Better Together by Yielding to God’s Wisdom

James 3:13-18 

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Being wise in God’s eyes means that we understand what He is saying and what we are to do as His word and Spirit lead and guide us.  This starts with meekness in a humble wisdom, not one full of self accomplishments, learning, or reasoning.  It is trusting and obeying out of a willing heart changed by Christ.  This truth of His work is not self-seeking or envious, but a direction of the life marked by avoiding bitterness in humbling ourselves (1 Peter 5:6).  Earthly wisdom, if we can even call that wisdom, is flesh-serving and inspired by demonic ends.  We will only be surrounded by evil and without peace in our thoughts and hearts if we rely on that supposed wisdom and philosophy of fallen man.  However, if we seek God’s wisdom, as it truly is wise if it comes from Him, then we find it to be holy and pure, bringing real peace to the inner man, and we then yield where we must and bear good fruit out of the Holy Spirit working in and out of us.  We see partiality with others and hypocrisy in our relationships fade away as we imitate Christ instead of our old man.  When we thus sow seeds of peace with God and man, we find that we bear fruits of righteousness instead of discord and confusion.  It is best to be better together as we yield to God’s Spirit and work in us, corporately as well as personally, instead of attempting to work out our salvation in our own misguided desire and feeble strength (Philippians 2:12-16). 

Our Untamable Tongues

James 3:7-12 

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

How wildly feral the tongue is!  We can tame the most vicious beast, but are quite unable to consistently subject our tongues to the cage of control by godliness and good sense.  We speak evil while attempting to do good, for our old nature is a persistent threat to our sanctification.  We should be blessing both God and our fellow man, yet end up hurting the ones made in His image with our words, both cursing and blessing with the same tongue.  As James says here, these things should not be this way!  Our fountain should be His Spirit coming out of what we say and do (John 7:38), not bitter and poisonous water alternating with clear refreshing springs.  Our fruit should be good and the kind expected from God’s work in us, but often the tongue turns out the wrong fruit that does not fit us as His children nor what is expected for the good of others.  We should be ever more consistently yielding fresh water that satisfies God and His creation. 

Tongues of Fire or Studied and Spirit Led?

James 3:1-6 

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

We who teach the doctrines of scripture must approach the task with fear and trembling, for we are accountable as to how we convey truth that builds up or error that trips up.  Here James tells us plainly that we will answer for what we teach, so the inference is that we are to use good interpretation principles and ensure that we are led by God’s Spirit by prayer in our study and preparations.  Yes, we all will make mistakes, stumbling in areas we do not know fully or rightly yet.  But this then means we are to speak with authority on certain matters, and with caution by stating only what we believe might be so when uncertain.  Our tongues are like wild horses with bridles in our mouths at times, having to reign in our presumptions and boastful knowing, which is pride.  They are also like a ship’s rudder that can keep us to the right course of sound doctrine or cause is to veer off into reefs of damage and destruction to those we plot the course of sanctification for.  This tongue of ours can burn up the work God is doing in others by our lack of control and guidance by God’s Spirit according to His word if we do not consider well our gifts and calling before teaching others and building them up in love and truth.  Simply meaning well and jumping in to speak without God’s working and leading in us will only let our words loose to harm instead of edification.  The adversary loves to set our tongues aflame to stoke the lake of fire according to our old sinful nature, but we are warned here to be vigilant in watching and praying, studying to show ourselves approved to God instead. 

