"With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water."
Consistency is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines to learn, because our flesh is constantly at war with the Spirit who dwells within us. The flesh seeks to please self often at the expense of others, which explains why cursing comes so naturally. Our ancestry also plays a role as we are descendants of Adam, prone to sin at will. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that blessing is counter-intuitive as we struggle to outweigh our frequency to curse others by means of edification. In this passage, James finishes his exhaustive argument on the perils of the tongue by giving a realistic picture concerning the application of how we use it and with what frequency. Do we bless more than we curse? Do our words more often build up or tear down? Yes, these are simple questions, but their conviction provides a springboard into the depths of our hearts where true intention lies.
To bless someone is to convey sentiments of affirmation, encouragement or praise. Blessing elicits positive energy, for it seeks the happiness/prosperity of others and edifies/strengthens their countenance. Conversely, cursing seeks to injure, harm, harass or torment others with evil intentions. Cursing another is self-serving because it only pleases our interest at the expense of the other person's feelings. Bottom-line, blessing builds up while cursing tears down. Yet at our core, do we recognize the emotional impact that our tongues impart on the psyche of others when we curse them? Can we easily quantify how often we bless others, proving how truly infrequent we are in our application? What spiritual investment are we making through blessing into the lives of others for the the glory of God? According to James, our tongue provides the answers to these questions.
What we must understand is that consistency in either direction, blessing or cursing, gauges our personal, spiritual temperature. It measures how far we have come in our faith walk, and in truth, how far we have yet to climb. However, is consistency limited to a definition of merely frequency? Absolutely not. Consistency reveals deeper roots. It magnifies the source from which our mouths flow. Therefore, if we profess ourselves as Christ-followers, we must acknowledge that what we say either testifies to the consistent gospel message of Jesus Christ, or opposes it in prideful self-interest. Our message must be consistent with the teachings of God's Word though, otherwise we are no different than the world we live in and our foundation of faith is diminished. For when our message of blessing is unified with frequency, our intentions are clearly defined for the glory of God. But when we consistently curse, we undermine the faith we profess and convey hypocrisy as our identity to the world around us.
Make no mistake, there are times when we feel justified to curse despite our sincere desire not to. But when we are unjustly accused, attacked, stereotyped, misunderstood, offended, demeaned, insulted, criticized, etc., we are presented with a decision: Choose to bless or choose to curse. And what we choose defines our character. For it is much easier to bless when life is good, but when calamity strikes and adversity arises, how we react (cursing) or respond (blessing) defines to whom we are enslaved or indebted to (self or God). That is why James spent 12-verses unpacking the fleshly core of our tongue and its spiritual impact, for we cannot willingly/intentionally live in sin and boldly profess ourselves as followers of Christ. Our calling is higher, and consistency plays a vital role in witnessing to those around us the true freedom that comes from complete surrender to Jesus Christ, obedience to the Word of God, and sanctification through the Holy Spirit.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
James 3:7-8 (Devotion)
"For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."
Submission is a topic most commonly referred to within the context of marriage, but James expands how we typically view submission by relating it to our tongue and its correlation to our personal will. For proper context, Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines submission as "an obedient resignation...yielding/surrendering one's will to the will or appointment of a superior without murmuring...acknowledging inferiority or dependence through humble or suppliant behavior." Therefore, if we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, in humility we have relinquished control of our life's trajectory and aligned our personal will with the will of the Father, understanding that He is our identity and final authority rather than ourselves.
The importance of this truth is imperative to James' perspective, because we cannot continue to blindly live and assume that our tongues submit to our personal authority. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have the ability to exude any shred of self-control, which is unique in the sphere of Biblical Christianity. Conversely, our society would never claim such audacity that a man is completely helpless to administer self-control is his own life, because it would defy cultural ideology that says a man needs to pull himself up by his own bootstraps. But that is exactly what separates a follower of Christ from the world! Our source of strength is our differentiation, and we must be bold enough to live that truth out in application of Scripture.
Most of us have visited a zoo and witnessed a demonstration of some sort where perhaps an eagle or dolphin is obeying the instruction of a handler. It is an amazing feat because we see wild, living creatures taken from their natural habitat and trained to submit and obey a human being's authority rather than their own will and instinct. It would seem illogical that they would submit to authority completely foreign from their species, but they do. Yet James argues that the tongue is so uncontrollable that a man cannot tame it despite it being part of his own body, even if he exhausted all his time, energy and resources.
James further warns that the tongue is a restless evil, meaning it is not content being quiet or at peace. It does not shield itself from negativity, but instigates it due to its foundation of self. Moreover, it is full of poison in that it has devastating effects when used as a weapon or self-defense mechanism. A poisonous snake is a good metaphor for the tongue, striking its prey with deadly force when hungry or self-protecting by releasing venom when threatened or attacked. We simply cannot ignore what we are truly capable of when we live wild and free with no submission to authority other than our flesh. And those closest to us can attest to the poison with which we speak, for they are typically the innocent victims whose forgiveness we take for granted.
Bottom-line, if we are unwilling to submit our tongues under God's authority, we are boldly declaring with great pride that we will not obey anyone other than our flesh. We also discredit the saving work of Christ because we believe the Holy Spirit is not sufficient enough to help us practice self-control. Sadly though, that is the plight of many self-proclaimed Christians, because relinquishing control and submitting to the Father's will and not our own in obedience to Scripture is where we truly gauge whether our faith is genuine or void of Christ altogether. Make no mistake, the tongue is a great spiritual thermometer for those who wonder how truly righteous they believe themselves to be, and a great measuring stick of how disciplined or undisciplined we are in our faith application.
Submission is a topic most commonly referred to within the context of marriage, but James expands how we typically view submission by relating it to our tongue and its correlation to our personal will. For proper context, Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines submission as "an obedient resignation...yielding/surrendering one's will to the will or appointment of a superior without murmuring...acknowledging inferiority or dependence through humble or suppliant behavior." Therefore, if we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, in humility we have relinquished control of our life's trajectory and aligned our personal will with the will of the Father, understanding that He is our identity and final authority rather than ourselves.
The importance of this truth is imperative to James' perspective, because we cannot continue to blindly live and assume that our tongues submit to our personal authority. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we have the ability to exude any shred of self-control, which is unique in the sphere of Biblical Christianity. Conversely, our society would never claim such audacity that a man is completely helpless to administer self-control is his own life, because it would defy cultural ideology that says a man needs to pull himself up by his own bootstraps. But that is exactly what separates a follower of Christ from the world! Our source of strength is our differentiation, and we must be bold enough to live that truth out in application of Scripture.
