Christ's Law

.
● Jas 4:11a . . Do not speak evil of one another, brethren.

The Greek word for "speak evil" basically pertains to slander.

Webster's defines "slander" as: the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations
which defame and/or damage another's reputation and/or a false and defamatory
oral statement about a person; viz: libel.

Webster's defines "libel" as: 1) a written or oral defamatory statement or
representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression, and 2) a
statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose
another to public contempt.

According to Webster's, a statement (or a photograph) need not be untrue to
qualify as libel. If the statement, and/or the photograph, is unnecessarily
denigrating and/or embarrassing to someone, though it be 100% true, then it
qualifies as libel.

There are some things we could say about others that, though true, aren't
necessary. For example, if you were to inadvertently see one of the ladies in the
office scratching an itch on her derrière; is it really necessary to go blabbing about
it all over the office? (cf. Gen 9:20-22)

No; and in point of fact, to do so would be libelous, not to mention possibly in
violation of local labor laws banning the fomentation of a hostile workplace; and
these days, it could even be construed as sexual misconduct. If that lady ever
found out you were blabbing about her backside she might be so mortified as to
make it difficult for her to show up for work.

Words are weapons,
Sharper than knives.
The Devil Inside
INXS, Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence
_
 
.
● Jas 4:11b-12 . . He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks
evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of
the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who
are you to judge another?

* One way to speak evil of the law, and judge the law, is to misrepresent the law by
construing it to mean things it doesn't say in writing; in other words: to overrule it
and/or criticize the law as out of date.

Someone is sure to jump to the conclusion that James is referring to Matt 7:1-5 but
this has nothing to do with that. What we’re talking about here is a kangaroo court
which Webster’s defines as: (1) a mock court in which the principles of law and
justice are disregarded or perverted, (2) a court characterized by irresponsible,
unauthorized, or irregular status or procedures, and (3) judgment or punishment
given outside of legal procedure.

When a group of beer buddies, and/or a coffee clutch of girl friends, get together
and rake somebody over the coals behind their back, those buddies and girl friends
are conducting a kangaroo court in which the evidence presented is typically hear
say, feelings, thoughts, and impressions. I believe the common colloquialism for
that activity is "character assassination."

Typically the accused is never informed of the trial, nor given an opportunity to
confront their accusers, nor are they granted the right to an appeal. Sadly, yet all
to commonly, once kangaroo courts reach a consensus, the condemned person’s
reputation among those kinds of “judges” is ruined with little chance of repair.

My good opinion, once lost;
Is lost forever.
Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin
_
 
.
● Jas 4:13-16 . . Come now, you who say: Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such
and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.

. .Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor
that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say: If
the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that. But as it is, you boast in your
self confidence; all such boasting is evil.

There are two benefits to my association with God that I value very highly. One is
the ransom that His son paid to rescue my soul from the death depicted by Rev
20;11-15; viz: the destination spoken of by Isa 66:23-24, Matt 10:28, Mark 9:43
48, and Luke 16:19-31.

The second benefit that I value very highly is providence; which is the thing that
James is getting at. His criticism is directed towards overly ambitious Christians
who deliberately neglect to take into consideration God's thoughts about their
schemes.

They also neglect to take into consideration the brevity of life. In other words: if
you're getting by alright in your present circumstances, don't seek better
circumstances. Instead, live out the remaining days of your fragile life where you
are now unless circumstances beyond your control force you to relocate and make
some changes.

"Piety, with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and
we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content
with that.

. . People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish
and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of
money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves with much grief." (1Tim 6:6-10)

The love of money is quite a bit different than the necessity for money. The love of
money tends to be grasping, i.e. desiring material possessions urgently and
excessively and often to the point of ruthlessness. The love of money says: more,
more, more. Whereas the necessity for money says: there's no need for more when
adequate is enough.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:1-3 . . Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and
silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will
devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days.

