Jesus treated three of them differently. Unless we obtain the right view of being impartial, we will assume we can act the hypocrite and Jesus will bless us anyway. We all know Paul was endowed with special power, so why weren’t the others? If there is no respect of persons, how is it Peter didn’t get special power? Or why didn’t the shadow of James heal people? Or why did Jesus pray for Peter, and not Judas? The act of being impartial means we don’t treat someone better based on the appearance, or what benefit we gain from the treatment we render. More important, it means we don’t grant special favor because we like someone better than another, neither do we hold back favor simply because we don’t like someone.
The one who can’t do us any good is shoved into the corner, the one who appears to benefit us is given the special place. Here James uses the example of the family coming to hear Jesus, but it also relates to any aspect, including our souls. If we are seeking Wisdom for the self-benefit we are partial, yet one attribute of Wisdom is to be impartial, thus if we assume Wisdom will grant us honor we asked amiss.
This is made clear by example given, Jesus was teaching, the house was packed, then came His family, but they couldn’t get in. Accordingly to the Jew the family would be granted special favor, but it was not the case. Instead of Jesus saying, “make room for My mother and brothers”, He said, “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother” (Mark 3:35). Simply because they were His family didn’t grant them special treatment, rather they had to belong to the group who did the Will of God. It’s the same concept we find here in James, the faith of Jesus showed us Wisdom as the faith of Jesus did works.
Jesus said those who do the will of the Father are, “My family”, formed a group, thus being partial must go further than treating everyone the same. The hypocrite, or those who are self-exalted will grant special favor to those who can benefit them, if they see money, position, or anything elevating their self-importance by connection it causes them to be partial, becomes sin.
On the same note we can’t go the other way, and grant the poor the best seat in the house, then make the rich guy sit in the parking lot, it would be just as partial as giving the rich the best seat. “See, I’m not partial like James says, I give the poor the best seat”. Ouch, it’s just as bad, you’re still doing it to look favorable. Whether rich or poor doesn’t matter, it’s doing the Will of God making the difference.
Of course we see this as Jew and Gentile, the “Rich” person being the converted Jew, the “Poor” as the Gentile. When the converted Jew comes to the Meeting do we make the Gentile move to the back? Don’t forget who James is talking to, but we can also see how this applies to us as well. “Oh my it’s the great and wonderful so and so, get up, give them your chair, call the newspaper, let them know who is here”. Oh my, do we do these things? Could be, only the Word coupled with the Wisdom of God can cure us.
Why is being impartial important, especially in conjunction with the Wisdom of God? When we dislike someone, we will not receive their repentance, yet if we like them, we will assume they have repented, when they have not. The two examples are Peter and Judas, both repented, but only one was restored. Jesus loved His own until the end, we will never love as Jesus loved if we remain partial. When we are moved by personality, or whether or not we will receive a benefit from the relationship, we are partial. There are those who associate with the popular ministries, not for the teaching, but for the association, it’s being impartial. If the Wisdom of God is impartial, then the wisdom of man must be partial.
James 2:2 begins with, “your assembly”, rather than “our assembly”, separating the actions of those to whom the letter is addressed, from him who wrote it. Showing a division of classes, between “our assembly” and “your assembly”. The division is not showing partiality, rather it makes a Godly division without partiality. James is not granting favor because of the assembly, rather the message holds true regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile.
The word Assembly means Synagogue or Gathering, thus he is not pointing to the Church, but the place where one begins. The word Goodly means Fancy, or Appearance only, referring to how a person looks outwardly, or one who allows appearance to guide their actions. The same would be true if we gave honor to someone who could benefit us, but refused to give the same honor to someone who could not. Perhaps it’s a speaker, we know the speaker can “bring in the collection”, so we give them the best seat while we sing their praises. Why? To gain their favor so they can bring in more money. We just found we must be unspotted from the world, giving favor to those who can benefit us personally is a worldly way. Some people are whatever you want them to be at the moment, but they change according to the environment they are attempting to impress.
What would be a type of being partial? Perhaps God sent the person to help us, or teach us, or bring some spiritual gift to encourage us, yet we took the person and made an idol out of them. Did God send them to become an idol? Of course not, but we became a judge of evil thoughts, because our thoughts of evil were exposed (v. 4).
This partiality concept has to be clear or we can’t get pass the “rich and poor”, which are classes. However, we know the rich and poor are not restricted to wealth in the material sense, as we saw. Here we find the poor, are really rich, but the rich, are really poor, dividing two classes of people, so is it being partial? Ahh, we then find the Poor are also accounted to Faith, thus they are in the family order as they came around the Law by faith. Whether they have rich clothes or not doesn’t determine the “rich”, if we’re moved by money we’re in big trouble to begin with. James is making a separation between classes, and how the wisdom of man looks at money as “honor”, but God looks at “faith” as the true honor of a person.
The word Thoughts in verse 4 is the Greek Dialogismos meaning Reasoning. The Greek word for Poor is Ptochos meaning One who is helpless and knows it, the Greek word for Rich means Happy, Prosperous, Lacking nothing, yet James said when Patience has had Her perfect work we will lack nothing, here it sounds as if he is condemning us for reaching the point; go figure? The same Greek word for Rich was also noted as Rich in Mercy in Ephesians 2:4, and Rich in faith in James 2:5. This explains we as Gentiles were at one time without Hope, we were the “poor” in the eyes of the Jew, but Jesus opened the Door for us to enter, now we are Rich in Faith. Being partial would be restricting the Gentile, or treating the converted Gentile as a lower class citizen. Faith is the answer, we ask for the Wisdom of God by Faith, thereby becoming Rich in God.
Verse 6 can be confusing if we look at the words, Oppress, and Rich in faith in the wrong context. The Greek word for Oppress is Katadunasteuo which is a compound word meaning to Oppress harshly, thus there is a separation between those Rich in Faith, and those who are Rich based on being Jewish. Both are Rich, the Jew by being the First to whom the Promise was presented, but the Poor (Gentile) who became Rich when they accepted Jesus by faith. The impartial aspect is seen when the Poor is no longer Poor as they become Rich in faith, thus it’s faith making the difference, not fancy clothing. Is not God Equal?
James 2:7-20
James makes the separation between Rich based on the promise at hand, as compared to the Poor Gentile who has the Promise in hand. Verse 7 shows the “Name by the which you are called?” rather than the Name by which you are chosen. If we are called by The Name of Jesus, then we have the Faith to enter in, this refers strictly to the Body of Christ. We are the Called out ones, none of this means we’re wicked, or sinful, it all points to the Perfection of Christ being manifested in us as a Nature.
Again, a “doer of the Word” is one who has Beautiful thoughts, as they walk in God’s Wisdom. If one is walking in God’s Wisdom, they are walking in the Spirit, if in the Spirit, they are walking in Love. Being a “doer of the Word” is not the same as doing the things in the Bible, here the concept of “Word” is still Jesus in us.
To these people the Bible was known as “the Scriptures”, and Jesus as “the Word”. If one is a Doer of the Word, then they walk in the same Faith and Wisdom as Jesus did. James just gave us an example of the Faith of Jesus, and how Faith had the Works of God’s Wisdom, the context hasn’t changed. The Poor came into the Body, sought after the Wisdom of God meaning they became the Rich in Faith when Patience had her perfect work.
The word Doer is the Greek Poietes, with a basic meaning of Poet, we found the Greek concept of a Poet means one with Beautiful (exciting) thoughts, thus one’s works pertain to their words of Faith matching their actions and thoughts. The Royal Law is conducted by those in Royalty, or to those who are kings. The Rich being those of faith, also means they are kings and fit the Just live by faith. God’s Wisdom is a fitting and necessary attribute to the Spiritual nature, it becomes a sign post to the unseen in a person (v. 8).
Why all this test stuff anyway? Could it be the test still centers around faith will please God? Yes, there are times when we think our faith is to please us, or we can fall into a “first Adam” thinking, assuming God must please us, which is dangerous. Like thinking puts us at the wrong tree, holding the wrong fruit, with a mouth full of self-pleasure. The testing is to direct and hone our faith, here we find it has to do with Wisdom becoming a working attribute of our New Nature. Therefore, we find Faith must pertain to our attitude during the testing, as well as how we respond when we are tempted. Do we act like the children in the wilderness? What is our behavior in the face of adversity? The test puts all this in the right order, getting us back to the place where our incentive is to please God based on our love for Him.
The wording “Respect to persons” is the same as Partiality, here James says, “it’s sin”, later he will tell us what sin can produce. If we know to do good, yet we don’t do it, it’s sin as well, or better leads to sin. What good could all this refer to? Asking for the Wisdom of God in faith, thus receiving the Good gift, so we can do good.
Liberty isn’t a one-way street, we cannot be at Liberty, yet hold others in bondage. We cannot lord over people, or manipulate them, then claim we are at Liberty. Jesus allowed Peter to be Peter, and Judas to be Judas. Jesus didn’t manipulate Peter into a position to give a prophecy one minute, then say something from the natural mind of man the next, it was Peter’s nature, it had to be exposed, before it could be dealt with.
Judas had the same opportunity as Peter, but rather than weep bitterly, he went out and hung himself. Was Jesus able to stop Judas? Yes, in fact He told Peter He was able to stop the Cross as well. True power is having the ability to stop something, yet not stopping it for the good of all. Judas was remorseful, but being remorseful and repenting are different. Peter was sorry not only for what he did, but to whom he did it. Judas was sorry things didn’t turn out the way he wanted.
We cannot use our knowledge of Liberty as some baseball bat to beat others half to death with either. Like Grace, the knowledge of Liberty, and walking in it are different, thus the knowledge of Liberty without the Wisdom of God will “puff up”. Faith without works is dead, thus the knowledge of Liberty without Love turns into a condemning, judging attitude. Liberty also means we have the freedom to do something, but we don’t do it because it will offend others. Those under bondage have no choice, they do, or don’t do because they are under the prince of the power of the air. If we use the spirit lusting to envy, we do so because we want to, not because we have to; we have power and authority over the spirit of man, known as the spirit lusting to envy.
James uses the premise of the Law of Moses, showing if one precept of the Law of Moses is violated, then the entire Law is violated. So, what has it to do here? Holding hate against one person, is the same as hating all, it’s the point. If we hate a person we place them in a class, then we hate the class, meaning we are partial, since the class makes us feel superior. We don’t have to love what they do, or agree with their theology, but if they are in the Body, we must love them. Violating one point of the Law of the Spirit, is the same as violating them all, thus the vessels of honor hold Mercy, the vessels of dishonor don’t. Since Wisdom is “full of Mercy” it stands if one lacks mercy, they lack the Wisdom of God.
The concept of Adultery here is not physical in nature, but mental, yet it has a sister in the Law of Moses. In the Law of Moses it was physical, we know how the Agenda they attached to it. Here it’s mental in nature, we can’t say we love God, yet curse man. We can’t claim Liberty, yet hold others in bondage. We can’t use the wisdom of man and the Wisdom of God. We can’t use the old man when it makes us feel good, then the New when it makes us look holy. We can’t love just those of our denomination, or those who make us feel superior, or benefit us, then claim all the others are “nuts”. What Law will do the judging? It better be the perfect Law of Liberty; not whether we’re in it, but how we apply it (v. 11).
Even a dog has power, there are dogs who enter the Courtyard, claim faith, grace and liberty, yet refuse to walk in them. They are in this for the power, or position, they love to look holy, but they are Hypocrites (Ps 22:20). They still use the spirit lusting to envy, as they go about calling fire down on others they don’t agree with. They talk about faith, but fail to use it as God intended. They lack Mercy for all, but they will show kindness to those who either agree with them, or exalt them. Kindness and Mercy are different, God’s Wisdom is Full of Mercy, God gives to whom He will, and He gave us Mercy when we accepted the Cross of Jesus (v. 13). Romans 9:18 says God will show Mercy on whom He will, but the context points to Pharaoh who refused to display Mercy toward the people of God; therefore, when we display Mercy, we receive Mercy, forgive and you shall be forgiven.
What good does it do to say one has Faith, if they lack the works of Wisdom to prove it? (v. 14). Here we find Faith in God is to have a Faith which wants to please God will desire to walk in the same Wisdom as God as part of our Nature.
Jesus said some will build on the sand, a direct reference to the “sand of the sea”, which is a reference to building upon the Old, which did provide the Jews “an eye for an eye”; however, if we are the Rock we no longer hold to “an eye for an eye”, but “dearly beloved avenge not yourselves, rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Matt 7:26 & Rom 12:20). Anyone can say they have faith, but faith is mandated to do something as it works to stay in the Wisdom of God as a attribute of our nature. We have choices, we can use the wisdom of man, which means we also must use the spirit lusting to envy, or put our faith to work in God, allowing the New Man to bring the Wisdom of God to handle the event or situation.
The Rich remained Rich if they made the change to Faith, if not, they stored up their treasures for the last days (the Night). They used the Law of Moses for their advantage, but rejected the Law of Liberty, thus they ended being judged by the Law of Moses, rather than being free in the Law of Liberty. The Law of Moses is not of faith, yet anything not done in faith is sin. Ouch; the danger is of course saying out of one side of our mouth we are of the Law of the Spirit, yet out of the other side demand for God to honor our deeds under the Law of Moses. A double mind will fail in the end.
When we review the Parable of the ten virgins we find it’s speaking of this very subject of “faith with works”. All ten were virgins (metaphorically meaning one who has not mixed idol worship into the worship of God), all had lamps (which comes from being in the kingdom of heaven – Body), but only half had the Oil (Power of Mercy and the Spirit, as Living Water), only those who had all three, virgin, lamp and oil made it through the Door (Matt 25:1-12).
The five foolish virgins assumed being a virgin and having the lamp was enough, much like having faith, but doing nothing with it, but only the Oil made the lamp Work. The Five Wise were able to meet their Lord, thus they had the requirements to get past the Door. We also find the Lord came to them, which is a type and shadow of the Rapture (Matt 25:6 & 25:10). Some want the Oil, but refuse to be virgins. Others want the Oil, yet think the lamp is foolishness. We must have all three in order to make it through the Door,
James asks a rhetorical question, “can faith alone save us?”, with the answer of “No”; however, didn’t Paul say we were saved by faith? Or did he? Paul said we are saved by Grace Through Faith, ahh it’s not faith alone, rather it’s Grace (New Man, Spirit, New Covenant), but Through Faith, and certainly not by works (Eph 2:8-9). James is not talking about us doing some deed of the flesh to show our doctrinal faith (religious belief), rather he is talking about our faith doing something to show we are in the Faith of Jesus, thus he used something from the Faith of Jesus as an example.
All but the wicked and unreasonable have faith, but without Grace it amounts to zero. This is the same premise as Belief, one must be in the Body of Christ for their continual Belief to apply to “shall be saved”. James applies the “works of faith” to the Word in us dividing and separating, as a working attribute of the Wisdom of God. We ask by faith, but ask for what? The Wisdom of God, thus we know it will came immediately, but the manifestation will take Patience and Experience. Thereby showing without the Word in us, we will go right back to the wisdom of man, yet call it the Wisdom of God.
For some reason the word “faith” has come to mean a belief system, the cult systems use the definition all the time, but Faith is a motivation, the Works of Faith are a way of life. We can go door to door until we’ve covered the entire world telling everyone about our doctrine of religion, but it’s not faith at work. What produced the Faith is not seen, but the type of Faith one uses defines what is not seen. If they use faith for self-benefit, then the source is the spirit lusting to envy. If the Faith shows they want to please God, then the source is the Word in them.
Will the Wisdom of God rebuke? Yes, but the intent is to save the other, rather than making gains of some self-importance. James shows us we can talk about faith all day long, but when the event turns on us, we’ll find out the source of our faith.
One can attempt to be saved by the Doma Office through faith, or saved by works of religion through faith, yet still not fit the call to be saved by Grace through faith. One can have faith in most anything, but it won’t save them. We must have “faith in God”, then live by God’s Grace in order to fit, “saved”. If Grace is the vehicle, then one should know what Grace is. Unmerited favor? What is that? It doesn’t tell us what Grace is, rather we find Grace is the Spirit that is of God, granted to an undeserving person, by a deserving God, solely because God loves us, not because we have done any work to impress God. True appreciation of the Gift will manifest in love to the Giver. If we understand all Grace is doing for us, and how we didn’t do a thing to deserve it, rather it was granted by God’s love for us, the same Love will manifest and become the motivation behind our faith to walk in the Christ nature in its fullness.
Beginning in verse 15 James then uses a comparison to show how Mercy is a component of the Wisdom of God, thus “full of Mercy” would be a sign of walking in God’s Wisdom. The word Naked is the Greek Gumnos, it was used in Hebrews 4:13 showing all things are naked and open before God, but in these verses we have to see it’s saying one thing, but not doing it. Why would we say “Be warmed and filled”, and do nothing about it? This has nothing to do with giving everyone food or clothes, rather the context shows saying one thing, and doing another, when the saying and work should correspond. The connection asks, why would we say we’re of the Body of Christ, yet refuse to walk as Christ?
James gives us an allegory to make a point, he is not saying we must go door to door telling people about our religious concepts as “works of faith”, it’s far from the point being made here. This area exposes hypocrisy, if someone comes to our door in need, do we speak, yet do nothing to help them? It connects to works of faith, if we have faith what good is it, if we do nothing with it? The first premise is to obtain the Wisdom of God, in order to deal with people in a Godly manner. Nonetheless, even the heathen can give the hungry some bread. Receiving someone in need is seen in the wording, “even so” in verse 17, thus the prior event spoken of connects to this allegory. When someone is in need do we brush them off with, “Have faith in God brother”, or do we do something? Therefore, it points to hypocrisy, someone who says one thing, but does another. The context of verse 17 is found in the word “alone”, or “by itself’”, thus Paul joined Grace to faith, James is joining Wisdom as a work of faith. Verse 18 begins by saying “a man may say”, pointing to talking, yet what they do may be different. Rather than say “well you have faith, but I have works”, James determines not to say anything, rather he will show his faith by the works of his faith producing the Wisdom of God.
In all this we have a paradox, James says the double-tongue blesses God, yet curses man, wouldn’t it be unequal? Yes, the Wisdom of God keeps us Equal, in so doing it keeps us from iniquity. Also this one area proves James is not talking about the heathen, he is talking about someone who “blesses God” (v. 3:9). Where do we think a double-tongue comes from? A double-mind? Good, so a form of hypocrisy would be to bless God, yet curse man.
James drops a theological bomb in verse 19, the devils believe? How could it be, they are in disobedience, their doctrine is one of unbelief. Wait the Gospel Accounts informed us how the devils knew who Jesus was, although they believed there is one God, it didn’t mean they worshipped the One God. In this context James asks, even if we believe in One God, so what? It’s our faith to please God in accepting His Son proving we believe in One God. Many religious orders say they believe in One God, but it only counts if they accept His Son. In essence this rebuke here could read, “so you believe in the one God and think you’re saved? It’s not enough, you must have the Word (Son) in you to be Saved”. This connects to Mark 16:16-18, if one is baptized in water by a member of the Body of Christ, they are in the Body, but they must Continue to believe for the premise of “shall be saved” to apply
This verse would seem to be in direct conflict to Romans 10:10; however, it’s not. Romans 10:10 shows a Belief in God unto Righteousness, rather than simply believing there is one God, thus the difference is found in whether one believes In God enough to accept His Son’s Righteousness in the New Man, or do they sit around saying there is One God, yet still use the spirit lusting to envy in a religious mode of self-righteousness?
Verse 20 must be connected to verse 17 or one could make up their own works, even works of the flesh, then call them “works of faith”. Having faith, yet not applying in the purposes God has set forth does us no good. Just because we’re in the Body, it doesn’t mean faith is no longer an element of our walk. James will also show our Conversation is the evidence of faith, a Conversation is not merely what we say, it’s our manner of life. Connecting verses 20 and 17 we find one can talk about faith, one can even teach on it, but it doesn’t mean they have applied it in a Godly manner.
If we walk in God’s Wisdom, we are walking in faith by the Spirit, it goes much further than “saying”. When the storm comes, our “Conversation” becomes the evidence manifesting the source of our faith. The premise of as I believed, thus have I spoken, cab also apply to our faith, the source of our faith is displayed in our Conversation.
The word Tremble in verse 19 is the Greek Phrisso meaning To have ones hair stand on end. This is a different Greek word than the word Paul used in Philippians 2:12; in Philippians it’s the Greek Tromos. The Greek Phrisso holds the same context used in Daniel 7:15 when Daniel saw the end times, and his hair stood on end, thus the devils know God has power to cast them into hell, they tremble when someone with Jesus in them shows up.
James is also dividing works of the flesh, from the works of faith. What good does it do to “impute the flesh dead”, then use acts of the flesh to gain by? Faith must have a type of work separating from other works, James equates Patience as a joint helper in the work of faith (v. 1:4): there is a work in hearing and doing (v. 1:19 & 1:23), a work of doing the Perfect Law of Liberty (v. 1:25), a work in bridling the tongue (v. 1:26), a work in the Pure and Undefiled Religion (v. 1:27), a work regarding not being Partial (v. 2:4), a work in the Royal Law (v. 2:8), a work of Mercy (v. 2:13), a work in being a Doer of the Word (v. 1:23) and James will tell us Wisdom has a work (v. 3:17), but the wisdom of man also has a work (v. 3:15-16), now we see Faith without works is Dead (Useless or Vain), what type of work does faith have? Internal, our works must be based on the internal Word in us, our real work is to cooperate with the New Man in the Process. This again shows the soul is at its happiest when it serves the Spirit.
There are 17 Greek words connecting to the word Work, each has a meaning and purpose. The Greek DunamisEnergeia means To work, it often refers to enthusiasm. The Greek Energeo means To be at work, or Effective in producing. The Greek Energema is a Noun, it means The result of Energy. The Greek Ergazomai means To labor. The Greek Ergasia means Work accompanied with pain, or An effort of diligence regardless of the pain endured. The Greek Ergates means One who labors. The Greek Ergon means The performance of Work. means Power, it’s an Action word, thus it refers to Work. The Greek
What about this Ergon, could it mean we are the only ones doing the Work? The same word was used to describe the Works of Jesus as the miracles and mighty deeds (Luke 24:19 et al). We also find Logos and Ergon standing together as the Logos working to bring about works (Titus 1:16 et al). The Greek expression Kata Ta Erga means According to one’s works, it was used in Romans 2:6 and other places in reference to Deeds. Paul used this word to show the Works of the Spirit, but he also used it in reference to the Works of the flesh; John used it to show the Works (Deeds or Doctrine) of the Nicolaitans (or Nikolaitans). Therefore, the word Ergon is not restricted to the works of man, or the works of God, or the manner in which the Work is done, it takes into context the intent to determine the reason for the work, it’s where James is taking us. We can do all sorts of religious efforts, we can even call them works, but they works of the flesh done with a religious tone for self-benefit based on the lust of being superior over the others, the work would then be partial and a sin. If we asked for the Wisdom of God, then Wisdom is removing us from using the wisdom of man, which removes us from using the spirit lusting to envy. It will be made clear when we find the wisdom of the world (man) is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
What about some other English words relates to Greek words for Works? The Greek Energeo is also translated as “effectual fervent” in the phrase Effectual fervent prayer of a righteousness man in James 5:16, thus Prayer is a type of Work. The Greek Ergazomai is translated as Commit in the phrase Ye commit sin in James 2:9, thus there are Good works and Bad works. The Greek Ergatees is translated as Laborers in James 5:4. The Greek Iskuo is translated as Availeth in the phrase “the prayer of a righteous man availeth much” in James 5:16, thus we find the Effectual Fervent prayer is a work producing a work, but what Prayer? The same prayer of faith, the one we used when we asked for God’s Wisdom. Clearly the asking and the doing are different, therein brings the faith, the effort to apply the answered prayer in a manner pleasing to God.
The Greek Poyeo is translated as “Do” in James 2:8, 2:12, 2:19, 4:15 and 4:17, it’s translated as, “Has Shown” in the phrase “has shown no mercy” in James 2:13, it’s also translated as “Bear” and “Yield” in James 3:12, as “Make” in the phrase “Make peace” in James 3:18, as “Continue” in James 4:13, and as “Committed Sins” in James 5:15, and showing an effort of some type. Even committing sin is an effort of the flesh, thus it has to do with a product from a work. We find there is work and there is work, just as there is wisdom and there is God’s Wisdom. The Greek Sunergeo is translated as Wrought with, in the phrase How faith wrought with his works in James 2:22. We use the English word work in various manners, “how does it work for you?”, “are you going to work”, “it look’s like work”, of course “I worked my finger to the bone” all of which take the context to show what manner of work is being discussed. With this we find faith works to maintain after we receive until we reach the product of the endeavor.
The Greek Katergazomai means To bring about, To work upward, To make an end of. Even the Greek Logos shows a type of Work or Working, as the Logos in us does have a Work. A compound Greek word Moichos with Ischuo is a type of work, Moichos means Adulterer, Ischuo means Strength, thus the mental Adulterer in the courtyard has a power, but it’s a power of darkness produced from the works of darkness. The Greek Poieo means To make or To do, it expresses an Action, thus it’s a work as well as meaning Without augment (increase), often speaking of a manifestation of something The works of our faith are not to make the change, rather it’s to maintain in the proper frame of mind as we submit to the New Man until the change takes place.
The Greek Poiema means A work piece, or Something made, it was used in Romans 1:20 showing the invisible things of God are clearly seen in the creation of the visible. This is not a work on our part, but recognizing the work being done. The Greek Pragma means A thing done, or A thing to be done, it couples with the Greek Poyeo showing the product. The Greek Praxis means To do an action, or To do an Act, it has to do with Conduct. The Greek Sunergwo means A fellow worker, or To work together. The Greek Sunergos also means A fellow worker, but it’s limited to Working together with, or as a helper. What about the word or words used by James? James uses three different Greek words, the one used more than the others is Ergon (see above), to take it deeper, it means to do the work, but it also entails the Result, Object, or Purpose of the work, not merely the work itself. He also uses the Greek Pragma (see above) in verse 3:16 meaning The thing done, it shows the acts of envying, strife and confusion come from a source seeking to envy, producing every evil work, thus the source has a means of work, which means it uses the wisdom of the world. In James 1:3 and 1:20 he used the Greek Katargazomai (see above) which is a compound word meaning Kata (down from above) and Gazomai (to come down from above), thus the Working of Faith is when we ask for the Wisdom of God, then the testing comes, faith then knows it is a testing to strengthen the Wisdom in the performance intended by God.
Patience is a work, it comes during the testing of our faith, thus our faith being tested is working our Faith to keep us true to the course until the result becomes a Nature. Each test accomplishes a step, in each exposure something is being plucked up by the roots, ready to be discarded. Even pains and hurts of the past produce lusts of revenge, or thoughts seeking some retribution, but God’s Wisdom is full of Mercy, it will wash away those thoughts, bringing Peace. The Process exposes, then identifies, then removes, but it’s still in cooperation with our faith. If we lack faith in the New Man’s ability, we will reject the Wisdom before it has time to become part of our nature.
Intent is always a key issue, natural man hasn’t a clue to their real intent, they think this, or that, but the intent of the flesh is always pride centered. It’s the exact point James is making, if we retain the wisdom of man we can do all sorts of “works”, but like the Pharisees our intent is pride, or to gain some validation before God, or man. We’re really doing religious works to look holy before mankind, or to impress God, or ourselves, or to appear righteous, or to “feel better” about ourselves. The Wisdom of God is void of those “self-concerns”, it works based on appreciation, not self-admiration. James is using Wisdom, Paul used Love, but they join to each other in the Attributes of the New Man’s holiness and righteousness.
What are the Rich storing? And why? They are storing deeds, but forgetting the Now. When we store it’s for the future, but Wisdom is a Now attribute. Faith looks to a future hope, but it has a Now as well, it’s the point, what is our Faith doing Now, this second? Is it reaching to have the Wisdom of God as a working attribute to our New Nature? Is it dealing with the event in the Now in a Godly manner? Is it dealing with the person we are facing Now in a Godly manner? God’s Wisdom will manifest, just as the Spirit will manifest.
James 2:21-26
Out of all the people in the Bible, why did James use Abraham and Rahab? We can understand the use of Abraham, after all, Paul used him as well, but Rahab? A non-Jew? A woman with a shady past no less, how dare he? Perhaps the Holy Ghost is smarter then our religious conceit. Ahh the Rich in Abraham, the Poor in Rahab, yet both had works of faith.
James uses the “works” of Abraham after the promise was in hand, Paul used the belief of Abraham unto faith to gain the promise. This isn’t James correcting Paul, rather it shows the advancement of faith. Where did the “work” of Abraham begin? When God talked to him, Abraham never made up his own agenda. The man was told something, then he did it, thus his work of faith was based in his obedience. His faith was based in God’s Promise, even if the Promise was burned, God was still able to bring the lad even from the ashes.
Could this relate to the Law of Moses, and conflict between the Jew who came out of the Law, and the Gentile who was never subject to it? Yes, some of the converted Jews didn’t want to give up the Law, it gave them a sense of being special, or separated from the Gentile. James is showing the Law of Moses never separated anyone from the earthly things, whether Jew or Gentile both used the same type of wisdom based in the same spirit lusting to envy. The Law of Moses didn’t free man from the spirit lusting to envy, it only granted him a set of rules to gain long life on the earth.
Abraham, who was not under the Law, yet had a Gift from God, knew the Gift belonged to God. Abraham was responsible to God regarding the gift, yet if God wanted it back, so be it, God was more important than the Gift. Paul talks about Abraham reaching for the Gift, James talks about the testing of Abraham after the Gift was in hand. Same Abraham, but two different things concerning the man’s faith. We have faith, if not we would never have entered the Kingdom, it’s not the point here. James is telling us to put our measure of faith to work Now to add to Godly elements to our Nature, not simply talk about it. Paul’s teachings got us to this point, now the pastor is leading us to pastures where the Life reigns in abundance.
James points to the Process of Justification, as the Just live by Faith. Paul also told us we are being Justified by God, the same context. Don’t think we can run to something Paul said, then use it to ignore the calling James is giving us. Not so, they connect.
The real tragedy in this letter is how it rebukes those who say they love God, yet talk evil about people. James wants to know how they can they pray with an attitude? How they can come before God with all the sweet words on their lips, right after they slandered a sister or brother? Double-minded people use a double-tongue, as self-deception still hides under a blanket of darkness.
Abraham could have held to a prior word, and rejected the Proceeding Word, but there was an Addition to the Promise. We have the Cross in hand, we have the Spirit, yet we can run to a prior word and reject the Call to move forward, but then we have Abraham as our example. James shows Abraham had faith after the Promised son was in Hand, and after the mark of the Covenant was in place. It has to fit the context, we have the Seal of the Spirit, the Promise is in hand, yet have we continued in the Faith? There was yet a confirmation of faith had to take place for Abraham, here it’s the confirmation of seeking the Wisdom of God. It’s important, the issue was after the Promise was in hand, some of us cast off our faith once we enter the Kingdom.
The Test determined to the mind of Abraham he did love God more than the Promise. Since Faith is to please God we find Abraham not only wanted to please God, but he mixed his faith with the Word spoken, knowing if God brought the Promise, then God was fully able to raise the Promise from the ashes (Heb 11:19). The Promise was God’s part, obeying was Abraham’s.
Did Patience have a work with Abraham? Yes, he had his Ishmael experience, and other experiences and testings, even sending Ishmael and the bondwoman away was a test (Gen 21:9-13 & 22:1-16). After the testing came the Bride for the Promised Son, not before (Gen 24:1-67).
Abraham heard God tell him “go and I will bless you”, now he hears the same God say “Take now your son your only son Isaac, whom you love, and get you into the land of Moriah; and there offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell you of” (Gen 22:2). The key wording in this is “whom you love”, it was not whom you love more, thus this is a test of Love coupled with Obedience.
Clearly in Genesis 22:1 we are told “God did tempt Abraham”, yet James told us “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempt He any man”, in the Greek translation of the Old Testament we find the same word used in Genesis as was used in James, but how can this be? It’s the use of the word Evil making the difference, thus it depends on the intent. Abraham a man who was not Born Again, nor privy to the New Covenant, yet he knew God would never ask him to do something “evil”; therefore, he knew there was a reward somewhere in the act. If it was by faith, then the Now was believing “God is” but the patience and faith was toward “a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Abraham knew something was going on, he didn’t know what, but he knew if God was involved it was Good. We saw the use of the word “and” in Genesis 22:3, as it pertained to man being excited. What could be exciting about sacrificing your son, your only son? It wasn’t the sacrifice, but the Good God was about to do. James uses the attitude of the man Abraham to rebuke us, when God begins something in our lives and we don’t like it, do we do as Abraham? Are we excited to see what God is going to do? Or do we get mad?
Abraham knew God provided and would provide, thus Abraham was the one to whom the promise was made, but Isaac was the promise. Abraham knew God would preserve the Promise until it’s completion which included the nation of the sand of the sea. The “blessing of Abraham” is not gold and silver, but Isaac, the “seed”. Whether Abraham saw the result of the promise or not, didn’t matter, the promise was in hand, God would see it complete. Abraham knew by the Ishmael experience God picked One Seed to he separated from the nations of the world, not one of two, or the next one, but one and only one. If it was one seed, yet God said, “Nations”, then somehow, some way, in some manner God would have to bring it to pass, it was worth seeing.
It was because of Abraham’s faith the test came, thus the test affirmed the faith of the man for those things just ahead. The belief was based on what God did, the faith was based on what God was going to do. Would God preserve the Promised son until the nation came? Abraham’s faith knew God would, if for no other reason Abraham saw the lad spared. However, Abraham didn’t test his own faith, it was God who did the testing.
What about Rahab? How does this Non-Jew fit into this? She represents the Poor (Gentile). Abraham heard from God and obeyed, he was the one the promise was given to, but Rahab is a type and shadow of the Gentile who hears of God, then gives up her old nation (nature), to join the Rich. Rahab shows our faith was tested before we came into the kingdom of heaven, in fact, it was a testing bringing us into the kingdom. Why then do we assume once we enter the kingdom all testing is done? Truly we find Justification is a process of testings to remove the old nature, to firm us into the New.
Abraham and Rahab give us a picture of Romans 8:28, Abraham the one who loved God, Rahab the one called according to God’s purpose, both are examples showing our purpose in the testing is to bring us into the Image of God’s Son by forming us into sons of God.
Rahab’s story in the Old Testament is short at best, but she is referred to three times in the New Testament, two of those in reference to Faith (Matt 1:5, Heb 11:31, James 2:25). She is also used as a type and shadow of Egypt three times in the Psalms and in Isaiah (Ps 87:4, 89:10 & Isa 51:9). Rahab heard about God from the people of God, she then trusted in the same God to move on the people of God to deliver her, but there was a test coupled to the hope. Rahab saw these Hebrews walking around the city, surely they were merely checking out the best way to defeat it. Look at them, they are seeking the weak spot, yes they will begin the charge at any second. No wait, they left! Ahh the next day came, again they marched around the city, but they left again. The next day the same, and on and on. Could she have made a grave mistake? Was there still time to side with her old nation? No, she held her patience and faith. The reward came on the seventh day, after they marched around the city seven times. She could of unpacked on the forth time, or the sixth. Then it happened, the shout and the wall came down, Rahab’s faith was tested and proven. What was her testing? Waiting for what she knew would happen, and it did. There is a time between asking and the manifestation, our faith must continue to reach in patience until the completed manifestation is in hand. In Abraham’s case it was an act to perform, in Rahab’s it was sitting tight, yet both called for the works of faith.
James 2:26 doesn’t point to our physical body, rather it points to the Body of Christ, thus the Body of Christ without the Spirit is dead, our faith without Wisdom, Love and being worked by God is also dead. Yet God is the God of the living, not the God of the dead. The word “spirit” could also read Breath, thus the physical body is the allegory, yet the Body of Christ is the primary. If we refuse to breath, we die, or at the very least pass out. The Body of Christ functions by the Spirit, yet we know there are those who have the Spirit, but are yet carnal. They nonetheless have an advantage over the world, but in context we find having the Spirit and being Spiritual takes a work of faith. The Greek word for Body is Soma, not Sarx (flesh), it means The organized whole made up of parts and members, it’s the same word used by Paul in First Corinthians 12:27 in reference to the Body of Christ.
James 3:1-18
James now moves to the sign post of the heart, the mouth, he hasn’t left the concept of, “the Body without the Spirit”, now he uses the term Masters which is the same as Teachers. This connects to First Corinthians 12:28-30, if all were teachers, who would they teach? Yet, we are all called to teach (disciple), baptize and teach (by being a witness). It’s tough to be a teacher, it calls for knowledge by the anointing, it may entail exposure, and there are some who don’t want to be exposed. However, there is a difference in offending by the Word, and offending through ones own words. The Word will offend the flesh, if someone judged our words wanton, we have to consider what words we spoke, if the Word then it did it’s job, if our words, we didn’t do our job. It’s also clear a teacher who unteachable is not only carnal, but a hypocrite. Teachers must be open for Godly input, but be fully aware of deception. A teacher will correct a student who is in error, or rebuke one who has fallen into ungodly thinking. However, if the student or disciple is carnal, they will retort, get mad, refuse to communicate, or perhaps run away.
People tend to get mad in the midst of exposure, even when the Holy Ghost did the exposing, but often what is exposed will retaliate to show it’s supposed power, more than likely it will retaliate against flesh and blood with flesh and blood. The “Greater Condemnation” isn’t from God, the word Condemnation is the Greek Krima it means To judge, or being Judged, but it doesn’t always mean being Judged of God. James shows if he talks about Wisdom, then people will watch him like a hawk; “does he have it?”, of course if he slips then they can accuse him. Paul faced the same “judging”, when he made a mistake, yet the Corinthians used it to avoid the Spiritual call on their lives. Whether James walked in the Wisdom or not isn’t at issue, whether we do is.
The word Offend in verse 2 is the Greek Ptaio which can mean to fall into sin, but it also means to Cause to do duty, it’s the context here. This letter is enough to try ones faith, it’s a tough letter, one calling for consideration as it calls us to the duty of faith. Verse 2 really shows the Judging isn’t from God, it’s from the ones being taught. When exposed they will run to their “scholars”, or use unbelief or doubt as self-justification, or in many cases accept the teaching and gain; here James prays for us to accept his teaching.
The Word of God does offend, it’s suppose to, it will expose leaving us naked. The soul will react to the offense, but the Spirit responds to bring us into the Perfection to take advantage of the offense. Not only does the Perfect person bridle the tongue, but the whole body (v. 2). This takes us back to 1:19, be swift to hear, slow to speak, and very slow to wrath. Listen to what the teacher has to say, weigh it with the Bible to determine if it is sound doctrine. Don’t discard the information because we don’t like it, or it offends, or exposes, it’s for our own good.
Keeping this in context we can see the Wisdom of God working in James, as the Word is dividing, separating and bringing clarity. “How dare he, who does he thing he is?”, exposure proves the point, we blessed God, but cursed the teacher. The old man will use all sorts of excuses, “well I just want the Truth”, not so, when we get it, we question it, compare to our traditions, or look for some reason not to believe it. The Wisdom of God is teachable, not stupid, thus it will discern the Truth with the expectation of accepting in order to apply it, but it will not accept traditions of men turned into doctrines, or heresy.
We all need a Bit in our mouth, since man puts a bit in the horse’s mouth to control their actions, we pray for God to put one in our mouth to keep the words of unbelief, or nasty retaliation from coming forth. This doesn’t mean we are hiding from the words, or the source, it means we want the intent and thought exposed by the Word before we speak.
All this is making a connection to the lust attempting to entrap us, when we speak words from the lust, we will entice ourselves. It also goes to the conception of the lust, when it’s a thought it can still be a testing, but once we give it “birth” by speaking on its behalf, we have conceived the lust, the next step would be sin, or the application of the lust to gain the self-benefit of fleshly pleasure, which is the sin.
The horse doesn’t put the bit in their own mouth, they are controlled by an outside source, thus none of us can keep a bit in our own mouths. It leaves the Jockey, what good does it do to pray for a bit in our mouth, if we remain the Jockey? We need a Watchman over our mouth to tell us the effect of our words before they are spoken, by bringing clarity to our intent. There is only One who can, the New Man. The Spirit (Word) in us can discern the intent of the thought to determine the source, something natural man is incapable of. Natural man will say something accusing, nasty, or deceptive, then think they are clever, cute, or highly intellectual, yet the source is the spirit lusting to envy. However, on our side we find someone can be enticing us with deception, yet the Word in us will detect it, expose it to save us from the temptation by giving us the words to use generated by the Wisdom of God.
