Man’s Perspective – Page 33 – Three Minute Bible

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020

Jude 1: 5 — A Change of Residence

a person carries boxes from a van to a house.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.

Having introduced himself in his letter and explained his topic, Jude begins a short review of history.

In Sunday school, I learned that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. I was also told it took forty years to get there. One day it dawned on me that forty years is a really long time. How is it possible that a trip could take that long? (Even if you only walked one mile each day, a trip of forty years would cover 14,600 miles!)

Of course, there is a lot more to the story.

April 17, 2020April 18, 2020

Jude 1:1a — Jude Who?

A portrait of St. Jude in stained glass.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James…

Today we begin a study of one of the five shortest books of the Bible. The book of Jude is the last before the last. It is the book before Revelation.

Tucked into this very short epistle is a mystery about who wrote it. Obviously, it was written by someone named Jude, but which Jude?

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020

James 5: 15a — Sōzō

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

The title for our meditation is the Greek word, “sōzō.” It is the word that the NIV translates as made “well” in today’s verse. In English, we generally expect that if someone is made well, they are restored to complete health. After looking into the meaning of the Greek, sōzō, I am not entirely sure that is exactly what James meant.

Forgive me, I don’t mean to be questioning the fine minds that did the translation for NIV. Instead, I am questioning our understanding of what it means to be made well. Once again the challenge is discerning who’s point of view we should look at the word through; God’s or ours.

April 7, 2020April 7, 2020

James 5: 12 — Do You Swear…?

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

Note: Today we return to chapter five. We have explored the forgotten verses in chapter four. James has been admonishing us to avoid making boasts about what we will do. Instead, preface every thought with, “If it is the Lord’s will… This ties in nicely with today’s passage.

What kind of swearing is James talking about? Do we still swear in the way James uses the word?

The traditional definition of “swear” is to make a solemn statement or vow promising to do something or affirming something is true. The functional definition in common use today is to express contempt with what is known as a “four-letter word.” (Sadly, the use of “swear words” has become so common that some people are hardly able to speak without using them.)

James is referring to the use of an affirmation or vow. So why would such a statement condemn us?

March 29, 2020March 29, 2020

James 5: 1-6 — I Warned You

A cartoon of a person yelling wildly as if in warning.

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Well, here it is. I warned you! James’ tirade against the greedy rich. Those who live for money, who hoard wealth, who cheat their workers and live to indulge their own desires. Then he says, “You have condemned and murdered the innocent one…”

James starts his letter by announcing that he is writing to “the twelve tribes.” The people he is writing to are Jews. (James 1:1) It seems safe to assume that James is convinced things are not going well in the early church. Jewish believers are falling into old habits. It is as if he is shouting through pen and ink, “SNAP OUT OF IT!”

March 27, 2020March 28, 2020

James 4: 11c-12 – Courtroom of Life

When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

In today’s passage, James provides three important points about the law and judging. Please remember that the “law” is what Jesus summarized in Matthew 22: 37-40:

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

March 26, 2020March 28, 2020

James 4: 11b — Strange Words

Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.

Once again I am puzzled by James’ words. Maybe it is because it is late and I am having trouble focusing. Maybe in the daylight, it will make more sense. Maybe…

Maybe it is just a complex thought.

Which “law” is James talking about? As a leader of the Christian church, James was involved in the decision to avoid making Gentiles live under Old Testament rules or law.

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

Wisdom Wednesday — Soft Hearts

Picture of a teddy bear with a cloth heart.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,

because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

— Proverbs 3: 11-12

Discipline is almost always a little bit painful. Not because it involves physical pain, although that is sometimes a part of discipline. Instead, it is because it is painful to see ourselves as we really are.

The whole point of discipline is to correct someone’s behavior or attitude. To do that, we have to be made aware of what we were doing wrong. Our underlying character is what determines how well we take correction.

March 23, 2020March 24, 2020

James 4: 9-10 — Preflight Checklist

An airplane waits while the pilot checks it over before taking off.

Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

What kind of person are you? Are you extremely sensitive to the people around you? Are you sent into spasms of guilt simply because someone gives you a stern look? Or, are you one of those people who need to be whacked upside the head with a 2×4 so someone can get your attention? Whatever your personality type, God has some scripture written just for you.

As I look back over James’ letter, his passion for serving God correctly is clear. His understanding of God is acute and sharply honed. His method of sharing that understanding is somewhat akin to a Marine Corps Drill Sergeant barking orders at recruits.

Some people take offense at the bluntness of James’ approach. Yet everything he says is completely in line with the rest of God’s Word. The only difference is how he says it.

March 16, 2020March 17, 2020

James 4:5 – Paper Mirror

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

Sometimes when I talk people look at me like I am speaking a foreign language. My wife will testify to the fact that sometimes my words just don’t make sense. They do to me, in my head, but they only “count” if they make sense to the person I am talking to.

As a writer, I have a kind of paper mirror that is always in front of my face. I don’t always look at it, but it is always there. My words, once written, stop moving around. Given a little time, they start to take on a life of their own. Later, when I look at them again, I see them as others do. Sometimes they make sense. Sometimes they don’t.