There are a variety of ways to personally read, study, apply the bible. I’ve used a number of different methods over the years and have found certain ones helpful in different seasons of life. For greater background information on story-lines, genres, themes, the bible project has some wonderful resources here. If you are following along with Harbor’s Bible reading plan, we are currently in the book of James. A number of methods, as one shown here, basically frame the study time with some variation of questions related to A.) God B.) Humanity C.) Jesus D.) Repentance, Faith, Application. So here is one way to read with that framework in mind as I go through James 3. Hope this example helps you dig into and apply God’s word on your own!

What does this teach me about God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit)?

God calls people to to teach, but not all people. Those whom he does call to teach should expect greater accountability before Him and even others. True wisdom is not simply knowing more information, or even the skill of relaying that information, but is always defined by character and actions.

What does this teach me about humanity (Sinfulness as well as Dignity)?

Our speech can set the direction of our lives, therefore we need to be aware of how our words are used. We cannot speak something true of God or praise Him with our lips, while speaking evil to, or about our fellow Christians and  neighbors. All people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicity, political affiliations are made in God’s image and therefore, it does matter HOW we talk to or about those whom we disagree does matter. Pastors are not immune to narcissism, as are any sort of teachers or leaders in a church setting. Character will distinguish those who should and shouldn’t lead.

How does this passage lead me toward Jesus and increase my affection for him?

Jesus’ life was a perfect display of meekness. He was strong and challenging with words to the self righteous and yet gentle with those who felt overwhelmed by their sinfulness. His words were words given to Him by His Heavenly Father. He was aligned with His Father’s Kingdom, and therefore so were His words. He spoke these words for me, but now I can hear them spoken to me. Thank you Jesus for giving me the rebuke in my self-righteousness, calling me back to your grace. Thank you even when it is hard to hear and comes from others whom I don’t want to hear it from! Thank you for the healing and comforting words in my fears, uncertainty, and self-loathing. You forgive my words of hate and give me words of hope.

How will life today be different if I repent and believe the truth of this passage?

When I want to respond harshly toward others in their perceived sin or perceived stupidity, I will immediately bring that frustration to Jesus and ask him to do something with it. When I’m tempted to gossip today, I will remember that this is an affront to God’s special creation. I will take to pray for our country’s leaders, asking God to grant wisdom that is from above, that is humble and impartial, that leaders will lead us in respecting the dignity of each person. However, regardless of how leaders react, I will remember that Jesus Kingdom is not OF this world, and I will respond differently.  As a teacher, I recognize that I’m under an even stricter accountability for how I use my words and want to be the same person I am on Sunday as I am on Monday.

²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. -Galatians 3:25-29

Paul’s main argument in the book of Galatians is that you don’t need to do add anything to what Jesus has already done. Adding anything to what Jesus has already done FOR you, is like taking a sharpie marker to a Michelangelo’s Sisteen Chapel work, and thinking you’ll be improving it. If you try to improve it, you ruin it!

While women may not want to think of themselves as “sons,” at this time Paul chose the word “sons” b/c the sons were only ones who received an inheritance. For folks who have been told, “You need to add more laws, or in essence become Jewish before you could become a “real” Christian,” can you imagine the burden being lifted? Women, slaves, now included, instead of excluded? Yes! Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to add anything to what Jesus has done for you. Not their personal preferences, performance, politics, patriotism, profession. He is sufficient by His own merit.

In Christ, there are only those who have received full inheritance based solely upon Jesus. We each have gifts, a background, a history, a culture, and skills to bless our church families and the family of God spread across the globe. We don’t lose all distinctions, (I’m still an American middle aged dude and not a woman), but those distinctions no longer divide us, because they no longer take priority to our ultimate identity and union with King Jesus. We add to each other, but add nothing to Jesus work.

No matter the future, we have a promise today. Let us hold on to Him, who holds on to us.

¹⁴ For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. ¹⁵ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ¹⁶ Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

In these strange times, I have come out of blogging retirement and wanted to share with any Harbor family and friends some thoughts to keep us zoomed into God’s unshakeable word. This passage is from our Harbor Bible Reading plan (technically its yesterday’s reading) found in Hebrews 13:14-16.

In times of mass pandemic, which by the way, is nothing new for this world, Christians have often found great comfort in the hope of a new city. The “city” referred to is not a city which we build with human hands, but one that “is to come” when Jesus returns. In Revelation 21, we see Jesus descending from heaven and bringing the heavenly Jerusalem down to earth. So….this heavenly city doesn’t stay in heaven forever, but very much comes down to Earth! Its physical and tangible. We pray now, as Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”

In some ways we borrow the phraseology of workers on strike who claim, “What do we want ? This city….When do we want it? Now!” We don’t settle. We long for, and we pray for, more of God’s will done perfectly in heaven, to come down to earth.

While we may borrow the phraseology of those on strike, Christians have a different attitude than striking workers. Instead we lift up our prayers, not in anger, but in lament and desperate petition. We lift up our voices in songs as we gather (even if online), but also as we sing when we scatter in praise (vs 15). There’s no greater sound than hearing one of my children sing the songs during the week that we sung that Sunday.  We say “How long O Lord,” but we also do so in thanksgiving for Jesus’ sacrifice, that we can be assured of this city and our place in it through repentance and faith.

Finally, we act nothing like striking workers. With our hope fixed on the city that is to come, we don’t stop working, we continue to love our cities and neighborhoods where they are and for what the could become. We love people where they are, and are hopeful of what they could be. It has been noted that those who think most deeply about the city that is to come, actually do the most good in their cities and neighborhoods where they currently find themselves. I see this in my neighborhood, and we see it throughout history. In addition to praise, we are instructed in verse 16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

One of the most “spiritual” or “heavenly-minded” things you can in that city is to tangibly do something good for your church family AND your neighbors around you. How appropriate is this verse today, when hoarding is so common, when toilet paper is rare? In the words of Seinfeld, “Can you spare a square?” Let’s find ways to do good and to share with each other. It may not be your presence unless you are 6 feet away, but it could be your words via text or phone call or video conference. It could be your service. Let’s get creative. Remembering the city that is to come is the best thing you can do for your church family and neighbors during this season.