Most of us have visited a zoo and witnessed a demonstration of some sort where perhaps an eagle or dolphin is obeying the instruction of a handler. It is an amazing feat because we see wild, living creatures taken from their natural habitat and trained to submit and obey a human being's authority rather than their own will and instinct. It would seem illogical that they would submit to authority completely foreign from their species, but they do. Yet James argues that the tongue is so uncontrollable that a man cannot tame it despite it being part of his own body, even if he exhausted all his time, energy and resources.
James further warns that the tongue is a restless evil, meaning it is not content being quiet or at peace. It does not shield itself from negativity, but instigates it due to its foundation of self. Moreover, it is full of poison in that it has devastating effects when used as a weapon or self-defense mechanism. A poisonous snake is a good metaphor for the tongue, striking its prey with deadly force when hungry or self-protecting by releasing venom when threatened or attacked. We simply cannot ignore what we are truly capable of when we live wild and free with no submission to authority other than our flesh. And those closest to us can attest to the poison with which we speak, for they are typically the innocent victims whose forgiveness we take for granted.
Bottom-line, if we are unwilling to submit our tongues under God's authority, we are boldly declaring with great pride that we will not obey anyone other than our flesh. We also discredit the saving work of Christ because we believe the Holy Spirit is not sufficient enough to help us practice self-control. Sadly though, that is the plight of many self-proclaimed Christians, because relinquishing control and submitting to the Father's will and not our own in obedience to Scripture is where we truly gauge whether our faith is genuine or void of Christ altogether. Make no mistake, the tongue is a great spiritual thermometer for those who wonder how truly righteous they believe themselves to be, and a great measuring stick of how disciplined or undisciplined we are in our faith application.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
James 3:6 (Devotion)
"And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell."
James continues his exposition on taming the tongue by speaking candidly regarding the pure evil it contains. He does not shy away in the slightest, using strong language and claiming it is set on fire by hell. Yet I wonder what our immediate reaction is when we read this verse. Are we shocked by the powerful verbiage James uses, or does it come as no surprise at all to us? And is our reaction based more upon our own heart or the behavior of those around us?
It goes without saying that our tongue is a powerful weapon. Those who come from a verbally abusive background can attest to the power of words. But do our words necessarily have to be vulgar or offensive to be classified as evil? Certainly justifying sin, blame shifting, gossip, false accusations, sexual innuendos, unrighteous anger, inappropriate sarcasm, etc, all convey a sinful message in their own right. Moreover, our nonverbal communication cannot be excluded from this discussion either, even though James is specifically addressing the tongue. Bottom-line, how we communicate is wicked in many ways, and the tongue is a match we can ignite at any moment if we so choose.
So what is the remedy? Obviously, self-control is key, but understanding the reality of our fallen self is just as important. We must recognize before we open our mouths to start a fire that we are not slaves to our flesh. We no longer have to obey what comes natural. We can choose to restrain our tongue because our identity is in Christ. He paid our ransom and brought us back from hell itself through His shed blood. Therefore, we are not subject to any master other than Jesus who gives us freedom to choose righteousness over sin. The formula is not hard to understand, but it is extremely difficult to apply because our flesh is constantly at war with the Spirit who dwells in our hearts. Because at our fleshly core we desire to submit to our cravings for control, even though we have the power of the Holy Spirit willing and able to show us a way of escape.
James is not minimizing anything in this verse. He is calling a spade a spade because sometimes we need a dose of blunt reality to wake us up from our status-quo slumber. And if we take to heart the severity of what the tongue is capable of, perhaps we will use more wisdom and discretion in how we speak to others. Our application of Scripture demands it if we claim to be Christ-followers. For if we do not exude self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are no different than the world around us and the saving faith we testify to is diminished because our works do not reflect heart change. If we want to change the world, a good place to start is in the mirror with a serious emphasis on the tongue and the fire it can start if we don't contain it. If not, perhaps we need to re-read this verse and reevaluate our position.
James continues his exposition on taming the tongue by speaking candidly regarding the pure evil it contains. He does not shy away in the slightest, using strong language and claiming it is set on fire by hell. Yet I wonder what our immediate reaction is when we read this verse. Are we shocked by the powerful verbiage James uses, or does it come as no surprise at all to us? And is our reaction based more upon our own heart or the behavior of those around us?
It goes without saying that our tongue is a powerful weapon. Those who come from a verbally abusive background can attest to the power of words. But do our words necessarily have to be vulgar or offensive to be classified as evil? Certainly justifying sin, blame shifting, gossip, false accusations, sexual innuendos, unrighteous anger, inappropriate sarcasm, etc, all convey a sinful message in their own right. Moreover, our nonverbal communication cannot be excluded from this discussion either, even though James is specifically addressing the tongue. Bottom-line, how we communicate is wicked in many ways, and the tongue is a match we can ignite at any moment if we so choose.
So what is the remedy? Obviously, self-control is key, but understanding the reality of our fallen self is just as important. We must recognize before we open our mouths to start a fire that we are not slaves to our flesh. We no longer have to obey what comes natural. We can choose to restrain our tongue because our identity is in Christ. He paid our ransom and brought us back from hell itself through His shed blood. Therefore, we are not subject to any master other than Jesus who gives us freedom to choose righteousness over sin. The formula is not hard to understand, but it is extremely difficult to apply because our flesh is constantly at war with the Spirit who dwells in our hearts. Because at our fleshly core we desire to submit to our cravings for control, even though we have the power of the Holy Spirit willing and able to show us a way of escape.
James is not minimizing anything in this verse. He is calling a spade a spade because sometimes we need a dose of blunt reality to wake us up from our status-quo slumber. And if we take to heart the severity of what the tongue is capable of, perhaps we will use more wisdom and discretion in how we speak to others. Our application of Scripture demands it if we claim to be Christ-followers. For if we do not exude self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are no different than the world around us and the saving faith we testify to is diminished because our works do not reflect heart change. If we want to change the world, a good place to start is in the mirror with a serious emphasis on the tongue and the fire it can start if we don't contain it. If not, perhaps we need to re-read this verse and reevaluate our position.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
James 3:3-5 (Devotion)
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"
At times, the Bible can be difficult to understand when we are presented with religious terminology, challenging concepts, and cultural differences. In those instances, practical examples and imagery play a vital role in unpacking theological truth that aids our spiritual growth and application of Scripture. In these verses, James uses a horse and ship to illustrate the importance of self-control as it relates to our tongue.
A horse is a powerful animal. No man dares approach a horse without first understanding that at the core it is wild. Without proper training, a horse is subject to no one, and will buck violently if anyone dares to attempt to break its will. Moreover, a horse can seriously injure someone who attempts to climb on board its back without a bit in its mouth to steer it properly and ensure the safety of the rider.