Justified by Faith that Works

James 2:21-26 

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.  25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Examples of faith that works from the Old Testament show that genuine faith has resulting action that validates it by a changed life.  Abraham was moved by God to believe the promise through his child to father many nations.  This could not happen if Isaac died, yet God told him to sacrifice Isaac to Him, and he acted with the belief that God would raise Isaac from death if necessary to fulfill His unbreakable promise (Hebrews 11:17-19).  Abraham’s faith acted in moving forward to kill his son on that altar because he believed God and acted - that is the definition of faith, not mere assent to facts, but trust that works as a result.  He was stopped from sacrificing his only son, God providing a sacrifice instead, just as He would later offer His only begotten Son for us and raised Him from the dead.  This faith in action was counted as righteousness by God, showing righteousness comes through faith that is created by God’s word to us.  He was justified by this kind of faith, just as we have been who are Christ’s, and this trusting obedience justifies us.  Rehab is another example of active faith, the one who protected God’s people and fully expected deliverance from death by God’s promise.  All these demonstrate true faith is dead if it does not work; active trust is the faith that saves, believing what God says and acting on it just because He who is eternally trustworthy said it.  Without faith that works, we are still dead in our sin (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:5-6).  We are not saved by working righteousness, but by actively trusting in God’s work of righteousness in Christ and His promises (John 1:12-13, John 3:15,  John 17:3, 1 John 5:13). 

Faith that Works is More than Words

James 2:14-20 

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

If we say we have faith but have nothing outward to show the inner change, then we only have an intellectual assent or emotional response to the gospel.  True regenerative change, a rebirth or transformation, is by God’s work in us and not simply something we agree to.  If we know the hopelessness of our sin and its judgement and our inability to come to Christ, the gospel words can be used by God’s Spirit to change us and produce the good works we have been made for (Ephesians 2:10) as a result.  A faith without God’s work in and out of us is truly dead.  When we are changed, we see needs and do what we can to meet them, not just offering empty platitudes and walking away.  True faith loves God and those He created in His image, and so cares by faith in action as a result.  Both faith and works are therefore part of salvation.  Just saying “Jesus is Lord” without speaking from a transformed heart is no proof of our regeneration; a changed life is, or we would be no better than the demons who believe there is one God (and so also one Son of Him as a triune God).  They know the truth of who He is, but not the effects of the regeneration and reconciliation in Christ.  The bottom line is that true faith works as a result of God’s transforming and saving work in us, and is not our understanding nor our assent to the facts alone. 

We are Better Together in Equality

James 2:8-13 

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Being without partiality, showing no prejudice nor preference, is summed up in the scriptures by telling us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18).  This is the second greatest commandment after loving God, and demonstrates we are His as well (1 John 3:14).  Therefore we do well to listen and put faith to feet in living with love to God and man.  If we choose to not love, to treat others prejudicially or with superiority, we sin against God and man.  We have no excuse, and do not please the Savior who showed us such grace and mercy while we were sinners and His enemies (Romans 5:8).  None of us is so righteous over another that we can keep the whole Law, and all are equally guilty and deserving of judgment (Romans 3:23, 6:23), so we must humbly speak to each other and avoid partiality, especially among brethren as we assemble together in Christ’s name and church.  If we are to do to others as we desire to be treated ourselves, we show mercy and loving acceptance of those of all walks of life and all socioeconomic backgrounds as Jesus demonstrated while among us.  We need to learn that mercy to all is the victory over deserved judgment, whether to condemnation as unbelievers or when our books are opened to our shame as elect of God (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10).  We all answer to Him in the end.  Mercy and grace must rule our hearts and actions over acceptable sins of society - we are called to be better than that. 

Better Together Without Prejudicial Favoritism

James 2:1-7 

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

We have been given the boundless gift of grace in faith to salvation; how can we who deserve none of it dare to withhold giving that grace and love to others equally?  If we treat the wealthy or kempt ones better than the ordinary or unkempt in our assemblies, we are evil judges and have turned a blind eye towards the love of God given us in Christ, we who are no better than the ones we look down on.  This is especially pernicious when we claim to love and accept everyone equally, yet our actions show otherwise as we refuse to speak as equals to all but instead act as the world to associate only with the “worthy” ones.  None of us is worthy.  This especially applies to how we treat those who have little or who don’t dress or act as we judge by our standards that they ought to or must do.  There is no place for cliques or prejudice or haughtiness among God’s people who all are worthy only of the crumbs from our Master’s table (Matthew 15:27).  These are simply evil thoughts and actions which must be faced and done away with if we are to have impartial faith lived out to others, a faith that works goodness demanded of us in the second greatest commandment (Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14).  The other side of this is that if we continue to treat the upper society and rich among us better, eventually they will also turn on us when it suits them to exact more out of us, slandering our name as believers along the way.  It is best and right to have faith that works God’s grace to all without partiality or favoritism.  We are called to be better together. 