Gold doesn't react with oxygen so it won't rust. However, gold isn't indestructible.
Under certain conditions gold will tarnish, e.g. long-term storage in boxes, bins,
and or environments containing organic sulfur compounds. In other words; James
condemns the rich for stockpiling their gold and never putting any of it to a use
beneficial to their fellow man.

The worst case scenario is the hoarding of gold that rightfully belonged to laborers
who worked to earn it.

Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been
withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the
harvesting has reached the ears of The Lord of Sabaoth. (Jas 5:4)

James' final comment actually accuses unfair labor practices of murder because
they deprive the working man of a living wage; and of course most of the world's
working men do not challenge unfair labor practices in court because they simply
cannot afford to; and in some countries, they would risk severe political reprisals if
they dared.

You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
(Jas 5:6)

The "righteous man" in this context refers to people putting in an honest day's work
and not being fairly compensated for it and/or employers contriving tricky ways to
short change them by deducting trumped up expenses from their pay. There's a lot
of that goes on in the garment industry.

It's still true even in our day that only the rich and powerful can afford justice.
However; there's a day coming when that imbalance will all come to an end.

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor. (Ps 72:4)

But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the
afflicted of the earth; (Isa 11:4)
_
 
.
● Jas 5:7-8 . . Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold,
the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it
gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the
coming of the Lord is at hand.

Something like +/- 1,970 years have gone by since James wrote his epistle, so for
him "at hand" had a long ways to go yet.

Although James' encouragement no doubt applies to all believers, it especially
applies to his Jewish countrymen. They have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting
for God to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and to
restore David's kingdom per the words of the prophets. I'm told that many have
given up hope of the promises and the predictions ever coming to pass.

But James urges them not to give up; God is reliable; and He and the kingdom are
both worth waiting for no matter how long it takes because Moses' people will be so
much better off then.

The delay, if we can call it that, is according to 2Pet 3:9 wherein is said the Lord is
reluctant to return; primarily because of the amount of suffering and loss of life
that will occur when He does.

Take for example Rev 16:18-19 where there's predicted a world-wide earthquake
preceding Christ's return so severe on the Richter scale that cities all over the world
will collapse at once.

Something like 2,829 lost their lives when the World Trade Center was demolished
by a terrorist attack in 2001. Well that was only a few acres of New York City. Just
imagine the body count when all of Manhattan comes down at once. along with
other major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Mexico City, Paris, Moscow,
Beijing, Tokyo, et al. The carnage will be beyond belief. Surely no rational person is
anxious to see all of that start to happen. (cf. Isa 2:1-4:6 and Jer 31:1-7)
_
 
.
● Jas 5:9 . . Do not complain against one another, brethren, that you yourselves
may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

If there’s a personality clash between you and a fellow believer; God forbid you
should drag other people into the middle of it! And keep in mind that God is an
eavesdropper. He hears and sees everything we do, think, or say. Don't let Him
catch you maliciously shredding a fellow believer's reputation, assassinating their
character and/or running them into the ground behind their back. (cf. Matt 18:15)
_
 
.
● Jas 5:10 . . For an example of suffering and patience, brethren; take the prophets
who spoke in The Lord's name.

The days of Israel, wherein many of the prophets resided, were not ideal, Much of
the time, their country was largely dystopian.

There's an era looming on the horizon wherein the world will be governed by a man
of honor; and justice and stability will be the rule rather than the exception. But for
now, we here in America, and many folks abroad, are stuck in a world where
commerce and government are in the hands of men and women gone mad with
evil. The year 2020 was especially discouraging in America when a man was
elevated the office of President by illegal means and unscrupulous methods.

In times like these, it's helpful to keep in mind that God has not been overthrown,
nor has He abdicated. The Lord is still on God's throne; and His plan, purpose, and
program for us has neither been altered nor thwarted. It will go forward even when
all 'round us are fear, anxiety, pessimism, despair, and insecurity.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:12 . . Above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or
with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no be no; so that you may
not fall under judgment.

