Be Doers of the Word
James 1:19-27 (NRSV) 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.
26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself ) unstained by the world.
Tonight I watched the final two sermons I delivered at 16th Section UMC. I am always in awe when I witness my sermons, because each time I see myself preach I see God in action. Why God would use a short, fat, old(er) woman to deliver His word is beyond me, but I know that He did. And now I continue in His ministry as I share God’s Word through this blog.
Our last study dealt with wisdom, and today we will look at the wisdom of not just hearing the word, but doing it.
James begins by giving us one of the best pieces of advice in the Word–that we should be slow to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Why? Because anger born within us does not produce the righteousness of God. But what about righteous anger, you might ask. Let me assure you that most of our anger has nothing to do with righteousness, but instead it is a result of pride. Yes, pride produces anger, and if pride produces anger, there is no way that it also produces righteousness. So James tells us to welcome with meekness the Word that is implanted in our hearts, for it is the Word that has the power to save.
James goes on to talk about the primary theme of his letter, and that is to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.
When I was young I got the idea that I could play a tape recorder while I slept and that what I heard would be implanted within me and therefore I would not have to study. Can I tell you that method of learning never worked, not even one time. The only way I learned was to read the material not once, not twice, but three times, making notes and paying close attention in class.
But James says even spending hours and hours learning is not enough if we do not transfer that learning into doing. Think about it–how much has ever been accomplished just by reading or listening and then going about your business as if nothing has changed. James mentions seeing one’s reflection in a mirror but then walking away and immediately forgetting one’s own image.
In today’s society, we cannot imagine forgetting our own image. We see ourselves reflected in store windows, in the mirrors in our homes, and of course, the ever-present cellphones. But in James’ time, mirrors were scarce and they did not provide an altogether accurate reflection. James is telling the readers that if God’s Word merely read and then forgotten, much like our reflection in a pond, then it is useless.
You see, the Law came to man from without, from Moses, and it served to inform us of our duty. But the Word was engrafted into us by the Holy Spirit, from within, to teach us how to do the Word. The Word was never meant simply to be heard, but to be acted upon.
James tells us near the end of this passage that if we say we are righteous, then we must learn to bridle our tongues. We all know that horses have great power, yet they can be controlled by a small bit within their mouths. The bridle is attached to the bit, giving direction to this massive animal with just a light touch. When we become doers of the Word, we, too, can be directed with just a light touch upon our hearts, forbidding us from taking the wrong path into anger or gossip.
James finishes this section by telling us what is required of those who consider themselves to be religious. We are to care for the widows and orphans, and to keep ourselves unstained by the world. In order to accomplish these things, we must learn to do the Word, not just hear the Word. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Father God, today may we become transformed to the point of ACTION by the hearing of Your holy Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes from Above
James 1:12-18 (NRSV) Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved.
17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Our Scripture begins with a blessing, which immediately reminds us of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. Did you know when we are blessed that means we are sanctified, and being sanctified means that we are set apart, not from God, but for God. When we can live through or suffer through temptation, then we are promised the crown of life.
Sometimes, though, confusion sets in and we believe we have been tempted by God. Yet James speaks clearly when he says that God cannot be tempted by evil, and therefore He will tempt no one. But what about the Lord’s prayer, when we say, “Lead us not into temptation”?
Do you remember taking your children grocery shopping, and you had learned better than to lead them down the candy aisle? When we ask God not to lead us into temptation, it is like saying, “Father, please do not lead me down the candy aisle today.”
As we mature, we begin to realize that it is not God who tempts us, but instead it is our own desire. Once we give in to our desire, then sinning is not far behind. Do you get it? Sin begins as a thought, and as we mull that thought over and over in our minds, desire is born, and once born unless we turn completely away, then sin takes over and leads us from righteousness and into death.
But here is the good part! Every, and I mean EVERY perfect gift is from the Father. Is that the most wonderful thing you have ever heard? He does not change, he does not alter His character, and He does not rewrite His holy Word. God’s purpose, His only purpose, is to give us new life through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Today is the day the Lord has made. Believe it, live in it, and receive His perfect gifts today. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In grace,
Pastor Carol
Father God, today help us to understand that You want only our good, and may we be transformed by Your Word, Your love, and Your precious Son. Amen.
Praying in Faith
James 1:5-8 (NRSV) 5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6 But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7 , 8 for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
The first scriptures in James dealt with keeping our joy, even in unpleasant circumstances. Today we look at James’ advice to the Jewish Christians on obtaining wisdom.
Wisdom was vitally important in Judaism. The Proverbs were the embodiment of Wisdom, Solomon received the greatest wisdom of all mankind, and finally Jesus revealed to the world the wisdom of treating others the way we all want to be treated. (Matt. 7:12).
The irony is that many times those who do not possess wisdom are unaware of the absence of this much needed quality. The saying, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” provides the groundwork needed to help us to understand why some can go through their entire lifetimes without seeking after or finding wisdom.
You see, wisdom does not exist in isolation, for it is the compilation of knowledge, experience, and reasoning. The foundation for wisdom crumbles beneath the weight of the lack of any of these three parts. It is similar to a three legged stool that will collapse if one of the legs is missing.
James says we should not only pray for wisdom, but we should pray with faith. He goes further to use the analogy of a double minded man being unstable in all of his ways, and he warns that doubting causes us to be tossed in the sea by the wind and the waves. The people to whom Jesus and James spoke understood what it meant to be tossed by the seas.
