My Daily Pause

Category: Devotional

  • Why We Are Bible Teachers

    Previously we considered the great responsibility of Bible teachers and the powerful position they are in. Depending on their words, they can set the course of another person’s salvation.

    Although James 3:1 starts the chapter with a warning to teachers, James 3:18 ends it with the wonderful result of a Bible teachers work: “a harvest of righteousness sown in peace.” Many of us who were raised in the church can remember our Sunday school teachers. I can even remember where I was when I learned some of my Old Testament History: the walls of Jericho, Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath ….apple book

    It is the work of those teachers that helped get me where I am now.

    It is very challenging to be a teacher, but the greatest challenge may be maintaining a proper attitude. A combination of things from the mood of the class to the ultimate goals of the teacher have an impact on the students. If you read and study James 3:13-18, you see exactly what I mean.

    Wisdom born from jealousy and ambition leads down the false path. James spent a lot of time in chapter 3 showing us how powerful the tongue is. Misusing it bears the fruit of disorder and other vile things.

    Wisdom born from meekness is “from above” and is demonstrated in good works. Those works look like the seven or eight things listed in James 3:17. Topping that list is purity and peace. Jesus said that the peacemakers will be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

    That, fellow Bible teachers, is why we do it. Despite the warning of stricter judgment, teachers of God’s word are in the highest office offered in this lifetime – they are the peacemakers and therefore the candidates to be God’s children! The next time you have the opportunity to teach a Bible class, take it on knowing the church depends on your work.

    Daily Bible reading for October 30

    Psalm 90
    1 Kings 22:1-40
    Zechariah 3
    James 3:13-18

  • The Teacher’s Words

    How do we make sense out of James saying that not many should be teachers (James 3:1) and Paul telling everyone to be teachers? (2 Timothy 2:2)apple book

    First, since James 3 is all about the tongue and its power, it goes to follow that teachers are going to wield a great deal of influence. As a result, the Bible teacher is going to be judged with some extra scrutiny. (James 3:1b) This is not meant to be a determent from teaching, but a caution to be ready to teach sound doctrine.

    Second, being a teacher might have been one of the ways church members used to gain honor. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, we see that teachers were ranked third on the list before miracles and right after prophets. In the worship style of the first century (1 Corinthians 14:26-40) A number of people might stand up to talk and teach. Some might have tried to take on the honor of teaching when they were not ready.

    Since there are no more apostles, prophets or miracles, we are left with teachers of the word. It is an office that needs to be taken on with great care and reverence. Being a teacher isn’t always right for everyone at a given time, but it is an honor and a requirement that we should all seek.

    Teachers: Strive always to use right words and wise warnings (Proverbs 25:11-12)

    Daily Bible reading for October 29

    Psalm 89
    1 Kings 21
    Zechariah 1:18-2:13
    James 3:1-12

  • The Man in the Mirror

    I don’t know whether or not it is officially a cliché, but I occasionally hear someone wonder aloud if another person has a mirror in their house. Of course, they are referring to the way the person is dressed, or the way their hair looks.

    James says the one who stares deeply into the perfect law and acts on it it will be blessed.

    The last time you looked in the mirror and saw that your hair was a mess, did you just shrug and walk away?

    Why not?

    In James 1:22-24, this is the exact comparison James is making about those who hear the word, but keep doing something else. How many folks are walking around out there with Spiritual bed-head? How many are actively deceiving themselves out of salvation? (James 1:22)

    The solution is to keep looking into the word. Just like we wouldn’t turn away from the mirror before combing our hair, we cannot turn away from the word without correcting what we see about ourselves. (James 1:25)

    What do you see in the mirror?

  • Obedience of Faith

    Romans ends the same way it started – the description of faith as something to be obeyed. (Romans 1:5, 16:26) Almost like bookends, Paul defines the faith he says is needed to get salvation.