Christ took an oath. (Matt 26:62-64, Mark 14:61-62)

God takes oaths. (Gen 22:15-18, Heb 6:13-18, Heb 7:20-21)

Angels swear (Rev 10:5-6)

Paul swore. (Rom 1:9)

Israel's covenanted law, which Christ came to defend (Matt 5:17-19) requires oaths
on special occasions. (e.g. Ex 22:10-11, Lev 5:1, Num 5:19, Deut 29:10-15)

So then, not all oaths are wrong.

The problem is, people are too careless with their oaths. They’re wont to say "I
swear to God" and/or "Hand to God" for just about everything. And they make
promises sealed with the same words.

Those promises are a snare because like Jesus said "you cannot make one hair
white or black". Sure enough, when you seal a promise by God's name, the forces
of heaven and hell, the stars in their courses, dumb luck, brute force,
circumstances beyond your control, and the neighbor's dog are going to make it
impossible for you to keep that promise.

Will God grant you an excuse? Probably not because in order to grant you an
excuse, He would have to compromise not only His integrity; but also the dignity of
the name by which you swore; and that He will never do.

So, it's okay to give your word on a matter, but if at all possible; avoid attaching
God's name to it.

"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold
anyone guiltless who misuses His name." (Ex 20:7)
_
 
.
● Jas 5:13a . . Is anyone among you undergoing hardship? Let him pray.

Though Jesus' followers weren't experiencing difficulty while he was getting ready
for his destiny on the cross (Luke 22:39-46) he no doubt knew that they were soon
to undergo a stress test that would cause them to do something really stupid if they
failed to seek God's providence in what lay ahead. (e.g. Mark 14:50-52 & 66-72)

Most any kind of "hardship" can cause us to become irrational, lose our composure,
and do something contrary to our better judgment, e.g. layoff, illness, death in the
family, old age, betrayal, divorce, legal problems, student debt, traffic incidents,
crime, political events; etc.

FAQ: Why pray about our difficulties? In hopes that God will make them go away?

REPLY: Well; if God is any kind of a parent at all; He's wanting to be a part of your
life rather than an audience or a bystander.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:13b . . Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

The Greek word translated "sing praises" basically corresponds to the Hebrew word
zamar (e.g. Ps 18:49) Both mean pretty much the same thing, to wit: vocals
accompanied by instrumental music for the purpose of celebration.

Unfortunately quite a few traditional Christian hymns are dreary: suitable for a
funeral rather than throwing a party. Compare the 150th Psalm wherein song and
dance are accompanied by high-voltage music.

* The apostles sang a hymn during Jesus' last Passover dinner; with him, I expect,
serving as choir director. (Matt 26:30) Their song was likely familiar to the Jews,
and probably even utilized in the synagogues. We today study many of the Jews'
ancient songs as scripture, without realizing their words were lyrics set to music:
some of the prophets too, e.g. Hab 3:19.

Anyway; "praise" can be roughly defined as saying things about someone that
commends them in some way; such as admiring their artwork, applauding their
musical talent, a favorable evaluation of their personal conduct and/or their
physical beauty, giving them high marks for courage, intelligence, endurance,
loyalty, etc, etc.

I've always been impressed by our creator's imagination. I mean; the seemingly
endless variety of living things in the worlds of flora and fauna is pretty astounding.
And then if it wasn't awe-inspiring enough to set billions of stars in their places, He
constructed the universe as an expanding globe rather than a static structure.
Every hour that goes by results in a bigger void than before and nobody yet has
figured out what's making it do that.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:14 . . Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of The Lord

Religious fanatics here and there are allowing their underage children to suffer and
even die from treatable medical conditions on the basis of Jas 5:14. Christ
addressed this issue indirectly by means of his teachings at Matt 12:11-12 which
say:

"What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a
pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a
man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the sabbath days."

In other words: the sanctity of human life trumps the sanctity of the Sabbath. So
then, hospitals, doctors, nurses, firemen, law enforcement, soup kitchens, rescue
missions, Red Cross, disaster emergency workers, etc. who are busy on the
Sabbath do not sin. Do they break the Sabbath? Yes; but the sanctity of the
seventh day is secondary to the sanctity of human life. (cf. Luke 13:15 & Luke 14:5)

So then, I would have to say, in principle with Matt 12:11-12, that people who deny
their children adequate medical care in the name of religion regard the value of
their own flesh and blood as something less than that of a beast.

