Author: Jim Cantelon

July 29, 2020

Matthew 5 Persecuted because of Righteousness vv.10-12 Rather than do a word study on “righteousness” (which he could have done), Jesus qualifies its meaning as that which is done “on my account” or “because of me” (v. 11b). He is looking ahead and anticipates the push-back the disciples will suffer as they “go into all the world and preach the gospel.” In fact history tells us most of them died martyrs deaths “because of [him].” They became martyrs not just because of their radical rabbi, but also because of the worldview that he taught...

Read 2 Peter 3

Key Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The subject of this concluding chapter is the return of Christ. Already in Peter’s day there were impatient believers and outright unbelieving scoffers who were saying, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised (v.4). Only a few decades had passed since Jesus ‘ ascension, but already there were doubters about this much acclaimed “parousia” (second...

Read 2 Peter 2

Key Verse: 2 Peter 2:19b “…a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” Chapter 2 is rather gloomy reading. It describes false teachers in very explicit terms. Peter refers to them as shameful (v.2), greedy (v.3), corrupt (v.10a), arrogant (v.10b), blasphemous and ignorant (v.12a), beasts (v.12b), blots and blemishes (v.13), springs without water and mists driven by a storm (v.17a). They “mouth empty, boastful words” (v.18) but are, in fact, “dogs returned to their vomit” and “sows wallowing in the mud” (v.22). They are truly a destructive...

July 27, 2020

During this protracted Covid isolation I’ve been “redeeming the time”. Social media has been very useful in keeping in touch with our WOW partners overseas, and writing a couple of books has filled the gaps. Keep a lookout for “Cantelon’s Casual Commentary” (Matthew, Mark, Luke/Acts, John) in a single volume, and “Opening the Windows of Your Soul”(a book on the Lord’s Prayer) to be published in the next year. We’ve all been forced to take stock of our values, loves, and personal significance over these sheltering in place months. We don’t know when it will end. If you’re like me you’re...

Read 2 Peter 1

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:8 “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV). Would you listen and take note if some trusted pastor gave you a list of things to do with the promise that, if you did them, you would “never fall” spiritually? Well, that’s exactly what Peter does in this chapter. Look at verses 5-8. In these two sentences Peter challenges us to do seven things. Or, more correctly, to add seven things to our faith. We are to add goodness,...

Read 1 Peter 5

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:6,7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Peter concludes this letter with some words for the church leaders (the elders). He encourages them to focus on pastoring and to serve not as hirelings but as obedient servants (v.2). He wants them to avoid arrogance and pompousness and be “examples to the flock of what it means to be a follower of Christ (v.3). He reminds them that any self-seeking, in terms of temporal reward for their labours, pales...

July 22, 2020

Matthew 5 The Peacemakers v. 9 In Israel the standard “Hello” is “Shalom”. The standard “Goodbye” is “Shalom”. “Shalom” also means “Peace”. Ironically, “peace” is not the standard state of the atmosphere in Israel, or anywhere else in the Middle East for that matter. But “shalom” is the heart’s cry of the world. Imagine the blessed state of the nations if there were genuine peace! This is why God blesses those of his “children” who make peace. It is near to his heart. A peacemaker...

Read 1 Peter 4

Key Verse: 1 Peter 4:7, 8 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (NIV). The New Testament writers were all conscious of the “end of all things”. They expected the culmination of human history to be at hand. And, in the light of the soon return of Christ, there was an urgency about the early believers’ choices and values. They lived as though Jesus were at the door. This is the context of the key verse — “The end...

Read 1 Peter 3

Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:15, 16a “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience…” There’s a difference between being able to “give a defence” and being defensive. Unfortunately, too many believers take it personally whenever someone questions their faith. They forget that it is not our responsibility to win anyone to Christ (“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him,” said Jesus in John...

Read 1 Peter 2

Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:2 “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…” A newborn baby is voracious — he lives to eat. His whole world is committed to survival. And his parents (especially his mother!) must align their lives to that infant’s appetite for life. One of the wonders of those first critical days of life is the special milk the mother’s breasts provide her baby. In fact, for 3 or 4 days her breasts produce not milk but “colostrum” — a specially customized drink that provides the infant with...

Read 1 Peter 1

Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an in hesitance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (NIV). Peter starts his letter by praising God the Father. He has done so much for us! He has given us a new beginning by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus...

Read James 5

Key Verse: James 5:20 “…Whoever turns a sinner from the error his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (NIV). In the context, the key verse is the continuation of a sentence which begins, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this:…” The sinner who is being turned “from the error of his way” is someone who has formerly embraced the truth. He/she is probably someone who, for whatever reason, has grown negligent, discouraged, or bitter. Somehow, the right...