Christ's Instructions

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473) Jas 5:14 . . Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of
the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name
of The Lord

Religious fanatics here and there are allowing their underage children to
suffer and even die from treatable medical conditions on the basis of Jas
5:14. Christ addressed this issue indirectly by means of his teachings at Matt
12:11-12 which say:

"What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall
into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How
much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do good
on the sabbath days."

In other words: the sanctity of human life trumps the sanctity of the
Sabbath. So then, hospitals, doctors, nurses, firemen, law enforcement,
soup kitchens, rescue missions, Red Cross, disaster emergency workers, etc.
who are busy on the Sabbath do not sin. Do they break the Sabbath? Yes;
but the sanctity of the seventh day is secondary to the sanctity of human
life. (cf. Luke 13:15 & Luke 14:5)

So then, I would have to say, in principle with Matt 12:11-12, that people
who deny their children adequate medical care in the name of religion regard
the value of their own flesh and blood as something less than that of a
beast.

It's okay to have elders pray for a child, and it's okay to anoint them with oil
if perchance somebody wants to. But after that, parents really should take
their children to a doctor because medicine today is far and away superior to
the practices available to Christians back in James' day when oil, prayer, and
wine were just about the best there was.

There used to be an old saying going around in Christian circles that went
something like this: When a farmer prays for a crop, he should say amen
with a hoe. In other words, Christian parents shouldn't sit back and wait for
a miracle when it's in their power to take some action; and if they don't,
then in my opinion, they deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of
the law when a child in their care dies from a treatable condition.

● 1Tim 5:8 . . If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his
own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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474) Jas 5:16a . . Confess your sins to one another

Words for "your sins" aren't in the Greek manuscript; viz: they're editorial
enhancements. Some even pencil in the word "faults" which is no less
arbitrary.

So we can safely omit "your sins" and clean up that verse to read "Confess
to one another".

The Greek word translated "confess" means things like consent, assent,
acknowledge, agree, and/or concur. It can also mean to "own-up" (a.k.a.
man-up) for example:

When folks are deathly ill-- for instance dying from terminal cancer --then is
a good time to make amends with those whom we've hurt or done wrong in
some way or another. We sure don't want to leave this life while at the same
time leaving a bad taste in people's mouth. And besides, folks need to know
of our regretting the way we treated them.
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475) Jas 5:19-20 . . My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth,
and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the
error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of
sins.

One way to look at that passage pertains to sins that snowball, viz: escalate.
For example:

"Yahweh said to Cain: If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But
if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to
have you, but you must master it." (Gen 4:6-7)

That's the very first instance in the Bible of the word "sin". The Hebrew word
basically means an offense; as in repeat offender. In other words; not just
an occasional slip-up, but a life style.

Cain was in very real danger of becoming a permanent slave to his passions,
which did eventually drive him to murdering his kid brother (Gen 4:8) and
then to that sin, he added dishonesty and sarcasm (Gen 4:9) and finally to
breaking off with God altogether. (Gen 4:16)
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476) 1Pet 1:13-18 . . Gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix
your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ.

The Greek word translated "hope" means anticipation; which is quite a bit
different than crossing one's fingers; viz; Peter's hope doesn't mean praying
for the best while in the back of one's mind dreading the worst.

The grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ is of course
a forever young, immortal body (1Cor 15:51-53, 1Thess 4:13-18).

That's good to know for those of us undergoing the damage being done to
our appearance, and the loss of our vitality, due to disease and the aging
process. I can only imagine the despair that unbelievers must feel as their
bodies deteriorate with no possibility of recovery. Once the strength they
have now fades away, and it will, that's it.
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477) 1Pet 1:14-16. . As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who
called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is
written: You shall be holy, for I am holy.

"conformed" is speaking of habits. Take for example alcoholism. The popular
diagnosis these days is that it's a disease. Well; it if is, then it's the only
disease I know of contracted by fools.

● Prov 20:1 . . Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.

"You shall be holy, for I am holy" sort of echoes the old proverb: Birds of a
feather, flock together; meaning of course that if people wish to cultivate a
rapport with God; they have to work on becoming heavenly rather than
earthly because He tends to avoid mingling with invasive species; so to
speak. (cf. 1John 1:6)
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478) 1Pet 1:17-18 . . And if you address as "Father" the one who impartially
judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in reverential fear
during the time of your stay upon earth.