It's okay to have elders pray for a child, and it's okay to anoint them with oil if
perchance somebody wants to. But after that, parents really should take their
children to a doctor because medicine today is far and away superior to the
practices available to Christians back in James' day when oil, prayer, and wine were
just about the best there was.

There used to be an old saying going around in Christian circles that went
something like this: When a farmer prays for a crop, he should say amen with a
hoe. In other words, Christian parents shouldn't sit back and wait for a miracle
when it's in their power to take some action; and if they don't, then in my opinion,
they deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law when a child in their
care dies from a treatable condition.

● 1Tim 5:8 . . If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own
house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:16a . . Confess your sins to one another

Words for "your sins" aren't in the Greek manuscript; viz: they're editorial
enhancements. Some even pencil in the word "faults" which is no less arbitrary.

So we can safely omit "your sins" and clean up that verse to read "Confess to one
another".

The Greek word translated "confess" means things like consent, assent,
acknowledge, agree, and/or concur. It can also mean to "own-up" (a.k.a. man-up)
for example:

When folks are deathly ill-- for instance dying from terminal cancer --then is a good
time to make amends with those whom we've hurt or done wrong in some way or
another. We sure don't want to leave this life while at the same time leaving a bad
taste in people's mouth. And besides, folks need to know of our regretting the way
we treated them.
_
 
.
● Jas 5:19-20 . . My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one
turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way
will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.

One way to look at that passage pertains to sins that snowball, viz: escalate. For
example:

"Yahweh said to Cain: If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you
do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but
you must master it." (Gen 4:6-7)

That's the very first instance in the Bible of the word "sin". The Hebrew word
basically means an offense; as in repeat offender. In other words; not just an
occasional slip-up, but a life style.

Cain was in very real danger of becoming a permanent slave to his passions, which
did eventually drive him to murdering his kid brother (Gen 4:8) and then to that
sin, he added dishonesty and sarcasm (Gen 4:9) and finally to breaking off with
God altogether. (Gen 4:16)
_
 
.
● 1Pet 1:13-18 . . Gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope
completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The Greek word translated "hope" means anticipation; which is quite a bit different
than crossing one's fingers; viz; Peter's hope doesn't mean praying for the best
while in the back of one's mind dreading the worst.

The grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ is of course a
forever young, immortal body (1Cor 15:51-53, 1Thess 4:13-18).

That's good to know for those of us undergoing the damage being done to our
appearance, and the loss of our vitality, due to disease and the aging process. I can
only imagine the despair that unbelievers must feel as their bodies deteriorate with
no possibility of recovery. Once the strength they have now fades away, and it will,
that's it.
_
 
.
● 1Pet 1:14-16. . As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts
which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy
yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: You shall be holy, for I
am holy.

"conformed" is speaking of habits. Take for example alcoholism. The popular
diagnosis these days is that it's a disease. Well; it if is, then it's the only disease I
know of contracted by fools.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise." (Prov 20:1)

"You shall be holy, for I am holy" sort of echos the old proverb: Birds of a feather,
flock together; meaning of course that if people wish to cultivate a rapport with
God; they have to work on becoming heavenly rather than earthly because He
tends to avoid mingling with invasive species; so to speak. (cf. 1John 1:6)
_
 
.
● 1Pet 1:17-18 . . And if you address as "Father" the one who impartially judges
according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in reverential fear during the
time of your stay upon earth.

Just about anybody who wants to can address God as Father, and/or the Father,
but only the privileged individuals adopted into His family circle have a legitimate
right to address Him as "my Father"

● Gal 4:6 . . Because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of His son into your
hearts calling out: Abba! Father.

● Rom 8:15 . . For you have not received a spirit of bondage again to fear; but you
have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we call out: Abba! Father.

