And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:35-40

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:35-40.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv38-40):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Coming of Jesus Results in a Greater Accountability."
• "“Revelation brings responsibility. The more you know, the greater is your accountability.” Where does this come from? It comes from Jesus (12:40; Matthew 11:20-24). One of the most dangerous vocations in life is being a theologian. One of the most dangerous places you can go is to a Bible-believing church that faithfully proclaims the gospel. Each time you hear God’s Word taught, your accountability before Him increases."  
• For those who go to such churches, myself included, we are warned to not become hardened by such faithful teaching of the Word. We are warned about hypocrisy and sin and for lack of fruit. 
• Using the scribes as examples of what not to do, per the commentary, Jesus warns us of seeking our own recognition and status vs that of God, of taking advantage of others (such as the poor, orphans, and widows) - see also condemnation from OT prophets (Isaiah 10:2, Amos 2, Micah 3 and Leviticus 19:18), and of practicing empty rituals for "show".  Ultimately we will all be judged.
• The commentary emphasizes that "[t]he greater our revelation, the greater our accountability (see Luke 12:48). To know what is right and not do it invites “the harsher punishment” in judgment. No wonder James would write in James 3:1, '"Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.'"
• "Indeed God will judge with special severity hypocritical religious leaders who strut like peacocks, abuse the less fortunate, and traffic in false worship that is all show with no substance. Such wickedness in motive and action makes plain they never embraced the greatest servant of all, the greater Son of David, Jesus the Christ."   
•  Instead we should be humble (see Matthew 23:11-12). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who reveals Himself through Your Word - thank You Jesus for these blessings and for my salvation!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

...I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Titus 3

...I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. Titus 3:8

Today I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians and continue with the study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus based on my participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This is week 6 of 6 and on day 1 of week 6, my focus is an unassisted review of Titus 3.

• V1: Obey earthly authorities and be ready to serve and work - Paul qualifies work indicating that believers should be ready for "good" work - work that glorifies God; reminder that in all that we do we are to do it for the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31)
• V2: Show perfect courtesy to all people, do not speak evil of anyone, quarrel, and be gentle
• V3: We (believers) were once slaves to sin so we should show empathy towards unbelievers, regardless of how they act with their pursuits and with their malice, envy and hate
• Vv4-7: Reminder of God's grace towards us as believers and the undeserved gift He gave us - salvation and all the associated blessings this carries with it
• V8: Paul establishes his authority by sharing how what he says is trustworthy - we must not only believe and obey in what he says, we are to "insist" on these things - so that we are careful to devote ourselves to good works
• Vv9-11: Avoid divisiveness including foolish controversies, quarrels about lesser aspects of the law; avoid those who stir up divisiveness
• Vv12-13: Instructions for when Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus
• V14: Devote selves to good works, particularly those with urgent need; avoid being unfruitful - works should flow from a heart of faithfulness not some ulterior motive
  
• V15: Final greetings and salutations to Titus and the church in Crete from Paul  
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Joseph: Shaky Limbs and Unanswered Questions*".

*Title of lesson six from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado speculating how Joseph must have felt with the impending birth of Jesus - confused about why God was doing what He was doing and of course about what He was doing.  Joseph had so many questions about God's plan.  Lucado wants us to appreciate how our understanding and full clarity of God's plan is not a prerequisite for our obedience.  If it is clear that we have a command to follow, it does not matter what we do and don't know about God's plan or about our circumstances, we are to obey.  We exist to glorify God so we must be obedient to His commands.

One day we will see God face to face and have the clarity we so deeply desire but until then we must simply obey.

Lucado uses the following verses to help us more fully understand the importance of obedience.

• Luke 6:47-49
• John 14:21
  
• James 1:22-25

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose Word is a lamp for my feet - even when I don't know what the plan is, I can trust in You to provide, to guide, to protect, to heal, etc. You will never leave or forsake me and You always love me - this I know with certainty.  I am deserving of how You love me.  I often fail to be obedient, and my sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

James 1-5

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24

Day 353 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read James. My commentary* bundles both the letters of James and Jude into a single day but given I feel there is already enough in James I broke this into two days and I will read Jude tomorrow. Both my commentary* and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) write that James - the half brother of Christ - is the author of the letter from James in the NT.  My commentary also offers up the following: "[i]n the Gospel accounts there is an indication that Jesus’ brothers initially rejected his deity and lordship, but the historical record later includes his brothers as being among the disciples in Jerusalem following Christ’s ascension....If the traditional date of James’ death is accurate, then his letter must have been written prior to A.D. 62. It may have been as early as A.D. 50–60, but the exact date is not certain. Addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (a designation for the post-exilic Jews and, by extension, all Christians everywhere), the letter probably is intended for general distribution among the scattered churches of Christ. Unlike Paul, James does not struggle with deep issues of doctrine or comment upon any specific problems which a particular local church might be facing. Rather, he addresses himself to the crisis of persecution facing all the churches during this time."

"After discussing the nature of temptation, James writes at length concerning the need for consistency between faith and conduct. In context, James appears to be saying that only those who demonstrate true faith can endure the sufferings of the times, and that faith can be measured by conduct. It is also possible that James is urging consistency between belief and action as a source of strength against temptation. James closes his letter with various exhortations for saints having to endure suffering. Despite its immediate relevance to times of widespread persecution, James’ writing contains words of practical advice for every Christian’s daily walk."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

While James covers several topics in his letter, my focus this morning is how our lives - if we are to have true faith as James indicates - must bear fruit. Faith and acts work together.  See also my post from a couple of days ago upon reading Titus.

Although I highlight James 2:21-24, other verses on this topic from James' letter include: 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

James letter provides us with a litmus test for our faith...as does Paul's letter Galatians where in 5:22-23 of the letter we have another litmus test.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You have grown in my heart and worked in my life to make me more like You and produced fruit - thank You Jesus!  I also know that I am not done!  There is more work by You in me to be done.  Thank You Jesus for what You have done to sanctify and refine me but please forgive me for my sins that continue...worry, harshness, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. v18

Building on John's words from yesterday's post where we are encouraged to "remain in Him" to bear fruit, John knows that fruit is represented by actions - and James refers to this as well with James 1:22-25.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

And of course, our heart condition underlies all that we do.


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You never leave or forsake me...and You provide the Holy Spirit and Your Word - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You love me.  I worry, I gossip, and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. v26

While our approach to the Old Testament ceremonial law has undergone a "dramatic change", all of scripture, including the Old Testament moral law, applies.  God has roles for each of us to play and He has expectations for His children.  Yet God does not want to compel us into service - just like He wants us to be cheerful givers (see 2 Corinthians 9:7), God wants us to serve Him with gladness.

Similarly, we are not to grumble and complain.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me a new heart and new life - freedom indeed.  I know You are not done with me yet but I am grateful how You have transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

Philippians 4

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. v9

Paul wants us to imitate him as he imitated Christ.  We must not be just hearing the Word.  We must be DOERS of the Word as James says: 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

This is important because people are watching us and we lack an ability to influence others for Christ if we are not demonstrating Christ in our own lives - plain and simple.

See also this post from DesiringGod.com and another from a sermon I found online.

My Prayers: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I know I am undeserving because my sin continues and Your work in me is not complete.  Forgive me Lord for my sin, which is daily, and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa from her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.