Just about anybody who wants to can address God as Father, and/or the
Father, but only the privileged individuals adopted into His family circle have
a legitimate right to address Him as "my Father"

● Gal 4:6 . . Because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of His son
into your hearts calling out: Abba! Father!

● Rom 8:15 . . For you have not received a spirit of bondage again to fear;
but you have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we call out: Abba!
Father!

Adopted folks have it much better than those in slavery. For one, slaves
aren't relatives-- as such have a right to take their owner's name.

In contrast adopted folks are kin, and as such have inheritance rights, have
a right to take their adopted family's name, and the right to a place in their
adopted family's genealogy.

Plus: their situation is permanent, i.e. there's no danger of adopted folks
being sold as property; and should they eventually go out on their own, their
adoptive family will always be there for a safety net should they need it.

* Abba is neither English, nor Greek, nor Hebrew. It's an Aramaic word that
means father in an unusual way. It's a filial vocative.

For example: When my son points me out to one of his friends at the mall
and says: "That's my dad over there" then his use of dad simply indicates
that he and I are related. But when he shouts: "Hey dad! I'm over here."
then his use of dad is a filial vocative because he's addressing me personally
to get my attention-- same noun; different sense.

Anyway: people in Heaven no doubt give a high priority to conducting
themselves with their Father in mind; that is: they respect both Him and His
expectations. Down here, some folks have made a habit of indifference.

● Mal 1:6 . . A son honors his father. If I am a father, where is the honor
due me? (cf. John 8:28)
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479) 1Pet 1:22b . . See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

The love in this command is fraternal; i.e. it's from a Greek word that
includes fondness and affection, which are easy to imitate but not so easy to
duplicate.

A pure heart is one that's honest and sincere rather than pretentious,
deceitful, and/or dissembling.

"one another" is likely relative to the brotherhood of folks unified with Christ
by means of their participation in his crucifixion and his resurrection. (Rom
6:3-11)
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480) 1Pet 2:1a . . Lay aside all malice

The Greek word for "malice" basically refers to badness, i.e. depravity,
malignity, and trouble.

Malignity commonly describes aggressive cancers, which tend to spread and
produce death or deterioration, viz: malignant people are passionately and
relentlessly malevolent; defined by Webster's as having, showing, or arising
from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred.

Seeing as how malice is controllable; then I think it safe to conclude that
there are some people whose mean-spirited behavior is by choice, i.e.
deliberate.
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481) 1Pet 2:1b . . Lay aside all deceit

The Greek word translated "deceit" basically refers to decoys; defined by
Webster's as someone or something used to lure or lead another into a trap.

Decoys can also be used as diversions, e.g. red herrings.

It also refers to trickery; defined by Webster's as the practice of crafty
underhanded ingenuity to deceive or cheat, for example Gen 3:1.

A very common form of deceit is something called dissembling; which
basically means to conceal one's true feelings with pretense. I think it's
pretty safe to say that everybody at one time or another practices
dissembling; it's pretty much a natural propensity.

Peter's instructions don't say to avoid deceit, they say to lay it aside; viz:
cease.
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482) 1Pet 2:1c . . Lay aside all hypocrisy

The Greek word for "hypocrisy" basically refers to acting under a feigned
part.

Not all hypocrisy is bad; quite a few people earn an honest living by
accepting parts in movies and plays. That we can live with.

But hypocrisy in religion is insufferable; for example Mark 12:13-15, which
reads like this:

"Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him
in his words. They came to him and said: Teacher, we know you are a man
of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who
they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it
right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we? But
Jesus knew their hypocrisy."

Their inquiry was reasonable; but it was based upon an ulterior motive. They
didn't care one whit about the taxes; they were only looking for a legitimate
excuse to have Jesus arrested and put away where he could no longer
influence public opinion.

Hypocrisy is also exemplified in double standards, for example Luke 6:41-42
and Matt 23:2-4

"And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not
notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother:
Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do
not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out
of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in
your brother's eye."

"The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of
Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do
according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them. And they
tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves
are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger."

