Verse-by-verse commentary (VBVC) is the expected method of preaching or teaching through the bible in most (if not all) churches claiming a high view of Scripture. It is also the method taught by seminaries to those being trained as pastors in such churches. Though based on good intentions, it fails in several respects. The purpose of this study will be to consider its weaknesses as well as its more biblical alternative.

1. The weakness of (VBVC) method:

1.1. It makes teaching the entire bible in one pastor’s or congregation’s lifetime unrealistic/impossible.

There are 31,102 verses in the modern Bible (per Estienne numbering). This works out to roughly 26 verses per chapter. A sermon lasting 60-80 minutes under the (VBVC) method can ideally cover between 5-6 verses. At this pace, it would take 5 weeks to cover one chapter. Given there are 1,189 chapters in the Protestant Bible (per Geneva chaptering), means it would take 114 years to preach through the entire bible. Cutting this in half – or by 75 percent, creates no less a daunting scenario (57 years, 28.5 years[1]). The preaching of John MacArthur, a strong supporter of this form of teaching, offers a more realistic example. In 2011, he finished preaching through the New Testament (only). It took him 42 years.

1.2. It causes most pastor’s to fail in their discipleship duties to their congregation (Mat 28:20).

1.3. It leads to myopic misinterpretation of the immediate context or primary preaching text.

The extended period of time it takes to get through a chapter, often leads to forgetting the larger context of the author’s communication in the chapter or book itself. This in turn means myopic misinterpretation of the immediate context or primary preaching text. To utilize the old saying, “you lose the forest for the trees.” The result is contradiction not only with the rest of Scripture, but often within the book itself (e.g. Rom 8:35-39 = Protected by Christ, so you can’t lose your salvation w/11:22 = Be careful or you will lose your salvation; 1Th 1:4 = Paul knows these individuals have been elected/chosen to be permanently/eternally saved w/3:5 = Paul worried that their salvation possibly lost).[2]

1.4. It encourages the congregation to lose interest in studying the bible (b/c it takes so long).

1.5. It is foreign to the preaching of the New Testament or the early church.

There are no examples of this kind of preaching in the NT or the early church.

2. The more biblical alternative:

2.1. Journaling in Practicum = CCC members (1^st grade and older) will read a chapter each day of the week. They will then list all the instruction/truths they think are established by that chapter in their journal/journaling bible ($35 reimbursement to all members 1^st grade and older who purchase one). Monday through Wednesday their reading and journaling will be from the Old Testament (3 chapters total), Thursday and Friday from the New Testament (2 chapters total). All members will read according to order presented below. All members (1^st grade and older) are expected to participate in the journaling program.  Pastor will exposit from and compare his list to yours in Practicum as well as attempt to answer questions. Practicum will be from 10-11am (Worship 11:15am).

(8/11-15: M= Gen 1, T=Gen 2, W= Gen 3, Th= Mat 10, F= Mat 11; 8/18-22: M= Gen 4, T= Gen 5, W= Gen 6, Th= Mat 12, F= Mat 13)

2.1.1. Examples of journaling (listing the instruction/truths established):

2.1.1.1. Matthew 9

1. God has given His ministers the authority to forgive sins (1-8)
2. Churches appointed by God realize how important it is to spend time discipling those among the congregation who are spiritually weak and seeking help (9-13)
3. True disciples are always willing to change when God and the circumstances require it (14-17)
4. Jesus only helped those who were teachable (18-31)
5. Exercising demons thru gospel preaching is a part of legitimate ministry (32-35)
6. God’s people need shepherds to keep them from getting jacked up (36-38) (Mal 2:6-7 w/Eph 4:11-16; “Say No To Solo Scriptura”)

2.1.1.2.  Hosea 1

1. If the church/covenant community allows for the practice of sin (versus removing such individuals) the consequences are they no longer exist as God’s church/kingdom (1-4)
2. Without the church, there is no salvation (5-6)
3. Without the church, there is also no Christians (8-9)

2.1.1.3. Psalm 66

1. The gospel truth of Abundant Life (1-12)
2. The gospel truth of Lord Before Savior (16-20)
3. The gospel truth of Covenant Community (13-15)

2.1.2. Advantages:

2.1.2.1. The entire Bible wb exposited/discussed/taught every 6 years (1x thru the OT, 2 ½x thru the NT).

2.1.2.2 Pastors and parents are provided the ideal resource (and metric) for discipling and disciplining – or engendering love for God in those under their care since we (pastors/parents) are meditating on the same texts (Gen 6:5-9; Eph 6:4).

2.1.2.3 We are provided w/common ground for spiritual discussion and encouragement during fellowship (Eph 5:17-20; Col 3:16).

2.1.2.4. God’s Word will be established in every members’ heart and mind fostering wisdom and faithfulness, greater ability to share  w/others and defend what we believe (Psa 1:1-6, 119:11, 30, 34, 97-98, 130; Rom 12:3; 1Ti 4:13-16; 2Ti 2:14-15, 3:15-16).

2.2. Discipleship Preaching in the Pulpit =  Systematic, contextually-driven exposition of those scriptural texts (the pastors believe) to be most relevant or needful to our overall understanding of God’s Word and the gospel or our spiritual health and growth at that particular time.

2.2.1. Advantages:

2.2.1.1. This form of preaching/teaching allows the pulpit to become a direct extension of the shepherding process rather than simply the result of where we left off in a book (which may or may not have any impact on the lives of those in attendance).

2.2.1.2.  This is the only form of preaching/teaching we see in the New Testament (for example):

2.2.1.2.1. Jesus (e.g. Sermon on the Mount address: Mat 5-7 = discipleship preaching addressing those issues most relevant to His audience [“You have heard that it was said”] and covering a wide range of texts in the Scripture)

2.2.1.2.2. Paul = (e.g. Mars Hill: Act 17, his epistles: Rom, 1 and 2 Co, Gal, Eph, Col, 1 and 2 Th, 1 and 2 Ti, Tit, Phm = discipleship preaching addressing those issues most relevant to His audience and covering a wide range of texts in the Scripture)

2.2.1.2.3. Peter (e.g. Pentecost: Act 2, his epistles: 1Pe and 2Pe = discipleship preaching addressing those issues most relevant to His audience and covering a wide range of texts in the Scripture)

2.2.1.3. This is the form of preaching/teaching that has had the greatest impact on culture/society

“Any list of the 10 sermons which have most decisively influenced culture and society consists mostly if not entirely of topical sermons.” – D.A. Carson

2.2.1.4. Lack of this form of preaching/teaching is why there is so much heresy and missing of the true gospel in the church.