Our tongue is also powerful and capable of great destruction. At the core, it too is wild due to the sin of Adam we inherited. Therefore, because sin is our natural bent, we must purposely train our tongues to speak blessing rather than cursing, to edify and not tear down. Our words have great meaning, and we can look no further than those closest to us for verification of this truth. When we say something hurtful or disparaging, it can send shrapnel that pierces deep and scars the psyche. For those of us who have ever made such a comment to our wives about their physical appearance, for example, we know that our words are never forgotten no matter how many years or decades have passed. Bottom-line, until we recognize the power of our words and control them accordingly, like a wild stallion they will run free without regard for anyone else other than ourselves.
Similarly, a ship is massive in size and scale but steered by a rudder, minuscule in comparison. The ship represents our body and the rudder, our tongue, that directs our path in many ways. But the tongue is only submissive to our heart's leading, making the importance of the source far more critical because it reveals what lies beneath the surface. Our tongue can be trained though to speak respectfully, honestly, and with restraint, but those attributes will only come out of a heart that glorifies God rather than self.
Think of it this way: Secular wisdom says, "There is nothing that comes out of the mouth of a drunk that wasn't there in the first place." Similarly, Scripture states, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person" (Matthew 15:18). Both sayings are true regardless of their source, so there is no debate. Therefore, if we want to tame our tongue, we must first learn self-control at the heart level. Otherwise, we are simply expecting band-aids to cure Stage 4 cancer, or as James might analogize, controlling a widespread forest fire with a water pistol. Either way, our surface attempts at self control will only prove futile.
At times, the Bible can be difficult to understand when we are presented with religious terminology, challenging concepts, and cultural differences. In those instances, practical examples and imagery play a vital role in unpacking theological truth that aids our spiritual growth and application of Scripture. In these verses, James uses a horse and ship to illustrate the importance of self-control as it relates to our tongue.
A horse is a powerful animal. No man dares approach a horse without first understanding that at the core it is wild. Without proper training, a horse is subject to no one, and will buck violently if anyone dares to attempt to break its will. Moreover, a horse can seriously injure someone who attempts to climb on board its back without a bit in its mouth to steer it properly and ensure the safety of the rider.
Our tongue is also powerful and capable of great destruction. At the core, it too is wild due to the sin of Adam we inherited. Therefore, because sin is our natural bent, we must purposely train our tongues to speak blessing rather than cursing, to edify and not tear down. Our words have great meaning, and we can look no further than those closest to us for verification of this truth. When we say something hurtful or disparaging, it can send shrapnel that pierces deep and scars the psyche. For those of us who have ever made such a comment to our wives about their physical appearance, for example, we know that our words are never forgotten no matter how many years or decades have passed. Bottom-line, until we recognize the power of our words and control them accordingly, like a wild stallion they will run free without regard for anyone else other than ourselves.
Similarly, a ship is massive in size and scale but steered by a rudder, minuscule in comparison. The ship represents our body and the rudder, our tongue, that directs our path in many ways. But the tongue is only submissive to our heart's leading, making the importance of the source far more critical because it reveals what lies beneath the surface. Our tongue can be trained though to speak respectfully, honestly, and with restraint, but those attributes will only come out of a heart that glorifies God rather than self.
Think of it this way: Secular wisdom says, "There is nothing that comes out of the mouth of a drunk that wasn't there in the first place." Similarly, Scripture states, "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person" (Matthew 15:18). Both sayings are true regardless of their source, so there is no debate. Therefore, if we want to tame our tongue, we must first learn self-control at the heart level. Otherwise, we are simply expecting band-aids to cure Stage 4 cancer, or as James might analogize, controlling a widespread forest fire with a water pistol. Either way, our surface attempts at self control will only prove futile.
Monday, August 24, 2015
James 3:2 (Devotion)
"For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body."
The third chapter of James begins with a 12-verse emphasis on taming the tongue. As we previously learned in verse 1, pastoral teachers (and we as well) are held to a higher standard of judgment because of the responsibility that comes with conveying (via our words) and representing (via our actions) the authority of God's Word. Verse 2 shifts attention slightly though by focusing on our frailties, proving James' point that judgment awaits those who are irresponsible with Scripture.
I find James' phrasing amusing because he states, "We all stumble In many ways," but immediately provides an escape route by then saying, "And if anyone does not stumble" (thus appeasing the devil's advocate argument). Of course, we all stumble in our words and actions though! Who dares to say they don't? The fact that James feels the need to address the issue in this fashion, however, points to the self-deception in our hearts that thinks more highly of ourselves than we ought.
We all stumble because our genealogy dates back to Adam. Therefore, we are born into sin from the beginning whether we like it or not. Fleshly desires are part of our DNA and thus we cater to them repeatedly. There is no denying that fact, yet we seem to live our lives with a balance scale mentality weighing our bad choices with our good works in hope that our good outweighs the bad and we find favor in God's sight on judgment day.
But as we studied previously, good works give evidence to our faith and count ZERO toward salvation. Consequently, it is futile to solve our constant addiction to "stumbling in many ways" with good works. Only Jesus remedies that cancer. What we are responsible for (as we will learn over these 12 verses) is that exhibiting self-control is within our sphere of influence. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to act in response to sinful tendencies with the perspective that our use of self-control is a work that testifies to our faith but does not take the place of it.
In the end, James' point is that we all make mistakes and sin, and we all need self-control to bridle our body and make it submit to the Spirit rather than the flesh. For our words and actions can get out of control very quickly like a forest fire, and we are wise to heed James' warning ahead of time versus after the fact when we are wallowing in our guilt, shame and regret. Otherwise, we will remain deceived by our own doing and imprison our hearts from the true freedom found in relinquishing control to the Spirit who guides, convicts and aids in our sanctification.
The third chapter of James begins with a 12-verse emphasis on taming the tongue. As we previously learned in verse 1, pastoral teachers (and we as well) are held to a higher standard of judgment because of the responsibility that comes with conveying (via our words) and representing (via our actions) the authority of God's Word. Verse 2 shifts attention slightly though by focusing on our frailties, proving James' point that judgment awaits those who are irresponsible with Scripture.
I find James' phrasing amusing because he states, "We all stumble In many ways," but immediately provides an escape route by then saying, "And if anyone does not stumble" (thus appeasing the devil's advocate argument). Of course, we all stumble in our words and actions though! Who dares to say they don't? The fact that James feels the need to address the issue in this fashion, however, points to the self-deception in our hearts that thinks more highly of ourselves than we ought.