Become Doers by Faith that Works

James 1:21-27 

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Because we face temptations which we allow to lead us to sin when we do not say no to them and yes to Jesus Christ and His word, we must throw off and push away temptation’s desires of fleeting pleasure.  Instead we are to humbly realize our sinful frailty and take on His word already planted in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 3:3), eagerly and expectantly, that we may be further changed (sanctified) into Christ’s likeness.  This means we take to heart what is given into the heart and do what God says.  We are not only to trust for salvation, but obey all He commands to be pleasing and holy as we are called to be.  We take time to reflect on His word and put it into practice by the power of His working in us, not “letting go and letting God” choose to do what we must.  True faith then is trust that works out what God puts inside us to act accordingly.  Therefore we take time to gaze into the mirror of His word and reflect on our thoughts and actions and to have a constant reminder of our state - who we now are and what we should become.  We compare our image to the example of Christ as well,as others who followed Him well (Hebrews 13:7, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1).  We listen, hear, and act accordingly.  Examples here are watching our speech, helping the truly needy, and keeping purity in our lives in all things.  We do because we believe, we do not do in order to have faith.

Slow Down Against Temptation

James 1:19-20 

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Since we war against temptation in our nature that pulls us into sinful desires and ultimate actions, we need to begin with slowing down and listening before speaking in anger.  The temptation of pride can trip our walk with the Spirit by pulling us down into the world’s ways, of which we were all once citizens and whose habits still plague us with their reactions.  We are to fill ourselves with God’s word for direction and preparation instead as the next part of James will address.  These verses here give the warnings and direction for us when tempted so that we examine ourselves to counter the natural man’s sinful desires and reactions ready to surface.  If every perfect gift of grace comes from above (as it surely does), then we need to listen to our great God and Savior first and foremost. 

Enduring Temptation to Sin by Following Him

James 1:12-18 

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Enduring temptation is the testing of our faith with the desired outcome based on trusting and obeying God by yielding to God’s Spirit in accordance to His word’s commands and examples.  We who so endure are approved by God in Christ because of His righteousness in which we stand, purified with sin’s dross scraped off the top of our lives in the crucible of temptations and testing.  However, do not attribute the temptations to God, but our own fallen and sin-marred nature opposed to our Lord.  When we are tempted by the world, our flesh, and our pride to live apart from God (1 John 2:15-17), we either follow what we desire to our detriment or pursue what God desires for our good.  This wrong desire that grates against scripture lures us to the forbidden fruit of our own knowing what is best and bears the fruit of sin leading to death if not stopped (Hebrews 5:14, Romans 6:16, 1 John 5:17).  His word reminds us to stop deceiving ourselves and to remember all that is truly good comes from our Lord who is pure, holy, true, and who called us to His truth and righteousness by faith.  We are as the first fruits of His creation, who are created in His image to live as He says and wills, not as we find pleasurable or desirable.  Since we are so created and called back to this, we do well to endure and refuse what arouses our desires but opposes His clear will and calling to be conformed to His Son. 

Eternal Benefits or Transitory Pursuits?