Can we understand today that the seas of doubt and fear can overwhelm us unless we allow wisdom to provide us with stability needed to stay afloat in today’s world? Can we allow our faith to be strengthened so that we have the confidence to approach God’s throne in prayer? I maintain we can do all of these things, not on our own, but through the Christ who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
In Jesus’ name,
Pastor Carol
Father God, we come today in faith, asking that you would increase our wisdom, eliminate our doubt, and help us to be the Christ-followers you intend us to be. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Consider it all Joy
James 1:1-3 (NRSV) 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4 and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
Today I am returning to the original format of this blog, where instead of looking at random verses, we read through an entire book. I will tell you that the Gospel of John is my go to book, but in the 21st Century few books can provide as much guidance for daily living as the book of James.
Traditional thinking is that James the Just wrote this letter, and because it was addressed to the Jewish people (the twelve tribes) it is probably an early letter in the life of the Christian church before the Gentiles became an active part of the church. But the letter is vital to each of us today as we seek out the best way to live out our Christian faith.
James was the half-brother of Jesus, and it is interesting that he did not come to believe in Jesus as the Savior until Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection. It is also interesting that the great reformer, Martin Luther, said the book had no more substance than straw. Why would Luther be so harsh? Because at first glimpse James seemed to be promoting salvation through works rather than grace, and Luther was all about grace. But I contend that if we look deeper, we will see that James had a wonderful understanding of grace. So let’s dig in!
James’ letter begins with encouraging the believer that when trials come we are to think of them as something that can produce joy. Why? Because trials reveal the strength of our faith. Jesus himself said in John 16:33 that in this world we will have trouble. When trouble comes, we must not just rely on the faith we have, but allow our faith to grow and flourish and when we react to trouble in this way then we will experience joy.
Joy is a wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is so much different than happiness. You see, happiness is dependent upon circumstances and circumstances change. But joy is that life-giving quality that literally bubbles up inside of us and the more joy we have, the more we receive, and the more we receive the more we can share our joy with others!
James goes on to say that when our faith is tested, if we can face these trials with joy, then this testing produces endurance. Think for a moment of how vital endurance is in our lives. Some Bible translations use the word “patience” rather than endurance. The meaning is the same–we are not advised to bury our head in the sand and retreat from our troubles by going into LaLa Land, but instead we are told to access the same stamina that would help us win a race. When we respond to trials with faith, joy and endurance, then we will become mature, or complete, Christians.
In faith and grace,
Pastor Carol
Father God, you alone can provide us with the faith and endurance we need to withstand the trials of dailing living and let joy reign supreme. May each one of us look to You, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, to live our lives as intentional disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Building yourself up In Your Most High Faith
Jude 1:17-23 (NRSV) 17 But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.” 19 It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; 21 keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some who are wavering; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.
Jude, identified as the brother of James the Just, probably wrote this epistle around 60 A.D. The purpose of this letter was to encourage believers to stand fast in the faith, not allowing false teachers to undermine the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do you suppose the writers of the New Testament had the hope that their writing, inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, would put an end to falsehoods surrounding the gospel? I would imagine that was certainly their goal.
Yet today false teachers abound, many of them emerging from our seminaries, teaching that the Bible is archaic, casting doubt on many of the writers of the Scriptures, and telling those of us who still hold the Bible as cherished that we are worshipping the Bible rather than the God of the Bible. Really? The Holy Bible is God’s revelation to us of Who He is, and each book carries the theme of redemption.
God has revealed Himself to us through the Scriptures, through His Son, and through nature itself. If we cannot believe the Bible, then it is not a matter of the Bible being wrong or out of touch with today’s culture, it goes strictly to the heart of faith. If we do not have confidence (faith) in the Bible, then how do we maintain our belief and relationship with the God of the Bible? How do we allow Jesus to be our personal Savior and Lord if we separate Him from the Bible? After all, everything we know of Jesus comes from the Bible, and we are told in John 1 that Jesus is the Word made flesh.
If you find yourself under the teaching that says the Bible is not for today, or someone who picks and chooses from the Scripture those words that make him or her comfortable, run. Instead of trying to receive inspiration from one who is devoid of the spirit of God, learn to do as Jude says and build yourself up in your most high faith.
Stay in the Word, and be sure you are reading an authorized translation and not a paraphrase of the Bible. What is the difference? A translation works directly from the Hebrew and Greek and translates into English (or your native tongue) the best words and meaning of God’s Word, and it is a word for word study that gives us the closest meaning to the original text. A paraphrase takes paragraphs or segments of the word and tries to make it more understandable, often in today’s language.
Fill your spirit not just with the Word, but with hymns and songs extolling God and His Son. Let your spirit soar as you listen to or join in to sing those songs that lift up God in praise.
Pray, pray, pray like there is no tomorrow, because brothers and sisters, we do not know how long we have on this earth. But however long we are here, we must align ourselves with the Truth, and that Truth can only be found by learning and adhering to the WHOLE Word of God. May God have mercy on the souls of anyone who tries to turn us away from His Holy Word.
In Christ,
Pastor Carol
Father God, we love you and worship you in spirit and in truth. May You remove the scales from our eyes and the hardness in our hearts, that we may become one with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