The wording, “Obey us” shows even if James isn’t walking in God’s Wisdom, we know his faith is working to reach the point. Obey his teaching, allow the New Man to put the bit in our mouths, settle down when the Word offends, think about it, allow the Word to divide, separate and bring clarity. Learn don’t burn.
The word Listeth in verse 4 is the Greek Horme meaning A motion toward an object with the purpose of propelling and repelling it still further from oneself. We put off the old man and his deeds, now we see we are not to ignore the hidden lusts either. The testing is to put the old man and his deeds further and further away. This is akin to saying to the Mountain ”Go” then doubting not. Doubt would presume since it was said, it’s done, but the use of the word Doubt indicates a process. We believe what we said, but it’s only half the battle, now faith must enter with Patience until the mountain is gone.
One element of Patience James is leading to is the perseverance in the face of failures. Something we forget when we do fall, we rejoice, since falling only proves God is still working with us as children, thus we’re still holy, accepted, and loved.
The ship is big, at times on some ships the rudder is big, but the wheel controlling the rudder is not. Without a someone to guide the ship by the Wheel, the rudder will guide the ship into destruction. Without the Guide (helmsman) to keep the ship course, the ship would have no direction. The rudder is connected to the ship, the wheel is connected to the rudder, but the Helmsman is on the ship, not a constructed part of it. Our Helmsman is the New Man, the Word in us needs to be Engrafted to be a Guide and Instructor.
The horse with a bit is just a horse with a bit, until we put the reigns in the hands of the rider. Now if the rider knows nothing about horses, the horse will control the rider. The horse will go where it wants, do what it wants, yet say “but I have a bit don’t you know”. The horse must yield to the bit, but the bit must have a Guide Experienced Rider (Guide). The bit is in the mouth of the horse, it is not the horse. The Rider has the reigns, but neither the rider or reigns are the horse. The element guiding the horse is not tied to its tail, it’s in it’s mouth. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, as we have believed so have we spoken, or as have failed to believe, so will we speak. However, the concept here is the horse will run wild, do all sorts of things, hurt others and itself in the process. The mouth of a natural thinking person is no different, they plant tares, seek validation, or self-importance, speak words of unbelief, yet deny they do. Proverbs 21:23 says, Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles, yet here James points out it’s impossible with man, yet All things are possible with God.
Let’s face it, if James was around today, and marched into our local church to say, “Thou are corrupt, double-minded, and adulterers”, we would have a few things to say to the man. Why? We don’t like those things, yet we may need it. We can always learn, the most carnal, nasty, false accusing person can still provide a learning tool. One main lesson is not to be like them, but as teachers we always find something to help others.
In verse 4 we find the ship can be driven by fierce winds of doctrine, but the smallest helm guided by an experienced and wise helmsman can keep the ship from danger, by keeping it on course. The same is true with the Engrafted Word, it can divide, separate, and discern bringing us into a place of peace and patience to stay the course. Peace is an attribute of Wisdom, yet in many cases Peace is found when we our faith is working in the manner God desires.
Another key to walking in the Wisdom of God is humbleness, it seems pride will twist a “witness” into an opportunity to brag. The word Boasteth in verse 5 is the Greek Megalaucheo which is a compound word meaning Big (Megas) Braggart (Laucheo), it points to the sin of bragging as it connects it to pride, thus the mind wanted to witness, but pride entered based on envy. Boasting is a way the old nature uses to not only validate itself, but to impress people. When someone brags on how their faith was the cause of the blessing, isn’t it Boasting? Yes, our faith is important, but God is still the Deliverer. We pray in with a sincere heart, yet we tell everyone how our prayers are the center of Power, when in truth God is the Power. The natural mouth will attempt to take credit for the works of God, or at least become the source for the work of God. The bit is an important weapon in the battle after the battle, there at times when it’s more important to remain still, then fall into a boasting.
James shows the tongue is a little member, but when guided by the spirit lusting to envy it becomes a harsh, nasty element looking to entice us. So, what is the tongue connected to? What causes the tongue to move? The person, thus the movement of the tongue produces words, or sounds, yet a work of faith would be to stop the tongue until the Word in us has determined the source.
The word Kindles in verse 5 is the Greek Anapto meaning To light up, thus the tongue starts its own fires, don’t blame anyone else, we started it. Every person is drawn away by their own lust. All this still relates, we ask in faith, here is what happens when we remove “faith” from the equation. The Wisdom of God becomes the hand on the helm, or the hand on the reign, as the element coming forth to quench the fiery dart we were about to send forth to harm another. The helm on our ship guides us, it doesn’t control others.
The tongue doesn’t have its own brain, or a will, it is the tool used by something else, it is like the rudder, it moves, but is controlled by an hidden element. During the Process of gaining the Wisdom of God the old natural wisdom will attempt to invade through wild emotions. The tongue is a Fire, an entire world of iniquity (failure to do what it’s suppose to, while doing something else), the tongue defiles us, when the lust is conceived. The Iniquity is of course not waiting for the New Man to produce words of Grace and Wisdom to hearer (v. 6).
The word Nature in verse 6 is the Greek Genesis, the same word used back in 1:23 in reference to the mirror, relating to the surface, or appearance. There would be no need to tell us this, unless there is the distinct possibility how we in the Body could find ourselves using the wrong spirit on occasion. It’s also the case in Paul’s teaching on Be angry and sin not, don’t allow anger to express itself in words. The unsaved soul puts wood where there is no fire, but the tongue sets the wood on fire; on the other hand there is the Fire of God based in Faith, it’s the latter fire putting out the former. Showing the Justification Declaration is firm in the Report, but the work is being done by the Witness on earth.
Jesus said, “it’s not what goes into the mouth defiling a man: but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matt 15:11), James said, “it defiles” (v. 6). Jesus also said, “for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned” (Matt 12:37), a process (shall be), it’s what James is showing. It’s not a shame to slip, it’s a shame to refuse to acknowledge when we have.
Verses 7 and 8 display how man can tame lower life forms, but can’t tame himself. The obvious conclusion is no natural person is going to operate in the Wisdom of God, they may ask, but not in faith. They may say there is One God, but do they have His Son in them? The context here shows a mouth motivated by a double-mind, when the lust moves the tongue it’s conceived bringing forth sin, thus the act becomes the sin, not the thought, rather the thought is the place to handle the intent. Now wait, Jesus said if we thought about it, we did it. No, He said if we ponder it or form a plan, we will do it, thus both Jesus and James are saying the same thing, the place to deal with it is when it’s still a thought. This connects to Paul’s teaching on those who lay in wait to deceive, what wisdom do they use? What spirit?
Well it seems if we watch the “mouth gate” we will okay. Not so, we must have a new House behind the gate. James uses examples to show the difference between the Seed of God, and the unsaved soul. James gives us a Fountain, Fig Tree, and Vine, all three are important metaphors (v. 10-12). The Fountain refers to the Fountain of Living Water which we know is the Mercy of God energized by the Spirit, as it turns out, it happens to be an attribute of the Wisdom of God. The Fountain can’t bring forth both salt and fresh water; however what correlation do we have? If we have the Word in us, then the Mercy in the Wisdom of God will be living water. However, if we are still using the spirit lusting to envy, then bitter water will come forth. The example is how someone can bless God, yet curse man. They have their religious mask, they will say they love God, but they love to belittle people in the Body more. The exposure is to get rid of the “double-fountain”, in order to hold the One Fountain of Grace.
The Fig Tree points to the Rich, the Vine to the Poor, thus the Fig tree will not produce Grace, neither will the Vine will produce figs. The Fig Tree cannot bear the Olive, thus the Law of Moses is not going to produce the Wisdom of God or the Mercy attached to it. God set forth the Olive Tree as the Proceeding word of His Mercy as a direct attribute of the Cross for all mankind. Therefore, the Fig Tree cannot produce olives, the Olive Tree will not produce figs. We must not be “double-tree” person, use any element of the Law of Moses to gain favor from God, and you set yourself to be judged by the Law.
The term Salt Water refers to the world (sea), the word for Salt means Salt, thus the ways of the world produce Bitter water. Fresh Water refers to the Living Water, thus the Spirit will not mix the world with the Living Water, neither will Living Water produce Bitter Water, everything produces after its own kind.
From the Olive Tree comes the Oil referred to in James 5:14, in each case where we find “Oil” being used, it refers to Olive Oil, which connects to Mercy. Can the elders produce Fig Tree sermons when the Olive Oil flows? No, it will either be Fig Tree (Law of Moses) or Olive Tree (Anointing), it can’t be both. There are times when the people need Holy Spirit centered prayer, but we tend to give Fig Tree sermons, if they wanted a sermon, they would buy the tape, they need Olive Oil prayer.
The term Wise in verse 13 points directly to Proverbs, thus the Wise don’t mix salt water with the Living Water, showing the Wise are those with the Wisdom of God. The term Good Conversation has the same meaning as Paul’s letters, it’s not only words, but the behavior of the person: do they walk in the Faith, or merely talk about it. The phrase “meekness of Wisdom” goes back to James 1:21, indicating the Engrafted Word which is able to save our souls, showing meekness is an Inward Grace connected to the New Heart. How can we Brag if we are standing in meekness? We can’t, meekness and being humble are weapons to destroy pride. Receive with meekness the Engrafted Word, ask in faith, do they relate? Yes, it’s the Wisdom of God produced from the Engrafted Word, the Word is able to save our souls. We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of them who believe unto the saving of the soul.
Verse 14 shows Bitter Envying and Strife in the heart, connecting back to bitter water. Verse 16 points to where these rule as well as the confusion they produce. The product of bitter envy would be bitter water (words), the source would be the spirit lusting to envy. Does it mean they don’t have the Spirit? No, it means they are double-minded, we must cast out the bondwoman with her son. We have Liberty and Power, thus we have authority over the spirit lusting to envy, as such we can use it, or reject it. The Wicked use it to their advantage, yet in the process they are destroying their own self.
Confusion is a product of envy and strife, making confusion the source of deception. If one operates from the spirit lusting to envy, they will produce confusion, since they exist in a state of confusion, thus they will use deception, since they are self-deceived. They will use the knowledge of man in a feeble attempt to understand the Knowledge of God. The obvious conclusion shows these elements are produced from within, yet their evil also works without.
If a Teacher teaches Truth to those who hold fables, will those who hold the fables be offended? Yes, is it the intent of the Teacher to offend? No, it’s the intent of the teacher to bring Truth and Liberty, but offense is in the heart of the holder. When Jesus taught in the Temple were the religious leaders offended? Yes, was the intent of Jesus to offend? No, it was to present the Truth. What the “hearer” does with the words determines the result in their life.
Confusion is exposed when Truth comes, thus those who hold the Truth are not confused. For some reason when confusion comes we blame the one who exposed our fables, rather than admit we’re the ones holding confusion. “Well gee, I wasn’t confused before they showed up”, no, you were living a lie by existing in fables based in strife and envy. When Truth came, the fable was exposed and confusion came. The other side is when the fable is presented to those with hold the Truth, they will see it for what it is, soulish, natural deception. How? By the Word operating in the Wisdom of God. The very first element to the Wisdom of God is Pure, if our eyes are pure, we see through the muddy water of deception.
If we are confused it’s a sure sign we are holding a tradition as doctrine, or a fable. When we twist Scripture to prove our fable, we have entered deception, yet deception is a wile of the devil. Deception and Subtil have the same source, the spirit lusting to envy. Strife is contending from a natural viewpoint to oppose a spiritual concept, without clear Bible justification. When confronted it will retort with personal comments to belittle, or entail slander, quarreling, fighting, discord, and conflict. Strife is the birthright of Envy, it’s mother is pride, but it’s father is the spirit lusting to envy.
Bitter water causes the curse (Numb 5:24), wickedness produces bitterness (Jere 4:18). Can something said from God become bitter? Yes, the prophecy is purposed to be sweet, can be taken by the carnal mind as evil, making the good word bitter. Also, sound Godly prophecy can be presented through a mind of strife, what is intended to be sweet, comes out as destruction, but the presentation is not God’s fault. The spirits of the prophets are still subject to the prophets.
The term “Glory Not” in verse 14 shows some take glory (pride) in their ability to belittle others, or use their manipulation or pride to control others, they will take pride in the “good gift” twisting it into something God never intended. The Gift is from God, without God there is no goodness. The wrong use of the tongue brings hate, anger and manipulation, are not something to glory in. Stolen water is not sweet, Bread eaten in secret is not a pleasure, deception twits truth into fables.
The two types of wisdom go directly to “works of faith”, out of a Good Conversation one shows their faith. This goes back to the ways of a person as they either ask in faith, or not. James is not saying he is so perfect, or walking in the fullness of the Wisdom of God, rather he is saying we should all be working to walk in God’s Wisdom.
Envy and strife bring about confusion in the one using the envy and strife, these things need not be so (v. 15-16). Truth will expose and remove confusion, showing the meaning of “every man is drawn away by his own lust”, thus the lust is based in envy and strife The Engrafted Word will separate and divide for us, but we must have ears to hear.
CHART COMPARING ELEMENTS OF THE SPIRIT LUSTING TO ENVY”
| Bitter envying | Lust of the flesh | Earthly |
| Strife | Lust of the eye | Sensual |
| Confusion | Pride of life | Devilish |
God’s Wisdom is not intellectual in nature, it’s an attribute of God producing one’s manner of conversation: knowledge is intellectual, understanding comes by experience. Like the word Work the word Wisdom has to be taken in context with the verse in order to determine which type it refers to. The same Greek word for Wisdom is used in both phrases, the Wisdom of God, as well as the wisdom of the world, thus there is a division. This takes us back to First Corinthians 2:11-12, where we found the spirit of man knows the things of man, including what lusts are still there, how to entice them, but the same spirit hasn’t a clue to the things of God. The spirit of man is ignorant of the things of the Spirit of God; here we find the wisdom of the world is used by the spirit lusting to envy, which is the spirit of man a product of the old nature.
If all good gifts are from above, yet the wisdom of the world is not from above, does it show it’s not of God? (James 3:15). Yes, it’s earthly, or fall minded in nature, which connects it to the lust of the flesh: it’s sensual, or soulish connecting it to the lust of the eye, and it’s devilish connecting it to the pride of life. The wisdom of the world is not a devil, but it is devilish and self-based. Without the Word in us we will use the wrong wisdom in events, yet in each instance we may think we have won the contest, but in truth we are using bitter water. The Word in us must be Engrafted, the process is made easier when we operate in the Wisdom of God. The more we act like the Word, the more like the Word we become.
The Word and Wisdom of God working as a nature will often “feel” what’s going on, but the idea behind having Godly Wisdom is we won’t let what’s going on to disrupt us, or pull us into a war we have no business in. We will discern, and respond. How many times have we thought of “shake the dust off your feet”? Yet, spent hour upon hour attempting to simply let it go. The battle of wisdoms, the wisdom of the world is telling us to get even, to retaliate by teaching them a lesson; the Wisdom of God is telling us to let it go, apply Mercy, learn, discern and to on with God.
This is made clearer by the various words used, the word Earthly is the Greek Epigeios meaning Upon (Epi) the Earth (Geios), it’s not the earth itself, but what exists on the earth as a result of the Fall. This points the carnal fallen nature of man, when the leaders in the Body run to the world to learn how to deal with events and people, they are using the spirit of man, rather than the Spirit of Christ.
This really comes together when we see the word Sensual is the Greek Psuchikos meaning Soul Run, it’s a close kin to Psuchikos is the Greek Psuchikon meaning the body run by the soul (I Cor 15:44), which is how Paul described the first Adam. Therefore, the first Adam was perfect for his purpose, but hardly perfect; whereas Jesus was and is Perfect in all His Ways and Acts. This Greek Psuchikos was used in Jude 19 showing the false have not the Spirit, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have the Seed of God, it means they can’t hold to the Spirit since they have separated themselves by refusing to be Engrafted. Jesus never left them, they separated themselves, or drew back to an area where the spirit lusting to envy was waiting.
The word Devilish is the Greek Daimoniodes meaning Demon like, it doesn’t mean demon possessed, it means one who acts like a demon. This word was used to define a slanderer as well, and envy produces slander. Slander doesn’t man what they say is a lie, it means they said it based on an evil intent to do harm. The word Malicious means evil intent, what they say can be a fact, but it’s said to harm someone, making it slander. Godly exposure is not to harm us, it’s to open our eyes, to save us.
This shows us the “evidence”, if our minds are moving to envy or strife, it’s the wrong spirit. What to do? Take joy, we have discerned it before it can manifest, it’s the time to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God to be cleaned. If the evidence shows we are operating in one of the attributes of God’s Wisdom, take Joy, you asked, you received, now it’s manifesting. Whatever, faith begins when we believe God Is, thus if the lust wasn’t put there by God, yet it’s coming to the surface, how does faith fit? The exposure was allowed so the Word can be Engrafted, so our souls can be saved. The reason for asking in faith, or the exposure when God’s Wisdom begins to operate is to save us from the tares of the enemy.
God’s Wisdom produces the Wise who have meekness of Wisdom, the wrong wisdom produces soulish conclusions leading to devilish works. All this shows Proverbs was prophecy, it looked to the division between the Spirit of Truth, and the spirit of the world. Just as find the Spirit of Truth known as “The Spirit”, “Another Comforter”, “The New Man”, “Christ In Us”, or “Jesus in the flesh”. We also find the old man defined as “the spirit of disobedience”, the “spirit of the world”, the “spirit of error” becoming “the spirit of antichrist”. The division isn’t always within, we could be looking at someone who appears nice, but they are run by the wrong spirit, and they are about to “tempt us unto evil”. The wisdom of man entices the wisdom of man, to the carnal mind it seems right at the moment; therefore, we need the Word in us to bring discernment preventing us from entering the error. The application of the Wisdom of God then guides us in dealing with the event, as it provides the escape from the temptation by discerning the source.
In looking at the seven elements of God’s Wisdom we don’t seem to find Love or Faith, thus Wisdom is a product of the Faith working by Love. Each of the seven add together, and each is talked about in James. The word Pure is the Greek Hagnos meaning Freedom from defilement, thus the Pure Religion is being undefiled by the world, thus God’s Wisdom frees us from defilement. The word Peace is the Greek Eirenikos, which has a root word used by Jesus in the phrase, “Peace unto you”; this word adds to the concept telling us to Hold peace, after receiving it. Jesus presented us Peace, but the Wisdom of God gives us the ability to walk in what Jesus gave us.
The context shows we already have the Peace, it’s a matter of application. This Peace is Peace with God, thus Peace with God makes us Peaceable. God is Love, we desire to Love, there is a difference. Jesus is not Peace, He is the Prince of Peace, as our Prince we were able to make Peace with the Father.
The word Gentle is the Greek Epieikes meaning To be lenient or Tolerant. This doesn’t mean we excuse sin, it means we are slow to speak, but when we speak we speak as oracles of God. The phrase Easy to be entreated is the Greek Eupeithes meaning Easily persuaded by the Truth, or teachable. The phrase Full of Mercy is made up from different Greek words, the word Full is the Greek Messtos meaning Stuffed, of course Mercy is the Greek Eleos meaning ones motivation is based in Forgiveness, as they are able to show Compassion in all events. This goes much further than forgiving the forgivable, it goes to forgiving the unforgivable.
The term Good Fruits, reads in the Greek as, Good Fruit; however, we find the hand of the Holy Ghost pointing us to Galatians 5:22 where the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, and Temperance, thus we find the Fruit is the evidence of the Tree. Ahh, the mystery, one tree has one type of fruit, although there may be many fruits on the tree. When one speaks of “fruit” it can be plural or singular, thus we can see a basket of fruit, and say, “what is the fruit?”, we don’t say, “what is the fruits?”. The fruit defines the source, as well as the type of tree if came from. If deception is the fruit, it’s a corrupt tree. If the attributes of God’s Mercy, Grace and Wisdom are displayed, then the source is the Spirit of Truth (New Man, Word). So, why fruits, rather than Fruit? More than one person, more then one event, more than one attribute required at any one time. It’s the same idea as the Manifestation of the Spirit, perhaps Mercy is needed at the moment, then being teachable, or a time to avoid hypocrisy, or to avoid being partial.
Looking at the Wisdom of God, we notice we have five positive elements as active attributes pointing to Grace, but they we find two things we do not do. First is partiality, which James talked about, then hypocrisy, which James noted as “therewith bless we God, even the Father, and therewith curse we men” (v. 3:9). We found the one sure sign of a hypocrite is the yardstick they us, when measuring us it’s about one inch long, but when they measure their self it’s about twenty miles long, they are unequal. The same measurement we apply to ourselves, we must apply to others, an honest scale is an honor, a false one an abomination.
Verse 18 leads us into chapter four, as it points to, “the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God”, where would this wrath of man come from? The spirit lusting to envy (v. 1:20). However we also see, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in Peace of them who make Peace”, assuring us how Peace is actually a weapon (v. 18). Having Peace with God vacates those temper outbursts, anger controlling us, vengeance dominating our thinking, as it removes us from the wrath of God.
Clearly we find the spirit of the world cannot work the righteousness of God, rather it seeks self-righteousness, but at the same time produces wrath. This also shows those who are motivated by hate or anger are not working the Righteousness of God, but those who are the Peace Makers are those walking in the Love and Wisdom of God. Not only do they work the Righteousness of God, but they are the Righteousness of God. Isn’t the New Man created after God’s Holiness and Righteousness? Yes, it all connects telling us after we receive the Spirit, we must also walk in the Spirit.
Prior it was “if any of you lack Wisdom, let him ask of God”, then “ask in faith”, now we find Faith is connected to Peace, thus part of the work of Faith is displaying Peace in word and deed.
We can see the connection between God’s chastisement and the trying of our faith in this verse. Hebrews 12:11 says, “nevertheless afterward it yields the Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby”. The word used in Hebrews for Peaceable is the Greek Eirenikos meaning Healthful, or Wholesome, it comes from the Greek Eirene which is the Greek word Jesus used in the phrase “Peace unto you”, meaning Peace, Rest and Prosperity, it’s the same Greek word used here in James, the Old Testament equivalent to Eirene is Shalom. The Hebrew Shalom means wholeness, soundness, health, well-being, prosperity, peace as opposed to war, void of strife, stress, conflict or depression. This is really the key, the spirit lusting to envy brings strife, contention, disruption, anguish, and a combative nature. The Word in us operates in the Wisdom as a Fruit removing us from war as it manifests Peace, if we are in Peace we are in Righteousness of God.
James 4:1-10
All this still connects, we started with praying in faith, now we find if we have not God’s Wisdom we asked amiss. What happened? We failed? No, exposure, we asked with the wrong intent. Nonetheless God gives liberally, but here we have not, so what happened? It wasn’t God’s error, the spirit lusting to envy has attempted to pervert the Wisdom of God, so now what? Rejoice, we have the opportunity to allow the Word to separate and divide as the New Man pulls up tares by the roots, and evicts the old nature.
Perhaps we wanted the Wisdom of God to avoid dealing with the event or the person. Perhaps we desired it so we could look Wise in the eyes of man. Perhaps we wanted it to use against people. Those are all asking amiss, or asking with the improper motive, which means we did not ask in faith. What are those? To please the self, not God. If we asked in faith, we wanted to please God. Some want knowledge to feel superior, they gain knowledge, but apply it by the wrong wisdom. Some want to impress others, some want to impress their own selves, they ask amiss. The word Amiss is the Greek Kakos meaning sick, diseased, unhealthy, or wrong.
If we are of Peace, how do these next verses fit? We war, fight, even of our own “lusts” (self-pleasures), we “lust” and have not, we “kill” (act enviously), and desire to have (envy), and cannot obtain, we fight and war, yet have not because we ask not. We ask, and receive not, because we want to consume it on our own “lust”. Three verses centered on “envy” and “lust”, has to define the “spirit lusting to envy”. Asking amiss is then asking from the wrong spirit, the spirit lusting to envy uses the wisdom of the world, it hasn’t a clue to the how the Wisdom of God operates.
There are some who pray to have more power than someone else, just to show them up. Some pray for the teacher to get sick, so they can teach. Some pray for Wisdom so they can destroy others. These are all based on the wrong spirit, which needs to be exposed. If the person is self-deceived, God will send them a teacher, or someone from the five fold ministry to bring Light, as James is doing here.
James just defined the wisdom of the world as earthly, sensual and devilish, now he says, “you adulterers and adulteresses, know you not the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” (v. 4). This connects to using the spirit of man with the wisdom of the world, indicating they desire based on envy. This is classic exposure, the spirit they had been using in their prayers was the spirit lusting to envy, much like having Satan as a prayer partner, not real smart.
The context shows it’s still Brethren, thus this isn’t to those in the world, but a warning to those in the Body who are using the wrong spirit. The word Wars is the Greek Polemos meaning to cause a battle, the Greek word for Strife is a derivative of this word, thus the War is bringing Strife through our prayer life. The word Fighting is the Greek Mache meaning To Battle, or produce controversy, connecting to strife. This has a two fold meaning, the first is asking for God’s Wisdom, yet fighting it when we are receive it. The next is the misuse of prayer life, or coming against people in prayer. The latter is closer to witchcraft, the main issue is asking for God’s Wisdom, yet fighting the exposure, causing a war in our members.
The word Obtain is the Greek Epitugechano meaning Attain one’s aim, pointing directly to the soulish desire to see people hurt, destroyed, or belittled, so we can take joy in their failure or destruction. Some of our prayers concerning the world are based in envy; the wrath of man still can’t work the Righteousness of Jesus.
The term Asking Amiss means to Ask with a wrong desire, it comes from the Greek Kathairesis meaning Demolition, thus the asking Amiss is when we ask for the purpose of destroying. This has nothing to do with destroying strongholds, it has to do with seeing people destroyed. God’s Wisdom being full of mercy is not designed to destroy, yet the wisdom of the world being devilish is. This would connect to “killing the Just”, or wanting Wisdom to deal with a person in a manner making us superior over them. It’s not the purpose of God’s Wisdom. Why do we want the Wisdom of God? To belittle people, so we feel superior? Those are lust based thoughts, we better present our prayer of faith before the lust overcomes us.
Then verse 5, we think the Scripture says in vain, the spirit dwelling in us lust to envy? We did a detailed study on this verse back in the Welcome Lesson, but there we enter another method to study. Is it easier? Yes, in this case we will use some “helps”. The verse has to be taken into context with the Book of James, along with the some basic tenets, God cannot be tempted with evil, neither can He tempt us with evil, since there is no evil in Him (James 1:13). We have the references to lust and envy we just looked at, we also have four words in this verse become the focus, spirit, dwelleth, lust and envy. If any of those are “evil” based, identifying the spirit, since there is no evil in God, nor in the Spirit that is of God.
The word for “spirit” is the Greek Pneuma, but it can point to the Spirit of Christ, or an unclean spirit. Then the word “dwelleth”, simply means House, but it in the Old English the word Dwelleth could mean past or present tense. If we go to Jay P. Green’s Interlinear of the Greek-English, which was taken directly from the Textus Receptus and other early documents we find the wording as “has dwelt”, meaning past tense. In George Ricker Barry’s Interlinear he shows this spirit “took up his abode”, indicating it was not invited, as we did in regard to the Spirit of Christ. The old English Dwelleth can be either past or present, but in either case James doesn’t show the spirit has power, he shows some use the wrong spirit, which is the key. Being used of a spirit, and using the spirit are far different. We have power and authority over the spirit lusting to envy, thus we can reject it, rebuke it, or use it to our fleshly advantage.
Then the word Lust which is the Greek Epiothei meaning to long after, or to yearn, it refers to longing after good or evil based on a love. We have John 3:16 where God so loved the world, yet we also have John 3:19 where man so loved darkness, both are love based, God’s being good, man’s being evil. Up to this point the three words looked at can be used in either a good or evil sense. However the word for Envy is the Greek Phthonos meaning bursts of envy, the Lexicon by Dr. Spiros Zodiates (Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament) shows the Greek word for Envy means unable to do good as it manifests as selfishness (self based, or sensual) or malice (devilish). This word was never translated in the New Testament as Jealousy, to confirm it we go to Wigram and Winter’s Word Study Concordance which lists every verse in the New Testament a Greek word appears (by Strong’s numbers). The Greek word for lust was used nine times (Matt 17:18, Mark 15:10, Rom 1:29, Gal 5:21, Phil 1:15, I Tim 6:4, Titus 3:3, James 4:5 & I Pet 2:1), never in a good manner. This one word is the clue to the entire verse, if God cannot do evil, then this spirit is not of God. If we take the manifested envy to the lust, then to the source we find the thing produced the envy can’t produce good, since the envy produced is incapable of doing good in any degree. It takes us back to the “spirit”, thus James being a Jew would use the term as most Jews would, to show a nature or spirit about a person. The Textus Receptus also adds one word suggested in the King James but not seen. The word is “or”, showing the reading as, “or do you think vainly the Scripture…” (Jay P. Green Interlinear p. 619), making it a conjunction to the verse prior which speaks of the enemies of God, as those enemies connect to the “world”. This spirit is the old nature lusting to envy, the spirit of the man who is ignorant of the things of the Spirit of God (I Cor 1:11). The nature of the flesh will war against the Wisdom of God by using the wisdom of the world, rather than Peace with God, it wars against God, rather than faith, it will consume. We can sing, dance, pray or prophesy, yet if we continue to deal with people or events with the wrong wisdom, we are using the wrong spirit, we are not allowing the Word to be Engrafted.
James 4:5 tells us the Scriptures affirm the saying of James, or the saying of James affirms the Scriptures, this is not looking for a specific verse, rather it’s a confirmation of many. The lust to envy would cause the Commandment “thou shall not covet” to fall on us. However, it was the affirmation of Scripture, but in verse 6 he changes sources, in so doing has given us hope, with an avenue of escape. Verse 4:6 beings with “but He”, not the Scriptures, going right back to “ask in faith”. The spirit lusting to envy causes strife, contentions, temptations, causing us to pray amiss, so we can consume the product of prayer on a lust. How to we get rid of worldly wisdom? It’s the context here, go to the Lord, for the Lord will also give Grace (to be Born Again to have the Word) and upbraided not to those who humble themselves. When they are humble before God, they are resisting the temptation of the devil.
However, James also said if we do slip we are to Rejoice. Seems like he changed from “adulterers”, but it merely shows what the spirit lusting to envy results in, here we find the escape. The first place of being free is when we see the temptation for what it does to us and others, then we humble ourselves before God, which is an element of faith. We don’t demand, or use little sayings of self-justification, or fall excuses, it would be the wrong wisdom, we need to be cleaned by having the Word in us, so we can have God’s Wisdom. The asking in faith must be to receive the New Man first and foremost, without the Spirit that is of God, none of this will make any sense.
These verses in James lists several things, Submit, Resist, Drawn near, Cleanse our hands, Purify our Hearts, Be afflicted and Mourn, Weep, Mourning, Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord. Some things we see right off, the Pure heart links two things, the Wisdom of God is first Pure, but if have bitter envying and strife in our hearts glory not. Humbleness is the first step, the weapon opposed to pride and ego. However, let’s start at the beginning, Submit is the Greek Hupotasso meaning to Place in order, get things in the right place, then keep them there. When we Submit to the world, it doesn’t mean we lay down and let them run over us, it means we are using the things of the world in a religious sense, once we’re in the Kingdom there is no reason to use the spirit of man. We allow the world to be the world, we don’t attempt to make the world the kingdom, it places right in the act of adultery.
Then Resist which is the Greek Anthistemi meaning To Stand against, it doesn’t mean to Come against, it means to repel the advance. To Draw Near is the Greek Eggizo meaning To approach, it’s the same word and meaning found in God drawing near to us, but we must follow the Order. James doesn’t say “God will draw to you, and then you can draw near to Him”, in fact he shows a “work” of faith we have to do. Our faith says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Our faith doesn’t say, God will punish us greatly for our error, nor does our faith say we can ignore our error, rather we know by faith God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Now James says to Mourn, Weep, but what happened to Rejoice when you fall into divers temptations? Did he forget already? No, this has to do with “being a friend of the world”, indicating the result of Exposure. We thought we were doing the Gospel, but we found we are up to our ears in the spirit lusting to envy. What to do? Repent, here we have the steps of Repentance. Here we find the things Judas did not do, but Peter did. Acknowledgment to whom we have sinned against, knowing we have hurt the Lord by using things we should not have. Then we resist pride, grab Grace, get Humble, admit the wrong, Draw near to God by faith; accept the Wisdom of God in the purpose and manner we’re suppose to.
God is going to resist the proud, but we resist the devil, do those all relate? Yes, the biggest sign post of someone using the spirit lusting to envy is their display of pride, the second biggest is false humbleness. Being humble before men to gain the advantage, while we know pride is raging on the inside is sinful. The mask of humbleness is not going to get us near unto God, false humbleness is like false repentance, they have outward signs, but lack inward sincerity. Judas was remorseful, but he was not truly repentant, rather he repented himself, or repented toward himself, rather than toward God.
James 4:11-17
Verse 10 continues with the evidence of repentance, it’s approximately the same context as we find in First John. Don’t slander the brethren, talk not evil of one another. This has nothing to do with Spiritual correction, rather it points to slander, and blasphemy, the recovery will be the basis for the “prayer of faith”. Wait “prayer of faith”, pray for God’s Wisdom by faith, wonder if they relate one to another?
Okay, what does “go now” have to do with forgiveness? It’s not just forgiveness, it’s operating in obedience in the Faith. James doesn’t say, “go to now, you who mourn”, or “go to now, you who walk in faith”. This is still directed at those who are still allowing the spirit of man to run their lives.
Learning to operate in the Now isn’t easy, especially today. James does make a point we need to consider, the term “buy and sell, and get gain” goes right to the Lust of envy (James 3:14-16). It’s interesting, we don’t find, “go here or there and preach”, or “go here or there and suffer for the Lord”. James is giving us indicators to the lust, it’s never wrong to work in the world, it’s wrong to put our trust in the world. James is reaching right to the intent, while exposing the lust. The concern here is not wealth, but why one goes with what they have, or what their motivation centers on. There are some who won’t preach here or there unless the money is right, these verses are sent to convict them. The real key to this is, if we know to go good, yet we don’t, then it’s sin to us (v. 17). It would seem to be an iniquity, but the context shows one missing the mark to do the good, not simply being unequal.
James 5:1-20
The same phrase of “go to now” is found in 4:13, the phrase could read, “come now”, it’s a compound word with the Greek Age meaning To bring, or Go, intimating compulsion, or a movement of some type. The other part of the word is the Greek Nun meaning a Time, indicating to Act Fast, much like we found with the word Today in Hebrews. Back in 4:13 they were leaving to what they felt was a better place, rather than having patience in the place they were at. It seems Patience is the premise, this is akin to asking in faith, some ask, sit for three minutes, if it doesn’t manifest they either give up, or use the flesh to fill their lust.
Now we’re back to the Rich men as the converted Jews, in Proverbs 5 we find, “Remove your way far from her, and come not near the door of her house: lest you give your heart unto others, and your years unto the cruel: lest strangers be filled with your wealth; and your labors be in the house of a stranger” (Prov 5:8-10). This brings the two Wisdoms into the light of Proverbs, the wisdom of the world is the “foolish woman” or “strange woman”, she thinks stolen waters (mercy) is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant (Prov 9:1-18).
We know James can’t be placing all materially rich people in a class, since it would be partial, and God’s Wisdom is impartial. We have to keep it in context, the converted Jews were killing the Just Gentiles by inducing the Law. James tells the Rich their “riches are corrupted”, their past connection with the Law of Moses or the Abrahamic Covenant is not enough to get them through the Door, it will corrupt them by removing them from Grace.
They have killed the Just by their legalist ways, yet God doesn’t resist them. Is it good? No, not at all, James is painting a big sign saying, “Danger, what you think is happening, is not what is happening”. They were becoming self-deceived in thinking the New Covenant was attached to the Old.
Verse 6 shows taking advantage of Jesus, the Body, and Grace is not a good thing. This is the Day of Salvation, God’s wrath is stayed, He will not “condemn”, rather He will give and upbraid not. They may think they are getting away with playing house with the spirit lusting to envy, but the price will be paid after the Night, unless repentance is made while it is yet Today.
James then switches gears, and goes from the Rich to the Just who are being killed by the Rich with the weapons of requirements and rites under the Old Covenant and circumcision of the flesh. Get the Wisdom of God, see things as God does, let Patience have her Perfect work, be Patient unto the coming of the Lord, those good works of Mercy and Wisdom seemingly are not noticed, yet they are by God. There is a reward for the fighting to remain in the Wisdom of God, even when it seems the wisdom of the world is all around. Don’t think God isn’t paying attention, He is (v. 7).
Verse 8 connects to verse 7 denoting Patience, be also Patient, and “establish your hearts”, right back in James 4:8 where it was Purify your hearts. Verse 9 connects back to James 4:11, Grudge not one against the other, and speak not evil one of another, it only shows the fruit of the wrong wisdom. The word Grudge also means Murmur as did the children in the wilderness.
As far as the Rich killing the Just, take the prophets who stood their ground in the face of adversity. They suffered Affliction, but their words stand, if we find ourselves mocking the prophets of God, our haughtiness may soon be exposed, hopefully we will humble ourselves then “be afflicted and mourn” (James 4:9).
Then good old Job (v. 11), he endured, our faith will endure in Patience as we stay the course. We must endure by Patience in Peace, it’s not going to be easy, but it is possible through the New Man.
Verse 12 goes back to “today or tomorrow I will go here or there”, we are not to make vows or oaths and ask Heaven to back them up. We can’t go to the bank, make a loan, then tell God to pay it back. If God tells us to get a loan, fine it would disobedience not to; however, it’s a far cry from reading about someone in a book, then copying what they did, then telling God “God I know You are no respecter of persons, pay this thing”. It would be tempting God, no where near faith. If we asked in faith, we gave a vow to remain Patient until the product became a part of our nature, thus to run here or there is escaping, rather than enduring.
The prophets were afflicted, now “are any of you afflicted?”. How can this be? The testing and exposure is what Job went through, at times the testing seems hard. What are we to do? “Let him pray” (v. 13). Pray what? “Lord, get me out of here!!!”? This word for pray is different from the one used for “prayer of faith”, here it’s the Greek Proseuchomai meaning to pray an expression, but what expression? Here we have a mystery, all the way back in Chapter 1 James said, “let him ask of God”, but here it’s “pray”, why not use “pray” in Chapter 1? Or “ask” here? The word Ask means seeking the superior from an inferior, it’s the context here as well. If we are Afflicted we are in an inferior place, we need to be raised. “Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and He shall lift you up”, do you lack the ability to deal with the event? Ask of God, He shall give you His Wisdom and upbraid not.
Is any Merry? Let them sign psalms, which points to “Praise ye the Lord”. Two areas, completely opposite yet connected. The Affliction comes with the testing and trial, but the Merry heart comes when it’s over. In either case seek ye the Lord.
Is any Sick? The word Sick is the Greek Astheneo meaning Powerless, Weak, Infirm, often referred to sick in body, but not always. This can be a defeated attitude, depression, feelings of rejection, or sick in body. This verse covers both sides of the coin, if we are the victim of someone beating us with stones of theological abuse, we need some prayer beyond ourselves. If we were the predator who caused the event, yet now we know we used the spirit lusting to envy, we repentant to be restored, we also need some prayer beyond ourselves. What to do? Call for the Elders, not the Apostles, not the Deacons, not the carnal minded. Elders are those who have an open display of walking in God’s Wisdom. They must have two elements, God’s Wisdom and the Oil in the lamp. We don’t care if they use olive oil, or not, we do care if they have the Oil (Anointing) in them.
The word for prayer in the phrase “Prayer Of Faith” is the Greek Euche which entails a Vow, going right back to “ask in faith”. This prayer is not “Lord make me wise”, or even, “Lord heal me”, rather he points out the position we find ourselves in may be the result of using the wrong wisdom. This prayer is seeking the Wisdom of God, to know how to deal with the thing which has come upon us. The sickness, regardless of the sickness is a sign, or manifestation of to tell us something. It doesn’t mean all sickness is a result of using the wrong wisdom, but we can’t discount it either. At times sickness is a cause of using the wrong wisdom, refusing to wear a jacket, or something else, indicating we used the wrong wisdom.