This was true in Jesus’ day just as it is now. The Jewish people failed to recognize Jesus b/c their leaders were not systematizing those aspects of His Messiahship so as to possess an accurate picture of Who He was and what His ministry would consist of. IOW: discipleship preaching/teaching was lacking and so also the people’s spiritual discernment. Hence the reason for Jesus taking the time to do this kind of preaching and systematizing (e.g. Luk 24:27; also Joh 5:39)

2.2.1.5. This form of preaching/teaching does the best at demonstrating the sufficiency of Scripture to handle/answer all issues/questions

And what better time to do it than when we have our greatest attendance (the pulpit/worship service) (1Co 14:23-25).

[1] To accomplish either of these assumes not a change in the method, but rather the frequency with which it takes place in a given week. Cutting the time in half or by 75% would require the same magnitude of book study be done twice a week and/or four times a week respectively.

[2] See Doug Moo and R.C. H. Lenski’s commentaries on Romans and Leon Morris’ commentary on 1Thesslaonians.

1. The diversity that exists among the members of the church is a good thing.
2. Church members are allowed to have big disagreements.
3. Members cannot hold the rest of the church hostage by their choices.
4. Every member is responsible to make every other member one of our closest friends.

Note: This sermon was recorded during the annual church camping trip and the audio is “not great” at times.

1. God’s purpose in afflicting us is always for our good or betterment.
2. There are four things God is attempting to accomplish through our trials/suffering:
   1. To atone, remove, or cleanse sin from our flesh.
   2. To discourage us in the practice of sin and folly.
   3. To make us morally stronger.
   4. To make us long to leave this world and go to heaven.

9. God doesn’t want us to tame our affection of love but rather give it supremely to Him since:

9.1. This is the only way to avoid idolatry (what we are guilty of when give it supremely to someone other than God since this is what we now worship) and disappointment (what we set ourselves up for when we give it supremely to someone other than God since the persons/things of this world will fail/betray us at times). “But my sin was this, that I looked for pleasure, beauty, and truth not in Him but in myself and His other creatures, and the search led me instead to pain, confusion, and error.” – St. Augustine

9.2.  This is also required to fulfill the greatest commandment and inherit eternal life (Mar 12:20 – “heart, soul, mind and strength” = to the maximum w/all your faculties including your emotions; “phileo” love = Luk 10:25-27; 1Co 16:22).

9.3. This is necessary to fulfilling our prescribed time of discipleship (Deu 6:5-8 – “phylacteries” = littles boxes containing pieces of God’s Word tied on left arm next to the heart and on forehead next to the brain during the time of discipleship [morning prayer/meditation on Scripture] meant to symbolize the reception of God’s Word in our minds and affections).

9.4. This is how we become the kind of faithful, committed, obedient-to-death people that we are called to be even when it hurts/is hard/we don’t feel like it (Joh 21:15-19 = Peter has denied Jesus 3x and gone back to fishing. Jesus secures Peter’s commitment unto death by est’g his affection – “Do you ‘phileo’ Me? [“Feed My sheep”; 18-19]; Phi 2:1-8 = “affection” for Christ gives us the ability to be obedient to God’s commands “to the point of death”; Mat 10:37 – “phileo” = Our affection for Jesus must be greater than for our family if we are to be counted worthy of heaven – NO DOUBT b/c it is only those possessing such affection who wb committed to the end; *we know this tb true based on the commitment such affection produces for our children/spouses “in sickness and health”).

10. Not including our affections in our love for God makes Him nothing more than our enemy since this is how we love them – in action only (“agape” – Mat 5:44; This is also what God becomes if we only fear Him; [btw] fear motivates but does not produce enduring commitment).

THE BIG TAKEAWAY = To continue to love God in your actions, you must love God with your affections. Parents: plead with your children to give their hearts to Christ. This is the key to revival in the home and the church.

Definitions:

1. The Action of Love: Righteous behavior in relation to persons, God, and people or things.
2. The Affection of Love: Deep feelings or emotions of adoration, admiration, attachment, favor, and fondness for someone or something.

Love Is The Answer

1. The action of love is the basis of all God’s commands.
2. The action of love is the key to all human flourishing/prosperity, both temporally and eternally.
3. The action of love is the definition of forgiveness
4. When a community is acting according to love in relation to one another there is also three things:
   1. Mercy – caring for the poor/needy
   2. Truth – honest communication
   3. Justice – making things right
5. We must possess both the actions and the affection of love for those in the church if we hope to get to heaven.

Loving Christ is imperative to being saved by Christ. Hence the reason Paul can say, “If anyone has no love for Lord (Christ), let him be accursed.” (1Co 16:22). Loving Christ however means living for the glory of Christ as my highest good, goal, priority, and purpose in life – to this end we are saved (2Th 2:13-14; 2Co 5:15; Tit 2:11-14; Phi 1:21). This then is not only “Gospel 101” – what every genuine Christian knows and agreed to in order for Christ to be their Savior (Luk 14:26), but also what confirms Christ to be the God they worship (since He is the One they love, live for and glorify above all else). As such, one of the most important duties that a church and Christian parents can perform is making sure that those Christians under their charge have not replaced their love and worship of Christ w/someone else – most specifically, themselves. This form of idolatry is known as Hedonism – or the worship of self as god (Pro 22:15; Rom 1:21-25). As such it operates by the belief that our highest good, goal, priority, and purpose in life is to seek to the glory of oneself – and that through the pursuit of pleasure (or the avoidance of personal pain). Hedonism – or the principle of hedonism, is frequently alluded to in many of the bible’s words/phrases (covetous, folly, flesh, selfish ambition, pleasure, passion, sensuality, lovers of self, lovers of pleasure, appetite, their god is their belly, deceitful desires, glutton, drunkard). Hedonism is a direct attack on the first commandment (Exo 20:3) and (as should be expected) a very serious capital crime (Exo 22:20). Knowing then how to diagnose when a Christian is living for self (pleasure/fun) is key to avoiding/preventing the charge of hedonistic idolatry. UNIVERSAL MAXIM: where you will experience happiness is determined by what you choose to live for. To, therefore, believe that living for Christ cannot bring happiness is entirely false. Additionally, living for self/pleasure will bring the least amount of happiness (Hedonic/Pleasure paradox – if you live for self/pleasure, you will fail to achieve long-lasting or ideal happiness).

