johnmarkharris.net

Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

click here for today’s passage

Paul’s Apostolic Authority (Galatians 1:1-12):
Paul establishes his apostleship as directly from Jesus Christ, not from humans, to emphasize the divine origin of his message. He warns against any other gospel, stating that even if an angel from heaven preached a different gospel, they should be accursed.

The Gospel Paul Preached (Galatians 1:11-24):
Paul recounts his conversion and early ministry to prove that his gospel was not received from human sources but through revelation from Jesus Christ. He highlights his independence from the Jerusalem church leaders, underscoring that his message was divinely inspired, not a product of human manipulation or approval.

Rejection of Human Approval (Galatians 1:10):
This verse is pivotal as Paul clarifies his motivation isn’t to please people but to serve Christ, setting the stage for the rest of the letter where he will defend the gospel against those who would distort it for human acceptance.

The central theme of Galatians 1 is the defense of the true gospel. Paul is combating a false teaching that has infiltrated the Galatian churches, which suggests that adherence to Jewish law is necessary for salvation alongside faith in Christ. He establishes his authority, the divine origin of his message, and his commitment to serving Christ over pleasing people. The chapter sets a tone of urgency and clarity, focusing on the purity of the gospel message, the importance of divine revelation over human tradition, and the call to live and preach according to God’s approval rather than societal or cultural acceptance.

click here for the 2025 reading plan

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

click here for today’s passage

Warning to the Rich (James 5:1-6):
James warns the rich who have gained their wealth through oppression and injustice. He speaks of the miseries that will come upon them due to their hoarding and mistreatment of others, particularly the workers who have been defrauded of their wages.

Patience in Suffering (James 5:7-11):
Believers are encouraged to be patient in the face of suffering, much like a farmer waits for the harvest. They are reminded of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord and Job, who endured suffering yet saw the Lord’s compassionate and merciful outcome.

Truthful Speech (James 5:12):
There’s a strong admonition against swearing oaths, encouraging instead that one’s yes should be yes, and no, no, to avoid judgment.

Prayer, Healing, and Confession (James 5:13-20):
This section emphasizes the power of prayer in various situations: in suffering, in cheerfulness, and in sickness. It advocates for mutual confession of sins and praying for one another for healing. The chapter ends with the importance of bringing back those who wander from the truth, highlighting the salvific effect of such actions.

The overarching theme of James 5 is about living faith in practical ways amidst wealth, suffering, and community life. It’s a call to integrity, patience, and mutual care within the Christian community. James emphasizes that true faith will manifest in how one handles wealth, endures hardship, speaks truthfully, and engages in communal prayer and confession. The chapter combines eschatological warnings, ethical living, and communal responsibility, urging believers to live out their faith authentically in all circumstances.

click here for the 2025 reading plan

James 4:6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

click here for today’s passage

Conflict and Its Source (verses 1-3):
James addresses conflicts among believers, attributing them to selfish desires. He points out that such quarrels arise because people want things for their own pleasure rather than for God’s will.

Friendship with the World (verses 4-6):
He warns that friendship with the world is enmity with God. The chapter emphasizes humility over pride, stating that God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud.

Submission to God (verses 7-10):
Believers are urged to submit to God, resist the devil, cleanse their hands, purify their hearts, and mourn over their sin. The teaching here is on repentance and drawing near to God, which leads to God drawing near to them.

Judging Others (verses 11-12):
James cautions against judging one another, stating that to judge a brother or sister is to speak against the law and to judge the law itself. Only God is the true Judge.

Boasting About Tomorrow (verses 13-17):
He criticizes those who make plans without considering God’s will, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the importance of acknowledging God in all plans. This includes a reminder that failing to do good when it’s known to be the right thing is a sin.

The overarching theme of James chapter 4 is the call to humility and submission to God’s will over personal desires and worldly influences. It underscores the need for believers to live in accordance with God’s wisdom, recognizing their dependence on Him for grace and guidance. The chapter teaches the importance of humility, repentance, and living a life aligned with divine rather than human wisdom, all while maintaining a proper perspective on one’s own life and judgments.

click here for the 2025 reading plan