Here the Elders pray one form of prayer, the sick one prays another, the Oil is a symbol of the Anointing of Mercy being present. The Oil won’t heal us, but we also take Communion and know the grape juice or wine isn’t really the Blood of Jesus, neither is the bread the Body of Christ, they are symbols. The Oil puts on our mind on God’s Mercy, connecting it to how we deal with people. For the Elders it’s their Token of presentation, for the sick one it’s a symbol they can relate to, it takes faith to accept the symbol, not faith in the symbol. Therefore, the Prayer of faith is said by the one in need, not the Elders, since the word used for the prayer of the Elders means Praise.
The word for “shall save” in the phrase “the Lord shall save the sick” is the Greek Sozo, this is not salvation, but restoration. James doesn’t say the sickness is a result of sin, but he does say, “if he have committed sins” they shall be forgiven. What “sins”? Speak not evil one of another, asking amiss, partially, misuse of the good gifts of God, killing the Just, loving the world, using the spirit lusting to envy, being either an adulterer, or adulteress, or using strife and envy. This is the hope for all of us, and this is one area proving even anyone can be forgiven while it is yet Day.
This is showing sickness can be Good, it can be an allowed sign from God to bring us into repentance to keep us from using the spirit lusting to envy. It also suggests the cause of the illness came from a lust we used, we allowed anger to speak, we refuse to forgive, or we removed ourselves from Mercy. Before the Cross the call was “Son of David have Mercy on me”, our prayer of faith is similar, it’s God’s Mercy heals our body, but God’s Wisdom tell us why, and God’s Wisdom is full Mercy (v. 3:17). Rejoice, God cares, He is still working with us.
Now to confess our faults one to another, the Greek word is Paraptoma meaning Mistakes between parties or A wrong done onto another, it’s specific between parties. This connects back to the prayer of faith, indicating we used the wrong wisdom, and found ourselves “sick in body”. The Ingress Aires gave us the authority and power to remit sins done unto others, this area is when we have wronged someone. Perhaps we joined in some John 7 meeting, or we talked evil against the brethren, then found ourselves sick. It’s not to say, we remain sick, or go ahead and continue to talk evil, rather it shows God cares, He wants us to walk in His Wisdom. There are some who are nasty, false accusers, and they refuse to apologize, or make it right, yet they don’t get sick. They are in deep trouble, better to be sick and know we missed the mark, then never be sick while missing the mark.
If possible, we go to our brother or sister and admit our wrong, then ask their forgiveness, if we can’t, there are other means. “What if they are dead?”, We have Jesus, we go to Him since He is still the Head of the Body, and fully able to stand in the place of any member therein. This is not an excuse not to go to the person, but a means open to us when we can’t.
The Greek word for Healed is Iaomai, the root word for the Greek word used for Physician meaning Healed in body and mind. We pray for one another, when two or three are gathered together in the Name of the Lord, He is there to raise them up. Peter will tell us the stripes of Jesus has healed us, he also uses this same Greek word. Putting James and Peter together we find the verse does not say, “by His stripes you will never get sick”, rather we have a recourse, something greater than the healing aspects of man. Surely if we never get sick, it would stupid to call for the Elders. The Stripes of Jesus were before the Cross, but incorporated into the Cross. They are based on Him taking in His flesh the pains and sorrows produced by the flesh.
The effectual fervent prayer is no good unless it’s done by a righteous person, a righteous person sows Peace (James 3:18). What would it be? Ask in faith, nothing wavering. The word Prayer used here is the Greek DeesisEnergeo, thus the prayer is a work, meaning a prayer of faith is a work of faith. It still connects to ask in faith, while allowing Patience have her perfect work. meaning To make known a specific need, the need is still God’s Wisdom. The word Availieth is the Greek
Verse 17 and 18 talk about Elijah (Elias), but the context goes back to Rain (v. 7), it’s the Fruit of Righteousness we seek, not the rain of brimstone. The first word for Prayer in verse 17 is the Greek Proseuche, but the word for Prayer in verse 18 is the Greek Proseuchomai which we looked at. Proseuche means To offer prayer or literally “prayer of God”, one not only going to God, but came from Him as well, thus the prophecy tells us to ask for God’s Wisdom in faith, by using our prayer of faith in the asking. Prior James told us to ask for God’s Wisdom in faith, here is the same context, be specific in seeking God’s Wisdom, thus we can’t use this “prayer of faith” is some general request, it’s specific, get God’s Wisdom, the rest will fall into place.
Verses 19 and 20 show us the purpose of the letter, to bring those back into the flock. The context shows they “err from the truth” or “error of his Way”. The word Err is the Greek Planao meaning To wander, or To be seduced, going directly to the dispersed by a lust leading them astray. The word Convert is the Greek Epistrepho meaning To turn toward, or rejoin the flock. The phrase “save a soul from death” shows the purpose, this is for the Brethren, not the world. Ahh, the Engrafted Word is able to save our souls, ask for the Wisdom of God, but ask in faith, the prayer of faith to heal us, it all fits.
FIRST PETER – AD 60
As we know Peter was a piece of the Rock, not the Rock itself, but both First and Second Peter are written to the Rock. This letter begins with Peter in his Office of Apostle, thus we will find Commandment areas, the greatest of which is to believe as we hold to the Faith. The word Strangers is the Greek Parapidemos, often translated as Sojourner (Heb 11:13 et al). Peter was sent to the Jews, we know he associated with the Gentiles, but this letter is written to all of us in the Body as Sojourners here on earth, but more specifically to the converted Jews (v. 1:18).
The persecution by the Romans really didn’t begin until Paul was beheaded by Nero, this letter was written around 60 AD. The main persecution would have been from the Jews, against converted Jews, as the life of Paul points out. This letter is also somewhat prophetic in nature, one of the provinces (Bithynia) Peter is writing to experienced Roman persecution around 100 AD evidenced by a letter sent from Pliny, the governor of Bithynia to the Roman emperor Trajan in AD 112. In the letter Pliny related how he had been executing people who confessed to be Christian. In response Trajan expressed his approval, but told Pliny to set free any Christian who renounced their faith, by worshipping the gods of Rome. In this Letter Peter gives us insight to who we are, where our true kingdom is located, and why the spirit of man is so opposed to the Spirit of God.
I Pet 1:1-2
Peter begins by telling us he is an Apostle, yet James called himself a Servant, this is a letter containing Commandment. Peter will also refer to himself as an Elder, giving us the area of Wisdom. From Peter’s use of the word Elder, plus his suggestions in Acts 15 we find the Bible defines an Elder is one who has wisdom, and is able to deal with people and events in a Godly manner, by so doing they are able to advise us how to cope. We call the Elders, those of Wisdom to help us gain God’s Wisdom.
Peter will also define “Babylon”, showing how the End Time knowledge was well known to the early church people. Peter was a member of the church in Jerusalem, yet he says his church is located in “Babylon”. It doesn’t mean the church was Babylon, only the located was in Babylon. The Book of Revelation defines Babylon as a city, not a nation, with the city connected to the metaphors Sun, Moon and Stars, which only leaves us with one city of the earth, Jerusalem. Paul agreed by saying Jerusalem of the earth is in bondage to the Law (Gal 4:25). Yet, we are told to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem; however, there are two locales termed Jerusalem, Jerusalem of the earth and New Jerusalem, who is seen as the Bride (Rev 21:2). It’s New Jerusalem who is entrusted with the Gospel of Peace, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, a gate of hell is division, causing wars among the brethren, thus we should pray for Peace in the Body. The word Strangers also means Sojourner, thus we find Peter writing to those on the earth, who are here as ambassadors to a Kingdom not of the earth.
Verse 2 shows the Trinity as the Father (foreknowledge), the Spirit (sanctification) and the Son (the Blood). The word Sprinkling is the Greek Rhantismos, taking us to Hebrews 12:24, and Numbers 19:9, reflecting on the Tabernacle, not the Temple. This shows we can seek to be covered with the Blood, which is good, but it’s also important to seek the Sprinkling, which means we have given ourselves as a sacrifice, denoting we have given our souls to Jesus. There are several words used in this verse defining to whom this is written to. The Elect are so because of the Foreknowledge of God, not their own goodness, Through Sanctification of the Spirit, Unto obedience and Sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ: Grace, and Peace. There is only one people who could fit this, those of the Body being made into the Church. The word Sanctification shows the endeavor, or action of Sanctification. The word Sanctification is the Greek Hagiasmos, which also stands for Holiness, referring to being separated unto God. We are holy when God deals with us as children, the proof is the wilderness. God really didn’t begin to deal with the children until they were separated from Egypt and Pharaoh. He doesn’t deal with us until we are Separated from the world and the devil. We find through and unto; through meaning we came through something, but Unto indicates after we came through we are headed for a specific location or purpose. We were called before the foundation of the world, God’s foreknowledge knew we would accept the call, thus the Report has our entire course lay out for us, the Witness on earth is bringing the Report to pass in our lives, which defines Predestination.
The edification given here is for Grace and Peace to be Multiplied, which gives us Process. Clearly we find we can have Grace and Peace, but we need to grow in them, allowing them to Multiply. We were told in Hebrews 6:14, God cannot lie about His desire to Bless and Multiply us. Peter agrees, showing God desires to multiply us in the things of God.
Having these things available is one thing, but being Obedient and walking them is another. The word Obedient is the Greek Hupakoe meaning to Listen and Hearken, or to Hear and Do, it’s not merely hearing, rather one has to do what they heard, it’s the same as being a doer of the Word, not a hearer only.
I Pet 1:3-8
The Calling is for Mercy in order for us to enter Grace; Mercy is the context behind binding and loosing. The strongman seeks to get even, he really doesn’t care about Mercy, unless he can gain some self-benefit from it, or use it for self-exaltation; however, one Stronger came in the New Birth, He will always encourage us to grant Mercy as a witness to the Father’s forgiveness. When it comes to forgiving others some of us become to critical on what we term “true repentance”, did the person really repent? Well if not, we don’t have to forgive them. Wrong, God forgives based on the asking, we do the same.
The word Abundant in verse 3 is the Greek Polus meaning Much of number, or a great Multitude. The Resurrection of Jesus is the key, although it doesn’t take away from the Cross, the stripes, or the three days in the grave, it’s still centered on the goal, to be a partaker in the same Resurrection of Jesus as a son of God (Rom 1:4); therefore, we believe God raised Him from the dead. If we believe God raised Jesus from the dead, then we must also believe all the promises in the First Resurrection, including the Spirit, God’s Wisdom, the Faith of Jesus, the Rapture, plus the other spiritual things, or we really don’t believe God raised Jesus.
The word Begotten is the Greek Anagennao, some term this as Regenerated as a result of the term “Born Again”; however, we were not spirit prior to the New Birth, we were run by the spirit of man, but we didn’t have some spirit in us Born a second time, rather we were born once of the flesh, to be flesh, run by the flesh, but then we are Born of the Spirit once, or again, for our souls to become Spirit in the process. Therefore, it can’t be regenerated, rather it’s Generated from on High, but our souls become regenerated to the created purpose.
The Inheritance can’t come unless one is Born Again, making the Inheritance Incorruptible, thus it comes by the incorruptible the Seed of God. This shows the spirit of man is corruptible (I Pet 1:23), connecting to, “you choose, life or death”, meaning we made the choice by seeking the Spirit of Christ unto life.
The word Reserved in verse 4 is the Greek Tereo meaning Watched over, this verse will connect with 1:9 where we find the end of our Faith is the salvation of our souls. James told us the trying of our faith is a place of Joy, here we find out why, the purpose is to bring our souls into the Engrafted stage. Peter is going to give us the result of asking for the Wisdom of God by faith, the goal is real, there is no reason to doubt .
The Inheritance is reserved, but we are Kept by the Power of God, but the Keeping is Through Faith Unto Salvation (v 5). This points to Process by showing we are kept BY the Power of God, not our power, or religious standing, or lack thereof; yet it’s Through Faith, thus we are saved by Grace Through Faith, with Through indicating a motion, or continual activity, Unto Salvation, giving us Process. The Reward is seeing how it will Be Revealed (meaning it isn’t yet) in the Last Time. The term Last Time here is different from the one used in Jude 18, here it’s the Salvation to be revealed, in Jude we find the Wicked shall be mockers in the “last time”. Here the word for Time is the Greek Kairos meaning Season, not the end of all time, thus the Salvation will be revealed at the end of this Season when the Rapture comes. In Jude 18 the word Time is the Greek Chronos meaning a time period marked by a succession of events, or passing moments. This word would include many passing events, like wars, rumors of wars, pestilence and famines, as well as Peace and Safety then comes Sudden Destruction. Peter shows what we will obtain at the close of the Day, Jude shows why the Wicked will obtain at the Judgment.
Verse 6 makes this clearer when we read, “for a Season”, we are under mandate to grant Mercy, we don’t attack others as we are attacked, we don’t seek validation, or Justice, or Vengeance, or Retaliation. As the attacks come, we must be Saint ready to grow in the affliction, as we add to the attributes of God with more attributes, Progression in the Process.
Peter also speaks of the trying of our faith, showing we are in Heaviness, but we Rejoice (v. 6). The heaviness comes when the old man is in the throngs of defeat, he will play all the games, “oh you don’t need that”, “it has passed away, you have me now”, “do you really think God means for the old to be crucified?”. Why did we impute him dead? To see him live? Or to see him dead? It better be the latter, or failure is in the making.
Verse 6 also opens other areas, connecting First Peter to James by giving the two witnesses. The word Trial is the Greek Dokimion meaning The proving of something Precious, meaning we are Precious. This is a hope, how can God prove our faith, if we don’t have any? The truth of our faith being tested shows we have faith, we can have joy in having our faith tested by God, if nothing else.
The measure of faith is a gift, in the measure is the Agapao love of God, thus one can use the Love toward God, or toward the darkness. The first reason our joy is knowing we have faith to be proved, our faith shows we placed the Agapao in God, we sought the Wisdom of God to please God, our faith will have the acts of God’s Wisdom to prove it. How? The first proof is the test, there would be no test unless there was something to test. We must consider the testing Precious in order to find the purpose of the test, in order to gain the Precious, to make us Precious (v. 7). This is the same principle of blessing, we bless others because we are the Blessed.
The word Season in verse 6 is the Greek Oligos meaning A little time, or A time small considering the overall, thus we have the opportunity in Our Season to seek the saving of the soul, yet the test is for a short time (season) to bring us before the Lord before the Next Season begins. The word Manifold is the Greek Poikizos meaning Various, rather than Many, this is a different word than the one James used for Divers (James 1:2). The word Various narrows the context down to the trying of our faith by God, yet James included the concept of a lust, thus Peter is taking us past the point where the lust to envy can draw us into soulish and devilish modes, rather Peter is moving to the point where we know the tricks of darkness by the Word discerning and exposing. First Peter speaks to the one who has entered the saving of the soul as they set apart filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness by receiving with meekness the Engrafted Word (James 1:21). This will be addressed by John as well as he shows the Youngmen have overcome the Wicked, the Full Corn in the Ear is the place where our Joy is productive as a part of our nature, the place of pure clarity and discernment.
We accepted the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, with it came the Fire, here in Peter we find the purpose for the Baptism with Fire is placing us in the Righteousness of Jesus. This shows the two part Commandment, seek ye first the Kingdom of God (first), and His Righteousness (second). Therefore, we seek the Kingdom of God by seeking the Spirit, then comes the Righteousness, it’s still in context with asking for God’s Wisdom by faith. We entered by Belief so it could be by Faith, then we asked for God’s Wisdom by Faith, now our Faith is being tried to bring us into the Perfection of the Justification, if we are Justified we shall be glorified. We are still the Just who live by faith, and not of those who draw back to Perdition (v. 7 & Heb 10:38-39).
In reference to the Revealing of Jesus, Peter uses the same word as John uses in the Book of Revelation, really we could say the Book of Revelation is the Prophecy of Unveiling. The Greek word for Revelation is Apokalupsis meaning Unveiling, connecting to First Corinthians chapter 11, where we find the carnal minded have placed a Veil between Christ and the Body, thus the Wisdom of God Unveils many things, as it makes all things clear and discernible, opening the Way for us to enter the most Holy Place.
There are three Greek words used for the return of Jesus, Apokalupsis is the Unveiling, then EpiphaneiaParousia meaning Coming. These three show two elements, the Coming of Jesus to the earth, The gathering together unto Him, the last being first and the first being last. Parousia is made clearer in II Thessalonians 2:1 where Paul said he beseeched the brethren by the Coming of Jesus, and by Our gathering together unto Him, two different elements and events, yet both show a Parousia. There is the Perousia when we see Him face to face in the Air, there is a Perousia when every eye sees Him in the end. meaning Appearing as in Every Eye Will See Him, then
Peter saw Jesus, but here he shows “having not seen, you love”; connecting to “blessed are they who have not seen, yet have believed” (Jn 20:29), showing Belief and Love must be connected, or it’s not Godly Belief (I Cor 13:1-13). The quality of our Faith is determined by the quality of our Belief. If we hold unbelief, our faith will be weak, the more unbelief we hold, the weaker our faith. It stands if we know nothing of Faith, or where to put it, nor do we believe, our faith becomes a mental tool to satisfy the self. Peter is building our belief, telling us what God did for us, the Trinity in action, the Mercy of the Father, the Grace of the Son, the Spirit by the Holy Ghost.
The disciples were told to preach, even if they didn’t believe, but they were not told to teach unbelief. One must determine why someone is teaching, preaching or dealing with people, events or discipling, is it Spirit centered? Or self-based? It is God motivated, or self motivated? It is centered on Belief, or unbelief? Next we have to determine the combined sources, we need teachers, anyone can say, “well I learn from the Holy Ghost”. All of us do, it’s not the point, since the Holy Ghost brings thinks to our remembrance by teaching comparing spiritual to spiritual. Saying we don’t need a teacher, is telling Jesus He made a terrible mistake in appointing Teachers. No one knows it all, the biggest heresy is attempting to teach a piece of Truth as the total. The biggest sign of arrogance is saying we don’t need teachers. No one is going to teach us how to love, but they can teach us what love is. These are all teaching letters, elements to help us overcome the wiles of the enemy. We could go to the other side of the scale, by teaching intellectualism without the Holy Ghost. Or act as a teacher, without the covering of the Office. All the pieces fit to bring us Knowledge with the Holy Ghost. If someone is teaching us, yet they say they don’t need a teacher, it has to be a clue to their pride, ego and haughtiness. Why are they teaching us, if they don’t need one? Makes them extremely superior, and us extremely stupid. How did we believe? By the words of these Apostles, Prophets and Teachers. Belief has a joy exceeding the natural joy of man, it brings us an awareness of who God is, why we are here, and who we are really are. In this letter Peter is teaching us all the attributes we received when we are Born Again, encouraging us to walk the path of the Faith of Jesus by the Spirit.
I Pet 1:9-25
James told us to Receive the Engrafted Word with Meekness in order to save our souls, here Peter says Receive the end of our faith, even the Salvation of our souls. If our faith is not tried, it’s not faith, if we failed to begin by our belief in God Is, our faith will become self-based, keeping us from the saving of our souls. Jump for joy in the trial, it’s Precious unto Perfection.
The word for Receive is the Greek Komizo meaning To take care of, rather than merely take. The word for End is the Greek Telos meaning Completion in respect to time, this is our hope, yes we will fight to enter God’s Wisdom, but the promise is here, we will have it in operation if we add Patience to our Faith.
Peter talks about the prophets of Old as they inquired and searched for what was given to us in Grace. The prophets didn’t have the Grace, they prophesied of Grace (v. 10). Verse 11 could be confusing if we assume the prophets were Born Again, but we find the Spirit of Christ testified by the Holy Ghost of what was to come, thus the prophets didn’t speak from their self-determinations, but as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Ghost was looking forward to the time when the Spirit of Christ would be presented in the New Birth. This shows how important and blessed we are to be Born Again, it also shows the prophecy “let us make man in our image” has purpose, but it came to pass when Jesus opened the door by the Resurrection (Jn 7:38-39 & II Pet 1:21).
In J.P. Green’s Interlinear Bible of the T.R. we find two different Greek words for Salvation in verses 9 and 10: in 9 it’s the Greek Soterios meaning A Deliverer, in verse 10 it’s the Greek Soteria referring the Process of Deliverance, thus we have the Deliverer delivering our souls in a specific Process, giving us Jesus as the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls.
Verse 10 links a series of things together showing the Activity, or Action, or the act of Grace unto Salvation. We find Grace is a product of the Spirit of Christ, as the Spirit of Christ is a product of Grace, but it took the sufferings of Jesus to bring it about, thus no one could possess Grace until the sufferings of Jesus. The Glory comes from Grace, not our self-efforts, or intellect. The Living Water comes from the New Man, not the old (Jn 7:37-39). Bitter water comes from the old man as well, he dresses it up in something appearing nice, but the intent is still self, self, self, unto death.
Why is it so important for Peter to tell us they spoke by the Holy Ghost? Why not just say they were moved by the Holy Ghost? No can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost. The prophets of Old spoke of what would be, thus they had enough of the shadow to know something was about to be, meaning they longed to see it, but we have it. This is clearer in verse 11 when Peter calls the “Spirit of Christ” an “it”. The Holy Ghost spoke of the Nature of Christ yet to come, although the prophets knew something, they knew little. This verse in no way means they were Born Again, since it was not possible until Jesus was glorified by the Resurrection (Jn 7:39).
Verse 12 shows the Spirit of Christ was not revealed to the prophets of Old, but to us, thus to them the Spirit of Christ was an “it”, to us the Spirit of Christ is the Greater He in us. The prophets of Old said things, now those things by the Spirit are being carried out forming us into the Image of God’s son. Therefore, the Holy Ghost spoke through the prophets of Old about the Spirit of Christ, but we are Born Again by the Holy Ghost giving us the Seed of God as the Spirit of Christ.
The prophets of Old spoke, but the angels desired to look into these things, yet we have them. Therefore, gird up the loins of our minds, be sober (patient, or stand), and hope to the end, for the Grace to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus (v. 13). We have Grace, but when Jesus brings the Grace in Him to us, we will be glorified. This 13 connects to, “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (v. 1:9).
The word Mind isn’t Psuche (soul) it’s the Greek Dianoia which is a compound word meaning Separation (Dia) and To think over again (Noeo), thus it means to Agitate the mind regarding the things we have received for our belief. The word Sober is the Greek Nepho showing the result of girding up the loins of our mind. Nepho also means To be watchful, thus connecting to Watch and Pray, or “Be watchful” (Rev 3:2). If any of the disciples knew what “watch and pray” meant, it was Peter. The awareness came after Pentecost, the rebuke before. The Night is the time for sleeping, the Day a time to Watch and Pray, thus we are children of the Day.
Verse 14 points back to Obedience connecting to verse 2 where we found the Sanctification is dependent on our obedience. The work here is Fashioning, which is the Greek word Suschematizo meaning Conformed, it was used in Romans 12:2 in the negative sense, here it means to submit to be conformed into the Image of God’s Son, but in Romans it was a warning not to be conformed to the world. We have all it takes to be conformed into the Image of God’s Son to be a son of God, yet we also have the choice to reject it. The Just still live by faith, they will endure because they hold the victory.
The word Ignorance is the Greek Agnoia meaning To ignore, or Not to know by understanding, ignorance leads to misconduct. We were ignorant, but the Revealing of Jesus brought us into the Light; the “former lusts” are the same ones James notes as strife and envy, leading one to remain earthly, soulish, and devilish.
Verse 15 tells us to be holy, but how can any of us be as holy as God? God gave us His Seed, created (or formed) after His Holiness and Righteousness (Eph 4:24), thus it’s a matter of submission to the process to bring the Seed to the Full corn in the ear. The phrase “all manner of conversation” shows Behavior and conduct, not simply words.
The quote in verse 16 comes from Leviticus 11:44, in the phrase, “I am the Lord your God; you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, you shall be holy: for I am holy”, in Leviticus it’s, “You shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy”, in Leviticus 20:7, “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy: for I am the Lord your God”. Each of these points first to Sanctification as a deliverance or separation, then comes the holiness. This also connects to “blessed be the God and Father” (v. 3). God is blessed when we receive and follow His Son, by being conformed into the Image of His Son. We are holy because God is dealing with us as children because we are heirs. Obedience and rebellion are opposite forces, Obedience entails submission to the activity of God in our lives. We may not like it, we may not enjoy it for the moment, but as children we must obey as we submit to the Father of Lights.
How can we be Holy in all manner of conversation? By the New Man, who is created after God’s True Holiness. The Father who is without respect of persons gave each who received Jesus the opportunity to be Born Again. The Spirit of Truth in us is more than enough to win this: as we submit to the Spirit, the Spirit does the work, thus Jesus will not judge Himself (v. 17). The word for Work is the Greek Ergon, the same word used by James, thus the trying of our faith is our faith being worked.
We are Sojourning in this land called the Earth, but our Kingdom is in heaven, thus we are not spies, but Ambassadors. The fear noted here, is our fear of God, not a fear of what man will do to us.
Verse 18 defines those being written to, the Gentiles didn’t have the Law, or the traditions of the fathers, but the converted Jews did. The wording Vain Conversation in verse 18 is the Greek Mataios meaning Fruitless, thus the offerings under the Old balanced the scale, the payment or ransom was momentary at best, but the Blood of Jesus is given Once for all who receive it. This is clearly Covenant talk, the Blood is the Power unto Redemption, but our Obedience unto the Blood is our call, yet with Obedience we add Submission as a product of our faith.
The word Precious in verse 19 is the Greek Timios denoting the trying of our faith is a Blood related act meaning it’s incorruptible removing us from the corruptible. For this reason we always seek the Precious, as the Precious drives out the corruptible, but if we put our mind on the corruptible, we will miss the incorruptible.
The word Blemish is the Greek Amomos meaning A point of rejection, referring to something found in the inspection process which is not acceptable, not a mere outward stain, but something attributed to the rejection, thus the trying of our faith will drive our those offending elements by the Blood. If we are Sprinkled, we are the sacrifice, the Holy Spirit will search us in order to remove the impurities. The word Spot is the Greek Aspilos meaning Flesh tainted, we will find this word equated to spotted garments, thus the Washing of the Water by the Word removes the spot, the Blood removes the stain.
Peter’s teaching is to consider what Jesus did, as the Faith of Jesus blazed the trial for us to heaven, yet the Lamb was slain in the Plan from the foundation of the world. If God before the foundation of the world knew the Lamb would be slain, then He knew He would be raised again, the Plan also has our victory planned out. The Manifestation of the Word made flesh is for us, the prophets talked about Him, but to them it was an “it” (v. 20).
The word Foreordained is the Greek Proginosko which is a compound word meaning Before (Pro or Pre) and Knowledge (Ginosko), this is not the Greek Prognosis (foreknowledge), rather this shows the Plan was Before Knowledge was presented to man, thus before Adam became a living soul the Report was complete. We understand the Plan by having the Spirit, for the Spirit reveals the things of God to us.
Verse 21 lays out the ability, without Jesus we would have no foundation to believe, there would be nothing in which we could believe. Jesus being manifested for us, gave us His words and experiences for our foundation of belief. Because of Him we can believe, from what He promised we gain hope. if we believe the Bible, and stop attempting to find excuses not to believe. God raised Jesus from the dead, according to Paul the Spirit of Holiness made the declaration. God did this so we would have past evidence in which to believe, giving us knowledge from which to establish our faith and hope.
Verse 22 shows we have been Purified by having the Spirit, yet the process is the Spirit purifying our Souls as we Obey the Truth, which is done by seeking and walking after the Spirit of Truth, the purpose is unto Unfeigned (without hypocrisy) Love of the brethren, the same context as James talks about. Wait, is it like the Engrafted Word? Yes, the Purifying is the process of the Word (Logos) becoming part of us, as the two become one.
The word for Love used here is Phileo, not Agape, thus this refers to loving the good fish, as well as the bad, we need the Spirit of God to accomplish the task. The main weapon of our warfare is Love, without it we will hate, leading to strife and envy. The word Unfeigned means “a bad actor”, it’s not a metaphor, it means one who is incapable of acting. Which means one who is free of some mask, what you see is real. Some fake love, others do it.
The following verses in this chapter show a progression of events. Being Born Again gives us the ability to Love, indicating the Purification process begins with being Born Again, which isn’t the same as the Seed being planted, rather this verse shows the Seed was planted, then came Birth. The wording “Word of God” is the same as Logos of God, thus in the beginning the Logos was with God, then the Logos became flesh, then gave us Power to become sons of God. The flesh could not become Logos, the Logos had to become flesh leading us to the Rhema.
The Greek word for Seed is Spora meaning From what is sown, whereas the Greek Sperma means To sow. The Living Word abides forever, but in order to have the “Living Word”, one must have the Word of Life in them.
In verse 25 the wording “Word of the Lord” is not Logos, but Rhema, thus we are Born Again by the Logos, but we endure by the Rhema, it’s the Rhema it places the Living with the Word which abides forever, thus Jesus said the Words (Rhema) He (Logos) spoke were Life and Spirit. The Logos in us divides and discerns, but the Rhema is found in the Wisdom of God, thus we need both the Character (Logos), plus the Nature (Rhema) to be a Witness. One can read the Scriptures, yet not have either the Logos or the Rhema, usually making the mistake of saying the Bible is the “living word”. The Logos in us is Life, the Rhema Life more abundantly, the Bible talks about Life, it can’t give it.
I Pet 2:1-5
Verses 1 and 2 give us a great deal of information to consider during the trying of our faith. It would appear as if all one has to do is read the Bible, and they will grow, but it takes more than reading, faith still comes by hearing, yet if reading alone did the trick, how do we explain the Pharisees who read it daily, yet were of their father the devil? In order to gain from the Written Word, we need the Word in us.
The wording Laying Aside in verse 1 is the Greek word Apotithemi which was also used in Ephesians 4:22-25, it doesn’t mean to use our will power to overcome, rather it means To denounce, or Speak to the mountain, rather than attempt to remove it. The word Malice is the Greek Kakia meaning An evil habit of the mind, it was the same word used for serpents in the Gospel account, thus it shows the “evil habit” is the spirit of man, speaking malicious, slanderous, self-based words, but the New Man has defeated the old. The New Man speaks by New Tongues of Mercy, Grace and Love, these will overcome the words of the Wicked.
The word Guile is the Greek Dolos meaning To bait, connecting to the use of trickery, as some lay in wait to deceive. The words Hypocrisies and Envy take us back to James showing how the wisdom of the world can be religious, but hardly Holy. The wording Evil Speakings is the Greek Katalalia meaning Slander, the product of envy. Therefore, these are the products of the spirit of man, we “put away” these elements by Putting On the New Man. All this is still the Righteousness of Jesus working in us, the result is far greater than the natural mind can perceive. This proves we have the power, but it takes a desire to please God is greater than the desire to be pleased.
The word Babes in verse 2 is the Greek Brephos meaning Infancy, but nonetheless Born Again, this is not the same word Paul used in reference to the Corinthians, to the Corinthians the word means A fetus, or In the womb, here it shows Born, but yet very, very small. The word Desire is the Greek Epipotheo meaning To desire earnestly, or to seek earnestly calling for us to be Meek, Humble and Teachable (easily entreated). The word Sincere is the Greek Adolos meaning Absence of fraud or deceit, thus it points to asking in faith. It also shows one searching to benefit God, rather than searching to prove someone wrong. The word Milk is the Greek Gala meaning Rudiments, the word Rudiments means The first principle, or basic areas. The Greek word used for Word is Logikos, not Logos or Rhema, referring to the spoken Logos, thus showing we all need Spirit filled Teachers. The word Grow is the Greek Aphorizo meaning To increase, giving us Process.
We can see verses 1 and 2 go much further than merely reading the Bible, they entail an effort to put away envy, strife, contention and unbelief, approach the Bible with the Word in us, with the same zeal as a new born babe, one who is seeking the Truth of God so they can grow in the Lord bringing to pass soul being Spiritual in nature by the Spirit of Christ in them.
Verses 3 and 4 show the result, If we have found or tasted how the Lord is Gracious, then we will not fear His coming, nor will we be so eager to see the judgment on the people of the world. The wording You Have Tasted is the Greek Geuo meaning To cause to taste, this is not tasting the Lord, but tasting how the Lord is Gracious, showing one has an experience for them to believe the Lord is Gracious.
A very interesting word is Stone, which is the Greek Lithos meaning A Door, thus the stone was before the tomb as a type and shadow of the Door, but Jesus said He is the Door, but it takes the Spirit to get us through the Door (Rev 4:1-2). It’s not the type of stone the Temple was built on, this Stone grants us Life, Jesus stands at the Door, if any Hears His Voice then opens the Door, He will come into them and sup with them (Rev 3:20). There are some doors no man can open, some we must open.
Verses 4 and 5 define the purpose of the Rock, Peter doesn’t use the same words for Rock and Rocks as Jesus did, rather he moves from the Rock to the Church, giving us a “spiritual house”. This has to connect back to Romans and Corinthians, in Romans we found there are those in the Body who mind the Spirit, yet some who mind the Flesh, in Corinthians we found they had the Spirit, but they were not Spiritual. Here the House is Spiritual, it’s established on the Living Stone, as we are “living stones”. The Greek words for “Living” are the same in both verses, as is the word for Stone, the difference is between the one Stone, and the many stones. We could not be stones, if it were not for the Stone (Jesus).
In verse 5 we find we are called to a “holy priesthood”, which one? It was defined in Hebrews for us, “after the similitude of Melchisedec there arises another Priest” (Heb 7:15), not of the tribe of Levi as the Law of Moses dictates, but from the Tribe of Juda, thus the priesthood changed, calling for a New Law to accommodate the spiritual priests in the New Covenant.
We are called kings and priests unto God, but if we don’t know what Order our priesthood is, or what our duties entail, what kind of priest are we? How are we going to offer up “spiritual sacrifices” if we’re not spiritual? If we are kings, who are our subjects? People or things? We have been granted power over the enemy in a complete sense, nothing of the enemy has power or authority over us, unless we give it place. All this shows we have been raised to a position above the darkness, above the realm of the prince of the power of the air. We have dominion over the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, and the spirit lusting to envy. Events happen, how we deal with them determines the type of person we are.
I Pet 2:6-9
This Zion, is not Sinai (Gal 4:24-25), the Stone was sent to earthly Zion, but it was rejected, then the Chief Corner Stone became the foundation for Heavenly Zion. The Stone is Elect and Precious, making the building for the Elect just as Precious, meaning those who Believe God Is are Precious (v. 6). On the other hand if one fails to believe the same Stone becomes a stone of stumbling. It’s the same Stone, but whether one believes or not determines the effect the Stone has on them (v. 7-8).
The word Confounded in verse 6 is the Greek Kataischuno, we know Kata means from a high place to a lower one, here it refers to falling into dishonor, this is a direct reference to becoming a vessel of dishonor, or falling back to perdition. Paul said the vessels of dishonor lack Mercy, here we find the word Belief, thus Godly Belief must be contain Mercy. Verse 7 makes it clear by the use of the word Disobedient, yet we found in 1:2 we are accounted to the Obedience unto the sprinkling of the Blood, thus Obedience is linked to the Blood, where Disobedience is linked to dishonor. To both the Jew and Greek the word “disobedience” was the same as “unbelief”, but Obedience was the same as “belief”.
In verse 8 the context changes, the word Rock in verse 8 is the Greek Petra, rather than Lithos. Peter was a PetrosPetra, Jesus said He would build on the Petra, by taking the Petros from the Petra, thus Peter was a piece of the Rock, here in verse 8 it refers to the stumbling, or the entrance way. Therefore, to truly enter the Petra as a Petros not the we must believe in the Stone (Jesus).
However, to us who are the Chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a “peculiar” people, who do believe, as we continue to believe, as those called out of darkness into the Light (v. 9). The word Chosen shows an Offspring, relating to being Born Again. A Royal Priesthood is not the Levitical priesthood which had flaws, because the administration of the Law was based on natural man: however, our Royal Priesthood is based on the our High Priest, each priest being spiritual in nature. The wording Holy Nation goes back to “be ye holy as I am holy”, the word Nation is the Greek Ethnos meaning A people belonging and living together as family. The word Peculiar is the Greek Peripoirsis meaning A purchased possession, it doesn’t mean we’re weird. We have given our souls to Jesus, He purchased them, then gave us the New Man to prove it, thus in order to fit these verses we must give our souls to Jesus, submit to the New Man, walk in God’s Wisdom. Whether we appear complete or not isn’t the issue, whether we believe the Spirit in us is able is the issue.
I Pet 2:10-25
Here we find our power, we can Abstain from fleshly lusts, which are motivated by the spirit lusting to envy. This is the place where we have been restored, we know we fell based on our own lust. Now we know we have the power of Grace, the place where the Word is being Engrafted, the area where we have authority over the old man. The word Abstain is the Greek Apechomai meaning To keep oneself from, but how? Using the flesh? No, these lusts war against the us, so using the soul or flesh to war against them is failure in the making. Walk in the Spirit, allow the Mercy of God to operate (v. 10). We were a people who lacked authority, the spirit lusting to envy ruled us, guided us, in one form or other it was our motivation, but it’s no longer the case. We are now a people who Have Obtained Mercy, thus the Power of Mercy is tremendous.
The word lusts here is the Greek Epithumia meaning a diseased condition of the soul, thus this also points to a healing of the soul taking place when we receive the Mercy of God. This would be the prelude to the saving of the soul, when we receive and give God’s Mercy, there is a healing of our soul taking place. All of us held various traits, or did things based in the wrong authority, we tended to our efforts of darkness treasures, yet those same self-supposed treasures were lust based, warring against the God given purpose for our soul.
The context of Strangers and Pilgrims shows how we are here on earth, yet our Kingdom is not of the earth. Simply because those of the earth do something, it doesn’t mean we can. We represent a Kingdom man cannot see with the physical eye, but it has traits seen in us. Why use Strangers and Pilgrims? The word Strangers is not the same Greek word used in 1:1, here it’s the Greek Paroikos meaning to dwell or sojourn in a strange place for a short time. The word Pilgrims is the Greek Parepidemos meaning someone among a strange people. Both give us a clue, we are from a Kingdom not of this world, yet we are here for a short time among a people who don’t think like we do, lack the abilities we have, who are run by a different spirit. However, they are also the reason we are here, we cast the Net, bringing the Net Breaking catch into the Body.
Verse 12 is another area showing the people being talked to are converted Jews, their “conversation” must be Honest among the Gentiles. The unconverted Gentiles, even some converted ones like the Romans would speak evil against the converted Jews, the converted Jews should walk as Christian, allowing their good works to speak for them. In this case it would be the Rich working to support the Faith, rather than killing the Just. The prior verses all show how deeds from the Law of Moses for the converted Jew mean nothing, our priesthood is greatly different in scope and Order.
The word Conversation is the Greek Anastrophe meaning a manner of life, not merely what one says. The word Visitation is the Greek Episkope meaning An overseer, this word shows An inspection taking place, connecting with 2:25 where we find Jesus is the Bishop of our souls. Since Bishop is an Overseer connected to Helps, it shows as the Bishop of our souls Jesus will inspect them, but as the Shepherd He will work with our souls unto the Purpose of our faith. Jesus as our Shepherd will guide, supply what is required, make sure no wolf steals what He has given us, the position of a Pastor; by using Bishop and Shepherd, Jesus then becomes Helps and Governments for our souls.
Verse 13 is a test of faith, calling for us to Submit to the ordinances of man, yet we know many Christians, including Peter were killed for refusing to worship idols. Like the three Hebrew children, one can submit to the “what if” in the Law, as they submit to the law of the land. In Peter’s case it was “worship the gods, or die”, he picked the latter, proving his faith. Submitting simply means not to interfere with the course of events, Peter knew the world is on one course, he on another. He just told us of the division in verse 10, it hasn’t changed. The biggest frustration we can enter is presuming the world can act Christian, they must enter the Body before any of this is possible.
Peter lists the kings of land, the governors, and those who sent by the governors. In Titus we found the same, so this is not just for the converted Jews. Titus was told to teach, or disciple us to submit to rulers, magistrates and those who make and enforce the laws of the land. It would seem all governors will punish the evildoers, but it’s not the case, rather they will present the choice, one can join with the evildoer, or what is good. If we presume all rulers will punish the evildoers, then we have to include people like Hitler as well; there is more to this than simply following the laws of the land, regardless of the law. Those who are leaders yet evil in nature, only provide a choice for the people, if one is evil in nature, they will join to the evil leadership. The old excuse, “it was the leader you gave me”, won’t move God, they had a choice. There is always an “if”, even when people face the Mark of the Beast there is an “if”.