We all stumble because our genealogy dates back to Adam. Therefore, we are born into sin from the beginning whether we like it or not. Fleshly desires are part of our DNA and thus we cater to them repeatedly. There is no denying that fact, yet we seem to live our lives with a balance scale mentality weighing our bad choices with our good works in hope that our good outweighs the bad and we find favor in God's sight on judgment day.
But as we studied previously, good works give evidence to our faith and count ZERO toward salvation. Consequently, it is futile to solve our constant addiction to "stumbling in many ways" with good works. Only Jesus remedies that cancer. What we are responsible for (as we will learn over these 12 verses) is that exhibiting self-control is within our sphere of influence. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to act in response to sinful tendencies with the perspective that our use of self-control is a work that testifies to our faith but does not take the place of it.
In the end, James' point is that we all make mistakes and sin, and we all need self-control to bridle our body and make it submit to the Spirit rather than the flesh. For our words and actions can get out of control very quickly like a forest fire, and we are wise to heed James' warning ahead of time versus after the fact when we are wallowing in our guilt, shame and regret. Otherwise, we will remain deceived by our own doing and imprison our hearts from the true freedom found in relinquishing control to the Spirit who guides, convicts and aids in our sanctification.
Friday, August 21, 2015
James 3:1 (Devotion)
"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness."
This is an interesting passage. At first glance it would appear James is discouraging his brethren rather than encouraging, but nothing could be further from the truth. James is a shepherd tending to his flock of faithful brothers in Christ by looking out not only for their best interest, but that of the body of Christ as a whole. For what good would it profit the church if Bible teachers were not preaching God's Word exegetical with proper context? What example would teachers provide if they were not living for righteousness in application, but content with faith alone? What cancer would they spread if they twisted God's Word to meet their selfish desires rather than speaking truth in love, unashamed of the persecution that comes with standing for absolute truth?
It takes boldness to make such a statement and call out the dangers of leadership to keep the church accountable. It is not meant to strike such fear that no man or woman aspires to teach God's Word, but it speaks to the seriousness of God's calling on them to practice what they preach and submit unashamedly to the sovereign authority of Scripture. This warning of James should be applauded because it does not put a false pretense on pastoral leadership. It calls out the dangers of hypocrisy and keeps us humble so that we who teach God's Word remember who we are in relation to God, lest we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. It is a reality check, helping to weed out those who desire personal glory at the expense of the church, because of the specialized judgment that awaits those who teach Scripture.
But is this applicable only for the chosen few who bear the title of teaching pastor? I would argue, NO, for the simple fact that those of us who are parents are ordained by God to teach our children His Word. Moreover, anyone who testifies as a Christ-follower is accountable to share the Gospel with others, thus preaching the Good News of Jesus and teaching Scripture to one degree or another. Therefore, none are exempt from extrapolating various degrees of application from this passage, which on the surface appears to be directed to only a chosen few.
Bottom-line, if we present ourselves publicly as Christians we are held to a high standard, but I pray those of us who teach God's Word embrace James' admonition thoroughly for our standard is even higher. Because they who truly represent the heart of God as pastors do not run from this passage, but humbly embrace the accountability and judgment that comes with such a great responsibility. The church needs more shepherds who live out this verse of James in unashamed boldness, humility and love. But more so, the church needs every member of the body to embrace this truth as well, so that our works give testimony to our faith in Christ and submission to His Word.
This is an interesting passage. At first glance it would appear James is discouraging his brethren rather than encouraging, but nothing could be further from the truth. James is a shepherd tending to his flock of faithful brothers in Christ by looking out not only for their best interest, but that of the body of Christ as a whole. For what good would it profit the church if Bible teachers were not preaching God's Word exegetical with proper context? What example would teachers provide if they were not living for righteousness in application, but content with faith alone? What cancer would they spread if they twisted God's Word to meet their selfish desires rather than speaking truth in love, unashamed of the persecution that comes with standing for absolute truth?
It takes boldness to make such a statement and call out the dangers of leadership to keep the church accountable. It is not meant to strike such fear that no man or woman aspires to teach God's Word, but it speaks to the seriousness of God's calling on them to practice what they preach and submit unashamedly to the sovereign authority of Scripture. This warning of James should be applauded because it does not put a false pretense on pastoral leadership. It calls out the dangers of hypocrisy and keeps us humble so that we who teach God's Word remember who we are in relation to God, lest we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. It is a reality check, helping to weed out those who desire personal glory at the expense of the church, because of the specialized judgment that awaits those who teach Scripture.
But is this applicable only for the chosen few who bear the title of teaching pastor? I would argue, NO, for the simple fact that those of us who are parents are ordained by God to teach our children His Word. Moreover, anyone who testifies as a Christ-follower is accountable to share the Gospel with others, thus preaching the Good News of Jesus and teaching Scripture to one degree or another. Therefore, none are exempt from extrapolating various degrees of application from this passage, which on the surface appears to be directed to only a chosen few.
Bottom-line, if we present ourselves publicly as Christians we are held to a high standard, but I pray those of us who teach God's Word embrace James' admonition thoroughly for our standard is even higher. Because they who truly represent the heart of God as pastors do not run from this passage, but humbly embrace the accountability and judgment that comes with such a great responsibility. The church needs more shepherds who live out this verse of James in unashamed boldness, humility and love. But more so, the church needs every member of the body to embrace this truth as well, so that our works give testimony to our faith in Christ and submission to His Word.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
James 2:21-26 (Devotion)
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
In our final installment of the faith/works discussion, James offers two Old Testament examples of works that provide evidence of faith. He could not have picked more polar opposite characters to reference, but that also should provide great encouragement to us as we reflect upon our own lives.
Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of the Jewish nation and promised that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. He was not a perfect man by any means, but God established a covenant with him that was unprecedented. However, Abraham was tested when God instructed him to sacrifice his only son (whom he was only able to have when God miraculously opened the barren womb of his wife Sarah at age 90) as an offering to the Lord. He was asked to prove his faith by giving up his most treasured possession, his son Isaac, and followed through on the Lord's command until God stopped him from completing the sacrifice and killing his son. Thus, Abraham's works gave testimony to his complete and obedient faith and trust in the Lord.
Similarly, Rahab proved her faith by helping spies of the nation of Israel escape when they were scouting enemies in the promised land. Although she lived her life in sin as a prostitute, she believed in the Lord and submitted to His authority, proving her faith by risking her own life to save those of the spies, and earning her a spot in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
What is most recognizable from the life of Abraham and Rahab is that both were imperfect, sinful people. They deserved the wrath of God for their sin, just as we do, but they chose to believe in the Lord and submit under the authority of His Word, obeying His commands. And their works showed that their faith was not simply a theological belief, but an active application of what they professed.