Loving Christ is imperative to being saved by Christ. Hence the reason Paul can say, “If anyone has no love for Lord (Christ), let him be accursed.” (1Co 16:22). Loving Christ, however, means living for the glory of Christ as my highest good, goal, priority, and purpose in life – to this end we are saved (2Th 2:13-14; 2Co 5:15; Tit 2:11-14; Phi 1:21). This then is not only “Gospel 101” – what every genuine Christian knows and agreed to in order for Christ to be their Savior (Luk 14:26), but also what confirms Christ to be the God they worship (since He is the One they love, live for and glorify above all else). As such, one of the most important duties that a church and Christian parents can perform is making sure that those Christians under their charge have not replaced their love and worship of Christ w/someone else – most specifically, themselves. This form of idolatry is known as Hedonism – or the worship of self as god (Pro 22:15; Rom 1:21-25). As such it operates by the belief that our highest good, goal, priority, and purpose in life is to seek to the glory of oneself – and that through the pursuit of pleasure (or the avoidance of personal pain). Hedonism has a long history in the bible. The apostle Paul addresses hedonists at Mars Hill and quotes from one of their earliest authors in his chiding of the Corinthians (Act 17:27; 1Co 15:32). Hedonism – or the principle of hedonism, is also alluded to in many of bible’s words/phrases (covetous, folly, flesh, selfish ambition, pleasure, passion, sensuality, lovers of self, lovers of pleasure, appetite, their god is their belly, deceitful desires, glutton, drunkard). Hedonism is a direct attack on the first commandment (Exo 20:3) and (as should be expected) a very serious capital crime (Exo 22:20). Knowing then how to diagnose when a Christian is living for self (pleasure/fun) is key to avoiding/preventing the charge of hedonistic idolatry.

Code To Live By PART 3

A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft neglected and overlooked by Christians today.

Previously discussed:

1. Behavior makes genuine not feelings.

2. You lose control when you lose control.

3. EDM is a dangerous sin.

4. You pay for what you say.

5. Don’t build bombs.

New Material

6. Personal relationship requires personal knowledge.

6.1.  To possess a personal relationship with someone you must know them personally.

6.2. As such, possessing only general knowledge of someone is not enough to be in (or claim to be in) a personal relationship with them. Again, personal relationship requires personal knowledge.

6.3. What is the difference between personal and general knowledge?

6.3.1. General knowledge = The knowledge you possess about that person is gained through a third party or what can be deduced through superficial observation.

6.3.2. Personal knowledge = The knowledge you possess about that person comes from them. They communicate directly with you (versus indirectly through general revelation).

6.4. (Having said that) knowing someone personally doesn’t always mean that I possess a personal relationship, but it is one of pre-requisites if it is to ever exist.

6.5. A helpful example: I know Jeff Ward personally. He communicates directly with me. And, I am fortunate enough to possess a personal relationship with him. Imagine however, that Jeff had never spoken or never had some form of direct communication with me. Though he and I may know a lot about each other by way of observation or through third party sources and as a result, desire to have a relationship w/each other, that would not be something either of us could claim was true until such communication took place. I could not claim to know him or be in a friendship with him until personal communication and knowledge was shared between us. This then is the difference between Jeff Ward and John Elway as it relates to me. I know things about John Elway – but none of it came from him personally. It instead comes from what I have observed in watching him play football, or reading something written about him or listening to him in an interview or seeing him driving/walking around the area where I live. I therefore could say I know who he is, but never that I knew him personally – nor that I possessed a personal relationship with him.

6.6. So connected is this aspect of personal knowledge to personal relationship that oftentimes this is what we are implying when we say, “I know him/her”. When we hear somebody say that (or when we say it), often what we are implying is that we possess a personal relationship (good or bad) with that person. We are also equally implying that what we know is indeed on a personal level – i.e. we have had direct communication with them, or that what we know is coming directly from them (or as the saying goes, “straight from the horses’ mouth”). Another important factor to consider as it relates to all of this is the issue of degree/scope. IOW: the more I know them personally, the more potential I have to be in a relationship or go deeper in my already existing relationship with them. This too is an area where most human beings intuitively make the connection as demonstrated by game shows like the Newlywed Game – where how close of a relationship a couple possesses is assessed based on how much they personally know about each other.

6.7. That being said the reason I bring all of this up is NOT b/c I am concerned about the relationships we possess w/one another – or what we claim to be the basis for knowing each other, BUT RATHER how all of this pertains to God and those who claim to know Him or possess a personal relationship with Him.

6.8. Since He is a personal being, the principles we just discussed would apply to Him as well. IOW: to truly be in a personal relationship with Him – or CLAIM that we know HIM, requires that we possess knowledge about Him – but again that knowledge must be personal. It must be the kind of knowledge that comes directly from His mouth (personally). This theologians call “special revelation” and it is what we call “the Word of God” or the “Bible”.

It represents God’s direct communication to us (2Ti 3:16 – “God breathed”). And we must know Him according to it – otherwise our claim to possessing a personal relationship is a lie. Hence why Isaiah says what he does in (Isa 8:20).

6.9. All people possess general knowledge (or as theologians call it, “general revelation”) concerning God (and is the reason they are without excuse, if they do not take that general information and pursue personal knowledge or special revelation) – because this means they know enough (TO KNOW) this is what they should be doing (that He is their Creator and therefore Master). This is what Paul is talking about as to why God is angry with the majority of mankind  – b/c though they possess the general they don’t use that as motivation to seek the personal or special knowledge but (instead) claim that by such knowledge they already possess a relationship –when in reality, it is nothing but idolatry (Rom 1:18 – 20).

6.10. So (again) like us, a relationship w/God requires more than general knowledge, we must know Him personally—according to His personal and direct words to us (in the Bible). Otherwise, the god we are claiming is Him will instead be a false god (using the same name).

6.11. One other thing, before attempting to apply this, God’s personal revelation/knowledge also tells us that knowing Him (or possessing relationship w/Him) requires doing more than simply storing that information in our brains, we must also act in obedience to what He communicates (e.g. Jer 9:9:6, 12-14, 24; Tit 1:16). And like before, the more we grow in these respects (knowing and obeying His personal word), the closer we will be in our relationship w/Him.