Verses 15 and 16 show us the Will of God, with the Welldoing we put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. The word Welldoing is the Greek Agathopoyeho meaning doing something good tot benefit others. In verse 16 the word Free is the Greek Eleutheros meaning Capable of movement in any direction, the word Cloak is the Greek Epikalumma meaning To cover or conceal by pretext, it becomes pretext when we misuse it. Religious maliciousness is the use of strife, anger, hate, bitterness, envy or vengeance to get the result desired. These define the fleshly lusts noted above, showing how the old nature will exercise itself in some wild attempt to change the course of the world, just to find a comfortable place on the Beast of the Sea.
Not only do we honor those in rule, but we honor all men, just as Jesus honored all men, even the Romans and religious leaders who put Him on the Cross. Jesus didn’t change the law of the land, rather in His welldoing the evil doers were made obvious. If no one is welldoing, where would the choice for the evil doer be? They have choice as well, thus those who walk in Love are welldoers, providing choice. Whether the evil doer takes the evidence and changes or not is still their choice, but at least they have a choice. The same is true when dealing with an unbeliever, do we question the Bible? Or show it’s Truth?
Verse 18 tells all Servants to be subject to their masters, whether the Master is Jesus or someone appointed by Jesus, meaning this pertains to being a servant in the Body. When one enters the wilderness unto the saving of the soul the first thing they find is God may place them under ungodly authority for the first lesson to see how to walk in Mercy and Love. We submit not only to the Good and Gentle (those who have God’s Wisdom), but to the forward as well. The word Honor means to Respect, God has a purpose, even if we don’t understand it, it’s nonetheless a purpose.
The word for Servants is Oiletes meaning Servant of a household, correlating to Matthew 13:27. The servants of the householder told the Master, “Sir, did not You sow good seed in Your field, from where then has it tares”. They wanted to remove the tares, but the Lord said No, let those of a spiritual nature gather them; therefore, the term Servant in this context is one of the household, but not a Bond Servant, meaning in the process of being discipled. This is made clearer by the word Master, which is the Greek Despotes meaning Head of a family. The word Forward is the Greek Skolios meaning Unjust, relating to one who has the ability to be Just, but rejects it to become Unjust
Envy and strife love to enter competition with the world, to prove they are wiser, or holier than the world. Big deal, the world is run by the power, seat and authority of the dragon, anyone who enters the kingdom of heaven is above the things of the world. We don’t need to tame the Beast, we need to call the called from the Beast.
If we are being formed into the Image of God’s Son, there has to be an example of submission for us to view and follow. Verse 20 separates suffering for what we have done, and what we have not done. Someone says something about us so untrue, even the family pet doesn’t believe it. What should we do? Take it Patiently, for the trying of our faith comes in many forms, in order to work patience, but let Patience have Her perfect work (James 1:3-4). In the welldoing, the evil doer will have choice, as will those in attendance.
If we are doing well, yet suffer for it Patiently, this is acceptable with God, thus Patience is a sister to Faith, it’s still faith pleasing God. The word Buffeted in verse 20 is the Greek Kolaphizo meaning To hit the cheek, explaining why we Turn the other cheek, or resist the lust of retaliation. This has nothing to do with doing evil, then suffering for it. This area is when we have done what the Lord desires, yet we are being attacked right and left. How we deal with the attack will determine if we are welldoing, or evil doing.
Now our example is written down in plain talk, one showing the process of the saving of the soul is a Good Thing of God (v. 21). Admittedly at the time of the attack, or the suddenness of a dart from nowhere, we have a choice, we can retaliate or allow God’s Wisdom to deal with it. When trouble comes do we have the premise and example? Did Jesus picket Pilate? Did Jesus demand His rights? Did He demand justice? Or did He submit to the powers? How can we walk by faith, if we don’t follow in the Steps of the Faith of Jesus? Peter was told by Jesus, “Follow Me”, here Peter tells us what it consisted of. The word Follow is the Greek Epakoloutheo, the ending of this word is the Greek Theo (God), thus it means to Follow Jesus. Some will say “I want to heal the sick like Jesus”, it’s good and fine, but are we also willing to suffer as Jesus? What would it entail? Taking it patiently, being a witness when the flesh wants to attack, or standing in Mercy when the flesh wants validation.
Verse 21 says We are called, thus to be chosen one must receive with meekness the Engrafted Word. The way to heaven is paved with many things, all are of God, the good and the suffering. If we are of Faith we admit it, determine the purpose and keep our minds on the Spirit.
Verse 21 also shows Christ suffered for us, thus we suffer for Him. This is not suffering for our fable filled theology, neither is it suffering because someone hurt our feelings, nor is it suffering because we don’t like what is going on. This is limited to suffering for welldoing, those times when we walked in Love, Mercy, Faith, Truth and Hope, yet we were attacked. This has nothing to do with holding fable filled unbelief, then being rebuked.
The first thing we find is Jesus did no sin, had no violation against Him, no wrong, not even one small aspect in which man or the devil could accuse Him, yet He suffered as an Accused. When He was reviled, He didn’t use the same weapon, He didn’t threaten or attack, but Committed Himself to Him who Judges in Righteousness ( v. 23). The word Committed is the Greek Paradidomi which is a compound word meaning To the side (Para) To give (Didomi). This word means To deliver up power of someone, in the context it shows Jesus delivered Himself to Pilate, but trusted in the Power and Authority of the Father, thus Pilate didn’t Judge in Righteousness, the Father does, it’s the result we’re looking for. The Righteousness saw no flaw, nothing to keep Jesus from defeating death, making the devil ineffective, opening the way to be raised on the third day.
Some might say, “Yea, but it was Jesus”; Yea, but you are being formed into His Image. Jesus who had no sin, took upon Himself sin for us, one can’t take the sin of another, unless they are free of sin. Shedding our own blood for our sins is not the same as Jesus did, shedding our blood is not only foolish, but useless since it’s sin embedded. In order to do what Jesus did, one has to walk a sinless life, so much so even the devil is unable to tempt them. No one but Jesus could fit the category, but wait, didn’t we obtain the Seed of God in the New Birth? Ahh, the sinless nature of Jesus in us, the Hope of glory. The Scripture does not say, “it’s a good idea to be Born Again”, it says, “Ye Must be Born Again”.
The word for Tree here is the Greek Xulon, not the more common Stauros (translated as Cross), Xulon means To scrap anything made of wood, or to form something from wood, it was used in Galatians 3:13 in the phrase “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”; thus Sin, the accusing Law, the Ten Commandments, plus any and all Curses, regardless of the curse are all nailed to the Tree. The context shows He took the stripes for us, not for Himself, thus He died so we might have Life, but the Cross proves His flesh was holy, yet we are His Body.
Jesus died, so we might die To the flesh, yet live by the Spirit unto the salvation of our souls. Without the death of His flesh, there is no way we can impute the old man dead; however, without the Life in His soul there is no way we can have life for our souls. This complex endeavor could only be done by One who was like unto man, yet not like any man.
The word Stripes is the Greek Molops meaning The actual stripe left by the whip. We must also keep in mind the beatings came before the actual Cross, but they are inclusive into the acts of the Cross. If Jesus was the Son of God, why didn’t He just turn the Romans into stones? Because He was operating as the Son of man, as our example of pure undefiled Mercy at work.
In verse 24 we find the completed prophecy of Isaiah, explaining the phrase “the Spirit of Christ, which was in them did signify” (v. 1:11). They were not Born Again, we know better, rather the context shows the Spirit of Christ is the purpose for them being prophets, to proclaim what would be through the efforts of Jesus.
Isaiah 53:4 lays out a series of things which are included in the Cross. Jesus Borne our Griefs, Carried our Sorrows, we did esteem Him Stricken, Smitten of God (not Pilate), and Afflicted, He was Wounded for our Transgressions, He was Bruised for our Iniquities: the Chastisement of our Peace was Upon Him; and With His Stripes we Are Healed (Isa 53:4-5). We have a series of important words: Borne is the Hebrew Nacah meaning To carry, but it holds the added concept of freely carrying the item. Griefs is the Hebrew Choliy meaning Disease, we just found how the Mercy of God heals our diseased soul. Carried is the Hebrew Cabal meaning A burden, as in a Yoke, Jesus said we are to take His Yoke to find rest for our souls. Sorrows is the Hebrew Makob means In anguish, the root word means To have pain, thus showing Jesus wasn’t in some trance, He felt every blow. Stricken is the Hebrew Naga meaning To lay hands on violently, thus the Doctrine of the laying on of hands is void of violence, if one uses violence they have reproached the Cross.
Smitten is the Hebrew Nakah meaning Stripes and the resulting pain. Afflicted is the Hebrew Anab meaning To submit oneself, showing why the Affliction comes from God, in none of these do we find the word Persecution, thus Persecution is from the outside; whereas, Affliction is inside, explaining why the word was used in James. Wounded is the Hebrew Chala meaning To cause an open wound. Bruised is the Hebrew Daka meaning To beat to pieces, or to cause the flesh to be ripped to the point the sinew is showing. Chastisement is the Hebrew Muwear meaning Discipline or Training in Discipleship. Peace is the Hebrew Shalom meaning Health, security prosperity and tranquility. Stripes is the Hebrew Chabbuwrah meaning Bound with stripes, or the wound itself, or what is caused by the beating. Healed is the Hebrew Raphah meaning To heal in body and mind. The Greek equivalent is Iaomai, used by Peter here, both have root words meaning Physician.
Peter uses a past tense word “Were”, whereas Isaiah said “Are”, yet Isaiah was well before the Cross, thus we would assume he would say “will be”, but we just found the Spirit of Christ was the purpose, thus the prophet was calling things not, as a were.
There is the false concept of Isaiah talking about the nation Israel, but Israel never took on any of these things, Peter clearly shows this points to Jesus. Verse 25 adds to 24, in 24 we found His stripes have healed us, but here we find Jesus is Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, thus verse 24 goes much further than sickness and disease. If Jesus is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, then the soul is the treasure in this. The stripes are done, the Cross is done, these are matters of belief.
Peter is covering it all, the Blood, the Body, and the Priesthood. Peter already covered the spiritual nature by saying we are Born Again of incorruptible seed, verses 24 and 25 finish the concept of spirit, soul and body (I Pet 1:23). The word Shepherd is the Greek Poimen meaning One who cares for the sheep of the flock, it was translated as Pastor. It’s the same Greek word used in John 10:1-11 when Jesus said He is The Door and Good Shepherd of the sheep, not only is He the Chief Shepherd, but He is the Door, all the other shepherds under Him point to the Door. The word Bishop is the Greek Episkopos meaning An overseer, or one who inspects and watches over the works to be done. We know the Holy Ghost appoints to the Offices on behalf of Jesus (Acts 13:1-3), here we find the New Man on behalf of Jesus is the Pastor and Overseer of our souls.
Later in the letters from John we will find the phrase, “prosper as your soul prospers”, which is the same context as we find here. Never neglect the purpose of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. The process is to heal our souls, then save them, it does little good to save a soul, yet leave it beaten, in fear, and diseased.
I Pet 3:1-7
From the stripes to a wife, what gives? Could it be it all this still relates? Yes, Paul told us the metaphors husband and wife pointed to Christ and the Church. It doesn’t discount the obvious, but it does open this area more. If we view Peter’s example of a Wife is being two fold, we can gain much. First is the obvious, the saved wife married to a husband who is not obeying the Word. This is not the unsaved husband, but one who has failed to obey the Word. They are to be won by the Conversation of the wife, connecting to the converted Jew winning the Gentile by their Conversation.
This is clearer when we see how Peter begins with the word Likewise, Likewise what? The Greek word for Likewise is Homoios meaning To Resemble something, meaning this has to connect to the past verses. What was the subject just spoken of? The Conversation, coupled with the stripes of Jesus, plus suffering for welldoing.
The key here shows Submission is a weapon with great power, this is clearer by the use of the words Subjection and Conversation. Subjection is the Greek Hupotasso meaning To place in order, or have in the proper order, subjection calls for submission, submission calls for allowing things to flow as intended. We prayed, God answers, but we don’t like His method, we then decide we will help out a little. We put some pressure on; No, we believe in our payers, in this case we have a legalist, or someone who knows the Truth, but is not walking in it, we win them by the display of Mercy.
We know the word Conversation points to Behavior, our Behavior will be displayed in our body language, words, or lack of words, there are times when no answer is better than a soft answer. The Greek reading shows this could read “behavior by the Word, without speaking a word, they will be won”. Of course the soul could take this and say “I don’t have to say a word, it’ll hit him right between the eyes”; however, it’s not the context. The Behavior must relate to Faith working in the Wisdom of God.
The word Behold in verse 2 is the Greek Epopteuo meaning To inspect linking it to the word Overseer, thus Jesus is overseeing our souls, people are inspecting our behavior, some will test our behavior as well. We pray “Lord, I want Your Wisdom”, then comes the test to determine if our Want connects to our words. Our Want, without believing God Is will fail, thus we need to believe God is fully able to bring His Wisdom into a working product in our lives. This is the context of the wife being in subjection, it simply means we submit to the Authority granted, don’t hinder, debate, manipulate, argue, or attempt to force the issue. This connects our faith to our Trust in God, yet trusting people to do as they should, and putting our Trust in them is different. When we put our Trust in God we are allowing Him to operate freely, without our interference.
The word Chaste is the Greek Hagos meaning Holy or Pure, connecting to the Wisdom of God. How are we going to deal with the unbeliever and unlearned, if we don’t know how to deal with events or people at home? Where do you think God will begin? In the corner market? Or at home? Once we ask for God’s Wisdom God gives, but in order for it to grow, it must be exercised, meaning experience is the exercise of the saved soul.
The evidence of the Glory through a person, is a far better witness than a haughtily attitude. The Hidden Man is of course the Incorruptible Seed of God, narrowing all this down to “ye must be Born Again”. It does little good to make the attempt to be submissive without the Seed of God as the means.
Submission is a weapon defeating pride, when pride loses its power, so does envy. It also goes right back to Meekness; a Quiet spirit coming forth through the soul without hindrance. James told us to be humble in the Sight of God, Peter tells us to have a meek and quite spirit (attitude) is in the sight of God. What is a “quite spirit”? Does it mean we tell the New Man to shut up? No, it means our attitude and behavior display the granted Peace as we are teachable.
We put bits in the horses mouth, there times when it isn’t a bad idea with our own mouths. We can keep words within, yet speak great words with our body language, or the “look”. Nothing begins a fight faster than the “look”, however it still takes at least two to fight, but only one to make peace.
Verse 5 shows the method, Trust in God, not in man, or our self-ability. Our trust in God activates faith, faith activates Wisdom, allowing us to deal with the event in a Godly manner. Obviously the women of Old couldn’t use the Spirit, since the Spirit didn’t come until Pentecost, thus they are a type and shadow of an Attitude. By Peter using Sara and Abraham we know this is not winning the unsaved husband, this pertains to people in “the covenant”. Sara obeyed Abraham, yet the man told her, Go to Pharaoh, tell him you’re my sister. In essence he sold her for his safety, yet Peter explains Sara trusted in God, she didn’t trust in Abraham, although she obeyed him. It’s vital for the marriage, if we put out trust in our mate, we are headed for a massive shipwreck. We put our Trust in God, for our safety, protection, salvation, deliverance, need, wisdom, knowledge, but we never put our trust in our mate to perform those tasks, rather we trust them to do as they should, knowing God will intervene as He did with Sara. Sara’s trust in God paid off, God moved on Pharaoh bringing troubling and revealing dreams to Pharaoh, even to the point to cause Pharaoh to be shamed. How vital is this? If Sara put her trust in Abraham, she would have fallen apart, “how could he!!!”. With her trust in God to protect her based on the promise, she could care less where she was, she would remain chaste, because it’s what God wanted. Of course we know she didn’t run to Pharaoh, or tempt him in any way, it would be the opposite of trusting in God. Pharaoh wasn’t afraid of Sara or Abraham, but he was of his own dreams.
The word Amazement in verse 6 is the Greek Ptoesis meaning Trepidation, or A state of alarm, or Something from nowhere. Which is the same context Paul uses for “darts”, things coming at us out of nowhere. The allegory is found in Sara, she was walking along minding her own business when Abraham brought something from nowhere causing alarm, but Sara trusted in God. Proverbs 3:25-26 says, “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken (caught)”. Trusting in God is a firm confidence in God’s ability to do as He says He will.
Paul says, Husbands love your wives, Peter says Honor them, “as unto a weaker vessel”; this doesn’t mean they are a feeble vessel, it means they are a purposed treasure, so valuable one wouldn’t think of putting them anywhere where it wasn’t safe, or better to place them in harm’s way, as did Adam male with Adam female, thus we would not place our wife at the tree, or in the face of the serpent.
The word Hindered is the Greek Ekkopto which is a compound word meaning Out (Ek), To Cut (Kopto), it’s the same context as, “branch cut off”, thus with the same tongue we bless God, yet curse our mate, we have not because we did wrong, before we asked. Did we ask in faith? Well Godly faith works by love, thus we come to God as “meek little children”, yet we treated our mate like a dog, which is double-minded, let not them expect anything from the Lord.
Likewise, or in like manner, the husband is to “dwell” with the wife, the word Dwell means To live together, this pertains to both husband and wife as Heirs of Grace. The phrase Heirs Together is the Greek Sugkleronomos meaning A sharer, or One who participates in the same lot, in this case it’s Grace, indicating both the husband and wife are Born Again, which truly shows she is a treasure unto the Lord, as well as unto her husband.
I Pet 3:8-22
Peter like any good preacher says “finally” when he is only half way through. The wording “One Mind” is the Greek Homophron meaning One in understanding, showing the purpose of the husband and wife are to be One in the One Mind of Christ. Unity is found in the Faith and Spirit, thus this is where the husband and wife will find true Unity. Getting along, being One yet different. This again shows we’re not talking about winning the unsaved mate, this is in reference to the saved, coupled with our love as brethren, rather than love for the brethren (v. 8). It doesn’t mean we don’t love, it means we love as brethren, not as man-pleasers, or like the carnal, loving only those who love you. The wording “love as brethren” is the Greek Philadelphos meaning to love a brother or sister in the same family order, the root word is Phileo, not Agape. Metaphorically we can see the husband as the leader, the wife as the congregation, thus the leader is to treasure the congregation as a treasured vessel fit for the Master’s work.
The word Compassion is the Greek Sumpathes meaning Together in suffering, joining to the Greek Sumantilampanos, meaning a joining together. A wife should not suffer alone, neither should a husband, neither should they enter some competition. “Oh man, I had a hard day today”, “You think you had a hard day, it’s nothing like mine”, “I wish I could stay home like you”, “I wish I had it as easy as you”, wrong spirit, wrong motive, ending in the wrong result.
The word Pitiful is the Greek Eusplagehnos, it was translated as tenderhearted in Ephesians 4:32, meaning from the bowels. The word Courteous is the Greek Philophron meaning To think like a friend. This shows the great closeness of the husband and wife, as the two learn to be one. It is not going to happen if one or the other remain carnal, stubborn, rebellious, refuses to be a doer of the Word, or thinks it’s impossible to begin with. This is one area where Unbelief is a destructive force producing division: they will be married, but hardly One.
Verse 9 defines Submission or Subjection for us, we never render evil for evil, nor manipulation for manipulation nor use the rulers of darkness. The wording Not Rendering is the Greek Apodidomi meaning To give from oneself, denoting a choice, but we have a prayer from James as well, plus the wording from Hebrews, showing we have the authority regarding which wisdom we pick to use. We can remain with a quite spirit, or use the tongue to set another fire of hell.
Between verses 8 and 9 we find the One Mind of Christ is Love based, thus without Love they are not walking in the Mind of Christ. Like Jesus Who did not revile when He was reviled, we are not to render evil for evil, nor are we to equate God working with us, as some evil which has befallen us. Instead of rendering evil, we bless, knowing if we are to inherit a blessing, because has made us a blessing.
The word Railing means Reproach, in Proverbs 20:3 we read, “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling”. Ahh, suffer for welldoing, submit, do what is right in God’s eyes.
Verse 10 is connects to James, showing the tongue can be refrained from evil, indicating we have the choice to speak no Guile. Like Jesus who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. The word Guile is the Greek Dolos meaning To bait, guile is found in those who ask questions, but the question is really baiting us into a debate or to trap us in a set planned of natural reasoning. The word Beguile is the act behind a mind holding Guile, thus Guile is a Way, Beguile is an Act, both are devilish. The word Eschew in verse 11 is the Greek Ekklino meaning To turn aside, thus we turn aside from rendering evil for evil, guile for guile, rather we seek Peace, for the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them who make Peace (James 3:18).
The Eyes (plural) of the Lord are also noted as the churches, but the Hand of the Lord holds the Church, thus we can judge ourselves, or be judged, the choice is ours. If we have eyes to see, then we have eyes like unto the Lord’s. If we have ears to hear, then we have ears like unto the Lord’s. When we seek “the Grace of life” then our prayers are not hindered (v. 7).
Verse 13 goes back to Sara as she knew God would protect her, she did what was right in God’s eyes, thus His eyes were upon her. What did she do? Put her trust in God. In Hebrews 13:6 where we read, “So we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”; which connects to Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, to Obtain Mercy, then Find Grace to Help in time of need (Heb 4:16). Does this mean we won’t face hardships? No, it means we have a way through, or around them when we put our trust in God.
Verse 14 takes us back to I Peter 2:20, for if we suffer patiently when we do well, as long as we suffer for Righteousness’ sake, but if we suffer for some wrong we have done, it’s not Righteousness, but justice. Verse 14 could read “fear of them do not fear”, in the Greek there are two different words for Fear used here. This is clearly walking in the Righteousness of Jesus, showing if we are seeking God’s Righteousness, we will do the things of Righteousness by faith. The first word Fear in the phrase Fear of them is the Greek Phobos which has two meanings depending on the context; in reference to God it means the knowledge of knowing God’s Righteousness, in reference to evil it means To produce terror, thus the Wicked produce terror, yet we are not to give terror respect, or treat it as if it’s God Righteousness. When we listen to the wrong voice we will assume the world is going to overcome us, or evil will prevail, we then form wild imaginations.
The second word Fear is the Greek Phobeo meaning To put in fear, or to receive the Phobos presented, indicating choice on our part, when the words of Fear come, we don’t have to receive them. The word Troubled is the Greek Tarasso meaning To stir up trouble, or agitate, which shows the action of the fear is to trouble us, yet faith will clam us in the storms of life.
Prior Peter told us about Sanctification, here in verse 15 he tells us the process begins by sanctifying the Lord in our hearts. What answer do we give? One of Peace and Love, or do we use some theological material as we enter debate, or do we send them on their way with no answer (v. 15). If the answer is based in Hope, then it must also bring Hope, if it brings Hope then it must be by Faith, since Faith is the confidence of things Hoped for. Are we interested in answering so we look holy and righteous, or are we interested in winning a soul for the Lord? The answer must be in Meekness, but what is the Fear based on? The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, His ears are open to their prayers, but His face is against them who do evil (v. 12).
Verse 16 links with 15 showing if we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, then our conscience must be Good, but there will be those who speak evil of us, even in the Body, but their evil is based in strife and envy, to produce fear in us. We hold tight to the Conversation of Christ, answer in Love, with meekness, rather than rendering evil for evil. The Will of God is for us to suffer for well-doing, not for evil-doing, an answer produced from strife, envy, anger, hate is not well-doing.
Jesus suffered when He did nothing wrong, Just for the unjust, yet the Just still live by faith. If we truly desire to see all saved and none lost, then we will walk as Jesus; when they attack, we love, when they rail us, we bless those who persecute us.
Verse 18 uses the word Quickened, Adam was a living soul, but he couldn’t project his soul life, rather he lost it, but a Quickening Spirit is able to project Life, here we find Jesus was Quickened us by the Spirit, yet Paul said the Second Adam was a Quickening Spirit, One God all and all.
Verse 19 gives us a type and shadow, as does verse 21, showing A Like Figure. How could these people be “spirits” if man was incapable of being spiritual until the Spirit was given? This is a type, it doesn’t mean only eight people were in the captivity taken captive, since they leaves no room for David, or many others, including John the Baptist. The indication shows the souls received Jesus, when He took them captive their potential was to become Spiritual to fit their resurrected bodies, thus John shows them as souls under the alter (Rev 6:9), but as potential Spirits (Rev 7:14). Jesus preached to captive, which “sometime were disobedient”, the word Sometime is the Greek Pote meaning In time past, the wording were disobedient is the Greek Apeitheo meaning Unbelieving, or failing to obey. The we see “once the longsuffering of God”, the “sometime” and “once” are comparisons, not exactness. Jesus preached to those in prison, who at times failed to obey or belief, but neither did they have the Cross or Resurrection to believe in. Peter is giving us samples of God’s longsuffering and deliverance, if God delivered them who sometime were disobedient, surely He will deliver us who are obedient, we have the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus (v. 1:2).
In considering Noah, we know he lifted above the destruction by a boat he and his family made. However, they made it based on plans given by God, they were motivated by what God said to them. In the Ark there were eight people, only those eight were saved, because they heard and obeyed. No one found a set of water-wings, no one found a secret cave with air, yet Noah heard, and obeyed. It’s the point, Noah, heard, believed, moved by the fear knowing what God said, God means. Noah didn’t question the integrity of God, the faithfulness of God, or God’s Word. The people thought Noah was crazy, what rain? It had not rained? In our case, “What Rapture, who has heard of such a thing?”.
If they were in Prison, then they were in bondage, or Captive, the word for Prison is the Greek Phulake meaning They were set at watch as they Watched and waited, then Jesus came unto them during those three days, taking captivity captive. The word “spirits” here takes us back to concept of the God’s foreknowledge, the souls had to gain the Spirit as we, but the completion will not be until we meet them in the clouds (Rev 6:9).
Our water baptism is a token, Noah didn’t go into the water, he was raised above it. Noah being saved by or through water shows he was raised above the water, making the water a metaphor for God’s Mercy, thus it was God’s Mercy, the water didn’t saved Noah. The wording Were Saved is the Greek Diasozo, not Soteria, or Sozo, but we do see the word “Sozo” as part of the word, with the addition of the Greek Dia, we find this is a division unto Deliverance (Sozo), meaning To bring safely through danger, which is an attribute of God’s Mercy. The context shows they were delivered above the flood, but it was based on God coming to Noah to begin with, thus it was God’s Mercy. Verse 21 shows the baptism is not the token of water baptism, but the one relating to the Resurrection of Jesus, which would include the Doctrine of Baptisms, not one baptism.
This is made clear when Peter points to, “having a good conscience”, showing the Good Conscience must be a product of God (v. 16 & 21). The Resurrection of Jesus declared Him the Son of God by the Spirit of Holiness, we are identified as sons of God by the Spirit. Being Partakers of the First Resurrection will save us from the destruction to come, the air will be between us the destruction on the earth below.
The wording in verse 22 shows how the heavenly angels, authorities and powers are subject to Jesus, what would make anyone think the earth was not also subject to Him? How were they made subject? “But unto the Son He said, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: a Sceptre of Righteousness is the Sceptre of Your Kingdom” (Heb 1:8).
I Pet 4:1-10
The word Forasmuch could also read Since, or Because of, it shows the reason for the purpose of Hope. Since Jesus suffered for us, and by His stripes we were healed, and He is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, then we should have a like mind. Jesus who is without sin, suffer for us who were sin, we who were without righteousness gained His Righteousness in the New Birth.
The suffering in the flesh, doesn’t mean we beat ourselves stupid, it means we receive the words of harshness knowing they are not based in flesh and blood, but spoken evil against Christ by the spirit lusting to envy, this goes right back to suffering when we do Good, as we hold a Good conscience before God (v. 2:19).
There is a suffering in exposure, there is a suffering when we are attacked for doing what is right before God. If we suffer the attacks by responding by God’s Wisdom, not rendering evil for evil, but taking it Patiently as our faith allows the Wisdom of God to work, this is acceptable before God (v. 2:20).
The event may be upside down, inside out, it may be horrid, but it’s not uncommon to man, we as a Precious treasure unto God know our faith begins with our belief of God Is, if we enter the event with the “devil is”, we have no basis for Godly faith. There is a purpose in the event, one purpose is wash us completely free of the world, the darkness, the spirit lusting to envy, as we become complete in the Light. Of course there are those who avoid the test, or play mind games, or attempt to poke holes in our Ark, Second Peter addresses those subjects, but here we find we’re the Precious, we are the purposed Bride of Christ, kings and priests unto God.
Peter moves from the, “time past of our life”, to “they think”, making a separation brought about by the Blood of Jesus (v. 3). Accordingly they do the things of the flesh, yet speak evil of those walking in the Spirit, this isn’t limited to those outside the courtyard of the Tabernacle, it also leads us to II Peter where the false are moved by envy causing them to slander the Spirit filled saints (v. 4).
Verses 3 and 4 are classic, in those “old days” when we were run by the old man we did all sorts of things, walked in lasciviousness, lusts, and all sorts of things. Now we are Born Again, yet those same people wonder, they think we’re strange, they may even speak evil of us. They are under Conviction, we become the evidence showing Jesus is able to change the lives of people. If they continue in their disbelieve, or riot, they will give account on the last day (v. 5). The phrase Quick and Dead give us the separation, if we assume the word Dead means physically dead we miss the importance of verse 6. The Quick are not the Quickened, rather they have Life, whereas the Quickened have Life more abundantly.
Verse 6 shows we were all dead, sin was found on us, there was none righteous, no not one, the Law proclaimed us dead. However, the Gospel was preached, thus we who were dead, imputed death on the Cross of Jesus, to bring to conclusion the judgment against us, yet the same Cross became the doorway to Life. Now we live According to God in the Spirit. All this goes right back to the deliverance, and the metaphors Peter used in reference to Noah and the flood. Death was proclaimed on the earth, God found a man who would believe, the man and his family were delivered from the wrath to come.
Verse 7 tells us to Watch and Pray, for the end of all things is At hand, not In hand. Like James, Peter tells us Love (Agape) covers a multitude of sins, Love makes the difference, not theology (v. 8). The word Cover is the same as Hide, it’s the Greek Kalupto connecting to the Bark on a tree, as the bark becomes a protection for the soft inner part. The word Hospitality in verse 9 is the Greek Philoxenos meaning To love strangers, it relates to the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36). This also connects to James, showing if we only love those who say they are Christian, yet come against the world, we are double-minded.
The word Grudging in the phrase Without Grudging means Murmurings, it’s when we complain and murmur in our tent we are removing ourselves from faith. Love motivates Joy, Joy gives Peace to the Work, removing the thoughts of murmuring. The word Gift in verse 10 is the Greek Charisma not Charis, by adding the suffix Ma it indicates the actions or workings of Grace, thus Charis is the Grace given, Charisma is the action of Grace. In Romans 12 we found the “gifts” of the Spirit were Charisma of Charis, the same concept is found here; however it does show we can have Grace, yet lack the action of Grace.
I Pet 4:11-19
The order of Ministry is to Speak, but how one speaks determines if the ministry is in Order. The word Oracles in verse 11 is the Greek Logikos meaning A declaration of God, thus the ministry with the speaking must be God based, if God based it’s Grace based, if Grace based, it’s Love based. We preach the Report, the people accept it, they also accept the Witness, causing the work of Justification to begin in their lives. The purpose is to glorify God Through Jesus, to Whom belongs Praise and Dominion (v. 11).
Although the word Accountable doesn’t appear in the King James, the concept is clear, when we act in the Name of God, we better know to Whom we are accountable. If the “milk” we’re hearing doesn’t give God the glory, then it’s not milk, it’s poison.
So often we assume the fiery trial is some strange thing, or something no one goes through but us, the thought is corrupt, or an attempt by the old nature to bring us into self-pity. Events come, some planned by God, some by man, some by the devil, some without any plan, how we deal with the event becomes the test. The person who just attacked us may have been guided by the spirit of man, they may have been a victim of someone attacking them, yet they failed to deal with it causing them to take their frustration out on us, or they may be allowed to attack us by God to bring the test, whatever, the attack was seen by God long before it happened, how we handle the attack is the test. The event, or person are not at issue, they happen, how we deal with them is the issue. The Precious people seek the Precious, deep calls to deep, if we are who we say we are, then we can deal with things in the same manner Jesus did, by the Spirit of Him who sent us.
In verse 12 we find the word Strange used twice, but they are different Greek words, holding a Hope in the time of trial. The first word Strange in the phrase “not strange” is the Greek Xenizo meaning Foreign, thus the trial itself is not foreign, but common among the Called and Chosen. The second word for Strange is the Greek Xenos meaning Through the hand of a stranger: stop giving the devil credit for the work of God, the trial is not from the enemy, it’s God, we must believe God Is. Two things are evident for those in the Kingdom, the devil can’t do a thing to us unless we give him place, far too often when the test doesn’t please we give the devil place by acknowledging he has the ability to attack us. As soon as we say, “the devil is attacking me”, we give him place, we invited him, he will take advantage. The lesson should be we failed to enter faith with the proper belief, we need to fortify our belief, before we can talk about faith.
The event and the trial are connected, but not the same, the trial is the plan God has, the event is the event. God doesn’t have to bring the event, but He does have to bring the trial. The event may be evil, but the trial is not. We center on the event, forgetting it’s common to man, thus missing the purpose of God for us in the event. The trial is not common, it’s of God, we need Wisdom to discern the differences.
The word Fiery is the Greek Purosis meaning The condition of being on fire, it’s not the fire, but being on fire, we accepted the Baptism with the Holy Ghost with Joy, we should accept the Fire with Joy. The word Trial is again the Greek Peirasmos meaning To make a trial, or To produce a testing.
Verse 13 tells us to Rejoice, since all of us must be partakers in the sufferings of Christ in order to be Partakers in His Resurrection. Persecution is something different, yet in any persecution we can gain; we always have the opportunity to apply Mercy, thereby gaining Mercy from heaven. The Affliction brings the Glory to the surface, instead of running all over the world looking for the Glory, or waiting for it to fall, we can have it surface from within, since it’s where God put it (Rom 8:18).
In the Old Testament the Glory fell, simply because they didn’t have it in them, but we are suppose to have the Glory in us, as we are the Glory, but it takes the trying of our faith to break the grain for the Glory to surface (v. 13 & Rom 8:18). When Affliction comes Thank God, learn to discern, if Persecution comes, pray for those who persecute you, learn, discern by remaining in Joy.
Verse 14 shows the Reproach must be “for the Name of Christ”, this isn’t “in the Name of Jesus” or using “the Name of Jesus”, rather it’s for standing for the Christ Nature, or standing as a Christian in the true sense of the title. If we are reproached because we have reproached, it’s hardly in the Name of Christ, if we are rebuked for teaching unbelief, it’s hardly someone coming against the anointing, if we are rebuked for heresy, or holding vain imaginations, it’s not a reproach against us, it’s a warning showing we are becoming a Reproach.
When someone is rebuked for teaching unbelief, or heresy the first thing out of their mouth is, “you can’t say anything against the anointing”, but the anointing isn’t the point, it’s the violation of the anointing. The spirit of error produces error, generally by attacking the brethren, or allowing the spirit lusting to envy apply it’s wisdom. Nonetheless, God sends us warnings, at times it’s simply people tell us of our error, but it still takes ears to hear with a teachable mind to receive; even if the person coming to us is wrong, take the time to study the foundation, consider the Word, go to the Lord, find out if there is something to gain thereby; however, if the person slanders us, denies the Word, refuses to give us Scripture, twists what Scripture they use, or goes about as a busybody, consider their ways. It still doesn’t mean we can’t gain, we can always gain something Good, even in the most horrid of events.
The word Reproach has two edges, it comes from the Greek Oneidizo meaning To rail at, thus we never render evil for evil, railing for railing, but contrariwise we always grant blessing to be a blessing (v. 3:9). Whether it’s a Reproach against us, or against the Word, it’s still a railing. Psalm 69:9 says, “for the zeal of thine house has eaten Me up; and the reproaches of them who reproached you are fallen upon Me”. This shows when someone reproaches us for standing with the Word, they are in fact reproaching Jesus, He will repay, we shake the dust off our feet and go on in the Lord.
The terms listed in verse 15 connect back to James, the Rich killed the Just, and Murdered the Righteous with words of slander and acts based on obeying the spirit lusting to envy. The word Thief is the Greek Kleptes meaning To steal by fraud, the word Evildoer is the Greek Kakopoios meaning Injurious or Causing injury to destroy, the word Busybody is the Greek Allotrioepiskopos meaning One who busies himself with affairs which do not concern him. All of these stem from the heart of envy, it will Rob, Kill and Destroy, yet they go about bragging about it, as if it was some great work on God’s part, when it came from the spirit of man (v. 15).
The title Christian in verse 16 is the third time we find the word in the Bible, it’s the only time it’s used by a Christian. The first time is in Acts 11:26 when they were called Christian, the next time is in Acts 26:28 when Agrippa told Paul “You almost persuade me to be a Christian”; however, here we find the purpose, thus the Church is the offspring of the New Birth, the term Christian points to the Character of the person, the Spirit produced Christ nature coupled with God’s Wisdom to produce the Ways of the person, with the Name of Jesus to produce the Acts from the person, it takes all these to complete the phrase “Christian”.
The context shows we must suffer in the manner of becoming a Christian, this doesn’t say we fit the verse if we suffer for heresy, or suffer for self-sake, or suffer because we got mad causing someone to rebuke us, or suffering because the old man got us in trouble. It must be in context of suffering for the Word, or we suffer in vain.
Verse 17 shows the Judgment, Peter the man didn’t know he would write a second letter years later, but the Holy Ghost did. In II Peter the broken Body is defined, but here we find the Breaking of the Body with the Judgment within before there can be judgment without. Verse 17 also shows there must be sufferings for Christ, if Salvation came with the Cross, so did Judgment, thus when we suffer for Christ those who refuse to believe are left with no excuse. In those times when the soul is being trained up in the manner a child must go, we must recall it’s God delivering us from the wrath to come.
The word Saved is the Greek Sozo, not the Greek Soteria, thus this doesn’t refer to the finish of the race, rather it points to the path upon which the race is run (v. 18). Peter gives us three groups, the Righteous, the Ungodly, and the Sinner. Those who are Righteous sow the fruit of Righteousness in Peace, by their Peace with God, the ungodly and sinner are much different. Peter is still talking about Judgment in the House of God, he hasn’t changed the context to the world, thus all three groups are within. The prefix “Un” means to reverse something, like “undo”, thus the Unjust undo the Just position showing the Just live by faith, the Unjust have the same opportunity but Undo their Just position by refusing to walk in the Faith.
The word Ungodly is a compound Greek word meaning Without, or Undoing the ability to Worship. Jesus said they who Worship God must do so in Spirit and Truth. The Greek word is Asebes, the intent shows someone who doesn’t fear or respect God. They worship, but not in Spirit and Truth, yet the opportunity to worship in Spirit and Truth is available to them. In essence the Ungodly is one who has UnGoded their self, they had God, but through a series of carnal, self-based decisions, or rebellion based in unbelief they removed their self from God, it’s not God leaving them, it’s they who left God. James showed us the sinner is one who uses earthly wisdom, or who is involved in envy and strife (James 3:15-16 & 5:20). A sinner is someone who has not accepted the Cross, we were all Sinners, but it doesn’t mean we were Ungodly.
Verse 19 shows when we suffer, it has a purpose, keeping of our souls, as present them daily to the Lord. He is a “faithful Creator”, pointing us back to 1:23, wherein we know we are Born Again. It also shows God hasn’t created anything without Purpose, even the Ungodly have a purpose. God didn’t create them to be Ungodly, only He knows who they are.
I Pet 5:1-4
Chapter five is still talking about the judgment of God in the House of God, as well as how to avoid it through the Righteousness of Jesus. We recall how self-righteousness is an act to appear as something, the Righteousness of Jesus is making us something. Any act of self-righteousness lasts only until the act results, but the Righteousness of Jesus is eternal.
