Week 49: Hebrews 5-13; James 1-5; 1 Peter 1-2; James, Peter and John

James: James is the Proverbs of the New Testament. It is filled with numerous, briefly stated truths. These truths echo the words of Jesus and come primarily from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). James calls on believers to “prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (1:22). We are called to practice “the perfect law the law of liberty” (1:25). James understood that the “royal law” was our instructions on how to love God and love our neighbors (2:8). We will be judged not on our knowledge of the law but by how we lived it out in our lives. He saw it as the “law of liberty” because it frees us from being slaves to sin (Romans 6:15-23).

James calls on us to live without partiality based on ethnicity or social status. As we encourage others to also be doers we must do it with an attitude of grace and mercy because, “judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement” (2:13).

1, 2 Peter: 1 Peter encourages believers to be strong in the face of persecution. He tells believers that “when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God” (2:20). He reminds us of Jesus example of suffering death on the cross to bring about our salvation (2:21-25). He reminds the readers that they are to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (3:15). DO this knowing that “if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed” (3:14).

2 Peter warns believers about false teachers (2:1-3). By contrast he reminds them of the authenticity of the apostles teachings which were written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (1:16-21). These teachings provided “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (1:3) so believers would develop the qualities needed to be useful in promoting the Kingdom of God (1:5-11). This is our calling because the present world will pass away, but we look for the “new heaven a new earth in which righteousness dwells (3:3-13).