James 1:9-11 

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

If we have but little, then when God lifts us up we can glory both in God’s grace shown to us and in the improved situation.  If we have much, when we are brought low we can glorify God for teaching us all comes from Him whom we can utterly rely on.  Either way, we should be able to ascribe all we have or seem to lack to His sovereign hand of grace that works all for ultimate good.  We look too often at the here and now to gauge our contentment and happiness instead of finding joy in our Savior and trust in His working in our calling.  If we pursue riches and attempted contentment in possessions, power, fame, or any other self-serving aim, we miss the mark and are like the wilting flower in the heat of adversity.  Our outward satisfaction will ever fall short, but inward contentment with godliness (1 Timothy 6:6) is fully satisfying.  Do we want to run after a temporal prize, or one that never can fade away (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)?  It is far better to accept what we are given by God and to pursue Him than grasp at the wind and have only fleeting moments to remember, for the eternal things in Christ never fade, tarnish, or crumble (1 Peter 1:4, 5:4) - they are eternally glorifying to God and beneficial to us.

Trials and Trust in God’s Promised Working

James 1:2-8 

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We face many trials of testing and temptation to work out our faith as they work on our reliance on God and His work and as we learn to hear, trust, and obey in our sanctification.  We know these pressing times are God’s way of completing us, of making us complete and more like Christ as we look to Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).  By His work in and through these hard and trying times, we find nothing more is necessary than Christ and His sustaining grace at work in us, so we learn patience in the process, resting in His sovereign grace, discipline, and love.  Therefore we should ask God continually for wisdom when we are unsure or when we falter, trusting it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32) and all we need for it.  He holds back nothing necessary.  On our part, we must trust fully that He is willing and able to do these things (Philippians 2:13), not doubting His ability nor His desire to so work on our behalf and for our good in His glory.  If we doubt, we find only tempest-tossed seas of unrequited necessities as we are driven by our own desires that are unaligned with His or unobtained because we doubt His will or working.  If we falter thus in doubt’s waves, that storm will leave us with empty hands.  We dare not be double minded, not asking but trusting, or trusting but not asking or believing His sovereign goodness and grace prepared for each of His children whom He has called. 

James: Faith That Works

James 1:1 

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.

The letter of James was seemingly written by Jesus’s brother (Matthew 13:55), who was the leader of the first church in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9, Acts 12:17, 21:18).  He does not boast of who he was or even his position, but first identifies himself as Christ’s willing servant who is bound to follow and obey Him.  This will be seen throughout this letter as he challenges believers to live out their faith and exhort each other to validate where they stand in Christ by how they live and for whom they live.  Therefore he writes to all those, especially Jewish believers, who are in churches scattered through the known world at that time (Acts 8:1).  This begins with a heartfelt greeting, then begins to make them confront a faith not forged upon a foundation of good works, but a faith that works out good as a result of the change Christ makes in transforming us. 

Completion of Grace Brings Peace in Obedience

Hebrews 13:20-25 

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
  22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.  24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.  25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

God has spoken to us through His divine Son, and this letter was written to “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” as Hebrews 3:1 tells us.  It is this God who raised the Man and God Jesus Christ from death to life who will continue to work in us to the end, which is what we call the perseverance of the saints (we continue in salvation to death, never losing it nor failing to be changed by God).  He is the Shepherd of His people by the sacrifice of Himself, with His substitutionary death’s blood given as a covering for our sin (Genesis 3:21, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:19), by which He sealed forever His covenant of this new testament (Hebrews 8:8-13) we have seen explained in depth in this letter.  He completes His work in us (Philippians 1:6) for His good pleasure purely by grace, and He does so conforms us to the holiness and image of Christ to do the works prepared before we were created (Ephesians 2:10).  This is His will for us - sanctification and pleasing Him by being and doing His will.  Therefore the writer ends with greetings that remind all readers (including us) to patiently consider the exhortations, the consolation and encouragement to take these things to heart and live in light of our calling by God’s work of grace in Jesus Christ.  This is why we gather in fellowship to greet and encourage one another with these words.  Grace be with us all.  Amen!