I wonder if we would respond the same way though. Would we sacrifice our children to prove our faith if the Lord commanded? Would we literally risk our lives to protect our enemies? Bottom-line, would we unashamedly live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and risk persecution and torment if the Lord commanded? Well, He has...and we must wrestle with the application of that question if we are to emulate the righteousness of our Savior and King and live what we believe.
In our final installment of the faith/works discussion, James offers two Old Testament examples of works that provide evidence of faith. He could not have picked more polar opposite characters to reference, but that also should provide great encouragement to us as we reflect upon our own lives.
Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of the Jewish nation and promised that his descendants would outnumber the stars in the sky. He was not a perfect man by any means, but God established a covenant with him that was unprecedented. However, Abraham was tested when God instructed him to sacrifice his only son (whom he was only able to have when God miraculously opened the barren womb of his wife Sarah at age 90) as an offering to the Lord. He was asked to prove his faith by giving up his most treasured possession, his son Isaac, and followed through on the Lord's command until God stopped him from completing the sacrifice and killing his son. Thus, Abraham's works gave testimony to his complete and obedient faith and trust in the Lord.
Similarly, Rahab proved her faith by helping spies of the nation of Israel escape when they were scouting enemies in the promised land. Although she lived her life in sin as a prostitute, she believed in the Lord and submitted to His authority, proving her faith by risking her own life to save those of the spies, and earning her a spot in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
What is most recognizable from the life of Abraham and Rahab is that both were imperfect, sinful people. They deserved the wrath of God for their sin, just as we do, but they chose to believe in the Lord and submit under the authority of His Word, obeying His commands. And their works showed that their faith was not simply a theological belief, but an active application of what they professed.
I wonder if we would respond the same way though. Would we sacrifice our children to prove our faith if the Lord commanded? Would we literally risk our lives to protect our enemies? Bottom-line, would we unashamedly live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and risk persecution and torment if the Lord commanded? Well, He has...and we must wrestle with the application of that question if we are to emulate the righteousness of our Savior and King and live what we believe.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Psalm 77:1-20 (Personal Loss or Mourning)
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted. When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search: “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
While Psalm 77 may not be the most common Scriptural reference of encouragement for one who is mourning the loss of a loved one, there is incredible perspective available that the psalmist conveys concerning the emotional roller coaster a mourner endures. Why did my loved one pass away? Why did they pass away in the way that they did? Why now and not later? Why am I left here all alone? The question of "why" in many ways overwhelms the thoughts and leaves a mourner incapacitated from feeling they can move an inch, let alone move on altogether, but that can be somewhat understood simply by studying the truth of God's Word in Psalm 77.
Mourning is a personal experience where one chooses how they will cope with the feelings associated with loss. There are no specific guidelines for how long mourning should last or in what ways mourning manifests itself, because men and women mourn very differently. Men typically stuff their feelings, compartmentalize, or ignore the emotional pain, while women are usually more expressive in words and by showing their emotion through tears, etc. Bottom-line, mourning is actually a healthy process of emotionally purging the heart and soul while lamenting the fragility of life itself and honoring the lives of those we love. It provides perspective and an opportunity to reflect on our own life trajectories, whether spiraling downward in sin or growing in communion with Jesus Christ as our Lord, shepherd and personal Savior.
Concerning Psalm 77, we learn that the psalmist is unashamed to express his emotions physically through tears, cries and moans. This should be a huge encouragement to us that expressing emotion is a healthy practice. It cleanses the heart by purging selfish motives concerning loss of the dead. Moreover, it creates space in which the Holy Spirit moves and begins to heal the heart from the inside-out. The Spirit is ever moving within the heart of those of us who profess Christ as personal Lord and Savior and trust in the power of His resurrection, because we know that we were previously dead in our sin, buried with Christ in His death, and raised again in newness of life through His resurrection. And that personal assurance is what a follower of Christ leans on in times of loss and mourning as his/her source of strength. For in the midst of deep anguish we are resolute, just as the psalmist was, that the Lord will hear our cries because we have previously established a personal relationship with Him through Jesus.
It is important to emphasize the power of prayer and meditation in this situation as well. We cannot quiet the soul after releasing incredible amounts of emotion and mental/physical exhaustion without taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit bestowing wisdom and discernment to mourners who trust in Holy Scripture. For discernment is needed in order to not be held captive by loss, but to be freed from the potential bondage that depression can bring. We must remember that mourning is God's gift to cleanse the heart. It is not intended to become a stronghold that leaves us incapacitated to move on and live our lives for God's glory, rather than dwelling on the past.
What is most critical to understand from Psalm 77 is that the psalmist's key to success derived from affirming who God is in all His majesty, and by personal spiritual markers where God revealed His faithfulness and sovereignty. Granted, the psalmist paused to question whether God's grace was sufficient as his fleshly mind questioned the Lord's will, but he quickly gathered himself and allowed the Holy Spirit living within his heart to speak truth despite temptation to blame the Lord. I believe this is critical, because more often than not we too pause to question God's sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty.
Simply stated, God is sovereign, omniscient and omnipresent. He resides outside of the confines of time because He is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is in full control at all times and His will is perfect at any point and in all occasions, providing infinite grace and mercy to His children. And He is law and love manifested in the person of Jesus Christ, His Son the risen Lord, and the Holy Spirit that lives in the hearts of His followers. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that remembering who God is provides great comfort in the midst of mourning. For God knows all the answers to our "why" questions and reveals them to us in His way and His timing, according to His Word.
Similarly, spiritual markers originate from the life of a believer in Christ where God has previously revealed Himself in such a supernatural way that there is no denying He was the source. Answered prayer is often a common source of spiritual markers, firmly rooting us in times of trouble because we know that God is faithful and His will undeniably will be done regardless of our selfish perspectives and expectations. For God does not conform to our fleshly construct and finite boundaries. Rather, He molds us to His sovereign will as we learn to relinquish personal control and submit in obedience under the authority of His absolute truth.
In the end, mourning is simply an opportunity for us to expose the hurt and pain in our hearts to the healing waters of the Word that testify to the glory and majesty of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must remember the simple truths that Psalm 77 affirms to us in our times of mourning: to cry aloud to God and seek the Lord, pray and meditate for wisdom and discernment throughout the process, and remember the Lord's faithfulness in previous times of need. Only then will we unlock the peace which transcends all understanding and a foundation of truth that gives hope to weary and restless souls.
While Psalm 77 may not be the most common Scriptural reference of encouragement for one who is mourning the loss of a loved one, there is incredible perspective available that the psalmist conveys concerning the emotional roller coaster a mourner endures. Why did my loved one pass away? Why did they pass away in the way that they did? Why now and not later? Why am I left here all alone? The question of "why" in many ways overwhelms the thoughts and leaves a mourner incapacitated from feeling they can move an inch, let alone move on altogether, but that can be somewhat understood simply by studying the truth of God's Word in Psalm 77.