The word Elder is the Greek Presbuteros meaning The aged, or Senior, or Full age, as a title of dignity, showing one of Experience in Wisdom. Having the Wisdom of God is only the beginning, letting Patience have her perfect work to bring us into the Experience of Wisdom produces Elders. Elders disciple others, give advise to leaders, which means they “teach” others, but it’s not the same as the Office of Teacher. The Elders disciple the disciples, like Jesus discipled the disciples.
Constraint is the Greek Anagkastos meaning Of necessity, or Being compelled by outside force which is not of God, it also shows we neither place constraint on people, nor do we minister based on constraint. The word Willingly is the Greek Hekousios meaning Voluntarily, or Of a free will. The wording Filthy Lucre is the Greek Aischrokerdos meaning Dishonorable gain, it doesn’t mean one in the ministry shouldn’t receive gifts, rather it shows they shouldn’t be motivated by the reward, it also shows one should be cautious about any “strings” attached. This isn’t restricted to money, filthy lucre means any self-advancement from the effort; it does connect to the “Balaam mind”, or “Balaam spirit”, whichever, wherein one thinks they are owed money for the ministry rendered. This could mean giving the service for self-importance, for some celebrity status, or simply to look holy before man. We serve because it pleases the Lord for us to obey the calling.
The wording Ready Mind is the Greek Prothumos meaning Willingly, or Ready with Alacrity (Cheerful and Lively). The word “lords” in verse 3 is the Greek Katakurieuo, we know Kata means from above, thus Katakurieuo means Holding mastery over, or Holding Dominion over, pointing to manipulating the disciples, or ruling over them to get them to do as we desire. We guide by example, stirring a willingness in the disciple to serve the Lord. The word Esamples is the Greek Tupos meaning The mark left by the stroke of the whip, or The marks left by repeated blows, or the evidence of one who has the sufferings of Christ, not merely one who lives a forced moral life style. Figuratively the Greek Tupos means the form of a person bearing the marks to assist in forming another. We can see a division in these areas, the wisdom of man will lord over the people, serve for personal gain, but the Wisdom of God will serve willingly, with a ready mind, as examples of Mercy, Grace, Love as they endure in Patience by Faith.
Verse 4 connects back to 2:25 indicating Jesus as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, but here we find Jesus as The Chief Shepherd, or Shepherd over the shepherds. The wording Chief Shepherd is the Greek word Archipomen a compound word meaning Arch (high ranking, as in the term Archangel) and Poimen (shepherd). The title refers to the Shepherd over the shepherds, but prior it was over our soul. This also shows how Jesus is both Governments (Shepherd), and Helps (Bishop) over our souls, yet the Head of the Offices, just as He is our High Priests, we are priests.
The word used for Crown in verse 4 is the Greek Stephanos meaning A crown of victory, it was also used to describe the crown of thorns placed on Jesus. Although the thorns were painful, not something one would assume means victory, nonetheless Jesus obtain victory in for the Crown. The word Glory means A partaker in the Glory.
I Pet 5:5-14
After speaking to the elders, we now move to those under the elders. The word Younger in verse 5 is the Greek Neos meaning Recent in relation to time and growth, but of the same kind. This also explains why someone with the Spirit can remain carnal, they have a training process to go through in order to grow.
The word Submit is the Greek Huporasso, meaning To place in order, or To take position in the proper order, or to be forbearing and forgiving as we allow one order to move on its intended course: here the meaning points to taking a position in the Proper Order, doing what the Order calls for. Authority is still the rule, rebellion is when a lower authority attempts to overthrow, or hinder a higher authority. The Novice attempting to move into a higher authority, will hinder their own authority. Their pride will overtake them, they will seek to impress people, rather than minister.
We must also define “rule” as God intends it, it’s not by manipulation, rather it’s encouraging and uplifting the person. This shows the younger must make the decision to be placed in the rank and position ordained of God. The same Greek word for Younger (Neos) was used by Paul in I Timothy to describe the Novice, thus a Novice shouldn’t teach, they should submit to the teaching. This has nothing to do with ones natural age, but with their age in the Lord, as well as their age in their calling. They may have been teaching about the Bible for twenty years, but unless they are full age in the Position, they are still a Neos.
The word Humility is the Greek Tapeinophrosune meaning Lowliness of mind, or Placing our mind in submission based on a decision. However, there are two ways to do this, only one counts. We can use will power to subdue the soul, which is really giving the old man exactly what he wants, or we can humble ourselves under the Mighty Hand of God, which is what the Lord desires.
When a Novice rejects the concept of Submission, it’s because of their pride, nothing more, or less; however, clarity knows pride resists submission because it knows submission will destroy it. God resists the Proud, but gives Grace to the Humble. The word Resists is the Greek Antitasso meaning To set an army in array against, thus when Pride rules, the person assumes they are suffering for Christ, when in fact it’s God coming against them; therefore, we must determine if our suffering is for Christ, or based on some prideful area in our lives to gain some self-importance. One of the best tests is how one accepts correction, if they fight the obvious, they will also hinder the Spirit.
The word Gives is the Greek Didomi, helping us understand the phrase “liberally, and upbraids not” in James 1:5. Didomi means with the intent of Augment (increase) based on the gift being Good. God cannot be tempted to do evil, neither will He tempt us to do evil, but it doesn’t mean we can’t take what is determined to be Good, then make it evil, as Jude points out (Jude 4). Didomi not only means with the intent of Good, but it shows the expectation of the Giver is for the gift to bring Good, thus if one takes a position to feed the flock of God, then uses manipulation to dominate, seeks personal gain, or uses constraint, they have taken what was intended to be Good, and made it evil. Is it possible? II Peter and Jude will not only tell us it’s possible, but how it was done in their day, showing how it’s done in our day.
This is still in reference the Younger and Elder: in verse 6 tells we are told to humble ourselves, rather than go about attempting to humble others, or praying for God to humble someone. This verse is the permissive verse, telling us it’s up to us to humble ourselves under, “the mighty hand of God”. It also says God will exalt (lift up) us if we do, but it doesn’t mean we can exalt ourselves. This also relates to faith, if we believe God Is, our faith knows God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Verse 7 has two different Greek words for Care and Careth, the first Greek word for Care is MerimnaPeri meaning A vested interest, or One who is touched, as in Touched by our infirmities. The word Casting is the Greek Epirripto meaning To throw or Cast with full confidence; it’s not merely casting those things we can’t handle, or casting those things we don’t want to deal with, it shows we give or cast anything hindering the Christ purpose in our lives into the mighty hand of God, since Jesus has a vested interest in us. meaning An anxiety, or Anything hindering, the second Greek word for Careth is the Greek
The word Mighty is the Greek Krataios meaning Power, dominion, strength or strong, it also shows a Strength which is already established and manifested. The root word (Greek Kratos) was used by Paul in Ephesians 1:19 in the phrase “According to the working of His mighty power”, thus verse 7 shows we know the ability of God has been manifested, we know all things are possible with God. Anything hindering our Christ walk is a hindrance, thus Jesus has a vested interest in us, He paid the ransom, He is fully able to deal with the hindering matter. The trying of our faith is not a hindrance, it’s the precious working of our faith, thus if we don’t like the trying, we can’t toss it back to Jesus, it just comes right back as another test.
Verse 8 shows we are to be Sober and Vigilant: the word Sober is the Greek Nepho meaning To be watchful, the word Vigilant is the Greek Gregoreus meaning Arise, these two words point to Watch and Pray: the same context as the Garden experience in Matthew 26:38-41. The word Adversary is the Greek Antidikos, the word Anti means Against, Dikos means To cause a law suit, thus the Adversary is looking for a violation of Law in which to accuse us by. The Law of Moses is nailed to the Cross, yet if we attempt to use it to gain by, we have placed ourselves under the condemnation of the Law. On the same note the Law of Spirit is not against us, but we can violate it by holding unbelief, or iniquity.
The word Roaring is the Greek Oruomai meaning The sound of the roaring, not the figure making the roar, thus the weapons of the enemy are sounds. What is a type or Roaring? Fear, words come out of nowhere attempting to disrupt our foundation, words of unbelief, or challenges based in unbelief. There are times when frustration enters, those times when we simply have had it, we want to give up, cast it all to the side. Yet, the source was Sounds, nothing more or less, they can come out of the mouth of a carnal minded person, even one who goes to church, it can be a family member, or most any dart out of no where. Those things happen, but the ones who seem to have be effected are those who lack the belief of God Is, they hold unbelief in forms of the “devil is”, “I can’t”, “God won’t”, or “God can’t”. The quickest way to recover is to gain our God Is belief, from the position our faith has confidence, with forbearance by the Spirit.
The word Walk is the Greek Peripateo means To walk, not to fly, this confirms the comments in the Book of Revelation showing the devil is cast down, he is not bound yet, but he is nonetheless cast unto the earth, made ineffective by the Cross of Jesus, the Woe is to the Earth and Sea, not the Heavens (Rev 12:12). When all the enemy has are words, we can close our ears to the voice of the Stranger, while opening them to the New Man.
Peter connects to James at this point, Peter says to Resist the devil by remaining Steadfast in The Faith, James said Resist the devil and he will flee from us, but James is also a book showing the trying of our faith, thus both tell us, it’s standing in the Faith of Jesus by our faith to bring the victory. The word Resist means To stand against, but wait just a minute, didn’t we just read we are suppose to humble ourselves under the hand of God? How are we to Stand if we’re humble? It’s how we stand, thus it’s the manner in which one stands makes the difference. The earthly concept is to resist in a face to face confrontation, but God’s Wisdom tells us to seek the face of Jesus, not the face of the devil.
We have, “brethren in the world”, or those who have yet to hear the call; the person we pray against today, could be our brother tomorrow, since God is looking to the result, we find we may have been praying against the Anointing. “Wait, they’re not anointed in the world”, true, but neither were we, God didn’t look at what we were, He looked at what we could be, thus He is doing the same with many who are still in the world.
Verse 10 begins with “But” joining the verses, God is the God of Grace, He called us into His eternal Glory. The suffering in many cases is remaining free of the things of the world. The flesh is earthly in nature, it seeks the things of the earth. Our soul seeks the things of the Spirit, yet there is a suffering in the conflict. The world calls to the flesh, the Spirit to the soul, putting us in the middle. We suffer for our stand by the Spirit: let’s face it the things of the Spirit are completely the opposite of the things of the world. It’s not easy to be among the work force while remaining spiritual; in most cases we will suffer.
The Process is to make us Perfect, to establish us, to Strengthen us through the Trying of our faith. The word Perfect is the Greek Katartizo meaning To fit or Finish, or Fitting the Finish, which is more correct. The word Stablish is the Greek Sthenoo meaning To stand firmly. The word Strengthen is the Greek Themelioo meaning A foundation of anything on which one stands. The purpose is to Exhort us, so we remain in the Grace of God, as we understand why our faith is tried, just as important is knowing Who is trying it.
Since First Peter is our Potential, indicating once we are Born Again everything we need to win is found in the New Man. There is no reason to fail, thus failure in the Kingdom is a matter of choice. Once we enter the Body, we have the Name above all names, there isn’t any other name on this earth wherein man can find Salvation. This is the Day of Salvation, the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
So, what happens if we love the things of the world, yet claim the Name? It’s coming up next; Peter being a Piece of the Rock is the perfect person to tell us about the Broken Rock, as well as why it’s Broken. Let us continue.
SECOND PETER – 66 AD
Second Peter is the answer to the question, “what will cause the Body to be broken?”. Generally the second letter answers questions regarding the first, but in this case we find something different. Second Peter shows what happens when someone rejects the power of Christ to change them. This latter group are those who had the opportunity, they entered the Rock, were handed the Gift, yet loved the darkness rather than the Light. Like their father Judas they refused to face their old nature, rather they used it. It’s one thing to be used by the spirit lusting to envy, another to use it. This group has authority and power over the spirit of the world, but instead of coming against it, they used it to get the feelings of pride and superiority, John tells us they use the he of the world, which is a product of the spirit of the world.
These are not Babes, or Carnal Christians, although they have some of the same characteristics. The Babe is in the process of Growth, the Carnal is ignorant of spiritual matters, but correctable, the people Peter is going to talk about can only be described in modern day terms as “Supersouls”, they took the position God gave them, yet they twisted it, as they continue to use the authority of the old nature, but since they are now empowered, they have energized the old nature as their slave. Like all of us they were subject to the old nature, but these people found they have power over the spirit lusting to envy, rather than be used by it, they use it, yet in the end they will find they have been used. These are they who become the enemies of Jesus, the very footstool causing the lake of fire.
Of course the English term “Supersoul” isn’t found in the Bible, neither is the word accountability, but the description of the Supersoul, as well as being Accountable are seen. The real defining element Peter establishes shows the Wicked are not in the world, they are in the Body, yet remain worldly. Paul talks about three groups in the Body, those who are Dead in Christ, those who Sleep in Jesus, then the Drunken who go into the Night. John says those who are Dead in Christ have not taken the Mark, Name and Number of the Beast, which means they were Unspotted from the world. Those who Sleep in Jesus, will Soul Sleep through the Night, they will be raised on the last day to have their works judged. Those who enter the Rapture are see as New Jerusalem, the Bride who made Herself Ready. The Drunken of course are the Wicked, those who go into the Night, becoming the Beast of the Earth. This letter tells us how the Wicked become the Wicked, it’s vital to distinguish between the sinner in the world, and the Wicked in the Body, the Wicked are those who work iniquity, they enjoy the authority of the old nature, they can control it, use it, master it, they refuse to be a slave, showing why Peter will address himself as a servant.
II Pet 1:1-4
Peter addressed himself as an Apostle in First Peter, but here it’s Servant, which is something the Wicked fail to do. In this letter his role changes, as he speaks as an Elder, or one who displays Wisdom. This letter is not addressed to the Wicked, it defines them. In his Apostle position he gave Commandments, the concept of “adding to our faith” is not a suggestion, it’s Commandment, as we will see shortly. This letter is presented to those who “have obtained like precious faith”. The Precious Faith is the Faith of Jesus, thus this letter is written to those in the Body who desire to walk in the Precious Faith. The premise is how we obtained Through the Righteousness of God, as we are fully aware of the commandment, “seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”. The Like Precious faith was obtained through the Kingdom of God, the Righteousness is of course the Righteousness of Jesus, the very Scepter to the Kingdom.
Verse 2 is a clue to the Process, Grace and Peace be multiplied unto us Through the Knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. This is important since we will see the Wicked were once delivered from the world through the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior (v. 2:20). What is the difference between the two areas? The Mercy of God the Father, the Wicked escaped the pollutions of the world, received the Mercy of the Father, but refused to freely give; they have knowledge of the Cross, they just use it in a self-based, self-exalting way.
In verse 3 the word Divine is the Greek Theios which comes from Theos (God), God’s Power is the Greek Dunamis, this is seen in the phrase, “as His divine Power has given us”. What did the Divine Power give us? We are Born Again from Power on high, not a power on the earth. Our New Birth came as a result of Jesus being glorified, not because we were so holy God couldn’t help it.
Also we find the word Knowledge again, there is a difference in having knowledge, and having The Knowledge. The Wicked have knowledge, but they don’t have The Knowledge. They look at things through worldly intellect, or natural reasoning. They are exceedingly strict in some areas of the Bible, yet ignore others. Do they know it? Hypocrisy is the pillar of deception, the dark cloud grows every time they use deception. Those who deceive soon become deceived, thinking their deception is Truth, but Truth is deception. When confronted with Truth, they reject it based on their many strongholds, traditions and deceptions. Exposure to the unteachable is an attack, to the teachable it’s a key to victory.
These first verses in II Peter lay out a road map of Salvation, a process telling us why the saving of the soul is the purpose of our faith. The phrase “One Calling” is the Greek Kakopatheo meaning To endure evil suffering to reach God, yet the endurance is by Glory and Virtue through Faith. The word Partakers is the Greek KoinonosPhusis meaning To bring forth, or the Condition of birth, denoting the reason we were Born Again, which is just as important as being Born Again. Saying, “I’m Born Again” is fine, but the question is, “What did we do after the birth?”. It’s like saying, “the flesh must die”, true, but then what? meaning A partner or Companion. The word Nature is the Greek
The word Escaping is the Greek Apopheugo meaning To flee away from a lust, extending to those who have escaped, but accepted the spirit of the world. If we truly flee the lusts, we also flee the spirit lusting to envy, rather then use it. This doesn’t mean we escaped the world by the lust, rather it shows the corruption of the world is run by the spirit of disobedience (spirit of man), we escaped the old environment as the Cross removed all power from sin and darkness; however, we can bring some junk with us, then play with it or use it, thereby giving it power. The same power it had before? Nay, a different power, Judas is the proof. The Pharisees as powerful as they were couldn’t do a thing to Jesus, but Judas could. Judas had more power than all the Pharisees, we know Judas had power over devils, but rather than use it over the devils, he made the decision to use it With the devils. When Peter wrote this he was fully aware of Judas, but at the time when Judas was putting forth his plan Peter had no idea what was happening. The difference? Being Born Again, now Peter has the clarity of the Spirit.
A key phrase here is, “having been given” which is the Greek word Doreomai meaning The gift is initiated by the Giver, not by the receiver. The intent shows the Giver has made the decision to enter a personal involvement in the person who has received the gift, based on the Giver, not the one receiving. This does connect with James, the Wicked asked the same as we did, God gave and upbraided not. What we do with the Gift is in conjunction with having the Keys, Jude shows how some twist Grace into Lasciviousness (Jude 4). Peter is showing us the same here, we all received the Gift, but there are some who received it not in Faith, they wanted it for their own self-based glory. Faith must desire to please God, if we Love Him, we will fight to please Him. If we love ourselves More, we will fight to use the gift for the self.
What is the Purpose of our Faith? The salvation of our souls, so is it self-based or what? Not really, it’s what God wants as well. Simply wanting a saved soul isn’t going to get it done, we must have Faith in God. The Scripture does not say, “reaching the end of your desire, even the salvation of your souls”, it says, “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (I Pet 1:9). Opportunity to win this was given to each person who asked to be Saved by the Power of Christ. There are elements, or attributes as growth takes place, but the opportunity is there. It’s why the Wicked are the enemies of Jesus, and why the world is not. The world isn’t our enemy either, the lusts thereof are. The Wicked have it in hand, they have all it takes, yet while they live in the same house, they love the deeds of darkness more than they love God. Paul says they love Pleasure more than they love God, Peter shows they love the feelings they gain from using the things of darkness more than they love God.
Up to this point we have a progression of gifts God has given us in the New Birth. It was According to His Divine Power, we have All the things pertaining to Life and Godliness, including the Great and Precious Promises (plural), the purpose is we might be the Light, to have the clarity of the Light. This not something to come, it’s something here in us now, clearly this is Potential based on what we already have. This is the Power of the Greater He in us, but we need to know how to cooperate with the Greater He, rather than fight Him.
Any gift from God is good, do we agree? Yes, but take any gift from God, mix it in pride, or use it through a lust and what is it? Some people will kill people in a nation to save the nation, others know the nation is nothing more than land. The Kingdom territory is a nation, but we don’t kill those in the nation to save the nation, we help the people in the nation, so the nation can endure. Which helps us define the term Principality further, a nation is the entire realm where the will of the king is being carried out, or where the will of the people is being carried out. If it’s the will of the people, then the nation belongs to the people, not the king. Oops, it’s how the wicked think. Exactly, they presume the Kingdom of God is where their will is being carried out, instead of God’s will, they have become self-deceived into thinking their will is God’s will. Principalities are areas within the kingdom, or nation, each area has a prince to represent it.
The idea is to gain the Inheritance Incorruptible and Undefiled, but where is it? It begins within, ending in heaven. This earth is the testing ground, not the final resting place. The Body has all sorts of people in it, including the Wicked. It’s so easy to point out some supersoul, or go after them, but in the process we become what we fear the most, another supersoul. While here on earth we hold the keys, we can use them to open the Door, or we can beat our neighbor stupid with those same keys, the choice is ours.
II Pet 1:5-10
Verse 5 begins with “beside this”, or this isn’t the finish, there is more. After escaping the world, after having the Promise at hand, after knowing we can be Partakers of the Divine Nature of Christ, there is yet more. Clearly Peter is talking about Adding to our position after we have obtained the Mercy of God by the Cross of Jesus. If we are saved at the Cross, why even proceed further? Because we are saved by the Mercy of God to enter the Grace of God to be saved until we reach the end, then we will have Salvation.
The phrase, “add to your”, could be taken by the natural mind to mean we have to do the work, as well as make the decision, but it’s not the case at all, it means to submit as we seek diligently to have these attributes added to our faith, which is another work of faith. How are we going to add Virtue? Where do you buy it? Like Wisdom it’s a matter of knowing it’s there, the opportunity is in hand, but there is a testing of faith through the imputing to the impartation.
This makes us question the phrase, “Patience is a virtue”, since we find they are different, we also find many things between Virtue and Patience. What about Knowledge? Or Temperance? Yes it would be nice to forget about Temperance, but Patience is a must, giving us the ability to stay the course.
There are eight things of God listed here, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Agape Love. God’s love also has Eight positives, by doing the eight Positives, we can’t do the eight things God’s Love will not do. God’s Love also tells us something about God, since God is love. When we are in the face of a trial, or in the furnace of affliction, we must know God will not induce us to envy, He is not vaunting Himself by our affliction, He is not puffed up because we are going through it, He is not behaving unseemly toward us, He is not seeking His own, but He is seeking for our benefit, He is not easily provoked, He is not thinking evil, He is not rejoicing in the our iniquity, or the iniquity of others; however we also know He is suffering long with us, He is kind toward us, He is rejoicing in the Truth, He is bearing all things, He is believing all things for us, He is hoping all things for us, He is enduring with us, He never fails us (I Cor 13:4-7). The same is true here, God is desirous to add to us, thus we find there are two things in which it’s impossible for God to lie, in multiplying He will multiply us, in Blessing He will Bless us.
God has Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and He is Love. The connection to much of this is the term “Brotherly Kindness”, which most of us jump over; however, who is your brother? A question asked a lawyer in the Gospel account. Our “brethren” is anyone in the Body, whether they are carnal, fleshly, Spiritual, or Wicked. Tough? Yes, but the reward is well worth it.
The word Diligence is the Greek Spoude meaning An earnestness, or A desire to reach the purpose. The word Virtue is the Greek Arete meaning Pleasing to God, we please God by faith, thus we begin with Belief to Faith with the understanding of our goal is to please God, rather than have Him please us. We can have a mountain removed to please us, or to please God, the difference is the faith working without love, as compared to the faith which works by love.
The word Knowledge is Gnosis, but this is not a clear and exact knowledge, it’s present or fragmentary knowledge, one pointing to God to obtain understanding. This same word can also mean knowledge as the knowledge of the world, but the context here is seeking the things of God, not the things of the world. Often this is the crossroad area, the place between two types of knowledge, one is self-based, and self-pleasing, the other is clarity in God’s perspective. The Wicked will twist (Greek Arete) knowledge to please the self, or exalt the self. Whereas the true Servant points their heart to God as they submit to the washing of the Water by the Word.
The word Temperance is the Greek Egkrateia, but this doesn’t mean “self-control” since the purpose is to deny the self, but it does mean, “the self under control”. It’s the place where our emotions no longer govern us, as the birth of the Ishmaels stop. This would be the place where the Word is separating and bringing clarity, where our soulish reaction to the event stops, when we can say, “No” to the old man, because we have the power to resist his tempting words.
The word Patience is the Greek Hupomone meaning To bear up under something, or to stay the course. The world Godliness is the Greek Eusebeia and it doesn’t mean “God Like” rather it means Piety toward God. The wording Brotherly Kindness is the Greek Philadelphia, the same as the name of the sixth church in the Book of Revelation, but it doesn’t mean the sixth church is Born Again, it means they keep the commandments of God by walking in the Mercy of love (Phileo). They will serve all of mankind, even the Wicked (synagogue of Satan) who will come and worship at there feet.
Peter than points to adding Agape to Philadelphia, not before, thus there is a process. We want the Agape Love of God, but Peter says there is a process we must enter, with the first step being Brotherly Love. Is it Brotherly Love to make fun of denominations we don’t agree with? Not hardly, how about “denomination bashing”? Nope, we don’t have to agree, but neither do we have to attack. Preach the Truth in Love, don’t beat someone have to death with opinions. What would he base this on? The last chapter of John, he Phileo the Lord, but the Lord was pointing to a time when Peter would be able to Agape, the time came, now Peter speaks by experience and knows it’s possible.
We give diligence to the Calling, and the Election, thus the Elect are those who walk in the Calling, having these Things in their hearts. It’s the Doing; be a Doer, not a hearer only, going right to the phrase, “faith without works is dead”, here we find the works of Faith are, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness and Agape Love, without these it’s not faith working or being worked, rather it’s a soulish religious counterfeit based in the natural reasoning of the natural mind.
Again, this shows Process, a concept becoming clearer. Some of us want the fullness of Agape love NOW, yet we don’t want to face the time of patience, or the time of knowledge. It’s a Process, or did we say that?
II Pet 1:11-21
Peter has given us the Keys to the Entrance, each relates to the saving of the soul, and Submission. The word Entrance is the Greek Eisodos meaning First Coming In, it correlates to the Tabernacle, after we make Entrance by the Sacrifice, we enter the fire and washings to make entrance into the Holy Place. There are those who make entrance by the Sacrifice, but stand around in the courtyard telling everyone if it wasn’t for them, the Sacrifice would have been rejected, these bad fish refuse to enter the Holy Place, but God has something Better for us, here He warns us to reject the spirit lusting to envy. These self-deceived are very convincing, if not, the phrase “if it were possible, they could fool the elect” would have no meaning. When we equate holiness to the flesh, or Godly knowledge to natural intellect, we are setting ourselves up for the old nature to wreck havoc with us. We are told to judge their fruit, not take the bark of the tree.
In verse 12 we are told To Remember, the same basis for taking Communion, thus since Remember refers to things which were, we find this is our Belief builder. Before the Cross we find the disciples failed to remember the feeding, when trouble came, they fell apart. If we Remember, we will have the Belief to meet our Faith in the Now so we can stand in the evil day.
Verse 13 has the word Meet, showing the Help Meet, Peter will show two Tabernacles, the first is here in verse 13 referring to the Body of Christ, the next is in verse 14 reflecting on the type and shadow of the old Tabernacle, or the flesh in the courtyard, with the soul in the Holy Place, the Spirit in the Holy of Holies, it’s our goal to pass the Doors to enter where Jesus waits at the Throne of Grace as our High Priest, but the Father waits at the Mercy Seat.
Verse 13 again points to Remembrance, showing how II Peter links to I Peter, as well as to James, plus to the Book of Hebrews, a continuing lesson, not many separated ones. The word Showed in verse 14 is the Greek Deloo meaning To make manifest, it points to Jesus revealed as the purpose to the process, in I and II Peter we find the completion of the phrase “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, so he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Within hours of saying this Jesus entered the Garden, then He came to Peter saying, “Pray you enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40). Jesus prayed for Peter, as Jesus prayed for you and I, but it takes our submission to Him to complete the effort.
Verse 15 goes back to Remembrance, three times we are told to Remember, Why? Could Peter be showing us how easy it is to fall into the prideful soulish realm forgetting what we should remember? Or is he telling us the Holy Ghost will bring things to our Remembrance, yet we must submit to Remember (Jn 14:26)?
Verse 16 begins showing what Peter saw and heard before the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, and how there is something better than a natural man hearing the voice of God. It’s one thing to hear, it’s another to understand by the Spirit what we heard.
The wording Cunningly devised in the Greek reads “having been devised cleverly” it’s the one Greek word, SophizoMuthos meaning Fabricated by the mind, a story, or a tale, in some cases a tall tale. Peter saw the Majesty of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, he heard the voice of the Father giving Honor and Glory to the Son. The Mount of Transfiguration displayed a change to come, a move from the Law and Prophets to the Law of the Spirit in Jesus (v. 17). meaning Skillfully put together, but it also indicates the use of man’s wisdom based on a lust. The lust is the basis for all cult systems, wanting to be better than the rest of the Body. The word Fables is the Greek
Yet, there is a, “more sure word of prophecy” which shines as a Light in a dark place, the context here is for those of the Day, but in the beginning stages as those waiting for the Process to bring “until the day dawn”. This doesn’t say the Bible is not a “sure word”, rather we find there is a “more” sure word, thus the Bible is a Sure Word, but we have the ability to have a More Sure Word, the same Word is able to save our souls (James 1:21). What could it be? The New Man? Yes, the Spirit of Christ in us, as the Holy Ghost teaches comparing spiritual to spiritual.
The wording “more sure” is the Greek Bebaios meaning Firm, Fixed or Certain, figuratively it means something upon which someone might build. The “word” is the Logos, the focus is the Spirit, thus this more Sure Word is the Spirit in us dividing, separating, informing, exposing, healing and guiding us in the growth.
When Peter was on the mount he Saw, but he didn’t understand one thing going on, thus his conclusion: “it’s a good thing we’re here”, duh huh, then “let’s build three tabernacles”. Here he shows how the spirit of man will misinterpret what the event stands for, we could be in the very midst of a great training, yet never know it, because we won’t listen to the More Sure Word.
The “Day Star” is the New Man, pointing to the area of our warfare wherein we battle to become spiritual in nature. This is the Morning, or the Beginning of the Day, the Day began for all of us when we came to Jesus then received the Spirit, but there is a growing time for the Light to shine in the dark place until the Day Dawn and the Day Star Arises in our Hearts (v. 1:19). This is progressive in nature, showing a walk, not merely an entrance.
The word Prophecy here means Words uttered by the prophets. The Church is established on the Prophets and Apostles, not on the Law and Prophets, the reference to the Prophets is not the deliverance of doctrine, but giving the Body guidance. The wording Take Heed or Taking Heed is the Greek Proseuchomai meaning To pray to God, thus Watch and Pray, but Pray for what? Wisdom is good start, if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God. The word Day is the Greek Hemera meaning The time from one sunrise to the sunset, it doesn’t include the night. The word Dawns is the Greek Diaugazo meaning to break forth with Sun Light. This is clearly a Process, we have the Seed, but it’s the beginning of the Dawn, we need to grow until the Seed becomes the very Light of Day.
The word Day star is the Greek Phosphoros meaning To bring Light, thus this points to the ability to Bring the Light, not merely having it, thus it points to a Transfiguration. The time when we move from what we were to what we are, to find what we will be.
This same name was given to the planet Venus which is seen passing from the lower to the higher conjunction just before the Sun actually appears and ushers in the Light of Day, this is not saying Venus is Jesus, or Jesus is Venus, rather it shows the creation still testifies of Jesus, in this case it shows the New Birth was not possible until the Day came by the Resurrection of Jesus, thus the same Spirit who raised Jesus, will raise us. The word Arise is the Greek Antello meaning To set out for a goal, to allow to rise, or to cause to rise. All this shows the Day coming forth, it can only begin when we are Born Again, then we will have the ability to understand.
No prophecy of Scripture is by private interpretation, there is no private revelation, no one person knows it all, but does this mean there can be no error? (v. 20). Not hardly, it means the attempt from the natural intellect, knowledge, reasoning, or mind of man to gain the interpretation will end in a fable, not true interpretation. Peter doesn’t say they won’t attempt to Interpret, rather the ability to Interpret is only found in the Holy Ghost.
Peter told us he did not come with fables, here he is showing the Interpretation came as the Holy Ghost bore witness. The Holy Ghost moved on the men of old, yet the title Holy Ghost never appears in the Old Testament. Was Peter wrong? Not at all, the Holy Ghost was behind the holy men, pointing to the Spirit of Christ yet to come in us. It takes the same Author to interpret the meaning to the New Man, who in turn tells us what was in the Author’s mind regarding the Spirit of Christ when the verse was written.
The Holy Ghost fills us for a purpose, the New Man relates to what the Spirit of God does in reference to our New Birth. The Spirit in us came by the Holy Ghost, thus the Spirit in us connects to the Witness, the Holy Ghost to the Report. When we “see” the truth in Scripture it’s the Spirit in us revealing Jesus, not our great intellect. This is important for today, we find some in the Body who deny the Scriptures are without error, yet Peter, Paul, and others depended on the Scriptures being “God breathed”, if God breathed them, they are without error. God’s integrity is at stake, or attacked when someone supposed He is incapable of maintaining a Document from which the Holy Ghost can teach us. As there is a falling away from the Faith there will be attacks to the Faith of Jesus by some who fall into the realm of making natural translations, but we still have documents to keep us on the path of Righteousness.
Peter divides the Body into two parts, First Peter defined those of Like Precious Faith, here it’s those who have empowered their souls by using the spirit of the world to their self-benefit. They gained knowledge, yet twisted it, they gain gifts, yet twisted them, they have killed the Just, yet He does not resist them. The purpose of the Day is still unto Salvation, but those who go into the Night will find the Everlasting Gospel is far different from the Gospel of Peace.
The word Private in verse 20 is the Greek Idios meaning Individual, or From his own, meaning by opinion, or the natural mind of man attempt to discern spiritual matters, ending in devising cunning fables. The word Interpretation is the Greek Epilusis meaning To solve, or The thoughts in the mind of the producer of the words. It doesn’t mean translation, by now we know the difference between translation and interpretation. The word “Will” is the Greek Thelema meaning The result of man’s will, verses 20 and 21 lay out the rest of Second Peter, and what happens when one refuses to submit, or they reject the Wisdom of God, for the wisdom of the world.
This doesn’t mean they won’t come up with fables, or heresies, then call them “revelations”, or “interpretations”, it shows regardless of what they call them, they are not Interpretations. Simply there is only one Interpretation, from the Holy Ghost, as the Spirit of God bears witness to our Spirit. Is it possible for any of us to form a fable? Yes, is it possible we would hold to the fable presuming it’s a truth? Yes, it is possible God will expose the fable? Yes, praise the Lord. Being teachable means we must be open, we could have what we think is a solid doctrine, then find it’s a fable.
Fables can be traditions taught as doctrine, strongholds regarding traditions, unsound concepts lacking connecting inferences to reveal the intent and purpose, self-based influences, lustful desires to be the special or the special, or things opposed to sound Scripture. It’s easy to say, “well I don’t think it was in the original manuscript”, but it’s Godly to say, “God can use any scribe, if it’s there, it’s there for a reason.
Why would anyone seek some private revelation, or interpretation? It males them feel important, they are able to validate their own selves. They are natural adventures attempting a private interpretation, based on a lust to be superior, ending in the pit of pride, ego and envy, the three sisters of hell.
The word Moved in verse 21 is the Greek Phero meaning To carry something or someone else, this verse shows the men of Old were moved by the Holy Ghost, or wrote as the Holy Ghost instructed them: in First Peter we found they searched for the Truth of the words given them (I Pet 1:11), but unto us is given the interpretation by the Holy Ghost. The interpretation can be general for the entire Body, or just for us at the moment, but the interpretation will not change the verse, only define it. Two people can read the same verse, one sees something for an event they are in at the moment, but the other sees it as a verse. The Spirit interpreted the verse for the one in need, but it doesn’t mean the other person lacks the Spirit, it means they don’t need the interpretation at the moment.
Even Peter obtained an interpretation of knowledge when he said, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”; however, we also know at the time he didn’t understand what it meant, or the source. It took Jesus to tell him it was from the Father, but it also took Jesus to tell Peter the source of, “be it far from you Lord”. Interpretation includes more than a general knowledge, it brings to light what was in the Author’s mind, and how it relates to us as a Body, as well as to us personally.
This is made clearer when Peter uses several metaphors, “whereunto you do will to take heed, as unto a Light Shines in a dark place, until the Day Dawn and the Day Star Arise in your hearts” (v. 19). These metaphors point to the convert, beware, you are in a new area, a kingdom of Power and Authority you have never known before. Wait until the Light Shines to expose the dark places, before you decide you can save the world. Let the Day Dawn, or let the Light shine forth in the Birth process, don’t think the seed planted is the Birth.
It’s evident, there is no private interpretation, no intellectual endeavor, no natural educational system, no natural thinking scholar is going to give us the Interpretation. No formula, no mystery code, none of those things are going to open up the Prophecy to bring us Freedom, it must be Holy Ghost based and Spirit motivated. If the men who penned these words, including Peter, were moved by the Holy Ghost, then it’s going to take the Holy Ghost to tell us the purpose and application of the verse. Anyone can define languages, give us a history lesson, quote Scripture, or tell us what someone else said about a verse, but it still takes the Holy Ghost to bring the interpretation.
II Pet 2:1-22
What happens if we mix metaphors, or allow our minds to form conclusions on what the Bible says? Or what happens if we reject the salvation of our souls? Or refuse to give our soul to Jesus? A false prophet or a false teacher are equated as the same here, the false prophets of old gave false direction, just as false teachers today give a false direction. The wording “false prophet” is the Greek Pseudoprophetes meaning One who assumes prophecy, or one who forms their own conclusions of prophecy, the context fits the description of a False teacher, one who assumes revelation is intellectual, or they make up stories, then teach them as truth, are using the spirit of man, by the will of man.
The drive of a teacher is not so much for them to know, but to know so others will know. To the God gifted teacher, knows the entire Bible is a gold mine, there is nothing in the Bible not worthy of consideration, or knowing. A God gifted Prophet has an inner check of great concern, they are deeply aware of their words, they only present what God desires, in the manner in which God desires it, of course the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets.
The word Privily is the Greek Pareisago meaning To introduce, or To initiate, or To smuggle in, it points to the natural mind of man as the source, rather than the Holy Ghost. It also points to having ones own carnal revelation, so they can have something to brag in, or something holding them above the rest of the Body so they gain some feeling of being superior, or gain personal honor. Revelation is the uncovering of something already there, but it always comes from the Holy Ghost as the teacher to the New Man for the Born Again saint. Revelation is not the initiating of something new, yet the false claim “it’s new”, not so, there is nothing new under “the Sun”, or the unveiling of what is already there. There is no way anyone can steal the revelation of another, all revelation of the Scriptures belongs to the Body as a gift from the Holy Ghost.
The word Damnable is the Greek Apoleia which is also known as Perdition, in the Latin it means To toss away, it doesn’t mean something taken away, rather this is when one tosses away what God gave them, yet retains the worldly prideful goals of the unsaved soul, which we know as the spirit of or the world. A “son of perdition” is who rejects the call to be a “son of God”, then returns to perdition. The sons of perdition are the workers of iniquity, they Un-just themselves, they work harder at not doing what they are suppose to, than most of us work at doing what we’re suppose to. They use envy, strife, natural reasoning, the wisdom of the world, private conclusions, fables, slander, and the such, they will end as the Beast of the Earth.
The word Denying is the Greek Arneomai meaning To reject a former relationship, thus this doesn’t mean one who rejects entering the relationship, it refers to one who was privy to the relationship, then rejects it. This is not a backslider, rather this is one who makes the firm decision to retain the old man as their authority. The wording, “Having brought” is the Greek Agorazo meaning The market place, Ezekiel chapter 28 reflects on how the devil was found in iniquity, then the multitude of his merchandise caused the violence and sin, then his heart was lifted up, a progression of events moving from the anointing cherub to becoming the serpent, ending in the ways of darkness.
Iniquity began with the devil, it ends with him, thus the unbalanced or unequal state was the misuse of his position. When the serpent was at the tree he enticed the woman, but he was also teaching her false doctrine. God’s people are cut off (destroyed) for a lack of God’s knowledge, they are led astray by false knowledge.
The word “Lord” in verse 1 is the Greek Despotes meaning One who possesses the authority over the household, going back to the Centurion who was a man of authority, but subject to it as well. The Lord brought them, yet they deny Him, the same subject as John will speak on. They deny the Lord by rejecting the purpose of being saved from the world. The word Swift is the Greek Tachinos meaning Near at hand, or Close by. The word Destruction in verse 1 is the same Greek word translated as damnable, thus the Heresies produce swift Perdition, thereby showing they return unto Perdition, which connects this to, “we are not of them who draw back to perdition, but of them who believe unto the saving of the soul” (Heb 10:39).
The “sons of perdition” are born again into perdition, yet they had the opportunity to be Born Again of the Spirit. This becomes the central theme of this letter, showing the false ones were not outside, but gained entry through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the same context John will use when he speaks of the “antichrists”, thus anyone who is “Antichrist” is not someone outside of the Body, rather it’s someone who has gained entry, but holds to the old man as the spirit of error, meaning their error is being Anti-Christ in nature.