We are Better Together by Submission

Hebrews 13:17-19 

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.  18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

We are to follow the God-given authorities (Hebrews 13:7) in the house of God as long as they follow Him in their words and deeds.  They are put in place by God for His people, and should be honored as such while we consider that they are accountable to God for their spiritual leadership and teaching (James 3:1-2).  For our part, we should not make it more difficult for them by disobedience and contrariness, but by joyfully learning and taking direction to heart in true godly submission to Christ in and through them, not to the men themselves.  If we grieve those leaders by kicking against the goads, we only generate sadness and not edification (Ephesians 4:11-16).  As a body, we all have differing functions, and parts serve others to make the whole; let us work better together within His body, of which Christ is the head.  Therefore we should live with honor and conscience to God and men, realizing the urging of God’s word to do these things as we submit our pride to His order and service. 

Sacrifices of Praise and Thanksgiving

Hebrews 13:10-16 

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The sacrifices also provided food for the priests (1 Corinthians 9:13, Leviticus 7:6), except on the day of atonement, but those sacrifices give them no right to eat from the altar of Christ.  The sacrifices for atonement were burned outside the camp, away from the sanctuary, just as Jesus Christ suffered and died outside the camp of Jerusalem, whose blood is brought into the sanctuaries of our regenerated hearts as He suffered and died as a self sacrifice with Himself as High Priest.  The shadow of the Levitical sacrificial system was made clear through Christ’s work as the true sacrifice.  This is why we approach Jesus outside the camp with our sins as He did for us, made holy by that one eternal sacrifice and sharing in His taking on of our sin and His atonement for us.  Since He sacrificed Himself and there is no more sacrifice for the priests to eat at the altar of the old temple, our sacrifices now are praise and thanksgiving for His work on our behalf.  No Levitical high priest can truly atone for our sin; we must constantly remember this and share this good news as we share all we have to bless others as He blesses us.  These good works never earn nor can they change our standing in our High Priest’s righteousness, but are pleasing sacrifices of our hearts and not the outward giving up our prized possessions of animals (as originally given to Adam, Genesis 2:18-19) now to sacrifice, which can never cover sin eternally.  Only Jesus Christ can do that, and our praise and thanks should rise up with the sweet sacrificial aroma of prayer (Revelation 5:8) to Him. 

Follow Resting Soundly on His grace

Hebrews 13:7-9 

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

We are to honor our spiritual leaders, the elders, preachers, teachers, and others whom God gives gifts to that we might know and grow in Christ and His grace.  The ones who act as God’s mouth to speak what is on His heart for us are to be considered for their labors and obeyed in what comes from Him through the word of God.  As far as they demonstrate faith toward Christ in their own following of Him, we are to do the same by their example as well.  This of course means we examine the results of their actions, attitudes, instructions, and insight to imitate those things in them which are true and not those areas where they go astray or speak wrongly.  We are to exercise discernment and follow where godly faith leads.  This is based on the immutable Christ in them who cannot ever change in regards to who He is or what He does or says.  His word shows Himself, so any teaching carrying us away from His holiness, righteousness, love, wrath, and all other attributes and actions must be rejected in our discernment resulting from His Spirit and Word.  We do good to be settled upon grace and not by outward keeping of restrictions where God gives none; the example of sacrifices and food prohibitions meant to teach us faith must yield to the freedom of grace in this area.  We walk by faith, not obedience alone as the way to life.  Our faith trusts Christ’s obedience and fulfillment of the Law as it rests soundly on His grace. 

Living in the Certain Light of Grace

Hebrews 13:1-6 

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.  5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

Having grace includes loving our brothers and sisters, as well as giving time and attention to strangers.  When we live out God’s Love (not merely acting it out), we are being Christ to others in need of His love and grace.  Some ways to care for others include considering those imprisoned by prayer and visitation, and to come alongside those who are mistreated to offer hope and comfort in times of need.  This passage also speaks to how we live according to God’s design and intent, beginning with marriage and purity.  Sexual intimacy is to be between man and wife only, not with anyone else before or after marriage, regardless of what is culturally acceptable or considered normal.  God’s word spells out His created order and borders.  Another area of living by His order is in contentment, not living by desiring what we don’t have or wanting what another has; He gives us all we need, so this sinful behavior of coveting undermines our trust and reliance on His grace and goodness.  He promises to be with us forever, as the unbreakable covenant is initiated by God and sustained by His word of promise.  We therefore can confidently affirm that we have all we need and that He helps us and we have nothing to fear for eternal judgement nor for what harm others can inflict on us in this life only.  He never leaves, He provides all we need, and He will lead us home in heaven to the place made ready for us (John 14:1-3). 