Mourning is a personal experience where one chooses how they will cope with the feelings associated with loss. There are no specific guidelines for how long mourning should last or in what ways mourning manifests itself, because men and women mourn very differently. Men typically stuff their feelings, compartmentalize, or ignore the emotional pain, while women are usually more expressive in words and by showing their emotion through tears, etc. Bottom-line, mourning is actually a healthy process of emotionally purging the heart and soul while lamenting the fragility of life itself and honoring the lives of those we love. It provides perspective and an opportunity to reflect on our own life trajectories, whether spiraling downward in sin or growing in communion with Jesus Christ as our Lord, shepherd and personal Savior.
Concerning Psalm 77, we learn that the psalmist is unashamed to express his emotions physically through tears, cries and moans. This should be a huge encouragement to us that expressing emotion is a healthy practice. It cleanses the heart by purging selfish motives concerning loss of the dead. Moreover, it creates space in which the Holy Spirit moves and begins to heal the heart from the inside-out. The Spirit is ever moving within the heart of those of us who profess Christ as personal Lord and Savior and trust in the power of His resurrection, because we know that we were previously dead in our sin, buried with Christ in His death, and raised again in newness of life through His resurrection. And that personal assurance is what a follower of Christ leans on in times of loss and mourning as his/her source of strength. For in the midst of deep anguish we are resolute, just as the psalmist was, that the Lord will hear our cries because we have previously established a personal relationship with Him through Jesus.
It is important to emphasize the power of prayer and meditation in this situation as well. We cannot quiet the soul after releasing incredible amounts of emotion and mental/physical exhaustion without taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit bestowing wisdom and discernment to mourners who trust in Holy Scripture. For discernment is needed in order to not be held captive by loss, but to be freed from the potential bondage that depression can bring. We must remember that mourning is God's gift to cleanse the heart. It is not intended to become a stronghold that leaves us incapacitated to move on and live our lives for God's glory, rather than dwelling on the past.
What is most critical to understand from Psalm 77 is that the psalmist's key to success derived from affirming who God is in all His majesty, and by personal spiritual markers where God revealed His faithfulness and sovereignty. Granted, the psalmist paused to question whether God's grace was sufficient as his fleshly mind questioned the Lord's will, but he quickly gathered himself and allowed the Holy Spirit living within his heart to speak truth despite temptation to blame the Lord. I believe this is critical, because more often than not we too pause to question God's sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty.
Simply stated, God is sovereign, omniscient and omnipresent. He resides outside of the confines of time because He is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is in full control at all times and His will is perfect at any point and in all occasions, providing infinite grace and mercy to His children. And He is law and love manifested in the person of Jesus Christ, His Son the risen Lord, and the Holy Spirit that lives in the hearts of His followers. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that remembering who God is provides great comfort in the midst of mourning. For God knows all the answers to our "why" questions and reveals them to us in His way and His timing, according to His Word.
Similarly, spiritual markers originate from the life of a believer in Christ where God has previously revealed Himself in such a supernatural way that there is no denying He was the source. Answered prayer is often a common source of spiritual markers, firmly rooting us in times of trouble because we know that God is faithful and His will undeniably will be done regardless of our selfish perspectives and expectations. For God does not conform to our fleshly construct and finite boundaries. Rather, He molds us to His sovereign will as we learn to relinquish personal control and submit in obedience under the authority of His absolute truth.
In the end, mourning is simply an opportunity for us to expose the hurt and pain in our hearts to the healing waters of the Word that testify to the glory and majesty of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we must remember the simple truths that Psalm 77 affirms to us in our times of mourning: to cry aloud to God and seek the Lord, pray and meditate for wisdom and discernment throughout the process, and remember the Lord's faithfulness in previous times of need. Only then will we unlock the peace which transcends all understanding and a foundation of truth that gives hope to weary and restless souls.
Friday, August 14, 2015
James 2:18-20 (Devotion)
"But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?"
James continues his exposition of the faith/works debate by isolating the merit of faith without works. Are works needed to prove faith? Can works justify a man without faith? Is faith alone what distinguishes a Christian?
Faith without works assumes a position of belief in Jesus Christ, who He was and His purpose for dying on the cross for the salvation of mankind, but it lacks evidence of Scriptural application to support the argument that heart change not only took place, but elicited action as a result. It is spiritually hollow with no internal substance to prove it even exists. Yet many in this world are quick to declare they believe in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and assume they deserve the title of Christian or Christ-follower. However, James quickly debunks this theory by stating that even Satan's demons believe and shudder in light of Christ's divinity, subsequently proving that faith alone does not hold water in discerning who truly is saved and a follower of Jesus.
The slippery slope of works is that they bait a man into thinking that salvation is more about what he does and not what he believes. Works must prove faith, not exist independently without faith or supplement faith as the reason for salvation. Many people confuse this issue though by failing to emphasize why we do good works. What is the purpose or reason we help those in need or die to our selfish desires? Are we trying to earn favor from God for what we do, or are we simply serving others without expectation? What's driving our spiritual engine: faith or works?
In truth, both faith and works must compel our actions simultaneously. They compliment one another in the sense that works flow out of saving faith, but works do not save a man in any way. They are absolutely critical in proving faith in Christ though. And similarly according to James, faith alone without works is void, dead, and seemingly worthless. Bottom-line, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works to ensure we do not boast or take any credit for our salvation, but we cannot stop at faith. Works must prove, or lack of works disprove, whether our confession of faith was sincere or not. Only then will we be able to understand the relationship between faith and works that James sought to clarify for the body of Christ.
James continues his exposition of the faith/works debate by isolating the merit of faith without works. Are works needed to prove faith? Can works justify a man without faith? Is faith alone what distinguishes a Christian?
Faith without works assumes a position of belief in Jesus Christ, who He was and His purpose for dying on the cross for the salvation of mankind, but it lacks evidence of Scriptural application to support the argument that heart change not only took place, but elicited action as a result. It is spiritually hollow with no internal substance to prove it even exists. Yet many in this world are quick to declare they believe in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and assume they deserve the title of Christian or Christ-follower. However, James quickly debunks this theory by stating that even Satan's demons believe and shudder in light of Christ's divinity, subsequently proving that faith alone does not hold water in discerning who truly is saved and a follower of Jesus.
