20/20 for JESUS - Blogpost #390 for 10/30/2021: OUR GLORIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST… GOD… FAITH… HIM TO WHOM YOU BELONG… GIVES FREEDOM… MERCY… MERCIFUL… MY FAITH… RIGHTEOUS… RIGHTEOUSNESS… TEACHER… PERFECT… OUR LORD… WISE… GOOD LIFE… HUMILITY… WISDOM… THE TRUTH… PURE… PEACE-LOVING… CONSIDERATE… FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT… IMPARTIAL… SINCERE… PEACEMAKERS WHO SOW PEACE…

 James 2 & 3:

James 2

“My brothers and sisters, believers in OUR GLORIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST must not show favoritism. 

² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 

³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 

⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not GOD chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in FAITH and to inherit the kingdom HE promised those who love HIM? 

⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of HIM TO WHOM YOU BELONG?

⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 

⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 

¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 

¹¹ For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.”  If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that GIVES FREEDOM, 

¹³ because judgment without MERCY will be shown to anyone who has not been MERCIFUL. MERCY triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have FAITH but has no deeds? Can such FAITH save them? 

¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 

¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in PEACE; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 

¹⁷ In the same way, FAITH by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have FAITH; I have deeds.”

Show me your FAITH without deeds, and I will show you MY FAITH by my deeds. 

¹⁹ You believe that there is ONE GOD. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that FAITH without deeds is useless? 

²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered RIGHTEOUS for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 

²² You see that his FAITH and his actions were working together, and his FAITH was made complete by what he did. 

²³ 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. 

²⁴ You see that a person is considered RIGHTEOUS by what they do and not by FAITH alone.

²⁵ In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered RIGHTEOUS for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 

²⁶ As the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH without deeds is dead.”

 

 

James 3 

“Not many of you should become TEACHERs, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is

PERFECT, able to keep their whole body in check.

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 

⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 

⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 

⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With the tongue we praise OUR LORD and FATHER, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in GOD’s likeness. 

¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 

¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is WISE and understanding among you? Let them show it by their GOOD LIFE, by deeds done in the HUMILITY that comes from WISDOM. 

¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny THE TRUTH. 

¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the WISDOM that comes from heaven is first of all

PURE;

Then PEACE-LOVING,  

CONSIDERATE (GENTLE),

SUBMISSIVE (REASONABLE), 

FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUIT,   

IMPARTIAL and

SINCERE (WITHOUT HYPOCRISY). 

¹⁸ PEACEMAKERs WHO SOW IN PEACE reap a harvest of RIGHTEOUSNESS."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20/20 for JESUS - Blogpost #389 for 10/29/2021: THE LORD JESUS CHRIST... PURE JOY... YOUR FAITH... PERSEVERANCE... WISDOM... GOD... GIVES GENEROUSLY TO ALL WITHOUT FINDING FAULT... THE LORD... GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT FROM ABOVE... THE WORD OF TRUTH... QUICK TO LISTEN... SLOW TO SPEAK... SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY... THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES... THE WORD... GIVES FREEDOM... PURE AND FAULTLESS...

 

James 1 

James, a servant of GOD and of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it PURE JOY, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

3 because you know that the testing of YOUR FAITH produces PERSEVERANCE. 

4 Let PERSEVERANCE finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

5 If any of you lacks WISDOM, you should ask GOD, WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY TO ALL WITHOUT FINDING FAULT, and it will be given to you. 

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from THE LORD.

8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 

10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 

11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; 

its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. 

In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that THE LORD has promised to those who love HIM.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “GOD is tempting me.” For GOD cannot be tempted by evil, nor does HE tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17 Every GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT FROM ABOVE, coming down from THE FATHER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, WHO does not change like shifting shadows. 

18 HE chose to give us birth through THE WORD OF TRUTH, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all HE created.

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be 

QUICK TO LISTEN,  

SLOW TO SPEAK and 

SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY,  

20 because human anger does not produce THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES.   

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept THE WORD planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to THE WORD, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 

23 Anyone who listens to THE WORD but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 

24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 

25 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.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 

27 Religion that GOD OUR FATHER accepts as PURE AND FAULTLESS is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

NOTE:  Highlighted words are names/descriptions of JESUS that either appear for the first time or have been previously referred to or highlighted on this blog.

20/20 for JESUS - Blogpost #388 for 10/28/2021: CHRIST JESUS... GRACE AND PEACE... THE LORD JESUS CHRIST... MY GOD... LOVE... HOLY... YOUR FAITH... THE LORD JESUS... THE FAITH... CHRIST... YOUR LOVE... GREAT JOY AND ENCOURAGEMENT... THE LORD... LOVE... CHRIST JESUS... THE GOSPEL... GRACE...

 

Philemon 1

1 Paul, a prisoner of CHRIST JESUS, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 

2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 GRACE AND PEACE  to you from GOD OUR FATHER and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 I always thank MY GOD as I remember you in my prayers, 

5 because I hear about your LOVE for all HIS HOLY people and YOUR FAITH in THE LORD JESUS. 