Paul said they were self-transformed, while giving the illusion of righteousness on the outside, Satan still reigned on the inside. Whether we call it Satan, the old man, the spirit lusting to envy, or the strongman, the he in the world, or the spirit of the world it’s the same evil entity opposed to the Spirit of Truth.
The wording Pernicious Ways in verse 2 is the same Greek word translated as Perdition and damnable, they will speak evil of the Way of Truth, they desire to have something above the group, something giving them glory and honor among men. They will use the name of Jesus, they will use some teaching they’ve heard from others, but they always insert something twisting the teaching to the self, or introducing unbelief into a teaching centered on belief. They suffer from the Balaam complex, or the Jezebel mind, most of all they think they are the great protectors of the Body. To them it’s far better to kill the people of the nation, thinking they are saving the nation; rather then save the people who make up the nation.
The false ones make Merchandise of us, which goes directly to Ezekiel 28, they are the birds who sit in our shadow, yet claim to be the head of the tree (v 3). The word Merchandise is the Greek Eporeuomai meaning A trader on a large scale, but it doesn’t mean a Buyer, it means one who Barters things, or trades one for another. This is the same context as “buying and selling” in the Book of Revelation, showing an exchange one makes, they give up one thing, to have something else. It’s the opposite of being saved, we were moved from one realm to another, to put off the old in order to gain the New. The false do just the opposite, they give up the New, to retain the old.
Again the word Damnation in verse 3 is the same Greek word translated as Perdition. All this connects to Paul’s teaching on the son of perdition, as the iniquity is already at work, the devil is planting his tares, knowing he will be bound later. Their iniquity in this Season becomes their Sin in the next. In all, we will find the Greek word pertaining to Perdition used some seven times in Second Peter, it wasn’t used at all in First Peter, thus First Peter is talking about the Righteousness of Jesus, which we love, but here it’s the Iniquity, which we hate. We find this word translated as “damnable”, “destruction”, “pernicious ways”, and “perdition”. It was the same word used in Mark 14:4 for the word “waste” when Judas commented on the “waste of the ointment”, it was used in John to define Judas as “the son of perdition” (Jn 17:12). In Acts it was used in reference to Simon Magus in the phrase, “your money perish (perdition) with you”, in Romans 9:22 it was used in reference to the vessels of dishonor being the “vessels fitted to destruction (perdition)”. This area in Second Peter is not some “revelation” he had, it was common knowledge. Judas was ordained, a member of the ministry, one who was given the “bag” by Jesus, thus Peter and the others knew the danger was in the camp, not outside of it. They were not concerned with the Romans, they were concerned about the false ones who crept in unawares.
Verse 4 doesn’t say God will, it says God has, thus the devils are bound already in darkness, but darkness is a realm. There are no devils in the Light, no one who is Born Again is in darkness. The brother who slanders is in darkness even until now, the brother may be in kingdom, but not Born Again. One can be in the Body, yet remain in darkness, just as one can have the Spirit, yet remain carnal.
The word Chains in verse 4 is the Greek Seira meaning A cord, or binding force, showing how the devils are bound in a realm. The word Darkness is the Greek Zophos meaning Smoke, the wording Thrust Down or Cast Down is the Greek Tartaroo meaning To consign to; the word Hell is the Greek Tartarus which is connected to Tartaroo, showing they are Consigned to hell; therefore, when one teaches doctrines of devils, they join to the consignment, causing hell to widen her borders for them.
The first example Peter gives shows a foundation, the angels were in God’s presence, they were before the beginning of the plan of redemption, they saw God’s creational ability, the power, and authority at work, heard God say, “let there be Light”, yet they gave up their first estate. This example shows there are some in the kingdom who have witnessed the power of Christ, they have used the Name of Jesus, witnessed the effectiveness of the Name, they heard some great things, yet for a Power they could control they toss it all away, drawing back to perdition. It’s not a quick decision, it’s a way of life. They can appear as “nice people”, but when the mask is taken away they are nasty, self-serving, proud, unforgiving.
The next example is during the “time of Noah” when there was no sickness, wars, rumors of wars, no governments or famine, yet there was unrighteousness toward God; however, God delivered Noah and his family. The word World is the Greek Kosmos meaning The arrangement of the world order, pointing not to the planet, but the people on the planet. Did God build the Ark? No, Noah had to do something based on his faith. Here the deliverance from the evil of the world is the issue, God was able to give Noah a key, Noah applied the key in the manner God told him, causing him and his family to be raised above the destruction. The people in Noah’s time were not under the Law, yet they held unrighteousness toward God, they refused to listen, or consider the words of Noah.
Next is Sodom and Gomorrah, not the cities, but the people who denied the Lord by desiring to defile the angels of God, they respected not the things of God, neither did they respect the messengers of God. Lot not only respected the messengers of God, but attempted to protect them. Standing for the people of God in the face of adversity is a just position, but mixing the world into the Kingdom is an act of unrighteousness.
First the angels falling from heaven, then the Flood, then the Fire and Brimstone on the cities of sin. The Progress is there, God will not be mocked. They may get away with killing the just during the Day, but the price will be paid in the Night.
Peter’s choices are not picked at random, the Holy Ghost is laying out the “way of life” of the wicked. They are interesting in things of the world, not the things of God. They fail to respect God, or the people God sends. They are unteachable, haughty, arrogant, we find them floating around seeking whom they may devour and rob. Yet, like Noah, or like Lot we know if we stand with God as we continually believe we shall be saved.
The Just live by faith, the unjust do not, the unjust are not in the world, they hold the world within. Verse 10 defines the “unjust”, they are Chiefly, or more often than not walking after the flesh. Paul said there are those who walk after the flesh, and those who walk after the Spirit, yet both walk in the Body (Rom 8:1). Peter is saying the same thing, the Godly are the Just who live by the Precious Faith, the Unjust use mind power, or natural intellect, then call it faith. Their “faith” is to please them, the Faith of the Just is to please God.
The Wicked follow Lusts, thus they still use the spirit lusting to envy; they despise government (dominion), this doesn’t mean governments in the world, it means authority over them, they reject it, refuse it, debate against it, claim there is no authority over them.
Then Peter speaks of some defining elements we know about, the Wicked are Presumptuous, the think God will honor what they are doing, they are convinced their nasty, belittling, slanderous ways are a “calling” from God. They are “self-willed”, the biggest sign of all, they have empowered the soul with the self-will, as they use the spirit lusting to envy. They speak “evil” of dignities, the wording “speak evil” is the Greek Blasphemeo meaning To blaspheme, it goes with the concept of “blaspheming the Holy Ghost”. When we speak evil of someone Born Again, we are also speaking evil of the Holy Ghost who brought the Seed to the person. It was the point Jesus was making when He taught on the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. The Wicked have no fear regarding what they say against members of the Body, because they Presume God is honoring them. The word Dignities is the Greek Doxa meaning Glory, it pertains only to the Body and Church.
Verse 11 could be confusing if we limit the term angels to winged creations, rather then messengers of God. The Greek word for Angels is Aggelos meaning messenger, it was used to define humans who bring a message (Rev 1:20, Matt 11:10 et al). Those in the Body who walk in the Spirit are greater in power and might, since they have the Spirit, or at least they attempting to walk in the Spirit. Peter shows we don’t bring a railing accusation against the Wicked, we define them, but we don’t make it personal. It would be rendering evil for evil, hardly our stand. The Wicked always make it personal, they consider flesh and blood their enemy, they attack to belittle, so they can feel superior.
Jude backs this up, Michael who is a winged angel, who at one time was a contemporary of the devil, before the devil fell, knows better than to bring a railing accusation against the devil, rather he says, “the Lord rebuke you” (Jude 8). Both words, “railing” and “accusation” are the same Greek words in Jude as here in Peter. The word Railing is again the Greek Blasphemos, thus blasphemy against a person means to be abusive, or destroying (slander) ones name (authority). Of all entities created by God, one would think we could slander the devil and the Wicked. Not so, we can’t use the devil’s weapons against him or his. The word Accusation is the Greek Krisis it means To judge or separate out . So, isn’t it what Peter is doing? Isn’t it what Jude does? Nope, they are identifying the group, they are not separating out people in the group, or attacking the individual. There is a fine line, but a line nonetheless. Paul defined two guys to Timothy as a warning for Timothy, but he didn’t tell Timothy to pray against them.
We can’t focus on an individual, or we will end using their tricks, by using deception to trap them in their evil teachings, making us no better than they. Whenever we use deception to trap the deceiver, we are more the deceiver than they. Using the wrong tools even in the right time, is still wrong.
Verse 12 holds some interesting thoughts: Natural is the Greek Phusikos meaning Unreasonable or Soulish explaining Paul’s comments regarding the unreasonable and wicked lacking faith. The word Brute is the Greek Alogos meaning Without the Logos, showing a separation from the Word, rather than allowing the Word to divide and discern. The word Beasts shows their character is worldly, it’s the Greek word Zoon meaning A Living Creature, thus they have Life, as a living soul, but like Adam they want God to serve them, in the end the same example will hold, they will fall.
They speak evil of things they don’t understand, including spiritual matters, or events in the world, as well as events in the Bible, spiritual things to the natural mind are still foolishness to them. They grasp the natural, but simply can’t understand the spiritual; because they are natural, they will mock, or reject the spiritual. Their lack of faith is found in their words of unbelief and doubting. They think God isn’t in charge, they must correct the error for God, which is a presumptuous attitude. They shall Utterly Perish in their own corruption, not the corruption of others. The Greek text shows they “were born for capture and corruption”, this doesn’t mean Born Again, it means they return to perdition, to become sons of perdition.
The wording Utterly Perish is the one Greek word Kataphtheiro showing they moved from a higher position to corruption, thus we are not talking about someone who didn’t enter the kingdom of heaven, but someone who did, yet rejected the principles of the Kingdom of God. They make up their own rules, they are kings with ability, in the end they will still have to face the King of kings to give an “account” (Logos) of their actions.
Verse 13 shows they, “riot in the day time”, not the night time, the word Riot is the Greek Truphe meaning To destroy the integrity of the Body, it holds one must be in the Body before they can destroy it, just as Judas was among the group. From all this it would almost seem as if the gates of hell did prevail, not so. This area is the Rock, not the Church, the Rock is Christ or Body, thus these are not “anti-Church”, they are “antichrist”. The gates of hell will remain with the Beast of the Earth, in the end they never did prevail.
The reference to Spots means Parts of the flesh or honoring certain elements of the flesh, indicating they retain lusts, as they refuse to be cleaned. They refuse to bow to the saving of their souls, they demand control over their salvation. The word Spots is the Greek Spiloo meaning A stain, which was saw in James, it’s also used in Jude (James 3:6 & Jude 23). The word Blemishes means Something to blame which brings disgrace, a hypocrite points out what they think are spots in others, while denying they have any. Hypocrites hold us accountable (judge), in so doing they are taking an assumed position over us, yet they refuse to use the same accountable measure rod on themselves. However, their supposed rod of judgment is a fable, something in their pretend world of fantasy. It is not a righteous judgment, it’s false, based on false premises they made up.
Jesus is without Spot or Blemish, the sons of perdition enter by the Sacrifice, but deny the purpose for entering. The washing of the Water by the Word is the process to clean us from the spots, the Blood is washing away the stains, the New Testament is found in the Blood of Jesus. If we are Born Again we have the advantage, the Greater He is always greater than the he in the world.
All this relates back to Hebrews 10:38-39 where we found the Greek word for Saving is Peripoiesis meaning something maintained until it is redeemed. The Just live day by day in faith, each day is another opportunity to see the soul gain in the process of Grace. The more we gain, the less self-willed we become. The Greek Peripoiesis also shows the advancement of the Process is here on earth, the Redemption is yet to come. This promise assures us we need not be counted among the Wicked, even if we now find we are, we need not remain so.
The Unjust behavior is seen in the ways of these self-willed, also they are unstable souls, the wording “Unstable Souls” is the Greek Asteriktos meaning Unsteady, or Undependable, the word Beguiling is the Greek Deleazo meaning To bait, or Trap, it fits with “lying in wait to deceive”. Putting this together in the Greek we find they are Undependable souls seeking to bait or trap others. What would it relate to? They go about “tempting” others, yet in order to tempt they must have a lust in them. How many times did Jesus tell the religious rulers, “why do you tempt Me”? He wasn’t putting them down, merely making a statement of exposure. If we find ourselves setting the trap for someone, we have to ask ourselves the same question, “why are we tempting them?”.
Verses 14 and 15 show they are in adultery with the Strange Woman, they have Forsaken the Way, which means they had to be in the Way to forsake it. This is the same as being Unjust or Unequal, one cannot be Unjust unless they have the ability to be Just, surely you cannot be Unequal without the ability to be Equal.
The word Children in verse 14 is the Greek Teknon referring specifically to “a son”, thus they are sons of men by the Cross, but not sons of God by the Spirit. The “doctrine of Balaam” came from the man using his position for gain, even if it took the introduction of idols into the family order, but in Balaam’s case he taught Balac, it was Balac who brought the idols. Balaam didn’t give a false prophecy, he said he couldn’t, but he moved outside of his calling and taught Balac. Jezebel was self-appointed, Balaam was looking for the self-gain. Balaam was not a Teacher, thus as a prophet his words were flawless, but as a teacher he was corrupt, showing his character was corrupt. Therefore, his gift worked, a perfect picture of a son of perdition who has a gift working, but the person is so corrupt, or full of pride even a Novice in Christ can see it.
Verse 16 shows everything still produces after it’s own kind, it also shows God will do many things to pull the false back into the light, while it is yet Day. The “madness of the prophet” means being motivated by something other than God. Peter used the example of Balaam, thus it’s seeking the reward from man for doing something God has gifted us to do. Freely we received, freely we give. Putting a price on the things of God is selling the dove, not wise. One could bring many to the Cross, then charge them all, then end losing their own reward. The word Madness in the Greek means Out of his mind, Insanity or In folly. Balaam’s madness was his assumption he could use his position to teach Balak, thus thinking he didn’t give a false prophecy, so he wasn’t “false”. Wrong, his position called for keeping God’s integrity, it would be the same if he was a teacher and taught doubt or unbelief. He wanted what he wanted, he really didn’t care who was injured, which made his efforts unrighteous. This is another example of the half and half syndrome, on one hand Balaam said, “I can say nothing unless the Lord says so”, but on the other hand he presumed his service was an occupation he needed to be paid for. The man even thought God was setting up Balac to give more money, thus his mind was set on the gain, not the giving. However, God never charged him for the prophecy, so what gave him the right to charge others? Balaam could care less about the people of God, it was Balaam who mattered to Balaam.
Verses 17 and 18 show the false are within, they have been granted something, just as Balaam was granted an office, but they lack something. Like unto the ten virgins, the lamp wasn’t enough, but it was better than nothing (or was it?). One needed the Oil for the lamp to make entry through the Door, or they had nothing in the end. The five without the oil saw the door close, they had information about the door, they had the same opportunity to gain the Oil, but they didn’t think it was important. They had something, but lacked something else, making them unequal.
The false are wells (springs) but no water (mercy); they are clouds (witnesses), but they are carried away by everything sounding as if it will make them popular. They seek teachings to make money, or will make people hold them in high honor but they refuse to give the people what they need. They allure through the lusts of the flesh, showing the spots are lusts retained, if they retain the lusts, they also retain the spirit lusting to envy. They judge everyone and everything by their own supposed regulations; they hold envy against those who have endured. They promise Liberty, but they lack it; they are servants of the flesh, thus the flesh will overtake them in the end.
The word Tempest in verse 17 is the Greek Lailaps meaning A whirlwind, or as we would call it, a tornado, it relates to Mark 4:37 and the Great Storm came from the Sea to frighten the disciples, but Jesus rebuked the wind, and Peace came. In this case they are the storm, a tornado of strife. The word Midst is the Greek Zophos meaning Foggy weather or Smoke, this is not complete darkness, rather it’s part darkness, or deceptive in nature, indicating they put up a “smoke screen” to hide what they are really doing.
The word Swelling in verse 18 is the Greek Huperogkos meaning Over sized adding to the concept of their Imaginations, it also means a Big headed person, or Prideful which is the source of Imaginations. They love the feeling of pride, it makes them feel superior. They use fake repentance, humility, they can turn tears on and off like a faucet, they appear humble, but inside their pride is relishing it. All these things they use to allure people, in order to gain the people, so they can led them astray.
The word Allure is the Greek Deleazo meaning To entrap, it was used in James 1:14 in reference to man being enticed (allured) by his own lust. We want to discern these “whirlwinds”, but we don’t want to get caught in them. There is an area just outside of the whirlwind, or tornado appearing calm, but it’s the place where the winds pull things into the midst of destructive area. It’s the deceptive area of the Wicked, it seems calm, but all of sudden we’re in a storm. It was the same place where Adam female felt safe while standing at the Tree. In James it was being caught, here it’s the one setting the trap.
Verses 20-22 show the result of the folly, we’re talking about people who have escaped the world, as the wording shows; “if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”. The Greek word for Escaped is Apopheugo, it’s a compound word with the Greek Apo meaning a Separation, with the Greek Pheugo meaning to Flee away or Escape, this compound word shows they were delivered, or have completely escaped the pollutions of the world, thus they found rather then being used of God, they could put on the mask of holiness and use the spirit lusting to envy. Obviously this isn’t someone in the world, it’s someone who has escaped, yet neither is it anyone who strives to please the Lord, these people seek to be pleased.
They found their position granted them power and authority over the spirit of the world, they also found they could control the authority of the Beast of the Sea, which authority is found in the spirit of the world. Paul told us the spirit of man knows the things of man, but is completely ignorant of the things of God, yet the spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit that is of God (I Cor 2:11-12). Here we find they accepted the spirit of the world, which makes them the he of the world, holding the spirit of error, thus if they are Antichrist they are opposed to the Spirit of Truth (I Jn 4:1-4).
The ability to be saved from the world is Knowledge, not Wisdom or Understanding, but it’s the same knowledge we all gained to escape the world. This also gives us a great Promise, if they had escaped the world, then surely we have. We have dominion over the rulers of darkness, it’s the rulers of darkness who keep saying we don’t.
Not only are they entangled therein again and overcome, but their latter end is worse than their beginning. They think they can control the spirit of the world, but in truth it’s an illusion, their pride, ego, lusts and the spirit of the world are controlling them. However, it’s also clear they had the Knowledge, but rejected it, ending “cut off”.
Here Peter tells us it will be “worse”, but how could it be? hell is hell. The worse state is found in the Book of Revelation, when Jesus returns for the Judgment we find the devil and false prophet already in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10). They will bow, they will beg, they will even say, “Lord, Lord haven’t we”, but Jesus didn’t know them. How is it? They used the Name of Jesus, yet Jesus never knew them? We now the Name worked for them, since they don’t say “we attempted to cast out devils”, they say they did, but it’s not what they did, it’s what they failed to do. They were unbalanced, they took the Mercy of the Father, but refused to give it, they allowed envy to control them, they attacked anyone who had the Spirit of Truth in evidence.
Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11, but Proverbs 26:14-16 tells us as the Door turns on the hinges, the sluggard turns in his bed (of adultery), the slothful hides his hand of evil in his bosom, but rejects the Bosom of the Father, the sluggard is, “wise in his own conceits”, refusing to listen to the seven men of wisdom; then we find the, “madness of the prophets”, as the mad man casts firebrands, arrows and death, rather than Faith, Hope and Love (Prov 26:18 & I Cor 13:13).
II Pet 3:1-17
We see the purpose of this second letter, there are times in the midst of the fire we need to stir up our faith in God, knowing the result keeps us from being self-willed, or from becoming what we fear the most, a son of perdition. The word Pure in verse 1 is the Greek Eilikrines meaning To discern, it’s what Peter is doing for us, if we fail to discern the natural beasts, we will end following them into the pit.
The word Minds is Dianoia meaning To agitate in the mind, or Divide for clarity. The word “Words” in the phrase “mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles” is the Greek Rhema, yet we know the prophets of old spoke of the Rhema, they didn’t have it, but Peter added, “of us the apostles”, which connects the Prophets and Apostles, giving us the Foundation. The Rhema is metaphorically Spirit and life, but it is also the Proceeding Word. Peter is giving us the clarity of the Proceeding word, as there were false prophets in the Old, there are false brethren in the New.
Verses 3 through 7 show the mocking and scoffers, but the context shows they have no fear of His coming, since they have no fear of God. They are so deceived they think Jesus will honor them above all which is holy and true. There is no Commandment saying, “thou shall fear the Lord thy God”, but if one knows the elements of Love, they know the fear of God is found therein.
They entered for Power, or personal position, but failed to leave the world behind, just as the children in the wilderness failed to leave the deeds of Pharaoh behind. There are some who desire the coming of the Lord to see their personal enemies judged, or sent into the lake of fire, an attitude is not of God, for the desire of the Lord is for all to be saved and none to be lost. However, the Lord’s Desire and His Reality are different, God saw the lake of fire before He said, “Let there be Light”, but He also loved the world, thus He sent His only Begotten Son, so whosoever believed might escape the lake of fire. Just as Let there be Light was permissive, so is the Cross.
In verse 5 we find “the word of God”, but this isn’t Rhema as we saw in verse 2, this is the Logos, Peter points out they assume “safety” in their minds, yet they are ignorant of the destruction of the flood. Isaiah 5:18-20 tells those of iniquity, “Woe, they say, Let Him make speed, and hasten His work, so we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, so we may know it! Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter”. It’s not saying we ignore the coming of the Lord, rather we know what it entails, the judgment of the ungodly (without God) has to the sorrowful (v. 7).
Verse 8 reflects on Psalm 90:4 where we find the Lord, He is God, for God a thousand years in His sight are but as yesterday when it is past; although the Day of the Lord comes at Night, the judgment of God’s creation is not something to long for, when it’s done, it’s done. The Will of the Lord is for all come to repentance, even the sons of perdition before it’s too late.
The word Scoffer in verse 3 is the Greek Empaiktes meaning An impostor, showing a Pretender, or one who wears a mask of holiness, but inside the old man still rules. Verse 10 gives us one Day of the Lord, then verse 12 gives us the finish of the Day of God. The Day of the Lord comes as a thief in the Night, showing He comes to earth in the Night, but this points to the “Day” showing a series of events different from the Day of God in verse 12. Both of these correlate to the Book of Revelation, we see one earthquake when the Fifth and Sixth Seals are broken, but the seven angels don’t appear until the Seventh Seal is broken, then comes the last big earthquake, but both earthquakes point to “the day”, but not The Day for the Greater Light. Huh? the Day of the Lord begins when the Day finishes, thus the entire Night Season is the “Day of the Lord”, we’re in the Day of the Church, thus we find the Day of the Lord begins the Night, and finishes it. It’s the Day of the Lord to the Lord, but the Night to those on the earth.
The word Great is the Greek Rhoizedon meaning The sound from a whizzing of the arrow, the word Noise is the Greek Parerchomai meaning To pass near, thus this Noise doesn’t pass upon the earth, but near it. The word Elements is the Greek Stoicheion meaning The basic parts, not the total. The word Melt is the Greek KausoomaiKatakaio and Kata means From above, Kaio means To set on fire. In the end Hell and Death are cast into the Lake of Fire, thus Hell is the place for lost souls now, but after the Judgment it will be much worse. Hell now is not some party, but it still holds a type of hope looking to the Judgment when just Maybe Jesus will forgive, but after the Judgment there is no hope for the lost. meaning To set on fire, but it doesn’t mean the fire is complete, thus this shows the beginning of judgment, before It is Done. The feet of Jesus will appear as fine Brass (Judgment), as if burned in a furnace, now we see why. The word Fervent is the Greek
The Heavens passing away, doesn’t mean done away with, it means To Open as one would Open a Door. The word Dissolved in verse 11 is the Greek Luo meaning To loose or Loosen, it’s spoken of in reference to persons being let go from their present position, much like the word Translated. We will see this again in the Book of Revelation, as the heavens open and close, much like a Door opens and closes.
We Watch and Pray for the hour of temptation is only on the world, but in the end it will become Jacob’s Trouble. The Day of God shall see the Heavens on fire, the word fire here in verse 12 is the Greek Puroo, meaning to Ignite, but the word Melt here is different from the one in verse 10, this word is the Greek Teko meaning To make liquid, or to turn into liquid, which shows the word New for New Earth isn’t something pleasant, it’s when the earth is turned into the lake of fire. The word New in verse 13 for New earth is the Greek Kainos meaning Newly introduced, it has to do with God doing a New Thing, as He did with the opening of the earth to swallow Korah. In reference to the New Heaven it means Derived from another prepared. What was prepared? All the way back in Genesis we found the earth was created to be destroyed, but heaven was created for the people of God. The word Diligent in verse 14 is the Greek Spoudazo meaning Eager, it’s a small word, but since our Eagerness is to please God by faith, we find the base of this type of faith is Love.
Where are we found? In Him, not next to Him, or far from Him, but In Him, as He is in Us, so the Two shall be One. Peace is again referred to, James told us God’s Wisdom produces the Fruit of Righteousness which is sown in Peace of them who Make Peace (James 3:17-18). To be found without Spot or Wrinkle is the Goal of the Bride, who made Herself ready, by submitting to Her Husband. The spots and wrinkles are being exposed can cleaned, Rejoice when we find ourselves in the exposing, a spot or a wrinkle is about to be washed away.
Verses 15 through 18 give us the introduction to First John, the word Account is the Greek Hegeomai, not Logos, this word means To watch what has gone before, yet we Follow Jesus. Wait, what has gone before becomes a foundation for our belief. It’s important to know the Bible is Truth, without it we have no foundation, just a bunch of religious fables.
The purpose of our faith is the salvation of our souls (I Pet 1:9), the engrafted Word is still able to save our souls (James 1:21). Verse 15 reflects on the Wisdom given to us, not the wisdom of the world, but the Wisdom of God. We read James, we know to ask in faith, in the asking God will not hold back, we will gain the Wisdom of God.
The word Unlearned in verse 16 is the Greek Amathes meaning Without instruction, or refusing instruction, which is the opposite of easily entreated, showing they rejected the knowledge of God for the intellect of the world. This also shows why the Holy Ghost has given us so much information regarding the son of perdition; knowing their end, gives us the heart to endure, the incentive to apply Mercy in those times when there appears no reason to do so.
The word Unstable goes back to Unstable souls, its the Greek Asteriktos meaning Not established. The word Wrest is the Greek Streblou meaning To distort, or To torture, thus they torture the Scriptures, instead of suffering for Christ, they force the Scriptures to suffer. The word Destruction is again Perdition, which ends in Being fully destroyed. Does it mean they disappear? No, it shows destroyed is a process as well, if Salvation is a process, surely Judgment is. They are the resurrected unto damnation, in the end they will be completely void of an attribute pertaining to God, they will have a body which can’t cease to exist, it keeps melting and coming back, torment without end, in a place where time is not a factor. The New earth is timeless, it will always be Now; the lake of fire is completely absent of any of God’s attributes, mercy, love, kindness, hope, faith, gladness, joy, peace, or many of the other attributes man fails to consider.
As for us, We are told to Grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; the word Grow is the Greek Auxano meaning The increase of something, which takes us back to 1:2, where Peter desired we become Multiplied in the Knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ our Lord, it’s progression unto perfection, yet it takes the trying of our faith to reach it. Rejoice when the fire comes, it’s to save us, not destroy us.
The question we must ask is, “why even tell us all this?”. Incentive, some of us came to the Lord to escape hell and the world, but it was then. We found the Love of God, now we are given incentive to reach for the things of God in the face of adversity, God is still dealing with us as His Children, Rejoice again Rejoice.
FIRST JOHN – 90 AD
The similarities and usage between John’s Account in the Gospel and this letter shows the scribe as the John the Apostle, but the Author is still the Holy Ghost. John wrote as he was moved by the Holy Ghost, but unlike the prophets of old, John understood what he saying. John will also bring to light one of the functions of the Apostle, to deliver Commandment. This same John was the scribe used to write the Book of Revelation, II John, III John, and John’s Account in the Gospel, although some disagree, many more see the traits and style supporting the premise. As a point, we find the title “antichrist” in this letter and in Second John, John is the only scribe who uses the title. In Third John there are people mentioned by the scribe, history tell us John the Apostle knew these people. There is no other John who had the Apostle authority to give Commandment, all the letters attributed to John related to Commandment in one form or another. It is fitting for this letter follow II Peter, especially considering we just read about the Wicked. John is going to tell us how we Overcome, more important how we can have Fellowship with the Father.
There are some areas in John demanding for us to understand his concepts. To begin with this is a “teaching letter”, the form and style indicate he is “teaching” us, yet John says we have no need of a teacher, go figure? How can a teaching letter tell us we have no need of the teacher who wrote it? Strange at best. The context shows no man can teach us How to love as God loves, they can teach us the concept, the words, the phrases, but only the Spirit can teach us to love as God does, as He teaches us by Experience. Another area is found in First John 3:9, if we are Born Again we sin not, wow, so if we sin we’re lost forever? So much for restoration? So much for “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. However, the context means a “continual” sin, but what sin? The one defined in the Letter, the continual use slanderous acts against the brethren done in such a way to hinder the work of Christ in the person, indicating the sin is based in being Antichrist. If we are Born Again we have the Word in us, a conviction of a nature when we attempt to use the old nature; however, if one lacks the Word in them, the only conviction is what they apply to their own self; let’s begin.
I Jn 1:1-2
John doesn’t begin by giving us his authority, he is not establishing his position as Apostle, or as Elder, this is about Jesus. In the Beginning was the Word, the Word was God, then the Word took on flesh, and John was among those who touched the Word, heard the Word, and “handled” the Word (v. 1). The wording “have handled” is the Greek Pselaphao meaning To touch, showing Jesus was not some mystic ghost, rather He was real. John isn’t giving us some devised fable, this is Truth based on experience.
The word Beginning is the Greek Arche, so is the Word a Principality? No, it refers to a time, or a place of time in the overall time element which began something. Surely John wasn’t in the Garden, thus this Beginning is the Beginning days of the earthly ministry when the Word took on flesh. The Beginning of anything is a time within time, in the context the beginning is a principality; meaning the beginning has a place of starting.
John didn’t have fellowship way back when, his introduction shows Process, the phrase “With the eyes” is the Greek Ophthalmos meaning To gaze upon, this would be the position of Jesus as the Son of man. The disciples Gazed upon Him, but they really didn’t understand Him before the Day of Pentecost when they were Born Again. In fact, they really didn’t understand their own hearts before Pentecost. Jesus said, “ye must be Born again”, but He also said that born of the flesh was flesh. Two different areas, we can’t presume if we are Born Again, our flesh is also revitalized into a newer and higher state. We want to see the flesh crucified, not revitalized. Until Pentecost none of the disciples had the ability to discern their motive, or the motives of others. Only the Word in us is capable of dividing, separating, and bringing clarity.
They also Beheld or Looked upon Jesus after the Resurrection, this Greek word is Theaomai meaning to View or Contemplate, but contemplate doesn’t mean they understood, it means they wondered as they studied. Yet, Paul says the Spirit of Holiness declared Jesus the Son of God by the Resurrection (Rom 1:4). Although they looked upon Jesus, it didn’t mean they had Jesus in them at the time, remember there was forty days when Jesus was them before the Ascension. John isn’t limiting this experience to himself, he tells us the others saw and touched the Resurrected Jesus, it was great, but they still needed Power from on high (Acts 1:6-8). They could state they were witnesses to the Resurrected Jesus, but until Pentecost they couldn’t tell us why they were.
John doesn’t say the Life was in Jesus, rather he says Life and Jesus are the same. We know everything produces after its own kind, as He is, so are we, God is Love. Our faith can’t view the flesh to determine who we are, we must view Jesus, knowing the Precious Seed of God is in us. There is a treasure chest of Godly things came with the New Birth, but none of them are effective unless we first receive them, then allow them to operate. John does lay out his authority as “the Lord has made me an Apostle”, although the Lord did, rather he is giving us his “eye witness experience”, backed up by his position. A person with an experience far out weighs one with an opinion.
We have Eight areas; Beginning, Heard, Seen, Looked upon, Touched, Word of Life, Revealed, and Witness Bearers, all leading to the Godly division and knowledge of attributes granted us who have entered the Kingdom.
I Jn 1:3-10
John isn’t keeping this a secret, what he has seen and heard “we” declare? Who are the we? The Apostles, with all those who saw and heard. Then the key to all this, “you may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (v. 3). The “we” are noted, but is the man crazy? Arrogant? We can’t have fellowship with the Father, unless we have fellowship with John? How can this be? Wait, there is a key here, a likeness in natures. If we can fellowship with those who are spiritual, we can fellowship with God, of course the only way we are going to fellowship with those who are spiritual, is to be spiritual. If we have fellowship with God, we will also have fellowship with God’s children, if we have fellowship with God’s children, we have fellowship with God. John will tell us the Greater He is the ability, those who follow the he in the world do not have fellowship with either the spiritual or God. This letter talks about two brothers, both in the same family, both say they are in the Light, but one has the Spirit of Christ, the other the spirit of antichrist. This is the Letter to define the term “antichrist”, keeping us from worrying about some guy coming out of Europe with a handful of computer chips.
These are “brothers”, not “strangers”, a man’s enemies are still in his own house. We are not going to have fellowship, intimacy, or an involved relationship with God or anyone who is spiritual unless we get this right. John is not saying we have to go through him to get to the Father, we might as well have another Law of Moses. Not at all, this letter is telling us the same thing James did, only much deeper. The Holy Ghost laid this out for us, in Hebrews we obtained our Priestly Order, in James we found before we can walk in the Order we need God’s Wisdom, then First Peter letting us see who we are when we walk as the Light, then Second Peter showed some say they are in the Light, but are still in darkness, now John is showing us how the New Testament priests are identified.
In verse 4 John again uses “we”, however, if we jump all the way to First John 5:13 we read, “these things have I written”. This letter is inclusive, giving us all the witnesses, showing us the result of “but you shall receive Power” (Acts 1:8). Some of us think praying is having fellowship with God, or talking with God is having fellowship, but it’s a relationship. Fellowship means we care for the same things, with the same care as the one we have fellowship with. We cannot slander members of the Body of Christ, then pray to God presuming we have fellowship with God. John will show the basis of having fellowship with the Father is to treat the people of God as God would.
The word Full in verse 1:4 is the Greek Pleroo meaning To make full, it suggests there is already some of the product in the vessel, the purpose is to fill the vessel to the top. This is the same idea we found in James, we have the Spirit, we have faith, but do we have Wisdom? The works of faith don’t sit at the foot of the Cross saying, “well the other stuff is nice, but not for me”; Faith pleases God, but who likes their gifts rejected?
The word Fellowship is the Greek Koinonia meaning Communion in Participation, it holds the concept of two meeting in the Same place, with the Same desire, having the Same goal, Same Mind, Same manner of doing things. This has nothing to do with relationships, since there are all sorts of relationships. We can have a working relationship with Jesus, yet still hear, “depart from Me, you worker of iniquity”. “But Lord, didn’t I cast out devils in Your Name, and do many wonderful works in Your Name?”. Perhaps, but what else did we do? Hold unbelief, were nasty to members of the Body, refused to walk in the Mercy of the Father, being Unequal is still iniquity. John is going to give us a pillar to our foundation, a place of pure confidence to know we are joined to the Greater He, with victory in hand. Like James, John is telling us not to stop and smell the roses, they have thorns.
The Greek word Koinonia depends on an intimate knowledge with a like nature, the First Adam had a relationship with God, but he never had fellowship. Koinonia even goes further than family, it demands for all parties who Koinonia to treat the respective parties, and the property of those parties the same. It even goes further than “love your neighbor as yourself”, rather it goes to the very heart of “love each other as I have loved you”.
The word Write is the Greek Grapho meaning Engraved in stone, it’s from this Greek word we discover John is giving Commandment, just as Paul did. However, this is not a New Commandment, but one we have Heard, although we, and many others Heard it, the ability to do it in a Godly manner was not available until Pentecost. This is the same context he uses above, they heard the Lord, even touched Him, but they lacked something within, being the Greater He. After being Born Again the Light came, they gained a New Nature and understanding.
The purpose of the letter is to have our Joy full, this takes us back to John 15:11-12 where Jesus said “These things have I spoken unto you, so My joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full. This is My Commandment, You love one another, as I have loved you”. Here we find the word Might, yet it’s a Commandment, how can it be? A Commandment is a “must”, not a “might”, but we find the Might is based on the Love, we are not going to have Joy if we continue to bash members of the Body of Christ. We may feel superior, but it’s the flesh, exercising the old nature is not denying it.
The word Message is the Greek Epaggelia, a compound word with the Greek Aggelia referring to an Angel, with Epaggelia a legal term denoting a summons or promise. The Greek reads “God is Light as God, Light is”, it’s the same use of the Greek language as we find in “God a Spirit is”, both show possessive qualities of the nature. Man can love, but man is not love, yet God is Love, much different. All this still relates to Fellowship, can Light have fellowship with darkness? No, nothing in common. Can Christ have fellowship with Belial? No, nothing in common. Can the natural nature have fellowship with the spiritual? No, nothing in common. Can the physical have relationship with the Spirit? No, nothing in common. Can the New Man have fellowship with the old man? No, nothing in common. We hold the keys to all this, we can make up all the excuses we want to, the fact remains, “I have given you the keys to the Kingdom”. John is going to show us how to use them, and gain fellowship.
The word Light is the Greek Phos meaning the Light itself, but it doesn’t mean a light bearer, rather it means one is Light. It’s the same context we found in Genesis, The Light generates its own Light, it will never fade, run out, or grow weak. The Greater Light and Lesser Light each obtain their Light from The Light. Without The Light there would be no Greater Light or Lesser Light. This is clearer by looking at the word Darkness, which is the Greek Skotia meaning Working unhappiness unto death, figuratively it means to Hold unhappiness to project ruin. One who operates out of envy, strife or pride usually makes all those around them unhappy. Some are happy when they are able to belittle someone, but it doesn’t mean they made others happy.
The word “No” in the phrase, “Is no darkness at all”, is the Greek Ouch meaning Completely Without, it expresses direct negation, or Not even one bit, Not the least, None to be found, which means unable to produce darkness. This word proves God did not create the darkness, rather darkness is a result of the absence of Light. Since there is no darkness in God, there is no darkness in the Greater He (New Man) either.
Just as God cannot tempt us unto evil, since there is no evil in Him, He cannot produce darkness, since He is Light. All these factors are leading up to the point, if we use a lust we are using darkness, if we continually cause strife we are in darkness. Darkness lacks clarity, or the ability to discern, it merely sees what it wants to. Darkness is the mother of self-deception, darkness equates all things to darkness, as it attempts to hide itself in the darkness, but the Light exposes, bringing all things into plain view. The world is in darkness, we are of the Light, the Light does not fellowship with darkness, as John points out.
From verses 1 through 10 we find the word “If” used five times, “If” is always a form of suggestion, denoting a choice to be made. Verse 6 shows Fellowship and Walking, the word Walk is the Greek Peripateo which is a compound word with Peri (about) and Pateo (to walk) meaning A way of life. Do we walk by faith? If so, our faith will be worked to bring us into the Wisdom of God. If we have the Spirit with the Wisdom of God, then we have something in common with God going further than one can imagine. If we have God’s Wisdom then we will treat God’s people as He would, as we deal with events as He would. Does God correct us? Yes, but correction and slander are two completely different things.
John is going to show us the first step to fellowship with God isn’t prayer, it isn’t paying our tithes, it isn’t dressing proper, it isn’t reading our Bible, it begins when we treat the people of God in the same manner as God treats them. Wasn’t it the concept found in James? Yes, John is coupling God’s Love with the Wisdom to keep us from becoming “Anti-The Body of Christ”.
The wording, “If we say” in verse 8 is the Greek Epo, this is not Confession, but speaking, connecting to James 1:25. John is not asking us to just read, or even give him an “amen”, he wants some doers of the Word to come out of this. Since he said “we” he must mean him and us. This verse doesn’t say “if we say we don’t do sin”, it says “if we say we have no sin”, it’s a big difference. Of course we have the potential to sin, we have the flesh, we are on the earth, yet we have authority over the darkness, thus we can fall back to use the darkness to our advantage, it would be sin. The potential is the point here, not the activity. If we still have the potential to sin, then we are still in the process of being Justified. If we were completely Justified, then sin would not be at issue. If it wasn’t for the New Man we would all be lost, or so religious the only person who could stand us would be us.