6.12. Getting to the application (then), the most obvious, is that if YOU want to truly say you know God and are in a relationship w/Him – or close w/Him then it requires knowing Him personally –according to His personal words (i.e. the Bible) and obeying what He says in it. THAT (once more) sb super obvious as application. BUT there is another – ONE I think we tend to overlook.

6.13. And that is the fact that the same can be said about those we encounter – who attempt to tell us that what we believe is wrong – claiming that THEY are the ones who know God (or in a relationship w/Him). Sometimes we can get confused WHEN PEOPLE say that – or become worried (since there are a whole lot more of them than us)!

6.14. But here’s the question, “If they are truly the ones who know God, then why are they always the ones who seem to know the least about His Word?

6.15. They claim to know Him and be in a relationship w/Him yet WHAT they know OR HOW MUCH they attempt to support WHAT they know from God’s personal revelation (i.e. His WORD) ALWAYS seems to be LIGHT or NON-EXISTENT. IOW: it is predominately based on general revelation, third party sources (i.e. their flaky pastor or some flaky teacher on the radio or in a book), or is based entirely on what they FEEL – OR want GOD to be.

6.16.  And (as I already mentioned) claiming to personally know GOD  according only to those things (or GENERAL REVELATION – or w/IGNORANCE OF HIS WORD is again IDOLATRY – especially when speaking about salvation since God’s Word makes it clear that it is only thru His personal revelation (His WORD) that we become “wise unto salvation” (2Ti 3:15 – this btw is speaking about the OT Scriptures, the thing most so-called Christians avoid like the plague).

6.17. So here’s is what I want you to do the next time you encounter somebody who tries to tell YOU that you don’t know God –or that you are wrong, and that what they are telling you is right (b/c they DO know God).

6.18. Get them to agree that knowing someone (i.e. being in a personal relationship) requires knowing them personally (their direct communication w/you). It shouldn’t be hard to do since as I mentioned everybody agrees that is true (it is what we call an axiomatic truth).

6.19. Then take that fact and apply it to God (i.e. knowing God/being in relationship w/God EQUALLY requires knowing Him according to/consistent with His personal revelation – i.e. His Word).

6.20. Then ask them something along these lines, “How is that you claim to know God personally yet possess very little personal knowledge from His Word? How is that POSSIBLE? Doesn’t that seem stupid to you?” Doesn’t it make more sense, that the person who really KNOWS God is the person who BOTH KNOWS His WORD (meaning not just part of it – but all of it), and obeys it?” (Final question), “Between you and I which one do YOU think most represents that person or their church or their pastor?”

6.21.  We live in a crazy world where people think they can personally know God without knowing His personal revelation (i.e. the Bible). Don’t be duped THEN by what you hear or what others claim. Instead take them to task in the way we just discussed. This (btw) is what it means to “let your reasonableness be evident to everyone” as (Phi 4) calls us to be – to reason with people, to use what they already know and accept to be true, to show them what they are currently thinking is CRAZY! As the means to opening the door- to get them to listen.

7. What comes around goes around.

7.1. Somewhere along the path of my life (interspersed w/in both my Christian as well as non-Christian) existence was this idea that there will be a day of reckoning – or a time when all the wrongs and rights we do in this life will be paid back to us (in bad for the wrong and good for the right).

7.2. Judgment Day (of course) fits within this particular genre (and was a part of my Christian education), but there was also this piece related to the now (or this life). IOW: Judgment Day (or what we face after this life is over) is NOT THE ONLY TIME we will experience PAYBACK. That there will be an experiencing of SOME of those things in this life as well.

7.3. The common expression (at least in my day) FOR THIS WAS, “what comes around, goes around.”

7.4. Couched in biblical terms, its equivalent would be, “you will reap, what you sow” (Gal 6:7-10; see also Pro 14:14; Isa 3:10-11).

7.5. This truth explained and unpacked from a “scientific” perspective = God has created us  – and the universe we live in, according to what is known as Newton’s Third Law. (For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.)

7.6. What THEN has changed about my understanding of this principle (what comes around goes around/you reap what you sow/newton’s third law) = I NOW REALIZE THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES that ALL of what you do will paid back in this life (or world). IOW: it isn’t JUST PART. Or some of what we do (and the rest is picked up on JUDGMENT DAY). There is a reckoning that takes place (first) in this life. What you do GOOD or BAD wb PAID back in kind AND in full in this life. Though maybe not directly to you, it nonetheless will create an effect that will impact this world in some positive or negative way (based on whether what you did was good or bad, righteous or sinful). THIS AGAIN is NEWTON’S THIRD LAW and WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES (as we shall see). As such, what we must keep in mind, is that all of us by our actions in the present are contributing to (and creating) what will most assuredly be our (or other’s) futures (e.g. Hezekiah – 2Ki 20:12-19; Exo 20:5; Joh 9:1-2).

7.8. In most cases, it will be you that is the primary recipient of the benefits or the consequences. This is especially true as it relates to sin (Pro 11:31 w/1Pe 4:17-18) = The whole letter is dealing w/suffering or those scenarios/situations in life where things are less than ideal (corrupt govts, perverted bosses, disobedient husbands and persecuting pagans  – chs 2:13-4:11). Peter identifies those negative experiences as “various trials” meant to do two things:

7.8.1. Test the genuineness of our faith (iow: to be legit we need to more than fair-weather Christians) (1:6-9)

7.8.2. Pay us back for what we have done that is sinful/wrong (1Pe 4:12-18) = This last verse is reference to (Pro 11:31) = Notice it doesn’t exactly follow what Peter writes (“scarcely saved” vs. “repaid”). And that b/c the intention of Peter’s reference is not dictation by digestion. He is (iow) taking what Pro 11 tells us (that we WB REPAID in this life for what we do) and applying that to the larger picture of salvation – or how such repayment will ultimately affect those who will be saved/end up in heaven. Which means not only is he confirming THIS TRUTH (including for the Christian), but the danger of piling up unnecessary (or extra punishment) since even for those who are super diligent about practicing righteousness (the “righteous”), the amount they must repay makes life tough enough, to the point that it (at times) threatens their apostasy. Hence the reason he states they are “scarcely saved”. And the reason also he begs the question regarding those “who do not obey the gospel of God” (17) – i.e. anyone who doesn’t truly take to heart the need to have “excellent behavior” at all times and in all situations (2:12), “what will become of [them] –the ungodly and the sinner?”