We Do Not Refuse Him Who Speaks

Hebrews 12:25-29 

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

When God speaks to us through Christ and His Spirit, we dare not refuse to hear and turn, for this is the repentance that leads to faith taking eternal action.  We may refuse to listen to others He sends, but dare not but turn our deaf rebellious ears to the word of Him who speaks from the heavenly throne, the sovereign one over all creation, who allows no escape from sin’s penalty of God’s just wrath if we refuse.  He shook the earth when speaking to Moses (Exodus 19:8) and promises to shake the earth along with heaven (Haggai 2:5-7) in the end, but we need not fear who are Christ’s as His Spirit in us testifies to this new covenant which cannot be broken (Ephesians 1:13-14).  When He shakes all in that last time, we alone who are His remain, and this promise of an unshakable kingdom given by grace through faith allows us to live in grace to serve Him with godly fear and reverence.  This calling to obedient holiness reminds us of the former fear of unending torment by the consuming fire of God’s hatred of our sin’s tainted works which we faced apart from His work, and brings thankful following of Him in response.  We who are reborn have not refused Him who speaks through Christ, and so stand assured and in awe with holiness in willing obedience. 

We Now Draw Near in Full Assurance

Hebrews 12:18-24 

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

When God’s word was given on tablets of stone to Israel, the mountain of God was foreboding and dangerous to approach.  When the words of God came against the backdrop of that fury and fire, they were trembling so much as to beg not to hear His words to them.  They were so scared that they shook in their sandals at the thought of hearing and being held accountable as the guilty often do.  We are also all guilty of sin (Romans 3:10, 23) yet now come near to God in approaching the heavenly mountain where He is enthroned forever.  There the obedient angels worship and serve Him and rejoice as His people are now able to freely approach Him through the righteousness of Christ who mediates this covenant agreement God gave us by grace.  We who are registered in His book of life in heaven do no longer fear the dark tempest of works swirling the mountain of death proclaimed by the Law, but by the Lamb’s book of life accept His work in place of ours which enables us free access to approach boldly yet humbly to the Judge of all men.  Christ’s blood sprinkles His holiness on us as High Priest, forgiving forever by that eternal sacrifice, one time for all He calls, effectual forever.  Therefore we boldly come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) to the city of God on the heavenly mountain, no longer trembling for fear of judgement in fire (1 John 4:18) but in awe of the forgiving mercy given in grace.  We draw near in full assurance. 

Find Strength in Christ Through Adversity

Hebrews 12:12-17 

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.  14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

When we receive discipline from our Lord, it should not make us want to give up.  Instead of feeling weak and defeated, we should find strength in Him (not ourselves) to fortify our resolve to learn from the adversity and press on in the race for the heavenly prize of greater intimacy with and conformity to Christ.  The idea is not to be walking wounded, but healed in spirit and mind through the trials of corrective love of our Father in heaven.  This then must affect our relationships with others, for if we love them we love Him and vice versa.  We run after peace with others and holiness towards God because He is holy and we are made in His image.  Because of God’s grace given to us in Christ we must be circumspect, mindfully focused on things of heaven to avoid bitterness in this process of sanctification.  Sin defiles us, as in the example here of Esau who sold his inheritance of position and blessing for his carnal appetites.  This unholiness breaks our fellowship with God, and if it becomes a lifestyle, may hinder us permanently.  Ah, but we are of those who know the value of our birthright as adopted children of the King, and do not give up what we cannot lose.  This should drive us onward to be well-pleasing to our Father as we trust His grace and work in us. 