The slippery slope of works is that they bait a man into thinking that salvation is more about what he does and not what he believes. Works must prove faith, not exist independently without faith or supplement faith as the reason for salvation. Many people confuse this issue though by failing to emphasize why we do good works. What is the purpose or reason we help those in need or die to our selfish desires? Are we trying to earn favor from God for what we do, or are we simply serving others without expectation? What's driving our spiritual engine: faith or works?
In truth, both faith and works must compel our actions simultaneously. They compliment one another in the sense that works flow out of saving faith, but works do not save a man in any way. They are absolutely critical in proving faith in Christ though. And similarly according to James, faith alone without works is void, dead, and seemingly worthless. Bottom-line, we are saved by grace through faith and not by works to ensure we do not boast or take any credit for our salvation, but we cannot stop at faith. Works must prove, or lack of works disprove, whether our confession of faith was sincere or not. Only then will we be able to understand the relationship between faith and works that James sought to clarify for the body of Christ.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
James 2:15-17 (Devotion)
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
James continues his discussion of the faith/works relationship with an example to illustrate his point. He magnifies the empty promises we make when we half-heartily apply Scripture, for what good is it to wish someone well but not practically help to fill a need? In other words, talk is cheap without backing it up with action!
I believe we use prayer in this manner. It is far easier to say, "I'll pray for you," rather than invest the time, energy and/or resources to lend a helping hand, because most often we look out for our own selfish interests rather than meeting the needs of someone else. It is a reflection of the heart, and we are naive to think that prayer is the only course of action available at times. Prayer should be IN ADDITION to actively seeking ways to meet needs rather than a supplement.
But if we're truly being honest with ourselves, how willing are we to serve others? How sensitive are our hearts to meeting needs? How quickly are we to act versus weighing/calculating the return on investment before we act, if at all? How often do we avoid and make excuses when we know full well we can meet a need for someone else? Because if we proclaim faith in Christ and identify ourselves as His followers, we cannot make empty efforts when it comes to the opportunities God places in our path every day to step outside our comfort zones and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us as we serve others.
Faith must illicit a response of works, because a heart transformed by God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit can never be satisfied with half-hearted attempts at Scriptural application. Works spring forth from thankful hearts that recognize the gift of grace Christ freely gave by His sacrifice on behalf of our sins. Because Jesus did not say, "Good luck living a perfect life. You're on your own." He saw our sin and acted (works) to provide an eternal way of escape from the judgment of God, because He trusted (faith) in the sovereignty of God. Therefore, we must model the same so that our works give testimony to the faith we profess in Christ, rather than the opposite.
James continues his discussion of the faith/works relationship with an example to illustrate his point. He magnifies the empty promises we make when we half-heartily apply Scripture, for what good is it to wish someone well but not practically help to fill a need? In other words, talk is cheap without backing it up with action!
I believe we use prayer in this manner. It is far easier to say, "I'll pray for you," rather than invest the time, energy and/or resources to lend a helping hand, because most often we look out for our own selfish interests rather than meeting the needs of someone else. It is a reflection of the heart, and we are naive to think that prayer is the only course of action available at times. Prayer should be IN ADDITION to actively seeking ways to meet needs rather than a supplement.
But if we're truly being honest with ourselves, how willing are we to serve others? How sensitive are our hearts to meeting needs? How quickly are we to act versus weighing/calculating the return on investment before we act, if at all? How often do we avoid and make excuses when we know full well we can meet a need for someone else? Because if we proclaim faith in Christ and identify ourselves as His followers, we cannot make empty efforts when it comes to the opportunities God places in our path every day to step outside our comfort zones and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us as we serve others.
Faith must illicit a response of works, because a heart transformed by God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit can never be satisfied with half-hearted attempts at Scriptural application. Works spring forth from thankful hearts that recognize the gift of grace Christ freely gave by His sacrifice on behalf of our sins. Because Jesus did not say, "Good luck living a perfect life. You're on your own." He saw our sin and acted (works) to provide an eternal way of escape from the judgment of God, because He trusted (faith) in the sovereignty of God. Therefore, we must model the same so that our works give testimony to the faith we profess in Christ, rather than the opposite.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
James 2:14 (Devotion)
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?"
James begins a new initiative beginning in verse 14 that touches upon salvation and the relationship between faith and works. Specifically, James addresses one question in particular: How can you tell if a person is truly saved when he/she professes to be a Christian? Yet James' response is one that tends to be misunderstood in the exegetical context of Scripture as a whole.
To clarify, James is not insinuating that works are part of the act of salvation. They are a byproduct that results from saving faith found only in the sacrificial blood of Jesus on behalf of sinners. This is absolutely critical to understand because many people and even religious sects/denominations (ex. Catholicism) confuse this issue. Therefore, proper context is needed to ensure the Bible is interpreted correctly.
The apostle Paul's writing to the church of Ephesus states that man is saved by grace through faith as God's gift, and NOT by works so no man can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). In other words, to put works into the salvation equation diminishes the sacrifice of Christ because it insinuates that man has to earn his salvation to some degree and that it's not 100% dependant on Jesus, but a mixture of both faith and works.
Nothing can be further from the truth though of what Paul and James are saying. Both authors make the same point that salvation is a gift of God's grace. What James communicates is that how we publicly determine whether someone is a Christ-follower depends on the fruit (works) we see in their thoughts and actions (the application of Scripture). For logic would say that if a person is indeed saved, there will be a considerable change in his/her behavior (pre-salvation vs. post-salvation) that identifies publicly the inward decision to follow Jesus.
Faith and works are critical to the Christ-follower, but they must be understood in their correct context. For if we begin to place works into the salvation equation, we diminish the sacrifice of Christ. And if conversely we dismiss works altogether, we are left with empty faith that has no supporting value to prove we have been saved. Therefore, we can safely assert that indeed faith and works are married in the life of a Christ-follower. We simply need to ensure we don't confuse the role they play as it relates to salvation.
James begins a new initiative beginning in verse 14 that touches upon salvation and the relationship between faith and works. Specifically, James addresses one question in particular: How can you tell if a person is truly saved when he/she professes to be a Christian? Yet James' response is one that tends to be misunderstood in the exegetical context of Scripture as a whole.
To clarify, James is not insinuating that works are part of the act of salvation. They are a byproduct that results from saving faith found only in the sacrificial blood of Jesus on behalf of sinners. This is absolutely critical to understand because many people and even religious sects/denominations (ex. Catholicism) confuse this issue. Therefore, proper context is needed to ensure the Bible is interpreted correctly.
The apostle Paul's writing to the church of Ephesus states that man is saved by grace through faith as God's gift, and NOT by works so no man can boast (Eph. 2:8-9). In other words, to put works into the salvation equation diminishes the sacrifice of Christ because it insinuates that man has to earn his salvation to some degree and that it's not 100% dependant on Jesus, but a mixture of both faith and works.