Based on HOW MUCH they will have to pay for in this life, it is guaranteed that the side they will end up on wb the wrong one. IOW: what they suffer will be so MUCH and SO consuming (due to the fact that they have more to pay for), THAT such pay back will further corrupt them (or push them deeper into their depraved and delusional state).

This is what Peter (and Pro 11) are implying will become of them. THIS IS HOW they wb PAID BACK. Dark deeds will beget further darkness (as their payment) (Eph 4:18).

7.9. This (btw) provides the FOIL for SEEING that things are not always as they seem for the WICKED. Though they may seem to live good, care-free lives – especially given the fact that they are not having to constantly deal with the moral piece,  they are instead being repaid as God uses such wickedness to push them further down the rabbit hole of DARKNESS and into believing the lie (the worst of all punishments since its end is of course eternal damnation) (1Ki 22:22; Eze 14:9; Rom 1:21-28; 2Th 2:11-12; Pro 14:12).

7.10. SO THEN, there is A CAUSE and EFFECT relationship between what we do and what we experience in our lives or what is experienced in this world. If it is true in the material world it must be true as it relates to the metaphysical world since morality is expressed through actions in the material world.

7.11. IOW: IF the BIBLE  is THE TRUTH, IF GOD has spoken from the metaphysical realm into our material world (and the BIBLE is indeed the book that captures that communication) THEN the laws established by it MUST BE in AGREEMENT with those LAWS we can OBSERVE (and confirm) to BE functioning in this world.

7.12. This (as I have said in the past) is ONE of the litmus tests for determining true religion (or whose metaphysical system is the legitimate one). IF WHAT IT teaches is DISPROVES in in contradiction to the LAWS of nature – or HOW WE know this world (and human beings) function, THEN it must be FANTASY – NOT TRUE RELIGION.

7.13. Important code (then) to live by (and use in determining your present actions) b/c what you do will be realized in some form of future payout either good or bad. What comes around goes around! Hence why (then) PETER says what he does in (1Pe 2:10-12).

8. ZEAL is realized through ownership.

8.1. Those who claim to have been saved in a para-church ministry (whether in grade school, high school or college) tend to be far more serious about their faith and “sold out” for Jesus than kids who discover such things in the church.

8.2. If you were ever a part of one of these kinds of groups, you know what I am talking about. My first real experience with Christianity/Christ was the result of a college Christian group known as Fellowship Of Christian Athletes and then after meeting Kris, we used to attend a group on U of M’s campus called Chi Alpha. And the people in those groups were all super zealous for their Christian Faith and for reaching others for Christ.

8.3. Irrespective of whether those groups were legitimate (or not), the question is still important, WHY? Or (better yet) WHY did their Christianity seem to be more important (to them)?

8.4. That question, has bugged me my entire ministry – until now. I think I know what the difference is.

8.5. It’s OWNERSHIP.

8.6. Instead of someone preaching/teaching us God’s Word (though we did have bible study where at times someone would attempt to teach), for the most part – the meetings in those groups function more like a book club. Everybody was reading and sharing what they had learned from God’s Word.

8.7. IOW: We were doing the processing/digesting not someone for us. And when that happens, it becomes more real or relevant to my life – because (WHEN) that happens, I am taking ownership of it.

8.8. It is no longer the belief/convictions of my church or my pastor or parents, but me – b/c I read it for myself—AND I did the work of processing/digesting for myself (and applying to my life in the unique and personal way that only I can do).

8.9. I’ve talked about this before, it is the idea behind what Scripture refers to as “meditation” = to muse, to be absorbed in thought, to turn over and over in your mind, to reflect on its personal application.

8.10. Scripture is filled with examples of people meditating on God’ Word as the expected practice of all God’s people if they are to be the kinds of Godly, committed people He has called them to be (Gen 24:63; Jos 1:8; Psa 1:2, 19:14, 49:1-20, 119:15).

8.11. This (then) is what we have to do (and what you parents need to promote with your kids), times of meditation and sharing.

8.12. What this might look like: Pick one chapter of your regular daily reading as the portion you will meditate on by attempting to write down (in a journal) as many answers to the following two questions:

8.12.1. What truths are established?

8.12.2. What lies are exposed?

For part 1, listen here: Code to Live By Part 1

Code To Live By PART 2

A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft neglected and overlooked by Christians today.

1. Behavior makes genuine not feelings.

Feelings do not determine whether what we do (in our behavior) is real or legitimate. Our actions stand by themselves as the good or bad. Our feelings do not weigh into God’s moral scales. They are for that reason, the absolute worst way to gauge life (e.g. “I feel close to God or I don’t feel close to God” – 1Jo 3:18-22). As mentioned last time, this is why the bible teaches that the final judgment will be according to our deeds (not our feelings). So, the way I should be assessing whether or not I am good with God is the same way I would with anybody else – by my actions in relation to them (not how I feel). Does it really matter how I feel about you if my actions are rotten toward you? What kind of relationship do you think a married couple would have where the husband cheats on her all the time (yet still has incredible feelings of love for her) – do you think his feelings matter? Does that negate what he has done? Not in the least! And again, the same is true with God. Forget how you feel and focus on what you do. Train your mind to assess yourself and others based on what they do (not how you or they feel) – because as I have said in the past (and the bible teaches over and over)—“you are what you DO – not what you feel” (e.g. tv show Kris and I were watching the other night where this guy says, “I used to be in all kinds of trouble, but I knew that isn’t who I really was.” –God’s answer: YES it was!). Can you imagine how screwed up things would be if that is how things ran in the world? Thankfully (as for now) they operate the same way as God does (and will) on Judgment Day. The world operates according to our deeds. But imagine if they didn’t. HOW MESSED UP would things BE if it were feelings determining these things? (e.g. grades in school, who wins a sporting event, what determines who goes to jail and who doesn’t; reviews at work for raises/bonuses – who gets to be the boss!).

The point NOT to miss: We need to assess everything – even ourselves based on our actions, not how we (or others feel), because THIS is what makes right or wrong, legitimate or illegitimate according to God and His Word. Forget how you feel – our feelings/emotions do not determine truth, righteousness nor sinfulness – hence once more why we will not be judged based on how we felt – good or bad. Feelings are just one of the mechanisms through which we experience life, similar to that of pain or pleasure. They do not determine who we are, only our actions do that. Die therefore to your feelings as that which control how you live (and how you assess yourself or others or things in general – e.g. I must be a good person b/c I feel like a good person; that person must be a good person b/c they make me feel good; that thing must be good b/c it makes me feel good!). Start living putting the highest priority on what you do (and what others do) as the means to assessing all of life – THAT is code to live by if the kind of life you want to live is an abundant one.

