Scriptures Commonly Misinterpreted (2)

‎"...so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26)

The phrase, "faith without works is dead" has been commonly misinterpreted to mean that every believer must have a particular secular work he is doing as means of livelihood. As much as Bible gives admonition about secular work (Eph.4:28, Acts.20:34-35, IIThes.3:8-10), that however, is not what James chapter 2 is talking about.

The line of thought in James chapter 2 is in respect of Faith and the inevitable concomitant actions(works) produced by faith. 

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works is dead."(James 2:15-17)

The same way you cant claim you care for someone and not be ready to cater for their physical needs when its in your power to do it so also you cant claim you have faith if that same faith does not produce corresponding action. You cant claim you have faith in the gospel of Jesus and not take the concomitant step of accepting Jesus as your saviour (James 2:14)

There are actions that are inevitable offshoot of faith; faith and the actions (works) it produces are inseperable siamese. If faith-motivated actions(works) are not evident in a man's life, Apostle James has taught us that such a man has no faith.

Therefore faith without corresponding action is dead (is not alive; does not exist). got it?

Some Scriptures Commonly Misinterpreted (1)

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32)
This verse is usually quoted in Christian assemblies, as admonition to 'lift Jesus up' by praise and worship so that he can draw people to church meeting. But if we had pay attention to the verse just after it, it will be clear to us that it refers to the death of Jesus and not worship.
The word 'lifted up' - "hupsoo" in the Greek means to elevate, exalt or lift up. yet, in context, it doesn't mean to exalt in worship. It is the same word used to describe how Moses hung the brazen serpent on the tree as well as the crucifixion of Jesus in John 3:14 : "And as Moses LIFTED UP the serpent in the Wilderness, even so must the son of Man be LIFTED UP"

Lets consider verse 32 and 33 in one breath:
""And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. This He said, signifying by what death He would die" (John 12:32-33)
Amplified version puts it this way:
"And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw and attract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself, He said this to signify in what manner He would die"

Therefore, John 12:32 in context is not talking about 'lifting Jesus up in praise' and since you are not the author, you can't give it your own meaning.

He has died on the cross, as He said, He has drawn and He is still drawing men from all races (not just the Jews) to Himself by the death of the cross. Because on the cross of Christ could bring Jews and gentiles on the same platform as children of God.
"For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups." (Eph. 2:14-15) seen it?

The Bible Has Only ONE Subject & Only ONE Hero

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39)
The Bible is not a book of many stories, though its got many scenes and events; its a book of ONLY ONE story - REDEMPTION; it has many characters, yet ONE HERO - Jesus the anointed.
Christ and His redemptive work is the ONLY SUBJECT and the CONCEPT of the Bible.
The stories, events and prophecies of scriptures ALL point to Him. Peter has righly said:
"To Him ALL THE PROPHETS witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)
An Angel told John:
"...for the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." (Rev.19:10, NLT)
This is the reason for the sacredness of the scriptures.
Having therefore the sacredness of the scriptures in mind, he that approach the Bible must not be oblivious of the fact that there are certain rules and guidelines that should moderate its perusal and study. No prophecy, verse or chapter should be given 'customized' or personal interpretation; the reader should instead, seek to DISCOVER what the Author (God) is passing across.
Hence, the necessity for contextual reading of the Bible while the concept and the historical settings of the events are not neglected. got dat?
Subsequently, I hope to discuss some scriptures which are commonly quoted out of context and out of concept. Have a great day.

Am I a soldier of the Cross by Isaac Watts 1674-1748

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause, 
Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, 
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage,
Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war Shall conquer,
though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine In robes of victory through the skies, The glory shall be Thine.

A Little From Psalms (4)

"What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?"(Psalm 8:4)
Once again this morning, I stir-up your pure minds with a reminder of God's indescribable love for human race.
Psalm 8:4 is an exclamation borne out of deep thought about God's glory extended mortal men.
It's almost unbelievable that the most excellent God would be so mindful of man. What is there in man that entitles him to so much notice? Why has God conferred on him such signal honors? Who could have thought that God would give such a dominion over His magnificent creatures to one who was prone to abuse it as man as shown to be?
This scripture shows the grand expression of the grace of God towards humanity because the ultimate reference, in Psalm 8:4 is to the person of the messiah (Heb.2:6-10) - why was man so honored as to be united to the Godhead (1John3:3); how could deity appear in mortal form (Heb.2:16)
Why should anyone of a race so feeble and so imperfect be entitled to such honor of sharing the nature of God and thus exalted above the angels.
The angelic ranks must have looked with amazement on the fact that man by his union with deity in the person of the Lord Jesus, has been raised above them in rank and in glory (Eph.2:4-6) - hmnn! Love so divine! So amazing!
I cannot imagine the possibility of a christian claiming that God has forgotten him in the midst of such revelation as this!
Rejoice Friends, cos you are an object of great interest in the divine mind.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" (1Peter2:9)
Blessed?

A Little From Psalms (3)

"2 How long, O you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness And seek falsehood? Selah 
3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. 
4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.." (Psalm4:2-3)

The admonition in verse 4 means to regard God in awe so as not to sin against Him. In view of this, the psalmist recommended solitary repose in order to meditate.
Oh that men would heed the word of this verse and commune with their own hearts; surely lack of meditation must be one reason why many are living outside the will of God.
Every believer, must have regular time of meditation in the word of God. Tame your passion, withdraw from distraction, let your heart be still, compose your tumultuous heart and bring your roaming thought under the authority of the word of God (2Cor.10:5)...
Learn to stay with God in quietness, meditating in His word- light will shine on your heart, you will begin to see things differently, your life will become free of undue complexities and most importantly you will be fit and available for the master's use.

A Little From Psalms (2)

"I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me."(Psalm3:5)
There was once a competition in which two painters were asked to graphically depict PEACE.
The first painter showed a body of water flowing gently with a tree in the middle of the water and a bird is standing on the tree undisturbed; the other painter on the contrary showed a turbulent sea with a great uproar and in the midst of this turbulence, there is a bird standing on a tree in the middle of the water unruffled inspite of the uproar:
the 2nd painter won the competition because peace is not absence of turbulence but a heart-seated disposition of confidence in the Mighty God that keeps His people.
This particular Psalm (Psalm 3) is believed to have been written by David when his son, Absalom, was after his life and wanted to dispossess him of the throne(2Sam.15); from human point of view, it was not a time to have sound sleep.
At such a time as this in our nation when bomb blast and insecurity is the order of the day; you and I as believers can remain calm and unruffled in the arms of Him who said... "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb.13:5)
We can sleep soundly with the two eyes closed, because he who keep us neither sleep nor slumber (Ps.121:3)
Never say, "if good people are falling victim who else could be spared"; you can speak for yourself alone in this matter.
Why should you be apprehensive as as though you don't have a living God: Banish fear from your heart dear children of light! for except the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain (Psalm 127:1).
Do have a sound sleep! ok