Discipline is Sanctification Training

Hebrews 12:5-11 

5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

In our striving against sin and great trials of adversity, we are reminded that God is working all these for good, both for His glory and our good as a result (Romans 8:28).  When He corrects us, it is to show love in sanctifying grace, not vengeance of retribution for our sin.  He disciplines us to take away what is wrong and supply what is lacking in soul and character.  We should respect human parents when they correct us, so how much more must we lovingly submit and willingly obey He who knows what is absolutely best for each of us?  Our Lord disciplines us to make us holy as He is; He takes what is in in the way of our sharing in His holiness, which is the greatest gain possible for correction!  Of course this process is painful in the middle of it, but it truly is joyful afterwards and bears the tasty fruit of righteousness in us when we learn from Him in the process.  He is training us to righteousness, which is the meaning of sanctification. 

Consider the Multitude of Faith’s Examples

Hebrews 12:1-4 

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Because we have so many witnesses who lived by faith, trusting God amidst trials, fears, adversity, and even death, we should stop and consider their examples as testimony to God’s sustaining grace and faith.  There are so many in the scriptures that the collective number is as a cloud filling the sky to gaze in awe at the size and majesty of it.  Therefore we also ought to take every burdensome thing we face and put it outside of our thoughts, and we ought to do likewise with the sin we hold on to.  Only then can we run the race unhindered with the heavy burdens which slow our pace or drive us to our knees under the spiritual strain. We do this first and foremost by putting our focus on Jesus Christ who began and will complete our faith (Philippians 1:6) as He called us and continually works in us to conform us to Christ.  The joy of the suffering and death to self of the cross must also be ours, seeing Him suffer and rise to all authority as Lord and King; by following His example of enduring the unwarranted hostility in identifying with Him, we press on with gladness instead of mere endurance.  By His example of suffering to glory we can avoid becoming worn out and discouraged, especially for most of us who have not suffered as much as He did by wounds or death.  We fight against our sin and the temptations around us by looking to the examples of Christ and others throughout the scriptures, and find hope and strength to run joyfully forward and upward. 

We Suffer and Testify Towards Eternity

Hebrews 11:36-40 

36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.  39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Some have suffered by being ridiculed, some by beatings, some thrown in prison, some stoned to death; while others were cut in half, stabbed with swords, ... or even tempted (to deny Christ or give in to sin to avoid suffering).  These were homeless, poor, living in adversity and torment to the body and mind. These were in the days before Christ and have been even since then, not just in the Old Testament days or when Rome ruled.  This world truly is not worthy of God’s witnesses (martyrs) who suffer as Christ did for His sake and for theirs that they may hear and see the gospel lived out for the deliverance of their souls from eternal torment in God’s wrath on their sin.  Though we may find ourselves wandering without shelter or even in austere conditions, we can hold fast to our confession of this faith given us to gain a good testimony while we await the consummate promise of eternity before our Maker and Savior.  He promises so much more than what we suffer here, just as the saints of old waited for the promise that we may find the final perfection of sanctification together on streets of gold in the light of the Lamb of God slain for us!  We suffer and testify towards eternity. 

Faith for the Future Acts Now

Hebrews 11:30-35 

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.  32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.  Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Faith led Joshua to lead God’s people to forgo the military strategies of siege walls and attacks on Jericho, instead using instruments of praise and marching around the city for days as a testimony of God’s power until the final shout of God’s victory brought the walls down (Joshua 6:8, 16, 20).  Joshua trusted Gods word to lead this way by obedience, and the people obeyed by faith also in following God’s lead.  Rehab was promised deliverance from that doomed city for her help to the spies of God’s people and realized that salvation by her faith.  Others we are reminded of here are the judges, leaders, and prophets of God who took Him at His word and so spoke with actions of demonstrated belief.  They trusted God against all visible odds because of His character and previous proven promises.  By faith they conquered those opposed to God, acted to reflect His righteousness, partook of the things promised them, and even stopped the ravenous lions as Daniel by faith when unjustly condemned for faithfulness to God. Even dead were raised (1 Kings 17:17-24, 2 Kings 4:32-37) by faith of the prophets Elijah and Elisha!  No matter the circumstances, these examples demonstrate faith in God even in torture and death, because they looked to a resurrection in God’s promised Messiah to stand before God at last, content and yearning for that day (Job 19:25-27).