6 I pray that your partnership with us in THE FAITH may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of CHRIST. 

7 YOUR LOVE has given me GREAT JOY AND ENCOURAGEMENT, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of THE LORD’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in CHRIST I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 

9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of LOVE. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of CHRIST JESUS— 

10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 

11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 

13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for THE GOSPEL. 

14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 

15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 

16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in THE LORD.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 

18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 

20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in THE LORD; refresh my heart in CHRIST. 

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in CHRIST JESUS, sends you greetings. 

24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The GRACE of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST be with your spirit."

20/20 for JESUS - Blogpost #387 for 10/21/2021: SUBJECT TO RULERS AND AUTHORITIES... OBEDIENT... READY TO DO WHATEVER IS GOOD... SLANDER NO ONE... PEACEABLE AND CONSIDERATE... GENTLE TOWARD EVERYONE... KINDESS AND LOVE... GOD OUR SAVIOR... HE SAVED US, NOT BECAUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY... HE SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT... JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR... JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE... THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE... GOOD... EXCELLENT AND PROFITABLE FOR EVERYONE... GOOD... LOVE... THE FAITH... GRACE...

 

Titus 3 

"Remind the people to be 

SUBJECT TO RULERS AND AUTHORITIES,

to be OBEDIENT, 

to be READY TO DO WHATEVER IS GOOD, 

  2 to SLANDER NO ONE, 

to be PEACEABLE AND CONSIDERATE,  

and always to be 

GENTLE TOWARD EVERYONE.   

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 

4 But when the KINDNESS AND LOVE of GOD OUR SAVIOR appeared, 

5 HE SAVED US, NOT BECAUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY.   

HE SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, 

6  WHOM HE poured out on us generously through JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR, 

7 so that, having been JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE, we might become heirs having THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.   

8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in GOD may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is GOOD. These things are EXCELLENT AND PROFITABLE FOR EVERYONE.   

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 

10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 

11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 

13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 

14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is GOOD, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who LOVE us in THE FAITH.

GRACE be with you all."

NOTE:  There are no posts planned for at least the next week.  This will give you time to catch up and/or review the awesomeness of JESUS!

20/20 for JESUS - Blogpost #386 for 10/20/2021: SOUND DOCTRINE... TEMPERATE... WORTHY OF RESPECT... SELF-CONTROLLED... SOUND IN FAITH, IN LOVE, AND IN ENDURANCE... REVERENT... NOT A SLANDERER OR ADDICTED TO MUCH WINE... GOOD... SELF-CONTROLLED AND PURE... BUSY AT HOME... KIND... THE WORD OF GOD... TEACHING SHOWS INTEGRITY, SERIOUSNESS, AND SOUNDNESS OF SPEECH THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED... FULLY TRUSTED... GOD OUR SAVIOR... THE GRACE OF GOD... OFFERS SALVATION TO ALL PEOPLE.. UPRIGHT... GODLY... THE BLESSED HOPE... OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST... GAVE HIMSELF FOR US TO REDEEM US FROM ALL WICKEDNESS AND TO PURIFY FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE THAT ARE HIS VERY OWN, EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD... ENCOURAGES AND REBUKES WITH ALL AUTHORITY...

 

  

Titus 2 

"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to SOUND DOCTRINE. 

2 Teach the older men to be 

TEMPERATE, 

WORTHY OF RESPECT, 

SELF-CONTROLLED, and 

SOUND IN FAITH, IN LOVE, AND IN ENDURANCE.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be 

REVERENT in the way they live, 

NOT to be SLANDERERS OR ADDICTED TO MUCH WINE, 

but to teach what is GOOD. 

4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 

5 to be SELF-CONTROLLED AND PURE, 

to be BUSY AT HOME, 

to be KIND, 

and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign THE WORD OF GOD.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be SELF-CONTROLLED. 

7 In everything set them an example by doing what is GOOD. 

In your TEACHING SHOW(S) INTEGRITY, SERIOUSNESS,  

8 AND SOUNDNESS OF SPEECH THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 

10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be FULLY TRUSTED, so that in every way they will make the teaching about GOD OUR SAVIOR attractive.

11 For THE GRACE OF GOD has appeared that OFFERS SALVATION TO ALL PEOPLE.  

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live 

SELF-CONTROLLED,

UPRIGHT, and

GODLY lives in this present age, 

13 while we wait for THE BLESSED HOPE—the appearing of the glory of OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST,   

14  WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US TO REDEEM US FROM ALL WICKEDNESS AND TO PURIFY FOR HIMSELF A PEOPLE THAT ARE HIS VERY OWN, EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD.  

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. ENCOURAGE AND REBUKE WITH ALL AUTHORITY.  Do not let anyone despise you."

NOTE:  The highlighted names and descriptions of JESUS include things that HIS followers are expected to fulfill, since we are expected to live like HIM!