1 Peter 1: Faith and suffering

Peter writes to both Jewish and Gentile believers who share the great privilege of receiving new life. They achieved this by believing in the ancient prophets (such as Isaiah) and trusting in their ultimate fulfillment through Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected from the dead. However, this new life requires a radical break—for instance, walking away from the social and religious practices of pagan temples. In verses 13–16, Peter urges:

1 Peter 1:13–16 (MSG)

"So roll up your sleeves, get your head in the game, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, 'I am holy; you be holy.'"

James 5: Wisdom and Life

James 5: Wisdom and Life

The letter of James addresses many topics that call to mind the book of Proverbs. Wisdom comes first through understanding and trusting that the Lord is good. This moves us to put our faith into action.As an example, in James 5:11b, James writes:

"...the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful."

If we truly believe this, we will see our suffering from a different angle: the Lord is compassionate and merciful to me—I am not suffering alone, which enables me to endure suffering patiently.

We can look at another example: because the Lord is merciful, we must also be merciful to our brothers and sisters, even to those who stumble in the church, as shown in James 5:19–20:

James 4: Problems in the Church

Last Sunday, we had a fierce presidential election in Brazil that divided the country. Nowadays, it is all too common for two friends to end their friendship due to political polarization, where one group slanders the other. In a way, James is calling the church back to the Law—to love one another, regardless of political affiliation. The world and its leaders are far less important than the Lord and His kingdom.

James was writing to Jews in synagogues scattered beyond Judea. Certainly, the Jews of that era were influenced by the surrounding pagan culture, where people sought their own honor and glory. When a brother speaks evil against another, he is seeking his own glory by exalting himself above his neighbor.

James 3: Warnings to Preachers

A preacher can lead a congregation closer to or farther from the Lord. James explains that, in general, one should not rush to become a teacher because the Lord will hold teachers to a higher standard of judgment. With their words, a preacher guides the congregation just as a small rudder steers a massive ship. However, a preacher must be vigilant about whether he is truly guiding people to praise the Lord. Finally, a preacher must continually seek wisdom from God rather than regarding himself as a wise person who deserves honor. If a teacher begins to view himself as great and wise, he will drift away from both the Lord and the congregation.

James 2: faith and works

 

James 2:14–17

"What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."

James points out that faith—trusting in Jesus, who saved us and resurrected from the dead—must be accompanied by good works, such as acts of generosity. He argues that saving faith is more than head knowledge. Works are essential; without them, faith is dead.

James 2:26

"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

James 1: Trust

James was Jesus' brother, who came to believe in Him after the resurrection. He begins his letter with:

James 1:1

"I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello!"

Interestingly, James sees himself as a slave of the Master, Jesus. He points out that the Father is good and trustworthy, always eager to share His wisdom with those who ask for it:

James 1:5–8

"If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who 'worry their prayers' are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

Ultimately, to serve Jesus is to trade self-reliance for total trust in the Father's character.

Hebrews 13: Enduring Reproach for Jesus

Should the Jewish Christian community before 70 CE have continued going to the Temple in Jerusalem? Should they have kept sacrificing animals?

If Jesus is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, this community was called to stop participating in animal sacrifices—even when facing bullying and social ostracization from their peers. We know that the Christians who fled Jerusalem shortly before its destruction in 70 CE escaped death because they held a mindset fundamentally different from that of their contemporaries, who remained tied to Temple sacrifices.

Hebrews 13 reminds us that a similar shift occurred with the tabernacle in the time of Moses. It was originally placed in the center of the camp, but because of the people's sin, it was moved outside. As Scripture says:

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. 13 So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

— Hebrews 13:10–14

Jewish Christians were called to step "outside the camp"—leaving behind the comfort of their traditional lives and accepting social rejection for Christ, knowing that Jesus is the ultimate, resurrected sacrifice.