2. You lose control when you lose control.

The quickest way to lose control of those under you care or command (even your own life) is by losing control of your emotions (hence why Pro 16:32). What it means to lose control of your emotions = your feelings CONTROL your actions VERSUS righteousness (what is right) CONTROLS what you do (irrespective of how you feel – as we just discussed). This is what makes the difference (for example) between actions expressing righteous anger and anger controlled actions (e.g. Joh 2:13-17; Ecc 7:9; Eph 4:26a – “be angry and do not sin” = anger is an emotion which means as I said earlier, carries no moral value by themselves. So to “be angry” is okay. It is what we do with the energy created by it [again, our behavior], that determines whether we are righteous or sinful. And how God wants us to use that energy is productively – to carry out His commands VERSUS destructively – to carry out sinful acts – that’s when I have lost control; e.g. kids: If you get angry because mom/dad says you can’t have something, then you need to use that anger to fight against yourself [the rebellion that still lives in your heart] NOT your parents. I need to come against myself and fight the sin that it causes me to be tempted to rebel– and not actually rebel against mom and dad). I need to be angry – and “not sin”. This (btw) applies to every emotion not just anger. The question then is do your emotions determine your actions, or is it righteousness (doing the right thing) that CONTROLS what you do (regardless of how you feel)? If it is your feelings/emotions that control/determine your actions, then you are OUT of CONTROL and losing control not only of your life but those under your care or control.

And the end-game in that will be a life filled with constant failure and failed relationships b/c nobody gets anywhere in life (or can lead others) who cannot control their emotions/feelings. The ultimate end-game to this is Hell. Hence why Paul says what he does in (1Co 9:24-27).

3. Envy Driven Malice (EDM) is a dangerous sin.

IOW: If you dislike, desire the failure of – or rejoice in the failure of someone b/c you can’t stand their success or all the attention they get or b/c of their success, then you are guilty of the same sin that caused the Jews to slander – and ultimately murder Jesus, the sin of envy driven malice. A very dangerous sin!

Which means (according to Rom 1), you possess a very debased mind and are acting as a hater of God (since you are hating his design for success in creation). And given the nation we currently live in, it would be very easy to fall into this – especially in those areas where we think it doesn’t apply—things like sports.

And as a means to shoring up some confusion and problems experienced from this teaching last week, I want to change my sports example up a bit…

Imagine I said that the Denver Broncos’ success is due to the fact that they are the NFL’s number one cheaters (e.g. the salary cap scandal for 97 & 98 SB’s with Elway and the PED scandal involving Derek Wolfe and Von Miller in 2013).

Would those of you who are Broncos’ fans be okay with that? What would you say? Would that be truth – they won all those times ONLY b/c they cheated? Or would that be slander? Slander!

The truth is, though they may have cheated, it was their performance on the field of play which included many players and coaches who were not cheating and challenges that could only be overcome through hard work, grit, execution and perseverance (as coaches and players like to say in the NFL, “players over schemes” or “players win games not coaches”). What else then must be true if I continue to speak such lies against them IS THAT I am guilty of envy- driven malice. IOW: I want to destroy them because they are successful and I don’t like them.

Okay, so the Broncos fans among us would be offended by such talk (right)?

But here’s the question, would you be offended b/c it is unrighteous or because they are your team? You see the difference? Jesus says you need to be offended with such talk whether it is your team – or the team you consider your enemy – because we are to love (be righteous to) not only our friends (plug in favorite team), but also our enemies.  And envy-driven malice (once more) does not do that. It is unloving and very, very sinful. Now, why then did I use the Pats and not the Broncos last week for my example? Because they are my favorite team? NO! Because they are currently the team where this particular sin is happening on a national scale! They are therefore one of the most relevant examples (whether I like them or not)!!

Couple additional texts to consider: (Psa 15:1-5 = not slandering people is the key to a stable life on God’s holy hill; Jam 4:11-12; 1Co 4:5; Heb 4:12; Rom 13:7 = the Pats were the super bowl champs and have been the winningest team in pro football over the last two decades – they deserve honor and respect for that; the eagles beat them and won the super bowl this year – they deserve honor and respect as the world champions. If you choose then not to give such honor and respect to any team when they accomplish these things– [not bc they are Christians] but instead entertain slanderous things as a means to justifying your lack of respect, then you are being malicious and sinful. PERIOD. And most likely bc of envy; Deu 19:16-21 = if you are malicious against another person YOU WB punished according to the sins you falsely claimed they were guilty of. That’s what God’s Word says. E.G. you accuse me of false teaching. If you are found to have been wrong, then you wb charged w/the punishment associated with that crime – idolatry, – which is a capital crime! 1Co 9:24-27 = athletes used by Paul as examples of self-control/discipline unto victory – not b/c of their morality. We can/should do the same – even though those individuals are not Christians or examples of morality; the military or a soldier is another example we should use bc it is used in Scripture – but again, not bc they are Christians or morally righteous people – but due to their commitment to authority and self-discipline.).

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong”

– Abraham Lincoln

Point not to miss = envy driven malice is serious sin and it will show up on Judgment Day if its in your life now. As such, we need to be extra careful and honest with ourselves as to why we don’t like something or someone (rather than making excuses). Judgment Day is coming –get rid of it before its too late.

4. You pay for what you say.

4.1. Though it is true that “talk is cheap” where there is no follow thru in actions, that doesn’t mean what we say doesn’t matter. As we already saw, it can have devastating consequences (Deu 19 – malicious witness).

4.2. This includes even the little stuff. According to Jesus, every careless, stupid, emotionally-driven, irrational word that comes out of our mouth (whether we meant it or not) will also be judged by God. IOW: we wb held accountable for it. It will be a part of what determines where we spend eternity (Mat 12:36-37).

4.3. Our speech – all of it, will make up the picture that determines whether our life was one of faithfulness or unfaithfulness. We will not be able to excuse our words away w/ statements like, “I didn’t mean it”, or “I wasn’t thinking when I said it” or “I acted on emotions”. Hence the reason for (Pro 13:3, 15:28; Ecc 5:1-7).