Journey of Trust by Moses’ Example

Hebrews 11:23-29
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.  24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.  29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

The example of faith by Moses began by his parents who hid him against the Pharaoh’s command to kill all the babies of God’s people.  They let go of him to save him, not knowing that same ruler’s wife would find him and raise him as a son of the king.  When he grew up, Moses found out his identity among God’s people and refused to be called the son of Pharaoh anymore, knowing the suffering to result.  He chose identity among God’s people over the riches of sin’s fleeting pleasures abundantly available to him in Pharaoh’s worldly court.  Moses looked to God’s reward for trusting and obeying by faith in Him and the promises given before through Abraham.  He had seen the God who is who He is, face to face, and was forever changed (Exodus 3:6, 14). This same trust drove him out of Egypt without fear as he kept his eyes heavenward.  Though he could not see God, yet he followed by faith as if life depended on that trust.  So also he obeyed to put his people under the blood to be passed over by the destroyer, just as we trust Christ’s blood as the lamb of God to pass over eternal punishment for us.  The people joined Moses in faith to cross the dry seabed with walls of water (Exodus 14:29) to escape their enemy and journey to the country promised them, just as we journey through the trials and enemy’s attacks until we reach the celestial city of God in Christ (Hebrews 11:16).  This journey of trust in God’s word of promise will lead us through trials, snares, and death itself to eternal life before God’s face forever.  We believe and so count all else as rubbish, following by faith founded on the Rock of our salvation as we gaze into His face (Revelation 22:4). 

Faith Sees the Not Yet as the Absolute Already

Hebrews 11:17-22 

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.  20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.  21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.  22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Abraham again demonstrated faith by taking God at His word when told to sacrifice his only son Isaac as a burnt offering to God.  He trusted even when it made no’s sense, for God’s promise before this was to make countless descendants and nations by him.  God specifically told Abraham that Isaac would be the one used to make these; yet now God commanded him to kill Isaac.  Abraham’s faith told him that God would resurrect Isaac if he had to sacrifice him, and so he was ready to do so until God provided the sacrifice in his place instead after validating Abraham’s trust.  Likewise Isaac blessed his sons based on the same promise as he looked with certain unseen hope of God’s work through them to make His people.  Then Jacob blessed his sons in turn on his deathbed, worshipping God in faith again.  Joseph trusted God (Genesis 50:24-25) to deliver His people from Egypt, remembering when told before they were enslaved that it would happen (Genesis 15:12-13).  He trusted that when they left after 400 years that they would also take him back home to bury him (Exodus 13:19).  All these are examples to us in adversity to continue steadfast in faith, taking God at His word and acting on it as if it already came to pass, for in God’s plan all has happened already, if not seen quite yet. 

Our Heavenward Journey of Faith

Hebrews 11:13-16 

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

These examples long ago of God’s people living, breathing, and walking according to faith’s compass are recorded here for us to learn from and to imitate in the direction their hears journeyed towards.  Though they had been given great promises as we have (2 Peter 1:4) been given by grace in Christ, they did not see them in their lifetimes.  They realized that heaven in God’s presence was their true home (Revelation 21:3) where God would not only walk with them in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8), but where they would worship and enjoy His majestic presence forever as well (Job 19:25-27)!  That is the homeland we also seek.  They were afraid at times and wanting to go back to where they came from when the journey was harsh, but still they pressed on (Philippians 3:14,20) to the place God prepared for them (John 14:2-4).  God Himself is not ashamed to call them and us His people whom He chose and gave these exceedingly great promise to; He has proven this by such grace in His goodness to prepare this celestial city of God for us.  This is why we do not lose heart, but follow the compass of His word to that eternal destiny as the forefathers did.