    I wonder if the convenient chapter headings make it difficult to see these verses. In my Bible, Romans 1:5 is in a section called Greeting and Romans 16:26 is  in a section called Doxology. While these handy subheadings are great for helping us find stuff in the Bible, they are not part of the Bible and should not be trusted as if they are.

    Since these are essentially sections called “hello” and “goodbye,” it seems like it is ok to skim them. Those who do miss the two verses describing the faith needed for salvation. Take a look at Romans 1:5:

    through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations

    This verse is chock full of information:

    • The Gospel is from the Christ (The “through whom” is continued from v4)
    • An apostle empowered to preach it is delivering it
    • The requirement of faith in Jesus
    • Obedience, the consequence of faith
    • The gospel is for all nations

    Absolute, unwavering faith is required for salvation. We see Paul discuss it throughout the book of Romans (and his other letters for that matter.) The faith of Jesus Christ is a lot more than just making a statement of belief – it requires action. It requires response. It requires obedience. To get a sense of the extent we might have to go, take a look at the people in Hebrews 11. Now answer this: What if one of those people said to God, “I believe you can, but I’m not going to do that”?

  • Christian Duty

    I have mentioned previously a brief outline of Romans. Since Paul seemed satisfied with the Roman church, the letter to Rome seems to be a comprehensive study of the foundation of Christianity for the Gentiles. (Romans 15:14-15) The book is laid out so we can see the Plan of Salvation at work:

    • We sin (Romans 3:23)
    • We need salvation (Romans 1:18-32, 2:1-3:20)
    • Christ made it possible (Romans 3:21-8:39)
    • Through obedient faith we join his body (Romans 6:3-4, 11, 17-18, 23, 12:4-5)
    • Through our gratitude we serve him (Romans 12-15)

    When Paul talks about justification through faith, he never even once hinted that it was done through some sort of “faith only” event that cannot be rescinded. He laid out plainly that we have the duty to serve continuously. Romans 12-15 lists those duties out for us as a guide to helping God maintain a healthy church. We have a duty to:

    • God (Romans 12:2)
    • ourselves (Romans 12:3)
    • the church (Romans 12:4-8)
    • other Christians (Romans 12:9-13)
    • even our enemies (Romans 12:14-21)
    • the government (Romans 13:1-7)
    • our neighbor (Romans 13:8-14)
    • weaker brethren (Romans 14:1-15:13)

    Our baptism for the remission of our sin (Act 2:38) is only the first step – the step where the old man is buried with Christ. (Romans 6:3-4) No matter what this earthly life throws at us, we have to remain faithful and diligent in his service. (Revelation 2:10) Christianity is a lot of hard work – it is no wonder that Jesus said to count the cost of following him!

  • Looking After Others

    Previously, we took a look at Paul’s caution against making unrighteous judgment against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 14 addresses how we are to treat each other within the church, including how we judge and whether we cause another to stumble. Romans 15:1-7 continues that reasoning addressing the responsibility of the strong for the weak.

    The Apostle Paul - Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)
    The Apostle Paul – Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)

    Here’s a summary for dealing with minor issues of disagreement as Paul laid it out:

    • Be careful how quickly you judge – Romans 14:1-12
    • Be careful not to cause one to stumble – Romans 14:13-22
    • Help others bear their failings – Romans 15:1-7

    Keep in mind that there is a limit to how much a weak brother is allowed to influence our actions. We never take it to the extent that we fail to serve Christ properly. Ultimately, we cannot please men and serve Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

    So how far do we go? We go as far as we can, as long as it is building up the weak brother. (Romans 15:2) The point when he is no longer growing is the same point we being damaging the body of Christ. It is a judgment call, and coincidentally, more proof that there is no prohibition against righteous judgment. (John 7:24)

    God’s master plan includes a body of followers, united in the same beliefs, obeying the same gospel. This is his gift to us so that we can join him some day. (Ephesians 4:1-7) Our responsibility right now is to nurture that gift.

    Daily Bible reading for October 23

    Psalm 83
    1 Kings 15:25-16:34
    Ezekiel 46
    Romans 15:1-13