To put this in a modern context: A prominent member of the US Congress
quoted a passage from the Bible to justify sending aid to Ukraine. Some time
later, the archbishop in that person's district announced his intention to deny
them Communion because of their pro abortion stance. In other words: that
member of congress attempted to politicize their religion without taking it
serious enough to live it.
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483) 1Pet 2:1d . . Lay aside all envy

Webster's defines envy as painful or resentful awareness of an advantage
enjoyed by another, coupled with a desire to possess the same advantage.

There are musicians that I greatly admire for their talent and their creativity.
But I don't hate them for it; no, I truly love their work, i.e. I'm a fan rather
than a rival. For example: famed sessions musician Carol Kaye laid down
smooth jazz lines with an electric bass using nothing more than a flat guitar
pick. I wish I could do what Carol does; at the same time wish her all the
best and would sincerely like for her to continue playing and teaching
forever.

But when admiration is mixed with pain and resentment, it can become ugly
and extremely dangerous.

For example, it was the ugly kind of envy that motivated Cain to murder his
kid brother, and it was the ugly kind of envy that motivated Joseph's
brothers to sell him into slavery, and it was the ugly kind of envy that
motivated Jesus' opponents to have him arrested and put to death.

People prone to the ugly kind of envy share a very common denominator:
they simply must be either equal to, or better than, others. It's that simple.
And if they cannot be equal to, or better than others, then nothing would
make them happier than to see those others failed, maimed, silenced,
disfigured, dishonored, disgraced, humiliated, handicapped for life and/or
deceased.
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484) 1Pet 2:1e . . Lay aside all evil speaking

The Greek word for "evil speaking" basically pertains to defamation; defined
by Webster's as the act of deliberately communicating false statements
about a person that injures their reputation.

For example there was a case in the courts not that long ago wherein a
notable politician initiated a Russian collusion hoax with the intent to destroy
the public's trust in a former US President's integrity.
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485) 1Pet 2:11 . . Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain
from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is normally good advice to tourists
and immigrants; but when your real world is in Heaven rather than on the
earth, then Christians have to be on guard against picking up cultural mores
that conflict with Heaven's.

"fleshly lusts" pertain to human nature's longings and cravings. Not all are
bad for us. The ones we need to avoid indulging are the inordinate ones, viz:
those that wage war against the soul, i.e. have a marked effect upon the
core of our being.

* An example of this is located in the 13th chapter of 2Samuel.
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486) 1Pet 2:12 . . Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that
in the thing in which they slander you as malefactors, they may on account
of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of
visitation.

The Greek word for "malefactors" is somewhat ambiguous. It can, among
other things, refer to a bad influence.

The Greek word for "visitation" is another ambiguous word that can mean,
among other things, inspection and/or evaluation.

Webster’s defines "inspection" as a checking or testing of an individual
against established standards.

If it turns out that the criticism hurled at believers was unjustified, then the
hurlers will have to pay. In so doing, how will they glorify God? Well, the
slanderers themselves may not pay their respects to God, but their
retribution will certainly honor His standards.
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487) 1Pet 2:13-15 . . Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for The
Lord's sake : whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as
unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the
praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye
may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Every ordinance of man of course includes traffic laws like J-walking, unsafe
lane changes, drifting through stop signs, tailgating, road rage, exceeding
speed limits, feeding parking meters, crossing streets against the light,
blocking driveways, failure to yield the right of way, illegal U-turns; etc.

"foolish men" would include employee theft, factions like ANTIFA, and
activists involved in civil disobedience.

"ignorance" can be defined as a lack of knowledge, education, and/or
awareness. Used the wrong way; labeling someone ignorant is an effective
insult. But to us it means that either someone hasn't been sufficiently
catechized to know any better or they're handicapped with a low IQ.

* Human government isn't the end-all; it's only a tier in the hierarchy. The
top tier belongs to the supreme being, and His word is the final word. (e.g.
Acts 4:19 & 5:29)
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488) 1Pet 2:16a . . Live as free men

Some of Christ's believing followers in the Roman empire were slaves; so it
was legally impossible for them to live as free men without risking severe
consequences.

