But Wilt Thou Know, O Vain Man?

‘What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. BUT WILT THOU KNOW, O VAIN MAN, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?'

(James 2:14-22 KJV)

vain- 1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc. 3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile.

Vanity is rooted in what you think you have achieved in faith, no matter how far apart from the testimony of Jesus. Are you willing to know, o vain man, or will you allow your pride to continue to breed futility?

'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.' (John 14:12)

Binding & Loosing Simplified

‘From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." 

Jesus bound Peter's faulty consideration of His calling.

‘Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." '(Matthew 16:21-25)

Jesus looses His disciples to understand their calling in Him: the message of the cross in the wisdom of God. He, head over all things to the church, shows us how to proceed. We could find ourselves in Peter's place here: binding on earth that which is loosed in heaven. We see how Jesus reacted to that!