4.4. One of the easiest ways to be guilty of careless (sinful) speech (even slander) is GOSSIP = acting like you know what you don’t know (iow: it is not based on “2 or 3 witnesses” – i.e. sound evidence; Rom 1:29 = those considered God-haters and possessing a debased mind are identified also as gossips; e.g. Diet soda causes cancer; artificial sweetners cause cancer; Tom Brady deflated footballs and is a cheater! = For all of those things there is no evidence demonstrating those statements to be fact. So to treat it as fact in what we say would be acting like we know what we don’t and therefore gossip.).

4.5. The important thing not to get confused on as it relates to gossip: what you are communicating may in fact be true (or proven true one day). It doesn’t mean because we don’t know now – that it won’t be revealed to be true in the future. It means that God doesn’t want us speaking as though something is fact until He reveals it to be that. IOW: until it is revealed to be fact, don’t act like it is – or speak about it that way since what you wb guilty of – is the sin of gossip or careless speech.

And this kind of speech (according to Jesus) will ONCE MORE become a part of our final assessment on Judgment Day. What a crummy reason for ending up in Hell – b/c I couldn’t refrain from being a gossip – from careless, unsubstantiated speech! BTW, gossip that is hurtful to others’ reputation or life is also slander. Another reason we need (then) to be careful. You WILL PAY for what YOU SAY.

5. Don’t build bombs.

5.1. When things blow up in a relationship – and all of sudden you have two (or more) people sinning in very serious ways against each other (or one against the other) through malicious/slanderous words, what we have to keep in mind is this very simple (yet profound) fact, that there has never been (in the entire history of the world) a bomb that blew up – that someone didn’t (first) build.”

5.2. IOW: It takes building a bomb before you can blow one up. So the way to avoid these kinds of relationship wrecking explosions that results in heavy spiritual causalities and a lot of slander-filled shrapnel, is to keep yourself (and those you care about) from building the bombs that cause it.

5.3. If we don’t (however) know what to look for, then chances are, they will be something we and others ARE building (because this is a big part of our sin nature – we are by nature, sin-bomb builders).

5.4. This bomb-building action is however subtle, and on the surface, doesn’t seem to be that dangerous. And so the tendency is to ignore it – or to continue to practice it thinking nothing bad will ever come of it. Scripture however teaches otherwise. Which means it is only a matter of time, before the cache of this action is big enough to become a bomb just waiting for someone to light the fuse.

5.5. How (then) to we keep from building bombs? What is the bomb-building action I am talking about? What is it that we need to be always mindful and on the alert to get rid of before something goes “kaboom!” and we have severely damaged those we love?

5.6.  The answer: (Eph 4:26-27) –“Don’t let the sun go down on your anger” = “give no opportunity to the devil” – (opportunity = “topos” ~ topography – i.e. geographic place to build something on. In this case an anger-fueled sin-bomb).

5.7. I believe that what Paul is alluding to in these verses is Leviticus 19 and the obligation we have as Christians to love our covenant brothers and sisters through immediately seeking to see that all offenses against are resolved rather than allowing them to linger (which in turn not only obstructs justice for them but leads to unjust actions in us) –which according to this text and others is what happens when we don’t resolve a situation quickly by going to that brother or sister or to the elders, but allow it to “stew and brew”. This is the idea behind the figure of speech, “do let the sun go down”. It means that the matter is to be dealt with sooner than later.

5.8. As we discussed, the God-given energy generated by anger is to be used (and now we are learning that the timeframe for using it is in the short-term) – otherwise (as stated) it begins to build which will eventually become a bomb of sinful, malicious destruction (Lev 19:16-18; Jud 23; Mat 18:15). It makes sense that Paul would attribute such activity to Satan since his specialty is slanderous behavior (Rev 20:10 – he accuses God’s people thru speaking “lies” = He is a slanderer).

5.9. So how do stop bomb building? BY dealing with stuff ASAP. The stronger the anger or vexing the situation, the sooner you should be seeking to resolve it. God has not made us to suppress such feelings or problems. That’s not loving to the other person nor healthy for us or our relationships. It ends in bombs going off with a blast radius much larger than it would have been if it had been dealt with in short fashion.

5.10. Code to live by (then), don’t build bombs – instead (once more) seek to resolve the problems you have with someone else immediately – ASAP.

Code To Live By PART 1

A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft-neglected and overlooked, by Christians today.

1. Behavior makes genuine, not feelings.

1.1. A modern problem that seems to be fairly common, is thinking that for something to be genuine, it must be accompanied by feelings that are consistent/congruent with the action (e.g. My words are not genuine if I say, “I love you” to someone I feel anger or distaste or even hatred toward). This is the basis behind John Piper’s book (and subsequent ministry empire), Desiring God (“Duty without delight is not genuine or acceptable to God).

1.2. This however is not how God sees things or expects us to operate. Our behavior is what matters – not how we feel. Hence why it wb a judgment according to works NOT feelings. This (in turn) means also that it is behavior (or actions) that make something genuine or acceptable, not how we feel about it.

1.3. Biblical examples that require understanding this distinction (As it relates to God = Joh 3:16 w/Psa 11:5; Mar 14:32-39; As it re: to God & Us = Mat 5:44; As it re: to Us = 1Pe 2:18, 3:1; a child being told to do something by their parent when they don’t feel like it; a husband getting up in the middle of the night in a blizzard to go to the store and get medicine for his wife).

1.4. The first requirement of denying (or dying to) self (i.e. self-control) is divorcing your feelings from your actions. IOW: there doesn’t need to be a correlation nor should the latter ever be determining the former. BTW: this is also the kind of denying/dying to self associated with taking up our cross and following Christ (Mat 16:24-27 – notice, God will repay according to what we do NOT what we feel). This is why Paul includes self-control in his summary of the gospel (Act 24:25).

2. You lose control when you lose control.

2.1. Everybody wants to be boss. There is however, few worst consequences than the consequence associated with being a bad boss. IOW: Bad bosses will – according to Scripture, suffer a more severe judgment than those unrighteous who were never bosses or in positions of authority. Hence the reason (Jam 3:1; Luk 12:48).

2.2. How one knows they are a bad boss = you have no control of those under your charge.

2.3. Losing control of yourself is how you lose control of those under your charge (and become a bad boss). IOW: threatening and lording it over under your charge does not work. Though it may seem like you have control through such things, it is a temporary illusion at best. Nobody likes a boss whose primary mechanism for leading is intimidation (i.e. threatening/lording it over). They will despise rather than respect you. In time, they will rebel or leave the moment something better comes around. Hence why (Eph 5:9; 1Pe 5:2-3; 2Ti 2:24; Ecc 8:5-10).