I think what we're looking at here is that Peter is encouraging the Christians
to whom he wrote to voluntarily accept their status as slaves instead of
resenting it. In other words: free men have choices; and even though some
of the Christians were slaves against their will, they were free to choose to
make the best of it or let it get to them.

A pretty useful platitude that I once heard goes like this: Bloom where
you're planted. So; if you should find yourself planted in adverse
circumstances; make up your mind to make the best of it. This is something
wherein you have a choice; even though you have no choice about being
stuck. It's really all about attitude adjustment.
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489) 1Pet 2:16b . . Do not use your freedom as a cloak for evil; live as
servants of God.

That passage is likely a reiteration of the one below:

"You were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into
an opportunity for the flesh" (Gal 5:13)

No sin that a believer commits will ever again put them in danger of the
wrath of God.

"I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent
me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they
have already passed from death into life." (John 5:24)

However, folks unified with Christ should never regard John 5:24 as a
license to steal, so to speak. It's liberty to steal in that they are in no danger
of the consequences listed at Lev 26:14-39, Deut 27:15-26, and Deut
28:15-68, but certainly not license because theft is just as wrong for God's
friends and allies as it is for His enemies (Rom 6:1-15). Just because
believers won't suffer the sum of all fears for theft is not an eo ipso
exemption for them to have a go at it.
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490) 1Pet 2:17a . . Honor all men.

Right after the Flood, God outlawed taking human life; and the reason given
for the ban was not because killing people is necessarily wrong, but because
people were made in the likeness of God. (Gen 9:5-6) In other words: animal
life is expendable whereas human life is sacred.

James criticizes the use of language that expresses a wish that someone be
sent to Hell. The reason given is not because that sort of language is
necessarily wrong, but because people were made in the likeness of God.
(Jas 3:8-9)

I gather that failure to treat everyone with dignity-- regardless of age, race,
gender, or status --not only dishonors men but by extension also dishonors
God in whose likeness all men were made.

FAQ: Does that mean even serial killers, mass murderers, and monsters like
Osama Bin Laden, Robert Mugabe, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Saddam
Hussein, and crooks like Al Capone and Bernie Madoff have to be treated
humanely and with dignity the same as everyone else?

REPLY: Yes, absolutely because the honor that Peter is talking about doesn't
have to be earned, merited or otherwise deserved because it's given to all
without reservation.

Take for example Lev 19:32 which reads like this:

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere
your God. I am The Lord"

Senior citizens don't have earn our respect, i.e. it's neither merited nor
otherwise deserved. The only requirement is age; and failure to dignify
senior citizens fails to dignify God and comply with His expectations.

NOTE: I've seen young Christians in Sunday school treat senior citizens as
peers, and sometimes even as children. That kind of conduct is not only
disturbing, but it's also very unbecoming for Christian people.
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491) 1Pet 2:17b . . love the brotherhood

The Greek word translated "brotherhood" appears in only two places in the
entire new testament; both are in the apostle Peter's epistles: one here and
the other in 1Pet 5:9.

It's a curious word because it doesn't specifically refer to "the church which
is his body". Adelphotes basically means a fraternity; defined by Webster's
as a group of people associated or formally organized for a common
purpose, interest, or pleasure; i.e. persons of the same class, profession,
character, or tastes: for example leagues, guilds, societies, and trade
unions.

Just to be on the safe side, I think we should assume that Peter's
instructions apply to anyone and everyone identifying themselves as a
Christian regardless of their denominational affiliation.

One thing to our advantage is that the Greek word for "love" in 1Pet 2:17 is
impersonal, viz: it requires neither fondness nor affection; it only requires
that we be humane, e.g. civil, courteous, friendly, peaceable, hospitable,
sympathetic, tolerant, lenient, forgiving, charitable, and generous. In other
words; we don't especially have to like everyone identifying themselves as
Christians; we just have to be tolerant.
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492) 1Pet 2:17c . . fear God, honor the king.

There are times when it isn't possible to honor both God and king. When
that happens-- and it does --take the high road, i.e. honor God above the
king because God is superior to everyone there is, and to every name that
can be named. This principle goes way back; especially for God's people: the
Jews.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut
6:4-6)

"You be the judge; whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to men
rather than to God." (Acts 4:19)

"We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
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