Adopted folks have it much better than those in slavery. For one, slaves aren't
relatives-- as such they have no inheritance rights, nor do they have a right to take
their owner's name.

In contrast adopted folks are kin, and as such have inheritance rights, a right to
take their adopted family's name, and the right to a place in their adopted family's
genealogy.

Plus: their situation is permanent, i.e. there's no danger of adopted folks being sold
as property; and should they eventually go out on their own, their adoptive family
will always be there for a safety net should they need it.

* Abba is neither English, nor Greek, nor Hebrew. It's an Aramaic word that means
father in an unusual way. It's a filial vocative.

For example: When my son points me out to one of his friends at the mall and
says: "That's my dad over there" then his use of dad simply indicates that he and I
are related. But when he shouts: "Hey dad! I'm over here." then his use of dad is a
filial vocative because he's addressing me personally to get my attention-- same
noun; different sense.

Anyway: people in Heaven no doubt give a high priority to conducting themselves
with their Father in mind; that is: they respect both Him and His expectations.
Down here, some folks have made a habit of indifference.

● Mal 1:6 . . A son honors his father. If I am a father, where is the honor due me?
(cf. John 8:28)
_
 
.
● 1Pet 1:22b . . See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

The love in this command is fraternal; i.e. it's from a Greek word that includes
fondness and affection, which are easy to imitate whereas not so easy to duplicate.

A pure heart is one that's honest and sincere rather than pretentious, deceitful,
and/or dissembling.

"one another" is likely relative to the brotherhood of folks unified with Christ by means
of their participation in his crucifixion and his resurrection. (Rom 6:3-11)
_
 
.
● 1Pet 2:1 . . Lay aside all malice

The Greek word for "malice" basically refers to badness, i.e. depravity, malignity,
and trouble.

Malignity commonly describes aggressive cancers, which tend to spread and
produce death or deterioration, viz: malignant people are passionately and
relentlessly malevolent; defined by Webster's as having, showing, or arising from
intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred.

Seeing as how malice is controllable; then I think it safe to conclude that there are
some people whose mean-spirited behavior is by choice, i.e. deliberate.
_
 
.
● 1Pet 2:1 . . Lay aside all deceit

The Greek word translated "deceit" basically refers to decoys; defined by Webster's
as someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap.

Decoys can also be used as diversions, e.g. red herrings.

It also refers to trickery; defined by Webster's as the practice of crafty
underhanded ingenuity to deceive or cheat, for example Gen 3:1.

A very common form of deceit is something called dissembling; which basically
means to conceal one's true feelings with pretense. I think it's pretty safe to say
that everybody at one time or another practices dissembling; it's pretty much a
natural propensity.

Peter's instructions don't say to avoid deceit, they say to lay it aside; viz: cease.
_
 
.
● 1Pet 2:1 . . Lay aside all hypocrisy

The Greek word for "hypocrisy" basically refers to acting under a feigned part.

Not all hypocrisy is bad; quite a few people earn an honest living by accepting parts
in movies and plays. That we can live with.

But hypocrisy in religion is insufferable; for example Mark 12:13-15, which reads
like this:

"Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his
words. They came to him and said: Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity.
You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you
teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar
or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we? But Jesus knew their hypocrisy."

Their inquiry was reasonable; but it was based upon an ulterior motive. They didn't
care one whit about the taxes; they were only looking for a legitimate excuse to
have Jesus arrested and put away where he could no longer influence public
opinion.

Hypocrisy is also exemplified in double standards, for example Luke 6:41-42 and
Matt 23:2-4

"And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice
the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother: Brother, let
me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log
that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and
then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye."

"The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses;
therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their
deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. And they tie up heavy loads, and
lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with
so much as a finger."

To put this in a modern context: A prominent member of the US Congress quoted a
passage from the Bible to justify sending aid to Ukraine. Some time later, the
archbishop in that person's district announced his intention to deny them
Communion because of their pro abortion stance. In other words: that member of
congress attempted to politicize their religion without taking it serious enough to
live it.
_
 

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