Thoughts on 1 Peter 5

1-11 Leaders mustn’t lord it over the people they lead, but we likewise must submit to proper authority. I struggle with humility as I want to be recognized for my achievements, but I need to let the Lord honour me rather than trying to get myself honour.

12-14 Peter calls the church of Rome, where he was at, “Babylon”. 

Thoughts on 1 Peter 4

We should be finished with sin… but we’re not. So Peter exhorts us to stay true to God, and tells us to be ready to suffer.

Thoughts on 1 Peter 3

1-7 Traditionally, men have used this to oppress women, forgetting that if we don’t honour our wives, our prayers will be hindered!

8-10 Here is the mystery of grace: God is for the good.

13-22 Generally speaking, we shouldn’t suffer for doing good. But even if we do, we’re only walking in Christ’s footsteps. And God will reward us in the end.

Thoughts on 2 Peter 2

1-12 We were once not a people, but now chosen by God, we've become a special people. So we need to live like that, and let our light shine to the unbelieving world.

13-25 Our submission to human authority is part of our submission to God. It's only when they command us to go against God’s higher law that we should disobey. 

Thoughts on 1 Peter 1

3-6 What God has given us by His great mercy:

• New birth
• Living hope
• Imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance reserved in heaven
• Protected by God’s power through faith
• Salvation
• Joy

6-23 Because of all this, although trials may come, but we still can rejoice because of God’s predicted salvation. We can be steadfast to follow Jesus -- He knew us before the foundation of the world, and we will outlast this temporal world.

Study on James 5

1-11 James tells us to be patient when we see people gain wealth by evil means, as judgement is coming. However, I remember that elsewhere in scripture, there is also the idea of grace. We do not fall under judgement or condemnation for our sins when we repent of our sins and receive God’s propitiation through Jesus’ blood. In a similar way, we need to go beyond desire for justice against others to see that God doesn’t so much want the evil person to suffer, but rather, to repent.

12 Instead of only telling the truth when we take an oath, we need to tell the truth all the time. Personally, when I have time to think about it, it’s in some sense easier to do this. Often I find myself lying or “stretching the truth” or “putting a spin” on the spur of the moment, reacting on instinct. Still a long way to go towards Christ’s perfection.

13-18 Prayer is more powerful than I believe.

19-20 Here James touches on what I reflected on in the first part of this chapter -- getting people to repent is a higher value than wanting God’s wrath to fall on them.

Study on James 4

1-3 Jesus told us to pray in His name, but James points out that we ask and don’t receive because we ask wrongly -- to spend it on our passions.

4-10 I may have chosen to be God’s friend, rather than the world’s friend, but actually it’s not a one-time decision -- daily, I’m confronted with the decision whether to be God’s friend or the world’s friend in different situations. It’s so easy for me to be proud instead of humble.

11-12 God is judge. Yet I keep trying to be judge.

13-17 Part of humility is realizing that whatever we plan is submitted to God’s sovereignty. 

Study on James 3

1-12 I need to be careful how I speak. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will wound much deeper.

13-16 “Wisdom” that promotes jealousy, selfishness and lies is demonic. Godly wisdom is pure and promotes peace and goodness.

Study on James 2

1-13 Although I consciously try to avoid prejudice, unconsciously, I’m affected by it all the time. Need continued renewal of the mind!

14-26 Although saved by grace through faith, faith without works is dead. Works is evidence of a real faith.

Study on James 1

2‭-‬4,12  I generally am able to believe that the testing of our faith produces endurance, but still have trouble considering it joy!

5‭-‬8 I often have trouble asking without doubting, so this could be discouraging. But I am encouraged by Jesus's response to the man who said "Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief!"

9‭-‬10 Total role reversal here.

13‭-‬15 God tests us but never tempts us. It says happy are we when tested, not when tempted. The devil tempts us, and our own flesh tempts us.

Sin leads to death! Let me remember this when I'm tempted!

19‭-‬21 This is something I have to remind myself of regularly.

It's so easy to feel good about my own "righteous indignation". But human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness!!!

We are to be salt and light in the world and influence it for good, to correct injustice where we can, to persuade people to God's way, etc. but not to indulge in self-righteous anger!

So hard to do especially when we are railing against injustice. Yet that's what God calls us to do!

‬22‭-‬27 This passage is especially important for me, I think.

I am good at studying the Bible, the historical background, apologetics, etc. But I have to live the message and not merely listen to it. The message must motivate me to godly action.

Study on Titus 3

Titus 3

1-2 Ooo, be subject to the authorities and don't slander… we who oppose BN have to keep this in mind lest our zeal for democracy causes us to sin. I know I've sinned in this manner many times.

3-7 We started out in the evil camp, but the grace and kindness of God have given us a new life.

8-11 Reminder to eschew foolish quarrels.

12-15 Personal notes, similar to the letters to Timothy.

Study on Titus 2

1-10 Whether old or young, slave or free, as Christians, we need to be good examples to others.

11-15 The grace of God trains us for good -- although grace is undeserved favour, i.e. not a result of our good works, our response to grace should be good works. 

Study on Titus 1

1-4 God actually had the plan for salvation before the ages began, but it was now the right time that God revealed this ancient mystery to the world.

5-9 The qualifications for elder here are are quite similar to the qualifications for bishop in 1 Timothy 3, and again, they’re good virtues to aspire to even if you’re not going to become an elder.

10-16 Sometimes the observer only observes based on his own internal state. How often, then, do I see something that’s not there? O Lord, make my vision pure. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Study on 2 Timothy 4

1-8 “Be prepared!” is the Boy Scouts’ motto, and that should be our motto as well regarding preaching the Gospel. We need to be self-controlled, even when people don’t want to hear the true Gospel. This doesn’t mean we should not be tactful -- for preaching the Gospel in such a manner as to put people off will not help people to come to Christ. May I be able to say, like Paul, at the end of my life “I’ve fought the good fight; I’ve finished the race; I’ve kept the faith.”

9-22 Paul ends with some personal notes and greetings. Even heroes of the faith are real people, with real feelings, shortcomings, and relationships. God uses ordinary people, and we can all be like these heroes of the faith if we let God.