John is showing there is a potential, don’t become so self-deceived we think we have completely overcome the sin issue. It’s there, waiting for the opportunity. What to do? The Blood of Jesus will clean us from all unrighteousness, yet all unrighteousness is sin (v. 5:17).
This is merely a clarification of positions, the potential for sin is there, as it will be until we either die the first death, or are Raptured. John doesn’t stop there, if we think we can rid ourselves of sin, we are attempting to use the old nature in some feeble attempt to rid us of sin. However this we know, if we Confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness (v. 9). What is the key? To Confess, which shows the “unpardonable” sin is an un-confessed sin specific in nature, so specific it’s “anti-Christ”. This sin is the one carried out by the Wicked, they think they are doing a service for God, some even think it’s a calling, yet they slander, kill the Just. Their Ways tell the story, not their Acts.
What happens to sin when Light comes on the scene? It’s exposed, sin exposed is sin void of power. The sin can be a lust in the flesh, but dormant, even void of power to deceive us, until God allows it by exposure to clean us. Sin only works by deception, feelings controlling us are methods of deception. “Oh I felt so good ministering to them, I told them about my pains, gave them my opinion on what I think they should do, oh I feel so good about myself”. Wrong, it was carnal ministry, the feeling was attached to the self, the self is attached to darkness, pride was the tool used.
The word All in the phrase Cleans us from All sin in verse 7 is the Greek Pas meaning The total, or The whole number, not part, not some, but All, including any stains, lusts, as well as the nature of sin. Included in the phrase is the word Cleanseth, or Cleans which is the Greek Kataharizo, we know the Greek word Kata means From higher to lower, Harizo means To make clean, this is a hope and promise.
The next step of recognition is knowing we have all sinned, but are there some who say they have not sinned? Who is so dumb to say it? Most every Wicked minded person you find, also it relates to the attitude of looking down on those who sin. The Blood of Jesus is the difference, not some assumed personal holiness, or trained moral condition. In verse 8 it was a present tense potential, in verse 10 it’s the past tense action of sin.
Verse 10 points to God’s Mercy, verses 8 and 9 talked about Grace and the Blood. If we say we didn’t need God’s Mercy to forgive our sins, we lied. If we say we were forgiven, yet refuse to give Mercy, we lie. The Mercy of God is fully able to forgive us of any sins we have committed, then comes the cleaning of the Blood of Jesus in the Justifying process; combined with the cleaning of the Water by the Word in us, as the Word becomes engrafted. All elements of being Born Again, to bring to pass the saying, “That Born of the Spirit is Spirit”.
All this shows the forgiveness of sins removes the power of sin, but we can invoke the power again, or follow the flesh again. It’s exactly what Peter said the Wicked do, they escaped the pollutions of the world, but turn right back to using those pollutions for their benefit.
The Blood of Jesus is the New Covenant, the Token is the Holy Spirit in us, the Process is saving our souls.
I Jn 2:1-4
In 1:4 we found the purpose of the letter was for our Joy to be full to the brim, here in 2:1 we find the addition of, “that you sin not”, but what type of Sin is he talking about, any sin? Could it be the failure to walk in Love? When the urge comes to get even with someone, rebuke it, we have power over the rulers of darkness. This letter tells us when we Confess, the Blood of Jesus is applied. Not next year, or next month, or even next Sunday, it’s immediate. This Promise is a Grace based the New Covenant condition. It also fits with Hebrews 10:38-39, when we accepted the Cross our souls were no longer ours, we gave them to Jesus. An unrighteous act would be the attempt to use the flesh to save our own souls, or think our intellect saved our souls. The washing of the water by the word, coupled with the Blood of Jesus is the source.
Whenever we read about the Blood of Jesus or the Spirit, it’s New Covenant talk. Since a Covenant depends on association, we find we Confess, Jesus applies the Blood to clean then remove any spot or wrinkle, thus the Bride makes herself ready by belief, faith through submission.
Since John just laid out the groundwork for Process, he will also define the Process as a matter of Growth by showing stages, yet he also shows each step has a victory. The children have a place of victory, the youngmen do as well. This Process is not a, “wait until you reach the finish to obtain”, rather we obtain many things in the Process, the cleaning by the Blood for one. This is also a Process of Progression to enter Fellowship. Do you want to Fellowship with God? There is a Process, when Patience has had Her perfect work, we will want for nothing. Why? When you have Fellowship with the Father and Son, there isn’t anything else in the universe you desire.
The wording Little Children is the Greek Teknion meaning a Son, indicating the person is Born Again. No one in the world is going to have Fellowship with God, neither will anyone in the Body who remains carnal. Teknion was also used to show a teenager, this is a different stage than the Corinthians, the Corinthians were still in the fetus stage.
John will also use the terms Youngmen and Fathers, the word Youngmen is the Greek Neaniskos meaning A youth around the age of thirty. This would be the time when they were “on their own”, they were considered equipped to do the work of the calling.
The word Fathers is the Greek Pater meaning parent, to a Jew being a father is the goal. We are not suppose to call anyone Father, yet John just did. A Father in respect to one who protects the family order, John is talking about growth for the individual. Paul told the Corinthians they had not many fathers, then equated himself as their father, so was he in sin? No, his context means he brought them to the Lord, he is not saying he is the head of the family order. We have One Father in heaven, we also have access and boldness by the Faith of Jesus to His throne, but we also have those who brought us to the Lord.
We also have the word Children which is the Greek Teknon (not Teknion) meaning To bear children, the word Brothers which is the Greek Adelphos denoting Unity by a common bond, like the Unity of The Faith, or Unity of the Spirit. Just as important are two terms not used, the Greek Brephos, translated as Babes, and the Greek Nepios, translated as New Born Infant, or metaphorically as a fetus, both of these relate to the Seed and Root, thus First John is not written to the Seed, or the Root, rather it’s written to those who have broke through the womb of the kingdom of heaven and entered the Kingdom of God as resident. The Nepios and Brephos are forgiven, but the Teknion knows their sins are forgiven, not remitted yet, but nonetheless forgiven.
The phrase, “Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous”, not only gives us the Trinity at work, but shows the connection between having Christ on earth in us, then making the connection to the Word and the Father in heaven, this one area will be explored by John as the Record and Witness, one in heaven, the other on earth. The Blood of Jesus can’t clean us from unrighteousness, unless Jesus is pure Righteousness, since from Him came the Blood. What do we have to equate to His Righteousness? The New Man, Jesus told us to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. The Righteousness of Jesus is the Scepter to the Kingdom, thus anyone who enters, yet and attempts to use self-righteousness is still in darkness (sin).
The word Advocate is the Greek Paraketos meaning A comforter who Encourages, or One who steps forward on behalf of another, or An armor bearer, in the early Greek usage it pointed to one who carries the armor, but here it’s the Armor itself. We put on the New Man, who is the Armor, thus we submit to the New Man, allowing Him to guide us.
It’s form this verse the mistake is made relating to the Comforter noted in John as Jesus. True Jesus is our Comforter in heaven, but the Holy Ghost is defined by Jesus as the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth as Another Comforter. How does this fit? The Holy Ghost appoints to the offices on behalf of Jesus (Acts 13:1-3), the Holy Ghost is then representative of Jesus on earth during our Season, it’s the Holy Ghost who Sows the Seed, the Seed is Another Comforter, making the New Man Another Comforter in us.
In the court system an Advocate is someone who pleas our case before the Judge, in context we find as the Blood of Jesus as our continuing Advocate. Jesus took us who were guilty, cleans us continually with His Blood, fills us with the Father’s Holiness which connects to the Father’s Mercy. When we have God’s Righteousness we find we in a state of being Justified, meaning no one can find anything to accuse. Once the Justification process begins by having the Spirit of Truth, it provides the protection of innocence, until we are Glorified. Not because of our goodness, but because of what Jesus did for us. Remove the Spirit of Truth from the equation, then we’re guilty, pronounced dead, waiting for the sentence to be carried out.
The word Propitiation in verse 2 is the Greek Hilasmos meaning The benefit of Christ’s Blood after the acceptance by the Father, this one word explains the Father and Son, it’s not the Blood alone, but the acceptance of the Blood by the Father, thus the Blood of Jesus is the substance of the Advocate, His Blood speaks from Heaven as well as earth, becoming the Tree of Life on both ends of the Street (Rev 22:2).
The introduction of the term Whole world, doesn’t mean Whole earth, it means we should never forget from where we came, the same Propitiation gained us the escape from the world so we could enter into Life, it will continue to gain us entry all the way to the Holiest of All, if we submit and receive it. The word Know in verse 3 is the Greek Ginosko which means To know in the Beginning, this will be the subject area for the fathers (v. 2:13).
The Message tells us we Should love one another, the Commandment is we Should believe on His Name, yet we must Love one another in order to show we do Believe in His Name. Does it mean we believe the name of Jesus is really Jesus? No, it means we believe in the Authority of the Name of Jesus to do as He said it would.
There is a difference between Should and Must, if we Believe, we walk in what we Believe in. Hereby we Know if we Keep His Commandments He loves us, but if they say they Know Him, yet keep not the Commandments of Belief and Love, they are a liar, thus He doesn’t Know them.
I Jn 2:5-17
Jesus is the Logos, but His Character is reflective of who He is. Keeping the Logos doesn’t mean we can quote the Bible, it means we have the Logos in us, as we walk the path of the Faith of Jesus. The Logos in us will we defined as the Greater He in chapter 4.
The word Abideth in verse 6 is the Greek Meno meaning To remain in Life, this is not the Acts of God, but the Ways of God. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn Of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt 11:29-30). The purpose for taking the yoke is to find Rest for our souls, if we have entered the Rest of God, we have ceased from our own works. Here we can equate the Logos in us to the New Man, they are one in the same, they the New Man is the Agape Love we seek. Fellowship is when our Character meets the Character of God. Perhaps not totally, but on the same path.
The word “New” in verse 7 is the Greek Kainos meaning Qualitatively New, this is not Neos as in New Heaven, rather it contrasts with the New Covenant, meaning something which was not before, rather than changing something already present, thus it’s New in all it’s contents and abilities. This New is so New it was never before, the wording “new earth” doesn’t mean “new and good”, it merely means something changed into something it wasn’t before. It’s not the same type of New we find with the New Birth. In the New Birth the word New means never before, showing the New Man is not some old dead spirit gaining life, rather the New Man is the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
This Commandment is not New (never heard of before), but yet it is (vs. 7 & 8). The Commandment to Love is old, the Ability is New (never before). Here is another step of hope, the darkness “is passed, and the True Light now shines” (v. 8). Then the test, he who “says” he is in the Light, yet hates his brother is in darkness even until now (v. 9). Then he who loves his brother abides in the Light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him (v. 10). This is the area where if we are Born Again we cannot sin, which sin is the continual sin of slandering and hating the brethren. The connects with love covers a multitude of sins, simply if we walk in love, the Agape love brings us under the protection of the Blood of Jesus, meaning we are in a continual state of Mercy and Grace.
The Cain – Abel principle, two brothers, one womb, here it’s two brothers, same realm, both related to the Light, one Says he is in the Light, but lacks the evidence, rather he shows the evidence of being in darkness, yet, the other brother need not say anything, his “confession” shows he is in the Light. This also defines the two spirits, one antichrist, or anti the Christ nature, the other the Spirit of Truth, with the test to determine which is which. The spirit of antichrist is not against Jesus, or the Father, or the Holy Ghost, or the Covenant, or Grace, it’s against those who have Christ. The context is “hates his brother”, defines Christ as the Light in us, thus their envy caused them to hate those who have the Light. The word Love in verse 10 is Agape, a New aspect to the Commandment. If someone has the ability to be “Christ Like”, yet refuses by retaining the spirit of man, they may enter the spirit of error becoming antichrist. John shows those who are “antichrist”, are those who were among us, but not of us.
In Mark 2:21 the word New appears twice, but they are different Greek words, the first word New in the phrase, “no man sews a piece of new cloth”, is the Greek Agnaphos meaning A patch not washed or prepared; whereas the word New in the phrase, “else the New piece filled it up taking away from the old”, is the Greek Kainos meaning A patch from a completely different material than the one it’s mending, it also shows the patch is derived from a cloth which has been washed and prepared, which is so superior it would tear the old to pieces. The differences between the two shows we cannot attempt to use any aspect of the Old Covenant with the New. The first patch is damaged because of sin, it was incapable of being prepared or ready, but the second patch one was prepared, it was so much stronger than the old it ripped the old to pieces. In either case the attempt to place the patch on the old caused damage, it would require a completely New garment without patches. The concept here in First John is not to put a patch on the old, but to have the ability of the New. The same is true with God’s Wisdom, we can’t attempt to use God’s Wisdom with the wisdom of the world, one will cause damage to the other.
There are three positions, little children, youngmen and fathers, the little children have their sins forgiven, but wait, if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves (I Jn 2:12 & 1:8). How is this? The forgiveness of sin removes the power of sin to deceive us, but forgiveness and remission are different. We’re working toward Remission in the Blood of Jesus, but we entered through forgiveness.
The youngmen have done what? Overcome the “Wicked One”? What Wicked One? The wording Wicked One is the Greek Poneros meaning Evil in a moral sense, an entity corrupting others, it refers to the old man and his deeds. When the little children have their sins forgiven the devil is defeated in their lives, but they still have to take on the deeds of the old man. The growth takes them to the Youngman stage, the place where clarity is part of their nature, they see, they know, they respond. The warning in this letter is not to the Youngmen, or the Fathers, it’s to the Little Children (v. 4:4).
The fathers have fellowship, they Know Him from the beginning, as John said, “what was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life” (I Jn 1:1); the fathers treat the people of God as God would.
Now the warning, the very things making the antichrist spirit, anti-Christ. Love not the world, neither the things of the world (v. 15). This takes us back to John 3:19, “and this is the condemnation, Light is come into the world, and men loved (Agapao) darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil”. The warning is to the Little Children, thus the Letter is to the Little Children, whose sins are forgiven, Youngmen because they have overcome the Wicked one, they can assist the Little Children, the Fathers who knew Him from the Beginning, can encourage the Little Children to defeat the Wicked “”he in the world. The spirit lusting to envy seeks the little children, the place where they have power over sin, but have yet to overcome the Wicked. The little children need our prayers, help, assistance and encouragement.
This division is in the Kingdom, thus he is exposing the trap we can fall into “if” we neglect the process of growth, proving, “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (v. 1:8). The battle is there, there are things in the world sent to tempt us, some are the lusts in the world, yet hating the people in the world is not the call, we are sent to call the called out of the world.
This is not loving the world, but the things of the world; however, there is a paradox here. A brother who hates his brother is in darkness, but one who loves the things of the world is also in darkness. The obvious is there, they have the potential to love their brother, or not, to do the things of the kingdom, or the things of the world. Since the context is the “world” it must connect to “he in the world”, taking us right back to First Corinthians 2, where the “spirit of the world” is opposed to the “Spirit that is of God”. These two spirits complete opposites, thus Jesus said if the world loves us, we’re in trouble. The context here is two brothers, each brother has the same potential, there is no excuse not to fellowship with the Father. For this reason we find the world telling us to tolerate other religious orders, but it allow them to believe a lie without recourse. Therefore, the world hates us, they are in darkness, we are the Light.
If we compare the three elements of the world, with those used by the devil at the fall, then to the three elements of the wisdom of the world we find a correlation showing the three pillars of the devil.
Table of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil:
| Genesis 3:6 | 1 John 2:16 | Luke 4:3-9 |
| Saw the tree was good for food | Lust of the flesh | Turn stones into bread |
| Pleasant to the eyes | Lust of the eyes | Prove the protection of God |
| One to make one wise | Pride of life | Obtain result by worldly means, then call if “of God.” |
We can see how First John and James connect, as Wisdom and Light join each other to expose the darkness. In James it was walk in the Wisdom of God in order to deal with people and events, here in First John it’s the application of the Wisdom by Love separating those with the Spirit of Christ from those who walk in the spirit of antichrist.
The key is defining the spirit, we test the spirit by the acts of the person. Do they slander? Are they hatful, arrogant, proud, unteachable? Judge their ways, you will know the spirit behind them. This is the same as, “Thou has faith, and I have works, show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Both brothers say they are in the light, both are in the same realm, but only one has the Light, making them children of the Light. So will they be perfect in all their ways? No, but they know they have the potential. Both brothers reflect to groups, one brother is the Light, the other holds the he in the world, yet both are in the same family order.
The entire world is formed around the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life (self-confidence). If there is any good in the world, it’s from God for a purpose relating to testing the people, it’s the point. The people are not Good, the things of the world prove it. If we are drawn to the world it’s because we have retained something of the world we love. The evidence would be giving the world the glory, since the world gives the world the glory. This goes right to James, when he said everyone is drawn away by their own lusts. If we are drawn away to the things of the world, there is something of the world still in us. However, if we are Born Again we have the remarkable potential to overcome the things of the world, to be free in the perfect Law of Liberty.
The world will pass away? I thought the earth continued on forever? It does, but the world is not the earth. When the earth turns inside out, the world will no longer exist, death and hell will join in the “new earth”, but the world will not. However, he who does the Will of God lives forever. What Will? Mercy and Grace, the two pillars of the purpose of our faith, even the salvation of our souls.
I Jn 2:18-29
Who is John talking to now? Little Children, they are sitting in a place of danger, not to worry, they have the upper hand, but they must beware of the danger: as should we all. It is the last time? How do we know it? There are “many” antichrists around, there can be no antichrist until there is the Body of Christ. Judas was anti-Jesus, not antichrist. Judas didn’t come against the Rock, he attempted to control it, but he didn’t attack any of the other disciples. The offspring of Judas have the same “spirit”, but with a different twist.
The position is open, they were among us, but they separated themselves, as Jude says, they separated themselves. Because they could not Fellowship with those in the light, they could not Fellowship with the Father. Keep in mind there are Many antichrists, but only one spirit of antichrist, showing the Ways in the position will be the same. In our Season they are antichrist because the Spirit of Truth is Christ in us, yet in the Night they appear as false prophets since there will be no Christ like people around to stir their envy.
The word Unction means Covering, this refers to the Covering on the Body, or the division taking place as a result of the anointing. The word Unction is the Greek word Chrisma meaning Anointing, it was only used three times, all of which are in First John, the other two times it’s translated as Anointing (vs. 2:27). it means something smeared on, rather than something inside the person. The Unction is how the Wicked are protected by association to the Body, yet they use the old nature, but empower it because they are protected by the Unction, thus turning the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness (Jude 4). Our example is Simon Magus, he was water baptized by a member of the Body, thus he was accepted into the Body, but was rejected when it came to receiving the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, he later became known as the “father of all heretics”, he came from us, but was not of us.
Again we find verse 21 indicating this letter is not for the novice, or new convert, it’s for those who “know” the truth. We know to love one another as Jesus loves us, here John tell us if we want Fellowship with the Father we must love the family of God. There is a difference between loving someone because they are family, and loving them for what we can get from them.
Verse 22 does not mean one who says, “Jesus came in His flesh”, rather it’s the Confession of having Jesus in us. The Father relates to Mercy, the Son to Grace. The Father forgave our sins, the Blood of Jesus is cleaning us. To deny the activity in us, or in others who are Born Again is denying the Father and Son.
Wait, what about the Wicked? While it is yet Day they can still repent and love the brethren. We must have the Mind of Christ, thus we don’t hang the Wicked to a tree, we must beware of them, but even the Wicked can repent while it is yet Day.
The word Deny is the Greek Arneomai meaning To refuse the purpose, or To refuse to walk in the purpose, in this case it’s Mercy of the Father, or the Grace of the Son by the New Man. What do these represent? The Pharisees worshiped, they said they loved God, yet they denied the Son; however, we also find another way to deny the Father and Son, yet at the same time “love God”, or least say we do. We can deny the Holy Ghost, reject walking in the Spirit, we have denied why the Father sent the Son, as well as why the Son died. James believing in One God isn’t enough, even the devils do, it’s the acceptance of Mercy of the Father and the Grace of the Son making the difference.
Verse 24 sounds strange, let That abide in you, we are talking about the Father and Son, how dare he say, “that”. Oops, the That refers to the New Man. The same Spirit of Promise, providing the Seal or Token regarding eternal life (v. 25).
Now the clarity, Little Children you have your sins forgiven, but there are some antichrists out there who desire to seduce you, to get you back into the natural, or into using the he in the world. Envy is a terrible weapon, it refuses to bend to have what we have, or refuses to pay the price, so it sets itself to kill the Just. What example can we think of? The Galatians, they began by the Spirit, yet they were being bewitched (Gal 3:1-3). The Judaizers wanted them to change their course by going back to the natural.
Verse 27 shows the Anointing which we have Received, the word Anointing is the same Greek word translated as Unction, here it relates to performance. The Law of Moses has an anointing, power and authority, yet it doesn’t need Moses watching over it. The Body of Christ has a Power, Authority and Anointing over it as well, yet it doesn’t need the Holy Ghost watching over it. For the Body the Unction has built in power and authority, operating until He who now lets takes us out of here. The Protection on the Body is powerful, the devil can’t breach it, but we can give the devil place. The only ones who can harm the Body are the Wicked, just as Judas had a position to honor Jesus, or turn Him over to the religious leaders.
The word Received is the Greek Lambano meaning from a higher place to a lower place. The Anointing also abides in us by the Greater He, thus there is an anointing coupled to Agape love as well. The Unction over the Body also teaches, thus one area it teaches us is the Agape love of God.
The Mercy of the Father covers us as well, thus it too has an anointing, evidenced in our sins being forgiven. We have no need for a teacher to teach us, since the Unction Anointing will teach us how to love. This verse doesn’t say the Unction will teach us the Bible, or teach us many other things, nor define anything, it will lead us into places where our love can be tested and grow. A teacher can teach us about love, the various loves, the type of Love God has, but they cannot teach us how to love, it comes by experience.
Read this slowly, “you need not any man teach you: but the same anointing (Unction) teaches you OF all things, and is Truth, and is no Lie, and even as IT has taught you, you shall abide in Him”. Wow, this doesn’t mean we don’t need teachers, it goes right back to the “Unction”, yet we have the added “Abide in Him”. The Greek word for Unction comes from a Greek root word, which is Chrio, meaning to consecrate Jesus to the Christ Office, it also relates to the Holy Ghost giving the Gift. The unpardonable sin is coming against the purpose of the Unction, preventing, or hindering the teaching to Love. What would cause it? Strife and envy, using the wisdom of man, or teaching others to use the wisdom of man (v. 27).
Verse 28 is the clue, “abide in Him”, rather than, “let Him abide in you”; referring more to being in the Body, rather than the Greater He in us. This leads us to the joining of the Mercy of the Father providing the Unction in Mercy, to the Greater He in us based in the Grace of the Son. The combination of Mercy and Grace give us Confidence in the Spirit, we will not be ashamed at His Coming (Parousia). Jesus is Righteous, those Born of Him are Righteousness as well, the Wisdom of God connects right back to this (James 3:17-18).
I Jn 3:1-24
Chapter three makes no sense whatsoever if we forget the premise is based on God’s Love, and how no man can teach us God’s Love. This also explains the Sin noted in chapter one, or using the old nature as a counterfeit to the New. This also connects to John 1:10-13: Jesus came among His own, but they received Him not, but those who did Receive Him, He gave them Power to become sons of God by being Born Again.
Recalling the Unction is on us, the New Man in us we also find, “has bestowed Upon us”, thus connecting God’s Love to the Unction, showing it’s the Unction teaching us how to Love. What type of love is this? The Greek Agape, when God’s Love covers us, it also teaches us how to Love. If we have the New Man, the Love of God is in residence, the Unction and New Man are both training us to Love, as we change nature, character, and attitude. This is made clearer when we discover the word Bestowed could also read Has Given, it’s the Greek Didomi meaning Without augment (increase) meaning it can’t be increased, it’s in its full stage when given. It’s the same Greek word in James for “ask of God, Who Gives…”, it’s used here in First John some 7 times (I Jn 3:1, 3:23, 3:24, 4:13, 5:11, 5:16 and 5:20). This Greek word means God gave of His own accord in a Liberal volume without limit. The Power did not come in bits and pieces, however our learning of it did. This is an important issue, Jesus said that born of the flesh was flesh, that Born of the Spirit is Spirit. We know a five year old doesn’t trade in their physical body for a 12 year old body. The body expands with growth, the New Man has all it takes, there is no more New Man required for us. We will receive fillings of the Holy Ghost, but the New Man is all sufficient. The New Man brings us into the place of being “sons of God”, but it began when God’s Agape love fell on us. The love overlooked our shortcomings, faults and carnal behavior, yet it also looked to the result of the potential. Whether Love saw who we were is not at issue, it saw the Potential. The forgiveness of God is found at the Cross, He forgives us based on His Love, but the method is His Mercy. If we received the Mercy of God, our sins are forgiven. When we begin to apply Mercy toward others, it takes residence in us, becoming an Anointing all its own, a powerful, peaceful anointing never seeks validation, vindication, justice, or getting even, rather it never imputes sin on others. The second anyone has the Kingdom of God within they have all it takes, it’s learning how to walk in what we have, but it takes time. The New Man is Justified, there is no error in him, no sin, no guile, the Engrafting makes our souls the same, bringing to pass, The engrafted Word is able to save your soul.
The word Manner is the Greek Potapos which is a form of the Greek Podapos meaning What’s in the soil, referring to a planting process, pointing to where the growth comes from, thus it could be used in the phrase “what manner of nation” or “what manner of man”, we would say “where did he come from?” asking what were the manners and customs of the origin. This is a reference to the Sower sows the Seed, when the Seed comes forth people ask “what manner of person are you? You walk and talk like Christ”. The Fruit defines the tree, thus the ways define the source.
Using the natural intellect of the world to determine what the people of God should or should not do is a waste to time. Here is the key to fellowship as well, if the world knows Him not, then those who hold to the things of the world don’t either. His Love is on us, yet pointed toward the world, but their mental awareness is limited to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. There is no way the world and the Kingdom have Ways in common, don’t ever fall for the compromise of darkness.
Verse 2 shows the Love brought us the Word, the Word in us is New Man, from the growth we are formed into “sons of God”. This Process isn’t over, if we look at what we think is the “real us”, we’re never going to see the potential. “Well it’s real”. Well no it isn’t, it’s a façade. The flesh is not who we are, who we are is found in the saved soul. The flesh is attempting to tell us who it wants us to be, much different than who we really are.
God is Love, as He is, so are we in this world, but why? His Love is bestowed upon us. Everyman has this “Hope in him”, but how is it? The measure of faith is given to all, it’s the drawing agent to the Cross, once we accept the Cross we have the Unction of the Mercy of the Father, then the Greater He begins the process to remove any aspect of the he of the world from us (vs.2-3).
One form of Love is compassion on those who have need, if we are blessed, we see someone in need, what do we do? Build more barns to store our goods? Or give? If we give, why do we give? To brag on our giving? Or to help someone? (v. 17).
Verse 18 is the same context as James, this is directed to the Little Children, as is most of this letter. We can love in word, we can speak about love to others, but do we act in Love? Truth and Love go hand in hand, if we speak Truth, we also Love.
Verse 19 tells us our hearts through Love can be “assured”, the wording “shall assure” can also read, “shall persuade”, it’s the Greek word Peitho meaning To persuade another. This is not a mind game or playing like we love people, this shows actions prove we are motivated by love. This Love is on us, it’s bestowed, it’s the Unction, but if we never accept it, or receive the imputing of it, we will not walk in it. God gives, but He doesn’t force. It’s there, we never earn God’s Love we accept it.
Verses 20 and 21 cover both sides, if our heart condemns us, then we know we talked, but did not, however, God is greater, He is fully able to correct the error, in order to get us on the right path. This is the same concept is “sin not”, which mans to continue in the sin by rejecting the conviction, or worse having rejected the conviction, they have become cold and oblivious. If we are Born Again, yet we slander someone, the conviction comes from our “heart”, or the Greater He, by the conviction we know we have opposed the nature of Christ, simply because the nature rebuked us. However, does it mean the New Man will pack up and go home? No, conviction comes to keep us on the path, Jesus is still able to forgive us, the Blood is still able to clean us.
However, if our heart didn’t condemn us, then we didn’t slander, our Confidence toward God knows we rebuked, corrected, set things in order, but we didn’t slander (v. 21). The word Confidence is the Greek Parresia meaning a Freedom of speaking, it goes with, Come boldly to the Throne of Grace to have a meaningful Fellowship with the Father. How? Because we have the Nature of the Son. What Father doesn’t want to have Fellowship with a Son who is Righteous and Holy? Where does this fit? Fellowship, if we have fellowship with the Father we will react as the Father.
Verses 22 and 23 go back to the New Commandment, really John is telling us if we center our efforts on this Love issue, we will do just fine, all the other things will fall into place. We also find Love and Faith work together, Paul told us there was a Faith working by Love. If we keep His Commandment (not commandments as many or the Ten, but the one), we will do the things which are pleasing in His sight, whatever we ask in His Name, we will receive. Will we ask for a lust to work for us? Of course not, how can it be “pleasing” to God? However, Faith does Please God, therein lays the connection to Love. The wording “tare pleased” is the Greek Arestos meaning To be dear, or Doing what pleases another. This is not doing what pleases us, or doing what pleases man, this is doing what pleases God, whether we’re pleased or not. What then would please the Father? Treating His Children as He would. When we need is extra Mercy to forgive, we ask in the Name of Jesus, we will receive, it pleases God.
Verses 23 and 24 clears up another issue, if we Believe On the Name of Jesus, and Love one another as He gave Commandment; two things, not one. We can believe in the Name, connecting to “ye must be Born Again”.
I Jn 4:1-6
Chapter four continues from three, we just found we are Born Again because we have the Spirit, but here we find the “test” of the Spirit. Testing the spirit doesn’t mean we go out hunting under rocks for devils, this is still to determine between two spirits not fifty. John just told the Little Children “Let no man deceive you”, and “even now are there many antichrists”, and “who is a liar but he who denies Jesus is the Christ, he is antichrist”. All these factors connect to this “test”; thus this test also connects to “you shall know them by their ways”. It also is an indicator for us, which spirit are we using? Did we use the spirit of antichrist, yet call if of God?
The word Try is the Greek Dokimazo meaning To discern or Distinguish, it goes back to, “you have an unction from the Holy One”, with, “the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you”. The key is discerning the Love in a person by their ways. Hear the words, judge the fruit, look for the Precious. One could say, “David prayed against his enemies, so do I”, but Jesus didn’t, and Jesus is our example, not David. If one used David, they could also say, “well David took Bathsheba, from her husband, so I took what’s her face from her husband”; foolishness? Yes, but the flesh will justify the lust, it’s not the same as God trying our faith. We use the unbelief of others to justify our unbelief, but it doesn’t negate our unbelief, it only confirms it. Using what others do, to justify ourselves, is failure in the making.
The Little Children have just put their feet on the path of Righteousness, the spirit of error wants to stop their walk before it begins. This also goes right back to, “these things have I written unto you concerning them who seduce you”. This “spirit of antichrist” is against the Christness in the Body, they slander, kill the just, use the spirit lusting to envy in a religious manner, and they lie in wait to deceive. However, one has to be introduced back to the spirit lusting to envy in order for it to turn into the spirit of error. This is the warning, “them who seduce you”, are run by the spirit of antichrist as they attempt to stop the Little Children from becoming Christ Like. Restrictions, failing to teach the three Responsibilities of Belief, Faith and Forgiveness, allowing the Little Children to use their faith without God Is thinking, changing the Faith of Jesus to their measure of faith, or any number of issues which fall under the general term “unbelief”.
If the spirit behind the Acts lacks Love and Light, it doesn’t mean they won’t talk about Jesus, it does mean they can’t act like Jesus. John told us, “you have heard that antichrist shall come”, what does he mean by the phrase “that antichrist”? Not a person, but the spirit behind them, this is clear by the plural usage of many antichrists, but one spirit. We also find the “he in the world” connected to the spirit of antichrist pointing to the spirit of the world, thus Paul said the spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit that is of God. The test is simple, check the fruit of the tree, it will define the type of tree.
Why is this given to the Little Children? The Little Children are the Blades, they are 30 percent Seed of God, but 70 percent natural, but the Youngmen are 60 percent Seed of God, 40 percent natural, they have overcome the wicked one, they can discern the wrong spirit, even if it’s seen in something they say or do. Therefore, the reasoning, if we say we have no sin we lie, any of us can fall back on the ways of the flesh, yet we also know if we repent, Jesus is fully able to forgive us.
Where is this hope? Greater is He in us, always greater than the he in the world. The Wicked love the spirit of the world more than do the things of God, they want to feel morally superior, or religious, but they don’t; want to submit to the Spirit of Truth. They are the complete opposite of humble yourself in the mighty hand of God.
Verse 2 tells us if it’s the Spirit of God, or a product of the Spirit of God, connecting right back to First Corinthians 2:11-12. We know the Spirit of God, because the Spirit of God has unto us the things of God. The spirit of man knows the things of man, but is ignorant of the things of God, meaning the spirit of antichrist may quote Scripture, but it doesn’t know the things of God by Nature. The Confession is not speaking, it’s a way of Life, if their life indicates they have the Greater He, they are of God’s Spirit.
If the spirit of the world is of the world, then the he in the world is of the world, then the person who has the spirit of the world has the he in the world in them; if they are in the Body, the same spirit is also the spirit of antichrist. However, if Jesus is Truth, and the Spirit of Truth is Another Comforter, then the person who has the Spirit of Truth in them, also has Jesus in them. Their Confession will prove it, and as they grow the more they grow into being Christ Like.
The Confession being more than words is defined in verse 4, clearly the Greater He is the ability to Confess, which also connects back to 3:9, indicating they have the Greater He is the convicting element to keep them from continually sinning, rather they are being cleaned by the Blood of Jesus. If those run by the he in the world, what then is their motivation? The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, more specially the pride of life. They love the world, indicating the Love of the Father is not in them.
Verses 5 and 6 makes the separation between spirits, they are of the world, therefore they speak as the world, they are motivated by the things of the world, they are more concerned what the world is doing, than what God is doing. However, we are of God, we know God hears us, because we have the Greater He, thus we can discern between the spirit of error (antichrist) and the Spirit of Truth, by the Spirit of Truth in us. We have no need of a teacher, we are being taught as we grow in the things of God.
I Jn 4:7-21
How is this test manifested? What sign is the Spirit of Christ giving from within? Verse 7 comes after we define the Manner of Love, this Love is of God, the love of the antichrist is based on the pride of life. Love is of God, God is Love, God is Light, if we are in the Light, all things are open and naked before Him. For the most part we ask for the Love of God, yet it’s in resident, all we need do is submit to it.
Verses 7 through 21 are not separate from the test, they continue the test. If we love not, we Know not God, if we Know not God, we are not Known of God. This has to connect to the workers of iniquity, who used the Name of Jesus, but Jesus knew them not. They operated under the general power of the Name, but they never submitted to the Name to have the Confession of Jesus in them.
The Son of God was Manifested, which means Manifested through us in Love, Light and Life, so He Might destroy the works of the devil. This has to connects to the Greater He in us, every second of every day, whether we know it or not the Greater He is manifested in us destroying some “work” of the devil, some hindrance, stronghold, or some viewpoint keeping us from entering the fullness of the Confession of Jesus in us. One of the biggest hindrances is the refusal to forgive, others are the Responsibilities of belief and faith.
Having the Greater He gives us the ability to “overcome the Wicked”, thus the Son of God manifested is seen as the Greater He in us, which means we have what it takes to Overcome the world, and the things of the world. Therefore, the Seed of God is the Son of God in us, thus we are sons of God by the Seed, when the Seed is manifested, the works of the devil are destroyed, in this we know the children of God are Manifested, we are also convinced the Manifestation of the Love of God Toward Us, so we Might live through Him, not instead of Him, giving us a foundation to believe God Is (v. 8-9).
The commandment, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind”, wasn’t the beginning, the beginning was, God so loved us, thus the commandment merely gave us the incentive, the Spirit gives us the ability, thus without the Seed of God we lack the foundation to love God, as He loves us. The New Man grants us the ability for us to Love in Truth. If God so loved us to overlook our sins and forgive us, we ought to love in like manner, not imputing sins on others (v. 11).
The word Seen in verse 12 means Perceive, not merely seeing with the naked eye. One can see Jesus, yet not perceive Him, the word Perceive means To be aware of something, or To come to understand, the latter is the context here. Natural man can’t Understand God, since man lacks a basis, thus the spirit of man knows the things of man, but doesn’t know the things of God. The Seed of God gives us the ability to Understand God, allowing us to move from, “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for them who Love Him” (I Cor 2:9). To,
”But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God” (I Cor 2:10). If we love one another, then God dwells in us, if we slander one another, then He doesn’t “dwell”. For those who think it’s a one prayer, all done, they will have many disappointments, or they are living an illusion. For those who know this is a Process, the adventure beings, if they understand the testings and trials are to perfect the Love of God in us, they endure the sufferings in Joy (v. 12).
Prior it was “no man has seen” now it’s “we have seen”, as we See by the Light, no other way. We can tell these verses link to the test by, “whosoever confesses Jesus is the Son of God”, going right back to the confession of Jesus in us, again this doesn’t mean speaking the words, it means a way of life (v. 15). Jesus never said, “they shall know you by your acts”, nor did He say, “they shall know you are My disciples by the manner in which you can quote verses”, nor did He say, “they shall know you by the way you can rebuke”, He said we are known by the Love we have for one another.
Here is our Love made Perfect, so we can have Boldness on the Day of Judgment knowing nothing in us can be accused, for Love covers a multitude of sins. It’s not just the Love, but our Love made perfect through the testings of our faith.
As Jesus is now, so are we in this world, because He is in us as the Greater He, forming us into sons of God. There is no Fear in Love, the word Fear used in verse 18 is the Greek Phobos meaning To flee from, thus those who walk in Love have no fear of facing God, they will not draw back. This means our confidence is in God, we trusted in Him, but it also entails a Godly fear of God, thus Love gives us boldness, but it doesn’t give us arrogance.
Verse 19 goes back to verse 10, we love God, because He loves us, it’s not because of what God can do, it’s because of what He has done. He saved us from the destruction of the world, He brought us to a point where the manifested Seed of God through His Love will destroy the works of the devil.
Verse 20 links the Love and Light together, if anyone says they are in the Light, yet hates their brother, they lie proving they are in darkness (v. 2:9), if anyone says they Love God, yet they slander their brother, they lie, linking to, “therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men” (James 3:9). The double-minded person will claim a Love for God, but slander and accuse the brethren, they are anti the Christ nature.
Okay, what is the difference between correction and slander? Slander has the motive to do harm to the person or their reputation, correction desires for the person to get back on the right path, or to get on the path of Righteousness. Correction will expose the error, giving the person a choice to accept the correction, or deny it, but it’s done for their good.
This is the interpretation of the Commandment we have heard from the beginning, “he who loves God, loves his brother also”, this is the same as, “We should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, and Love one another”. Knowing the Name of Jesus will cast out devils is good, knowing the purpose of the Name is better. One can believe on the Power of the Name of Jesus, but it’s not believing In the Name of Jesus. The Power is granted to anyone who has their sins forgiven, my goodness, even Judas had power in the Name, but he failed to enter the purpose of the Name. If we truly believe in the Name of Jesus we will set our minds on walking in His Love, by submitting to the Spirit, as we allow the cleaning of the Blood. The world might say it’s all mind power, but it’s not, we have the Seal of the Holy Spirit to know there is a nature change going on inside us, it’s unseen, but being unseen it’s also part of the unseen elements of our faith.
I Jn 5:1-21
Verse 1 simply repeats Love one for another, but it also connects to, “believe Jesus is the Christ”, which goes further than a mental conclusion, if we believe, we will live in what we believe. Here is another “God Is” concept, everyone who is Born Again, loves all those who are Born Again, if they are not seeking to no love, they are not Born Again, this is the evidence, Love, not theology. Do they have the Spirit? Perhaps, but we saw the Corinthians had the Spirit, yet they were not spiritual, neither did they show love for Paul.
When we love God, we love the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Jesus said, If you love Me, keep My Commandments, the least of those Commandments related to Mercy. He also said, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say”. The call is still to Love one another as Jesus loves us. If we refuse to walk in Mercy, we have denied the Father.
The Commandments (plur) are not Grievous (hard), simply because the Ability is based in the New Man (v. 3). Only the self-deceived can’t see the difference, we are not of them, we are of God. It begins when we make the choice to do the Commandment, giving us the ability to do the Commandments in a Godly manner.
