James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Top o’ the morn to all you far flung Scrip-Bit Friends! It’s a new and glorious day! We’re alive on this beautiful planet Earth, with numerous God-given blessings, privileges, mercies, forgiveness, and above all the promises of salvation and eternal live! Wow! For all that our magnanimous God has done, is doing and will do for us, let’s give Him a round of applause, show Him some gratitude and thanks. ‘Oh Father in heaven, we thank you that we’re alive and kicking, ready to LIVE our Faith and show our great LOVE for you in a world that’s trying to shunt you aside. Thank you for the immense LOVE you showed by sacrificing your Son, Jesus for us. We humbly ask that you keep blessing and guiding us as we seek You and the way You desire us to go. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’ Ah Friends, our God is so good to us that sometimes it just boggles my imagination, and makes me wonder how and why we can’t LOVE Him more and do a better job of furthering His kingdom. However, there’s a caveat to all that, as James states. ‘My brethren, be not among many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ James is warning us not to have too many teachers in the church, as it could easily lead to misuse, through slanted or even wrong information being taught, thereby causing confusion and leading the believers astray, as happened in the early church, and sadly is still happening too much today. Bruh Paul warned Timothy of this. ‘Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions (causes disputes) rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end (purpose) of the commandment is charity (LOVE) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere). From which some having swerved (strayed) have turned aside unto vain jangling (idle chatter); Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.’ (1 Tim.1:4-7) Yes my people, there are many false teachers and preachers out there in our evil world, teaching false or slanted doctrine. Some only talk God, but are rather unscrupulous, are only out to make a quick buck off the unsuspecting public. Fraud artists abound in all areas of life, even in the Lord’s ministry. Bruh Paul also warned us in this regard, when dealing with the Jews and the law, re circumcision and it’s place in the gospel. ‘Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makes thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dishonourest thou God?’ ( Rom.2:21-23) And he goes on to berate those who laud the practice of circumcision, but don’t practice the law that goes with it. As the scholars claim, ‘the rite without the reality of the personal devotion to God is meaningless and is really unrighteous.’ Put in simple terms; teacher or preacher, teach thyself, practice what you preach, for it’s not right to say one thing then do another. And we all know people like that. But it’s even more important among those who attempt to spread the Word. I’ve never wanted to be a role model, and would often tell others to do as I say and not as I do, for though I give very good advice, I don’t always apply it to my own circumstances. However, since I’ve begun writing this Bit, I’ve realized that there’s a great responsibility to practice what I preach, because in the eyes of the public I’m now a role model for Jesus, and people will expect me to follow the advice I give them if it fits my circumstances. Ah Lord eh! Yuh know Friends, it’s the first time I’ve ever really sat down and contemplated the fact that I’ve become a serious role model, when I never wanted to be one. Our God can be so tricky and underhanded at times. Hn! The thing with being a role model is that you have to live up to whatever ideals you teach, but with our natural sinful and rebellious nature, it’s also easy to deviate from the narrow path, which leads to oodles of criticism and crying out for one’s head. Just look at all the people we’ve put up on pedestals recently as our cult of celebrity widens, and as soon as they err, sometimes it’s only simple human error, we’re quick to drag them down unmercifully and tarnish their name, meanwhile in our own little world, we’re doing even worse. That’s the hypocrisy I can’t stand with being in the public eye: we all want to be forgiven, but cannot forgive. Be it known though Friends, that I take what I write seriously, sometimes too seriously, for if after I send out the Bit, I see even one small, insignificant error, it annoys me. That’s because I keep talking about believers reaching out for excellence like Jesus did, and I’m just trying to do as I say. Hn, hn, hn! I’m chuckling because I don’t know how we got to this point. I guess the Spirit must have felt that I needed to give a personal testimony and clear the air in that regard, for I certainly don’t want to be a purveyor of wrong information on God’s behalf. But please remember, I’m only human too, and though my heart is in the right place, I’m no scholar, just learning as I go along with you, so don’t put me on any pedestal, as I have Achilles heels too. (smile) The old people would say, I’m taking in front before in front takes me. But seriously though Friends, it’s vitally important for anyone who’s teaching anything at all, to have that teaching, where necessary, displayed in their everyday lives. For as James rightly says: ‘knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ Yes, teachers will always be held to higher standards and judged more strictly than their students or listeners, for they have an higher responsibility to uphold; to teach the truth, and not lead others astray. Consequently Friends, it is very important that we pay careful attention to whom we listen to and what they say. Don’t take everything for granted, do your homework, study the Word and ask questions if you’re not sure. That’s the only way you can protect yourself and not be led astray. Please guard your hearts, souls and minds carefully for the enemy is always on the lookout for someone to exploit. Much LOVE!…Christ, crucified on the cross for our sins…brought salvation and eternal life…that’s the eternal truth…