2.4. This is true for husbands/parents as well as bosses in the workplace/church/govt/coaches.

2.5. What does it look like to lose control? Or to be a person out of control? The opposite of self-control. It means that your actions/attitude is determined by how you feel NOT what is wise or righteous. Additional scripture to consider in this regard (Pro 16:32, 17:27-28, 29:11; Ecc 7:9).

3. EDM is dangerous sin.

3.1. EDM = envy driven malice. Defining the terms (envy = feelings of unhappiness due to the success of someone else who has not unjustly received their success; malice = desiring the downfall/failure of someone who has not been unjust). And this envy driven malic is (as I said), serious sin.

3.2. It is the reason the Jews handed over Jesus to be crucified (Mat 27:18). They did not like the fact that He was receiving more of God’s power and blessings than were they even though the reason this was true was because His actions/performance was more righteous than theirs. Envy driven malice is therefore what we might call a “gateway sin” since (if not repented/turned away from) will lead people into additional sin (e.g. slander, murder). Another reason then for why I say it is a dangerous sin – it leads to other sin.

3.3. Additionally, envy driven malice means that we are not acknowledging (being thankful to) God Who created this world and its principles of success. We are instead fighting against His design. Envy driven malice therefore also indicates that we still possess a debased mind, are slanderers of our fellow man (e.g. believing and spreading lies about those who are successful for the right reasons to tear them down) and those who deserve to die.

Never should we therefore practice it nor give approval to others who do it, lest we desire to be under God’s wrath and ultimately damned (Rom 1:28-32; 1Co 5:8; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8; Tit 3:3; 1Pe 2:1).

3.4. What are God’s principles/design for success?  Commitment, hard work, wisdom, sacrifice, perseverance, skill, grit and execution. The degree to which you possess and practice these, will determine the degree of success you have in this life or in what you are attempting to accomplish). As Christians, we must be those who stand against envy driven malice and instead support and praise anyone who follows such principles and are successful since to do so is not only acknowledging God’s sovereign design, but promoting it. IOW: this is one of the ways we promote/advance His kingdom in this world – by promoting and praising His ways/principles where we find them being practiced.

3.5. What makes this particular issue one I consider to be “oft-neglected” or overlooked by even Christians. The fact that we live in a world filled with people whose debased (and wicked) minds love to hate and rejoice in the failure of anyone who is too successful – or successful for too long – even those whose success was achieved in the right way – by God’s principles/design (commitment, hard work, wisdom, sacrifice, perseverance, skill, grit and execution) (Ecc 4:4).

3.6. How easy then would it be for Christians to be caught up in this sin without even knowing they are doing it? PRETTY EASY! Not only that but how detrimental would it be to my witness for Christ? I claim to promote God’s ways in the world YET I am caught up in all the stupidity and foolish sin of the world. Why would they want to listen to me when I am just as foolish and debased as them?

3.7. The reason I included this on the list of items to talk about today (versus as part of what I will be discussing next week) is because this SUNDAY provides the perfect example of such envy driven malice = The New England Patriots. The Patriots are “America’s most hated team” SOLELY because of envy driven malice. People hate them because they have experienced more success than everybody else  – even though the reason for that success is due to following God’s principles/design.  They have outperformed every other team in commitment, hard work, wisdom, sacrifice, perseverance, skill, grit and execution. If you don’t believe that then you are either completely ignorant of their philosophy as a team/organization, and are in denial of how they beat your team (b/c it wasn’t luck or by cheating they did it. It was due to possessing a greater degree of commitment, hard work, wisdom, sacrifice, perseverance, skill, grit and execution than your team). That (btw) is generally always true when one team beats another in American sports (and we should be thankful for that – iow: that our sporting events are not rigged for cheaters).

3.8. That being said, envy driven malice is the reason the Patriots are slandered as cheaters (“they are successful b/c they are cheaters”). IOW: this is the edge that makes someone truly successful in the NFL – cheating. The more someone cheats (then), the more successful they will be (in the NFL).

3.9. Such thinking truly reveals people to have not only a debased mind – but to also be massive hypocrites. Why do I say that? B/C as it relates to cheating violations, the Patriots are below average in this area in comparison to the rest of the teams in the NFL. According to MyTeamCheats.com, the Patriots score a “26” whereas the team most penalized for cheating scores a “53”. And that team is the Denver Broncos.

3.10. It is worth noting that the worst offense that a team can be penalized for is the use of PEDs. In this category, the Patriots are one of the best in the league, whereas the Denver Broncos are (again) the worst of all the teams in the NFL (12x since 2003, including players such as Derek Wolfe, Wes Welker, Von Miller). Former Bronco Shannon Sharpe is quoted as saying in regard to this issue and his former team, “Everyone indicts the Seahawks for PEDs use, but the Broncos have been much worse”. The Broncos have also been guilty of salary cap violations twice. Both were at the time of their super bowl appearances in 97 and 98. To have room to buy other players and build a better team, players Terrell Davis and John Elway were listed as taking extremely low pay, when in reality their total pay was much higher and compensated for through Pay Bowlen’s personal “outside-the-cap” funding. The Broncos were fined almost 2 million for this illegal action (though they did get to keep their super bowl trophies and winnings).

3.12. Being a Christian does not require that you be a Patriots fan, but it does require that your reasons for rooting against someone not be unjust. Sports are not some “free-zone” for acting wickedly and it not counting (e.g. what if someone said they didn’t like the Broncos b/c they had a black coach, would that be okay – or not sin they neede to repent of?) It does therefore matter why we choose to dislike something (even a team!).

As Christians, we are again called to respect and honor all those (people, teams, companies, etc) who succeed through doing things the right way. It is NEVER okay to stand against or desire the downfall of someone –If the reason for this desire is due to their success – especially when their success is not unjust. To do so means we are no different than those who murdered Jesus. We are guilty of envy-driven malice (and probably the other sins that go alone with it: slander, hypocrisy, etc.). And such people God will condemn (especially those who approve of it in others – e.g. you laugh or post junk against such groups).

3.13. We need therefore to pay close attention to ourselves, and repent where we find envy driven malice against anyone. May this Super Bowl Sunday find none of God’s people guilty of envy driven malice.