Verses 4 and 5 connect to the Book of Revelation, the same word translated as Overcome is also noted as Victory and Conquer, we could read this as, Who is he who has victory over the world and the things of the world, he who believes and has the Greater He in them, right back to Believe in order to have a sound foundation for our faith.
However, here is the key, the word “world” in one form or another appears 24 times in First John, beginning with Jesus being the propitiation for our sins, and the sins of the world. This is not saying there is no freedom from sin, rather those in the world can be free if they receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The other uses tell us why we should desire to be free of the world, love not the things of the world, if any man love the things of the world the love of the Father is not in them, the world is based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life, the he in the world is opposed to the Spirit of Truth, the false speak of the world, since they love the world, the whole world lies in wickedness (I Jn 2:2, 15, 16, 17, 3:1, 13, 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 14, 17, 5:4, 5 & 19 some verses have the word World used more than once). Once we are Born Again we have victory over all the elements of the world.
Then more metaphors, but they were also actual elements. Water and Blood, not Water only, but Water and Blood, not Mercy alone, but Mercy and Grace, not Life alone but Life and Life more abundantly, the Spirit of God bears witness with our Spirit, because the Spirit in us is Truth, as the Spirit of Truth in us we are able to Confess Jesus is in our flesh by the New Birth (4:2, 4:6 & 5:6). The Water relates to the Mercy of the Father, equating to the forgiveness of sins. The Water gives us the purpose of water baptism, the Token of acceptance of God’s Mercy, coupled with the promise to grant it to others. The Blood is Grace or the New Testament, it’s the Blood cleaning away all unrighteousness. This goes right back to denying the Father and Son, if we claim Grace, yet refuse to walk in Mercy we are Unequal. The Holy Ghost is the Rhema of the Logos, these three, the Father, Word and Holy Ghost are One, as the Record is One. The Record was in place before the foundation of the world, nothing is left out, no footnotes to be added, the course is set by the Record. From the Record comes the Declaration, which becomes the confidence of God in the New Man. When God says, “You are Justified”, it’s the Record, carrying out the declaration is the Witness is bringing it to pass. This is made clear when we find the word Record in verse 7 means Something already written down showing the events, it’s a legal term still used today in reference to the “record of the trial”.
The Water, Blood and Spirit on earth bear Witness to the Record, thus the Father, Logos (Word) and Holy Ghost say we are innocent through the Water, Blood and Spirit. Each element of the Witness relates to the Record, the Father relates to the Water, the Water stands for Mercy: the Word relates to the Blood, the Blood stands for Grace: the Holy Ghost brings the Seed, the Seed is the Spirit of Truth giving us the ability to confess Jesus in us. The Witness is how we have a Witness, thus before Pentecost the disciples were told they would be Witnesses (Acts 1:6-8).
In the Witness, but where is the Soul in the Record of Witness? The soul is not a witness, the soul joins to the Spirit, as the Spirit in us is part of the witness, thus when Jesus said, “you will Witnesses unto Me”, it pointed to this very area, they needed the Water, Blood and Spirit, it hasn’t changed. There are some who fight these verses, but these verses remove us from “the dead works of self-righteousness and self-holiness” to a proven holiness, and righteousness. Clearly the Water, Blood and Spirit were not natural, or carnal, they stand for Mercy, Grace and Spirit that is of God.
The earth is a place between places, where man spends eternity is made by the choices of man, yet the ability to believe the Gospel is still something granted by God. If we believe the Gospel, we must count ourselves blessed.
The word Greater in verse 9 is the Greek Metson meaning Without limit, if we receive the Bible as the Witness of these men, why not receive the Witness of God in fullness? We read or heard verses, we believed, but without the Witness in us our belief is subject to fables, strongholds, meaning we lack the ability to apply the test.
This also shows the Bible and the Word are different, God did not include the Bible in the Report, it’s the rule book for here on earth. We find the Word is sitting at the Right Hand Side of Majesty on High. What if we refuse to receive the Bible? We will lack a foundation for knowledge, yet knowledge is our key to receive the Witness. However, one can also attest the Bible is true, yet hate his brother, the Word of God is not in them. If we Believe on the Name of Jesus, we also Believe on Jesus.
The word Record is found in verses 7, 10 and 11; the word Witness is found in verses 8, 9 and 10, three uses of each to support the three in heaven, with the three on earth, One God, all in all. The Record in heaven says we already have eternal Life, as He is now, so are we in this world (v. 11), If we believe it, we also walk in the Spirit by faith to prove it. The Record is our predestinated plan set forth, the Witness is carrying out the Plan. Without the Witness, we will not complete the Plan. John shows our victory is already written, the action to complete the Plan is found in being Born Again.
All this adds to the concept of Faith toward God, if we have Faith toward God, then we seek to manifest His Love, Light and Life to others. It began with Belief, leading to Faith, showing all these saints knew the same thing, without knowledge, we have no basis for belief, but without belief in God Is, our faith lacks Godly ability.
Verse 13 adds to the purpose of the letter, which is bringing our Joy to it’s fullness, it keeps us from being seduced as we firm our Belief, so we can have faith applied in a Godly manner.
It’s important to check our belief and faith, do we believe God Is? Or have we slipped to “the devil is” thinking, or “the wicked are” thinking, or worse, “I can” thinking? Faith is a confidence, our Confidence is based in our belief.
Verse 16 talks about the, “sin unto death” what is this sin? John already told us the darkness is death, Paul said to be carnal mind is death, thus when one is so self-deceived they assume devouring or killing the just is some glorious act of God, they love the darkness more than the Light. This is a matter of natures, they love the he in the world, yet they are the drunken who go into Night. All unrighteousness is sin, there is a sin unto death, it’s the sin produces from the iniquity of being unequal. If the Blood of Jesus is cleaning us from all unrighteousness, we can see how holding to the spirit of error promotes acts of self-righteousness, which become unrighteousness. Continuing in the false concept of acts of self-righteousness, or self-holiness are our means to please God places us in danger. However, those who walk in Love cannot commit The Sin of darkness, it doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes, it doesn’t mean they won’t fall into temptation once and awhile, yet even if they sin, they have an Advocate with the Father, the Righteous Jesus Christ. Love still covers a multitude of sins. As long as we desire to walk in the Spirit we soon find there is no sin in the Seed of God (v. 18).
The youngmen have overcome the wicked one, the wicked one still uses the works of the devil, the iniquity does already work, it’s the mindset using envy and strife, bringing division as it uses the wisdom of man, holding to the spirit lusting to envy, as the spirit of man. They may speak of Jesus, but they sit in the Synagogue of Satan. Thank God for the New Birth, the cleaning power of God unto salvation.
Verse 19 gives us the clues to “spiritual wickedness”, the failure to become spiritual or walk in the Spirit when the ability is in hand. It’s True, Jesus has made it possible for God to live in us, as we live in God, it’s still possible with God, this is the Day the Lord has made, let us Rejoice and be glad in it.
The ending verse is directed to the Little Children, it goes further than idols made of stone, it points to idols made of flesh and blood, worshipping men instead of worshipping God. In conclusion we have the big question, If there is no darkness in God, how is it the “cloud” of God appeared to Moses and to Solomon as darkness? Clearly in Exodus 20:21, Deuteronomy 4:11, and in I Kings 8:12 where Solomon said, “The Lord said He would dwell in the thick darkness”, thus we find darkness attributed to God. This is either a big mistake, or a mystery. Let’s go with the mystery, since there are no mistakes. What is it? Self-deception, not on God’s part, but how the Glory of the Lord appears to those who are in darkness. When a “brother” walks in darkness, the Light to them appears as darkness. They may see the Greater He in us, but they by the darkness in them, they perceive it as darkness. However, their darkness appears to them as light, the light as darkness. This was the case with the Pharisees, they saw the Light of Jesus, yet they claimed it was darkness. Where was the darkness? In the hearts of the Pharisees, thus what they saw, was not what was. It’s for this reason we are told to Bless and curse not, we could be cursing the very Light has come to set us free.
SECOND JOHN – 90 AD
Second John continues with the same theme as First John. Some contend the “elect lady” is a real person who had a church in her house; however, John will indicate this Elect Lady has a Sister, of whom he was a part. The evidence tends to show this elect lady is a body of believers.
II Jn 1-13
Both Second and Third John are addressed from the Elder, we know John was not a pastor, but he was an Apostle. This is another area showing the Elders come from helps, governments, or someone who may or may not hold an Office. These are matters of Wisdom, in James we asked and received, now we’re being taught from Wisdom. John is teaching the Elect Lady and her children. The Elect Lady being a body of believers, has children of God within the local body.
John doesn’t say, “who I love by the truth”, or, “who I love, it’s the truth”, rather it’s In the Truth as the Spirit of Truth. This goes right back to First John, he is walking in the Light, he will show it doesn’t mean we ignore the obvious, it means we know how to deal with it in a Godly manner.
There is a difference between attacking from hate, and correcting through love. In First John we found the Truth in us is by the Spirit of Truth, here we see the same, the Light, Love, Life and Truth are all products of being Born Again (v. 2). The Source of these products are Grace, Mercy and Peace found in the New Man.
John found the Children Walking in Truth, when He (Jesus) abides in us, we walk, even as He walked (I Jn 1:7). Second John points to those who Heard and Received the message from First John. This short letter is an encouragement, yet a warning to those who Heard, but failed to receive, or be doers of God’s Love. It also shows just because we got through the first test of God’s Love, it doesn’t mean there won’t be others.
They Received A Commandment of the Father, the Commandment is one we heard from the beginning, but now by the Spirit we can do it, as we love one another as Jesus loves us with the Love of the Father. The Commandment was to walk in Love, then and only then can we do the Commandments, because we have Received it, making us doers of the Word, and not hearers only. Here we see they Walked in it, which simply means it is completely possible for us as well.
Now comes the warning, the deceivers who, “entered into the world”, but if these were already in the world, how could they enter it? They went back to the world by refusing to reject the he in the world, yet they still say Jesus is the Christ, but they can’t confess it, for the Love of God isn’t in them, this is a deceiver and an antichrist (v. 7). The use of the title antichrist clearly connects this letter with First John.
The warning is two fold, first look to ourselves, test and re-test, don’t give up on God’s Love, it won’t give up on us. This is another place where we find the term Doctrine of Christ, not Doctrines (plural) of Christ. In Hebrews we found if they slip from the foundation, they slip back to the world. In Hebrews 6:1-2 we didn’t see the word Love, but Hebrews tells us the Basics or Rudiments of the Doctrine, John is telling us the purpose of the Doctrine.
The second aspect of the warning, is when the person run by antichrist comes to our Door, receive them not into Our House. We can love them, but it doesn’t mean we have to accept them. The House is the church, or our heart, neither bid them God speed, which means neither do we accept them, or condemn them. The term “God Speed” reads in the Greek as, “A greeting speak not to him”, the word Greeting or God Speed is the Greek Charesomai denoting a type of rejoicing, or Gladness, here it means don’t give them your Joy or Peace, they are sinning the sin unto death, it’s a time of sorrow.
Clearly we see this letter is sent to those who made the Test in their hearts, thus when the darkness came knocking at the door in the form of one who loves darkness more than Light, the saint was able to detect the source. God tests us, the devil tempts us unto evil, but the devil himself can’t get within miles of us, unless we give him place. However, the workers of iniquity are in the Body, they do come around with their tempting ways.
This letter ends with “our joy may be full”, in First John it was, “your joy may be full”; therefore, this is a letter to those who have Joy, don’t lose it by allowing someone to rock our boat before we reach the other side.
The “children of your elect sister greet you” indicates the Elect Lady may be a body of Believers, since John said “greet you” he was giving them God Speed as a firm Greeting of love and hope. We must remain firm by desiring and trying to walk in love, but will we always? It would be nice, but there are times when we are hit right between the eyes, as the second the old nature will start to answer, but if we are wise to the deeds of spirit of error, we will also be quick to allow the Spirit of Truth to answer. It takes time, it is a Process, but one where God has the finish recorded for us, we win.
THIRD JOHN – 90 AD
Third John shows how a Body can have two people in the same group, one who walks in the Love of God, the other who doesn’t. In essence it becomes the test of First John, connecting this letter to First John. This is the role of the teacher, teach it, live it.
Third John gives us The Greeting of God’s Speed as it was intended, one can’t assume this is a common greeting, since Third John is the only letter in the entire New Testament which has it, rather it brings us to a point to understand Jude.
III Jn 1-14
When John wrote his account, along with First John, Second John, Third John and the Book of Revelation he was the last of the 12 apostles alive, his words become the call for those who shall be last in the Gentile Age.
The same statement, “whom I love in the Truth”, is used here as it was in Second John, since Second John and First John are the only two letters which use the title antichrist, we find a common linking giving us the scribe, the one loved God, he loved people, and walked in love; therefore, he will clear up the issue about Love never exposing or rebuking another. For some reason we find a few thinking Love will never correct, it isn’t love, since love cares for the other person to the point of correcting them.
First John warned us about the birds bouncing on our branches saying, “Jesus is the Christ”, but they couldn’t confess it. Second John tells us not to allow them to steal our joy, Third John tells us we can prosper in God’s Love.
Verse 2 is God’s Speed, showing John prayed for us to prosper, but with the proviso of our soul prospering first, thus all prosperity begins with the saving of the soul. The carnal minded seem to equate material blessings with holiness, or the lack of material as a lack of faith. It seems their minds are centered on material things, they think holiness is based in what they have, at times they hate those who think prosperity begins when our souls prosper in the Witness, then the rest of God’s Prosperity follows. Two ends of the rod, but Paul said he learned to abound, and to be abased, thus he found it didn’t make any difference regarding the material, he had Jesus, his soul did prosper. One has to ask, why would Jesus say His part is to add the things, if one wasn’t to have them? We are to have things, but we are also to seek the kingdom of God (Sprit), and the Righteousness of God before the things are added. Both the Kingdom and Righteousness are the New Man prospering our souls.
Walking in the Truth is walking in Love (v. 3), when we hold Mercy, Love and Truth our Joy remains firm. We will seek the Precious until we find it, in every event (v. 4).
At times it’s far wiser to remain silent, then toss our pearls before swine. What happens when these mockers of things see our pearls? They mock them, and us, but if we retaliate they will steal our joy, kill our hope, then go about thinking they did God a service, we’re left with the remains. Don’t cast your pearls before swine, they will mock them, join to those who walk in the Love of God proving it by their Confession (way of life).
This letter is addressed to Gaius, but there are two parties mentioned giving us the difference between the soul prospering, and the unsaved soul. There were some in this body who held the Love of God (charity, v. 6), they gave faithfully to the brethren as well as alms to strangers (v. 5), thus they were Love motivated, this is found in the word Beloved, which is the Greek Agapetos, spoken only of Christians who are United in God’s Love, it means one who has Agape who expresses it freely.
Now we hear of Diotrephes who thought of himself first, he loved the preeminence among them, neither did he receive John or anyone else who walked in Love. The word Preeminence is the Greek Philoproteuo meaning Loving to be first, the only place it’s used is here in III John. The word shows the man is prideful and self-based, yet John doesn’t call him antichrist, but he does define him as one. John uses words like, “prating against us”, and “malicious words”, the word Malicious means slanderous in nature as the Greek Poneros meaning Wicked, it was used in First John in reference to the Wicked One. This connects to the phrase “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13). The Greek Poneros pertains more to title, then condition, thus Christlogic would render this as, “deliver us from the Evil One”, the same thing First John talked about. The wording “prating against” is the Greek Pluareo meaning Idle or unfounded accusations, or to accuse one falsely. This would be making an accusation to set the stage to bring about some false doctrine, the accusation is a form of manipulation to keep us silent while they project their error.
Was John going to love Diotrephes? Yes, but he was also going to remember his deeds, and how he didn’t Receive the brethren. Prior it was don’t allow them to come into your House (heart), here it’s don’t follow them. However, it does appear as if he hasn’t forgiven, but it’s not the context. Diotrephes has not changed, he remains the same natural person, thus John is not about to treat this person as a “brother”.
Now comes Demetrius, an example of one whose soul is prospering. Demetrius has a good report of all, of the Truth itself, the Witness of the Record is obvious in his case, it’s not what he will do, it’s what he has done. Much better, much better indeed. These two men connect this letter with First and Second John, the examples of two brothers in the same body, both say they have the Light, one shows signs of the wrong spirit, the other has the evidence of walking in the Spirit of Truth. This letter “tested the spirit” for us, now we can move on to Jude and his many metaphors.
JUDE – 66 AD
We know Jude is short for Judas, this is not Judas Iscariot, rather this Judas is the brother of James the less. Jude was among the early disciples (Mark 6:3), since he is related to James (not James the brother of John, but the same James who wrote the book of James), he will display the attributes of God’s Wisdom as the prophet defines the Wicked nature for us. History indicates Jude was a prophet, the many metaphors he uses tends to confirm it, but he was also an Apostle.
Jude 1-3
Jude places his service to Jesus, then his relationship to James. This letter will define those who enter the Body, but refuse to become spiritual. The ability is in hand, there are many letters of warning in the New Testament, this is just another one to open up some important issues.
We find a progression of officials guided by the Holy Ghost, the Book of Hebrews talked to us as a Teacher, James as a Pastor, Peter as an Apostle, then John as the Elder, now Jude as the Apostle and Prophet, all for our benefit.
Jude will take the concept of the son of perdition, showing the iniquity has been around a long time, but they Now have the ability to be free indeed, if they hear and receive it.
This letter is only directed to them who are Sanctified by the Father as they are Preserved in (not by) Jesus, showing the Father and Son, who is a liar, but he who denies Jesus is the Christ. He is antichrist, who denies the Father and Son, and how is this done, by refusing to walk in Mercy and Grace by the Spirit.
Verse 2 tells us Mercy, Peace and Love; the Mercy is connected to the Father, the Father to the Report. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, thus Peace is given to those who sow the Fruit of Righteousness, then comes the Love of God by the Seed of God. The division between a vessel of honor and one of dishonor is Mercy, this greeting reflects on the issue. Although we will find some can turn the purpose of Grace into lasciviousness, their error is still based in their failure to walk in Mercy. Like belief leading to Godly faith, we find if Mercy is not applied the person will end twisting the meaning of Grace into a self-based premise. When they twist the purpose of Grace, they end separating themselves, as Jude will point out.
The Common Salvation is not something good, rather the word Common is the Greek Koinos meaning Unclean, it seems strange for Jude to say there is an Unclean Salvation, but it’s exactly what he is about to expose. The Salvation isn’t unclean, what they did to it, made it unclean for them.
The wording “crept in unawares” means to “Steal in”, thus it’s not Common as in something Jude and other saints were associated to, but Common as it relates to those who have entered in illegally, making Salvation of the Lord unclean, or “common” (worldly) as it relates to the things of natural man. If this is the case, then the concept of anyone who enters being “clean”, is dashed, rather we find it’s a cleaning process.
This is clearer when we find these “unclean” ones turn the Grace of our God into Lasciviousness, the Greek word for “Turn” is Metatithemi meaning to transpose two things, one of which is put in place of the other. The same as we found in First John, they transposed the spirit of error where the Spirit of Truth should be. In order to accomplish the task, one must have access to both, which is the case with Unjust, or Unequal. They entered by being delivered from the world, just as Peter pointed out, but they retained the old nature, meaning they attempted to make the spirit of error the Spirit of Truth. They became religious, but not Christian. These would be those who walk in darkness, yet say they are of the Light. They turn the Perfect Law of Liberty into bondage, using it for their freedom, but using it against others so they feel superior. This connects to Jude 5, showing one can be saved from the world, yet destroyed because they hold unbelief, but what unbelief? The unbelief they transpose, they take great pains not to believe God Is, rather they believe they are. Making the old man religious is not the call of the Cross, we must impute the flesh dead.
We contend For The Faith, not contend by faith, thus the saint holds to the Faith of Jesus, the Faith was Once, not Twice or Three times, delivered unto the saints, thus one remains a saint by seeking to allow the Greater He to guide them on the path of the Faith of Jesus. It’s the same Faith granting us boldness and access, it’s proven to be effective. The prophet’s warning here is exposing those who crept in unawares, those who oppose “The Faith”, he will begin by having us Remember something of the Old, indicating what happens to the called child who twists Grace into lasciviousness by holding unbelief.
The same Greek word translated as Saint is translated as Holy, thus a Saint has the Holiness of God in them. There were the saints of Old who sought Holiness, but the Saints of the New who have it in the New Man (Eph 4:24).
Jude 4-5
What happened to move these wicked from The Faith? Is there a danger in falling from The Faith? Verse 4 would almost seem as if these false ones didn’t have choice, but it’s not the case at all: they did have choice, but turned it to the flesh. The word Ordained is the Greek Prographo meaning Written about before in a former time, thus this doesn’t refer to God making the choice for them, it means the warning was already written, they simply ignored it. The word Lasciviousness means Unbridled lust, it’s the Greek Aselegia, referring to insolence in words, we are condemned or justified by our words, be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only, this shows they didn’t have Grace, rather they twisted the purpose of Grace into the flesh, so they could use the spirit of the world.
The most interesting word in this verse is Turning, which we saw is the Greek Metatithemi, it’s the same word translated in Hebrews as “Translated”, in Hebrews we saw how it referred to being moved from one place to another, but here it’s the acts of the person moving one thing in place of another. In Hebrews it was the person being translated, here it’s the person doing the translating (moving), thus they attempt to take Grace from the spiritual to the natural, ending going back to perdition themselves.
The word Crept is the Greek Pareisduo meaning From the side, or Enter with crafty means, like a thief, as they enter some other way, it referred to the method in which a serpent moved, thus they retain the old nature, but put on the mask of righteousness. They entered like Simon of Samaria, they were excited for the moment, but loved the ways of darkness, rather than the Light. The word Ungodly means Without faith, or Without The Faith, which is the case here, they had the faith to move mountains, but twisted into a self-benefit will power.
The word Destroyed is the Greek Apollumi which we know as Perdition; the children left the land of Egypt, but not the nature of Egypt. They were in a different location, one which was safe. God was dealing with them, but they retained the old Egypt thinking, causing God to destroy those who believed not, meaning Unbelief is very dangerous, it’s the basis for our knowledge, it’s the preparation for Godly faith. If we hold unbelief it will be displayed in our questioning of the authenticity of the Bible, or questioning God’s integrity, the worse is when we use unbelief as the basis for faith. We will run to the words of other unbelievers, even scholars who hold unbelief, in order to excuse our unbelief, but in truth we prove, we have retained elements of the spirit of disobedience (unbelief). Exposure will show if we have, what we do with it the exposure is still up to us.
Jude 6-9
Here is more written evidence of the folly of a fool who plays games with the Strange Woman. The angels left their First Estate; however, we are suppose to leave our first estate which was disobedience. The paradox of Principalities, in this case of the fallen angels they only had one estate as their First Estate (Principality), we’re were strangers in the wrong estate until we entered the kingdom of heaven to have the Kingdom of God within.
When they left their First Estate they took nothing with them, they did not become part evil, by retaining some good, they became completely demonic, thus when we find our true Estate we leave it all behind, we can’t be “part heaven”, and “part world”.
The wording First Estate is the Greek Arche, meaning Principality, or Beginning, for the angels who left, their only Principality was the one they were created for, once they left it, there was no other. The word Everlasting is the Greek Aidios meaning Without end, it doesn’t mean from a beginning to an end, rather it shows it has no end, they left their first estate then entered a place without end. The word Chains is the Greek Demos meaning To bind as a ligament binds bone to bone, the fallen angels are under darkness, they are not in the Night or the Day. Jude doesn’t say “some of the fallen angels”, rather he includes them all, thus all of them are bound under darkness, the world is in darkness, yet we are far above the darkness. The word Under is the Greek Hupo meaning Beneath something, it’s not saying they are in darkness, they are in a place lower than the darkness, thus both Peter’s and John’s warnings play a role here. If we claim Jesus as the Christ, yet walk in the darkness, our latter end is worse than the beginning, we will end under the darkness in the lowest realm.
Verse 7 begins with the word Even, to show a like example, the first example is Sodom and Gomorrah, the place from which God delivered Lot. These people were not taken by fornication, they gave themselves over to it, just as the wicked ones give themselves over to the wiles of the devil. Lot was in a wicked place, but he was not given to their folly, meaning they also had the ability to say No, as he did, thus the old excuse, “I couldn’t help myself”, falls short, it’s really “I wanted to, and I did it”, proving, every man is drawn away by his own lust.
We know the fire from Sodom and Gomorrah isn’t still burning, but Jude speaks of a future event, giving credence to him being a prophet. The fire yet to come is caused by something still around, and will be around in the end, causing a fire to burn without end.
Verse 8 begins with Likewise, which is not another example, but a Like condition of fornication, these false are filthy dreamers, who defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities. Ahh, Sodom and Gomorrah was the physical sin, these false ones are proclaiming to be the Bride, but are found in bed with the Strange Woman, they have caused fornication, they will take their Fornication into the Night, causing the Woman to lay in the bed of adultery.
The word for Dreamers is the Greek Enupniazo meaning One who sees in the Night, thus these aren’t sleep dreams, nor are they those who ,”sleep in Jesus”, they are those who claim the Day, but exist in the wickedness of the Night, they are not in darkness any longer, but neither are they in the Light of Day, they seek the Night, they seek the time of “Peace and Safety”, they are not interested in going to heaven, they want heaven to come to them.
The word Dominion is the Greek Kuriotes meaning Civil authority, they pay far too much attention to the world, or the affairs of the world, since they kept the authority of the world, and held to the old nature. They equate God’s work in the Kingdom, with the work in the world, and their concern is the world, not the Kingdom. It doesn’t mean we don’t do our duty in the world, it means we don’t aloe the world to dominant our thoughts.
The word Dignities is the Greek Doxa meaning Glories, it refers to those to whom God has given the Glory. The Glory isn’t some cloud in the by and by, it’s inside us by the Seed of God, it’s the Love of God, when Love manifests, the Glory will be apparent. These speak evil of other members of the Body, they may have acts for ten minutes as a result of the Unction or Office, but they attack, or teach unbelief for thirty minutes as a result of the spirit lusting to envy, thus we judge the Ways, not the Acts.
Michael and the devil were once contemporaries, yet since the fall and especially since the Cross the devil is far lower than Michael, this comparison is not saying Michael and the devil are alike, rather Jude shows although Michael is much greater than the devil, he wouldn’t think of bringing a slanderous, railing accusation against the evil of the devil.
The Body of Moses is the Law of Moses, it was the head of Moses did shine, not his body, indicating the Law had a glory, but not the people doing it. This reference has nothing to do with the physical body of Moses, as we found in our study of the Minor Prophets (Zech 3:1-7). Michael contended over the Body of Moses, which is the Law of Moses, but Michael didn’t consider a slanderous remark against Satan, although it was obvious Satan was doomed forever by attempting to change the Law of Moses into lasciviousness. When these bad fish come against the Glory given us, the trick is to get us to react to the attack with carnal weapons, they don’t care if we end looking like we just wiped up the floor up with them, they want us to react to the slander with slander, anger, self-justification, or any other deed of the flesh; however, remember the Lord has already rebuked them, so why get mad, or react to the attack?
Jude shows us how they twisted the same Grace given us for the salvation of our souls into a demonic thing to attack the purpose of salvation, but he also tells us don’t react to them in the same manner, don’t use their weapons presuming we just did a great work for God.
Jude 10-19
Jude continues to define the bad fish, using some like terms as Peter, but even more descriptive by using metaphors. Verse 10 begins with the word But, showing the opposite between Michael and the bad fish, why? The bad fish are called to be angels (messengers) of God, but they act like the fallen angels, who are bound in chains under the darkness. They lack Godly Knowledge, they may be intellectual, but their intellect is still natural. They mock the things of God, unless they are the center of attention, be careful with your Pearls, our Pearl is not the item bringing the Joy, it’s the Joy itself, don’t cast it to someone who lacks any knowledge of goodness in the things of God.
These false ones are Natural, they seek the Natural, whether it’s carnal, or soulish behavior, by their own words and acts they have corrupted themselves. God didn’t make them error from the way, God gave them all they needed to be Free Indeed, they heard, picked what they wanted, then cast the rest off, refusing to Receive by faith. Did they ask? Yes, but not in faith, they are the double-minded, on one hand they are quick to “praise the Lord”, but on the other they are just as quick to “curse the brethren”. If a prophet, or person sent from God tells us what we are doing is not in the Love of God, it means we are in darkness, repent, get it right, don’t presume they are in error. They may or may not be right, but our “fear of God” demands for us to find out. Even if the person tells us we are out of the Love of God, yet we think we are not, still seek discernment by the Spirit to make sure, either way we gain a confidence by allowing the Word to examine us.
Verse 11 gives us the three areas of the works of the devil. Cain killed his brother, the Way of Cain is envy, which kills in order to prove a point. Balaam wanted the wages of unrighteousness, yet all unrighteousness is sin, he didn’t care where the money came from, or who had to die, he just wanted what he wanted, even if he had to see God’s people destroyed. Core (or Korah) attempted to steal the anointing of Moses, he was not satisfied with his position, as envy caused him to come against Moses to gain the position of Moses. All three of these people were in one form or another were called of God, Cain the firstborn of Adam, both Balaam and Korah (Core) were within the family order, thus all three were in the family, yet all three become examples of how the spirit of the world will rob, kill and destroy.
Verse 12 shows they are Spots in our feasts of Love, when they are around they attempt to cast mud on the Love being displayed by others, they have no fear of God, they do what they do with the self-deception of saying, “Lord, Lord You couldn’t have done it without me”. They presume they are “saved”, they think whatever they do is in the best interest of the Body, but they fail to allow the Word to discern the thought from the intent, in truth, they are seeking what is best for them, regardless of others. Whatever they do, they seek the self-glory, if they feed everyone on earth, they still do it to gain some self-importance, which is “self-righteousness”, thus they hold the Truth in unrighteousness, yet all unrighteousness is sin.
They are Spots in our feast, but they cannot destroy our Feast of Love, rather they come to mix the flesh into the feast. This is the same context as Third John, they are among us but not what we call “brethren”. They were trees with fruit, but the fruit has withered, now they are without fruit, they jumped from branch to branch looking for someone from whom they can steal fruit. In the Greek the wording shows the trees were once Autumn, the Greek word is Dendron (tree), but then we see the Greek Phthinoporinos meaning decayed, as a tree drying up from the roots. They become like the dead fig tree, dried up from the roots, unable to produce fruit, with dead leaves.
They’re not once dead, they are twice dead, thus they were delivered from death, but held to the ways of death, causing them to reentered death again, thus in the Book of Revelation John sees them cast into the lake of fire before the judgment, he called them “antichrists” who follow “the he in the world”. Did they have the Seed? They had to in order to have a root, but they are Plucked up by the roots, dead from the roots up, not from the Seed up, they turned Grace into a religious mind game, they continually used slander, rather than Mercy. This shows the concept of Born Again is not the Seed or the Root, for John said If they were Born Again they would walk in Love, thus they had the Seed (conception), Jude shows they had the Root (fetus), but they never reached the place where they were Born Again. They ignored the call to submit to the Blood of Jesus, yet they claim the Blood. The Greek shows, “have been rooted up”, the Greek word is Elrizoo which is a compound word meaning Out (Ek) and To root (Rhizoo). Clearly they had the Root, but don’t forget the Root is not seen, it’s the Blade breaking the ground, Jesus said the Fruit comes when the Blade comes forth (Mark 4:28).
Verse 13 continues with the description, showing they use the power of the Sea (waves – world), thus they use the he in the world, yet they are of the Earth, they come like a flood, a storm, the foam from their words is their own shame. Since they are Waves it shows they are the storm makers, those who are above the Sea, yet remain as part of the Sea. Are they stars? Yes, but wandering stars fall from heaven, ending being called Wormwood (bitterness).
The Blackness of Darkness is darker than the darkness, and much darker than the Night. To them the Night looks like Day, they have turned their backs on the Greater Light, their envy looks at the Remnant as some “super special” group, they will form all sorts of false doctrines to become among the “elite”, rather than the Elect. Most of them are looking at the Night, not the Day, or the mix the Night into the Day. They love the Power in the Name of Jesus, but they miss the purpose, even the salvation of their souls. They confuse the Unction over the Body is personal power and holiness. They use the things of God for their self-glory, or self-importance.
Why does God allow this? To bring all of us choice, to show His Power, to keep us seeking the Love of God, the Clarity of the Understanding, to hone us in the Ways of Mercy.
Jude uses Enoch, the Seventh from Adam to give us two points, first is the Translation of Enoch, these bad fish are translated back to the world, when we are Translated out of here to meet the Lord in the Air. This shows the “Broken Body of Jesus”, has a two fold Translation, first we are taken to meet Jesus in the Air, but the wicked remain as the Beast of the Earth, as they use the working of Satan.
The other metaphoric interest is how Jude points to the Seventh church, showing when the Night Season is over, It’s Done, the Judgment will be in hand. There are some who look all over for this prophecy of Enoch’s, but it wasn’t what he said, it was his faith Translating him, thus the mere fact he was Translated proves there will be a Translation before the days of Noah. Then we will return with the Lord, if we “return” we first have to go to Him.
We will judge the angels, but not like some judge on a bench, rather it will be our stand for Jesus judging the called angels who made the choice to enter the darkness. In the end our prayers are mixed with the fire of God to bring Judgment on the earth, we won’t have to face them to judge them, our prayers accomplish it, but these are not prayers of, “kill them God”, they are prayers of Mercy and Grace, tears from hurt hearts, begging God to protect the Babes from the sons of perdition, the blood must be revenged, but vengeance is the Lord’s.
The Ungodly are again those without faith, or those Without God, these are not those in the world, they are those who entered the courtyard by the Sacrifice, but retained the world in them. When anyone speaks against the Glory or the Love of God, they speak against God, when anyone speaks against the Ways of God, they speak against God, when anyone speaks against the Seed of God, they are against God. This has nothing to do with rebuking a heretic, or bringing correction, rather it has to do someone goes out of their way to slander, hinder, make others do what they want, use misquoted verses, or failed to walk in mercy.
They are murmurers and complainers, who sit around complaining about this preacher or the teacher, they murmur in their tents, speaking evil of things they know nothing about. This is different from a “complaint”, as we found out, here they complain about the things going on which have nothing to do with them, they murmur knowing nothing, both complaining and murmuring shows a lack of faith. Does it mean they have no faith? Not at all, it means they lack Faith in God. They are enticed by their own lusts to the point they walk after them, they are not ashamed of their envy, strife and slanderous actions, rather they are very proud of them. No wonder John said we should have fellowship with them.
The word Murmurers is the Greek Goggustes meaning To grumble, the word Complainer is the Greek Mempsimoiros meaning One who finds or looks for fault, this isn’t like Peter, John or Jude pointing out the nature of evil, this centers on one who seeks fault. They always think they found it, but so did the Pharisees. It’s far different from having fault fly in our face, as they seek fault in which to accuse. This even shows they look for fault in the Bible as well, after all if they can show “error” in the written document, they are not responsible. Wrong, they are just as responsible as those who read and believe. Jude shows them as a type of underwater barrier waiting to ship wreck our faith, but why? Envy, the spirit lusting to envy.
They seek the admiration of men, they look for the self-glory, the word Admiration is the Greek Thaumazo meaning To marvel or wonder, they are like the damsel in Acts, who went about saying, “these men of the most High God, have come to show us the way to salvation”, they rub and pat our backs, but they are merely looking for a place to slip in the knife of control.
Jude doesn’t stand alone in this, he tells us of the, “words which were spoken before of the Apostles”, what words? all the letters of Paul, Peter and John wrote, in the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact is affirmed.
Think Jude is done? Not so, he now tells us these people are the Mockers, who walk after ungodly lusts, they are those who have separated themselves, they are the parts of the Broken Body who caused it to be Broken, they are Sensual (soulish, same word James used), having Not the Spirit. Wait a minute Paul said even the carnal Christians had the Spirit: true, yet here the context shows they won’t have the ability to Hold to the Spirit, when the time comes they will be those left behind. Their victims will “sleep in Jesus” through the Night, but the false are the drunken who go into the Night.
The concept pertaining to the inability to hold to the Spirit is made clear by the Greek word for “Having”, which is Echo meaning To hold to, or The ability to hold unto, it doesn’t mean they don’t have the Seed now, it means they don’t have the ability to hold it, thus they are plucked up by the Roots, not the Seed.
Ungodly is again the Greek Empaiktes meaning Impostor, it describes one who is a false christ, one who appears righteous on the outside, but is without God on the inside, prior we saw they are Pretenders, Jesus called them “tares”. The wording Separating themselves doesn’t mean they don’t go to church, rather it’s the Greek word Apodiorizo meaning to cause a separation, this shows they are the ones who fall away, Jesus didn’t leave them, He never did forsake them, they are the ones who left Him, they are the ones who will deny Him, they are also the ones who hear, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work iniquity”.
Since they are separating themselves, they will also cause division in the Body, in so doing they separate themselves from the Spirit, thus they are unable to hold to the Spirit at the Rapture.
Jude 20-25
Now it’s time for those who truly want to be with the Lord, those who Love Him, who want His Love to be their witness. This area is not the “Common Salvation”, but the Holy Salvation of the Lord. The first context is Praying in the Holy Ghost, the purpose is to build our Holy Faith, for the purpose of gaining for the Rock, as we build the Body to become examples of Love and Mercy. This is the Garden prayer, we will toss the net, we will catch both good and bad fish, we pray for the good all the time, but we should also pray for the bad. We need to keep our Most Holy Faith, which we know is the Faith of Jesus.
This could refer to praying in unknown tongues, except it doesn’t say, “pray by the Spirit”, rather it reads, Pray in the Holy Ghost, which has a different meaning. The Greek for In is Ev or En meaning By anyplace or thing, it has a primary idea of Rest, thus this verse shows we pray in conjunction with the purpose of the Holy Ghost, which is to bring the converts into the Body so they can have the opportunity to gain the Seed. It’s the same context as the prayer in Acts 4:28-31, to empower us to witness to the masses.
We are then building to Keep ourselves in the Love of God, this was John’s theme as well. This is vital, after reading all those things Jude just talked about, one would think he would be red faced, angry, about to burst, but here we find he has the Key. Yes there are around, but the enemy sends them to get us red faced, angry or to react in the same manner as they attack. The goal is maintain the premise of love and mercy, rather than destruction and mayhem.
Verses 22 and 23 explain why we pray in the Holy Ghost, also giving us two examples of those in the Net. We are not to judge whether or not one has a right to enter the Body, we pull in the net. However, on some we have Compassion, knowing it will make a difference, others we save with fear, they will keep their spots. Jude clearly shows we cast the net, but we don’t judge between who can enter, or who cannot. This is also true when we water baptize someone, if they make the open statement of their Belief, as they desire to be baptized in water, we do it. After all Philip water baptized Simon Magus, but he also baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch. The comparison shows Simon as the bad fish, the Eunuch as the good. Jesus never said, “teach, check them real good, if you think it’s okay baptize them”.
What would “building yourself” relate to? Edifying ourselves? Yes, a far cry from “self-edifying”, rather the source is God, not the old man. Praise ye the Lord, the Greater He (Spirit) in us will keep us from falling, as long as we walk by the Spirit and Keep the Love of God. The Day of Presentation is at hand, we shall be in His Glory, for we are His Glory, the Bride made Herself ready. Unto God be the Glory, Majesty, Dominion and Power, both right Now and forever.
What has Jude given us? The evidence of failing to walk in the Light. However, we also find the cure, pray in the Holy Ghost Spirit so our faith may be established. Hebrews told us while it is yet Today, James talked about Wisdom, John about the Light and Love, now Jude. Does God’s Wisdom, and God’s Love relate? Yes, they become joined to give us the ability to handle events and people. Jude says pray in the Holy Ghost, but the context is the same, dealing with people, especially the people of God. We have the Name, the Promise, the Spirit to prove it, we are going to win this. There isn’t one reason for any of us not to have the Wisdom of God, or walk with the Greater He through the Door when the Lord catches us away.
The Prophetic words of exposure, and warning. The Book of Revelation will prove our Hope is real, there is a Reward for those who endure in The Faith and become partakers of the First Resurrection.
By Rev. G. E. Newmyer – sbiles26rev7/ © 2003