Top o’ the morn to all you far flung Scrip-Bit Friends! It’s a new and glorious day! We’re alive on this beautiful planet Earth, with numerous God-given blessings, privileges, mercies, forgiveness, and above all the promises of salvation and eternal live! Wow! For all that our magnanimous God has done, is doing and will do for us, let’s give Him a round of applause, show Him some gratitude and thanks. ‘Oh Father in heaven, we thank you that we’re alive and kicking, ready to LIVE our Faith and show our great LOVE for you in a world that’s trying to shunt you aside. Thank you for the immense LOVE you showed by sacrificing your Son, Jesus for us. We humbly ask that you keep blessing and guiding us as we seek You and the way You desire us to go. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’ Ah Friends, our God is so good to us that sometimes it just boggles my imagination, and makes me wonder how and why we can’t LOVE Him more and do a better job of furthering His kingdom. However, there’s a caveat to all that, as James states. ‘My brethren, be not among many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ James is warning us not to have too many teachers in the church, as it could easily lead to misuse, through slanted or even wrong information being taught, thereby causing confusion and leading the believers astray, as happened in the early church, and sadly is still happening too much today. Bruh Paul warned Timothy of this. ‘Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions (causes disputes) rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end (purpose) of the commandment is charity (LOVE) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere). From which some having swerved (strayed) have turned aside unto vain jangling (idle chatter); Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.’ (1 Tim.1:4-7) Yes my people, there are many false teachers and preachers out there in our evil world, teaching false or slanted doctrine. Some only talk God, but are rather unscrupulous, are only out to make a quick buck off the unsuspecting public. Fraud artists abound in all areas of life, even in the Lord’s ministry. Bruh Paul also warned us in this regard, when dealing with the Jews and the law, re circumcision and it’s place in the gospel. ‘Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makes thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dishonourest thou God?’ ( Rom.2:21-23) And he goes on to berate those who laud the practice of circumcision, but don’t practice the law that goes with it. As the scholars claim, ‘the rite without the reality of the personal devotion to God is meaningless and is really unrighteous.’ Put in simple terms; teacher or preacher, teach thyself, practice what you preach, for it’s not right to say one thing then do another. And we all know people like that. But it’s even more important among those who attempt to spread the Word. I’ve never wanted to be a role model, and would often tell others to do as I say and not as I do, for though I give very good advice, I don’t always apply it to my own circumstances. However, since I’ve begun writing this Bit, I’ve realized that there’s a great responsibility to practice what I preach, because in the eyes of the public I’m now a role model for Jesus, and people will expect me to follow the advice I give them if it fits my circumstances. Ah Lord eh! Yuh know Friends, it’s the first time I’ve ever really sat down and contemplated the fact that I’ve become a serious role model, when I never wanted to be one. Our God can be so tricky and underhanded at times. Hn! The thing with being a role model is that you have to live up to whatever ideals you teach, but with our natural sinful and rebellious nature, it’s also easy to deviate from the narrow path, which leads to oodles of criticism and crying out for one’s head. Just look at all the people we’ve put up on pedestals recently as our cult of celebrity widens, and as soon as they err, sometimes it’s only simple human error, we’re quick to drag them down unmercifully and tarnish their name, meanwhile in our own little world, we’re doing even worse. That’s the hypocrisy I can’t stand with being in the public eye: we all want to be forgiven, but cannot forgive. Be it known though Friends, that I take what I write seriously, sometimes too seriously, for if after I send out the Bit, I see even one small, insignificant error, it annoys me. That’s because I keep talking about believers reaching out for excellence like Jesus did, and I’m just trying to do as I say. Hn, hn, hn! I’m chuckling because I don’t know how we got to this point. I guess the Spirit must have felt that I needed to give a personal testimony and clear the air in that regard, for I certainly don’t want to be a purveyor of wrong information on God’s behalf. But please remember, I’m only human too, and though my heart is in the right place, I’m no scholar, just learning as I go along with you, so don’t put me on any pedestal, as I have Achilles heels too. (smile) The old people would say, I’m taking in front before in front takes me. But seriously though Friends, it’s vitally important for anyone who’s teaching anything at all, to have that teaching, where necessary, displayed in their everyday lives. For as James rightly says: ‘knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ Yes, teachers will always be held to higher standards and judged more strictly than their students or listeners, for they have an higher responsibility to uphold; to teach the truth, and not lead others astray. Consequently Friends, it is very important that we pay careful attention to whom we listen to and what they say. Don’t take everything for granted, do your homework, study the Word and ask questions if you’re not sure. That’s the only way you can protect yourself and not be led astray. Please guard your hearts, souls and minds carefully for the enemy is always on the lookout for someone to exploit. Much LOVE!…Christ, crucified on the cross for our sins…brought salvation and eternal life…that’s the eternal truth…
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