Nothing can be further from the truth though of what Paul and James are saying. Both authors make the same point that salvation is a gift of God's grace. What James communicates is that how we publicly determine whether someone is a Christ-follower depends on the fruit (works) we see in their thoughts and actions (the application of Scripture). For logic would say that if a person is indeed saved, there will be a considerable change in his/her behavior (pre-salvation vs. post-salvation) that identifies publicly the inward decision to follow Jesus.
Faith and works are critical to the Christ-follower, but they must be understood in their correct context. For if we begin to place works into the salvation equation, we diminish the sacrifice of Christ. And if conversely we dismiss works altogether, we are left with empty faith that has no supporting value to prove we have been saved. Therefore, we can safely assert that indeed faith and works are married in the life of a Christ-follower. We simply need to ensure we don't confuse the role they play as it relates to salvation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
James 2:13 (Devotion)
"For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
As we have learned studying James, faith application of God's Word is paramount in producing fruit that publicly testifies to our identity in Christ. It defines who we are and points to God as the motivation for our behavior. Our application of Scripture cannot be emphasized enough in its importance to the survival of true, Biblical Christianity, but it must glorify God and not self.
Our application must be others-focused as James illustrates, and he uses a simple example of showing mercy rather than casting judgment. Why? Perhaps it is because when we reflect upon the infinite amount of mercy God shows us every day by not punishing us for the sins we commit as His Law requires, we are compelled to exude the same amount of mercy to others who are living in sin. Perhaps it is because judgment is not a responsibility God gave us, but one only He administers. Or perhaps it is a reminder straight from the mouth of the Holy Spirit to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, lest we be judged according to the standard we hold others to.
In any case, the point James makes is that we must practice what we preach. We must be accountable first. We must take the lead first, and apply the Word universally in our lives. We must seek to forgive, give grace, and show mercy first, as a reflection of what God has graciously given us despite our failures. And in doing so, we will redefine how society views Christians because we are not waiting for others to change, but taking the lead first to change our own lives from the inside-out. We must lead by example to this lost generation, in prayer that our behavior will testify to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts.
Our mission is clear. We simply need to step forward in faith and choose to love others by pointing them to the freedom that God's Word provides to those who put their faith and trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ. And that begins with our obedient application of Scripture, without excuse, for only God is righteous enough to judge sin. Our response is simply to remember who He is and allow Him to judge, while we show others grace and mercy according to His Word.
As we have learned studying James, faith application of God's Word is paramount in producing fruit that publicly testifies to our identity in Christ. It defines who we are and points to God as the motivation for our behavior. Our application of Scripture cannot be emphasized enough in its importance to the survival of true, Biblical Christianity, but it must glorify God and not self.
Our application must be others-focused as James illustrates, and he uses a simple example of showing mercy rather than casting judgment. Why? Perhaps it is because when we reflect upon the infinite amount of mercy God shows us every day by not punishing us for the sins we commit as His Law requires, we are compelled to exude the same amount of mercy to others who are living in sin. Perhaps it is because judgment is not a responsibility God gave us, but one only He administers. Or perhaps it is a reminder straight from the mouth of the Holy Spirit to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, lest we be judged according to the standard we hold others to.
In any case, the point James makes is that we must practice what we preach. We must be accountable first. We must take the lead first, and apply the Word universally in our lives. We must seek to forgive, give grace, and show mercy first, as a reflection of what God has graciously given us despite our failures. And in doing so, we will redefine how society views Christians because we are not waiting for others to change, but taking the lead first to change our own lives from the inside-out. We must lead by example to this lost generation, in prayer that our behavior will testify to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts.
Our mission is clear. We simply need to step forward in faith and choose to love others by pointing them to the freedom that God's Word provides to those who put their faith and trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ. And that begins with our obedient application of Scripture, without excuse, for only God is righteous enough to judge sin. Our response is simply to remember who He is and allow Him to judge, while we show others grace and mercy according to His Word.
Monday, August 10, 2015
James 2:12 (Devotion)
"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty."
One of the greatest misconceptions concerning the Bible according to skeptics is that it limits free will. Moreover, proponents believe it is culturally irrelevant, narrow-minded, judgmental and restricting of all life has to offer. They view it metaphorically as a ball and chain, shackling us to standards that are archaic and not applicable to today's society. Simply-stated, they do not place value on the Bible as a compass for moral truth and righteous living, but rather for occasional archeological and historical reference, if any.
For the Christ-follower, the Bible is not only absolute truth but the key that unlocks an immeasurable treasure the world cannot quantify. It loosens the chains of guilt, shame and regret because it provides an eternal way of escape from death and separation from God through forgiveness. It essentially frees us as a means of liberty (per James) because we were once slaves to our flesh but have been purchased and saved by the blood of Jesus. And it holds us accountable to a standard of righteousness that uniquely identifies us as set apart from society.
Despite the ridicule and persecution we receive for our complete faith and trust in God's Word, we are called to endure and be steadfast. For what we think, say and do define who we are, and that is a privilege every saved by grace Christ-follower is given. It's a matter if perspective ultimately, where we shift our focus off self and on Christ, but one that is essential, for we recognize and embrace God's judgment that awaits us.
Therefore, we do not live in fear of God's holy wrath because we are no longer bound by our sin. Christ has died in our place, so we live in liberty with the Bible as our measuring stick of accountability in all we say and do. But we must be aware that the world will persecute us for what we believe until the day Christ returns to fulfill what we know to be true.
One of the greatest misconceptions concerning the Bible according to skeptics is that it limits free will. Moreover, proponents believe it is culturally irrelevant, narrow-minded, judgmental and restricting of all life has to offer. They view it metaphorically as a ball and chain, shackling us to standards that are archaic and not applicable to today's society. Simply-stated, they do not place value on the Bible as a compass for moral truth and righteous living, but rather for occasional archeological and historical reference, if any.
For the Christ-follower, the Bible is not only absolute truth but the key that unlocks an immeasurable treasure the world cannot quantify. It loosens the chains of guilt, shame and regret because it provides an eternal way of escape from death and separation from God through forgiveness. It essentially frees us as a means of liberty (per James) because we were once slaves to our flesh but have been purchased and saved by the blood of Jesus. And it holds us accountable to a standard of righteousness that uniquely identifies us as set apart from society.
Despite the ridicule and persecution we receive for our complete faith and trust in God's Word, we are called to endure and be steadfast. For what we think, say and do define who we are, and that is a privilege every saved by grace Christ-follower is given. It's a matter if perspective ultimately, where we shift our focus off self and on Christ, but one that is essential, for we recognize and embrace God's judgment that awaits us.
Therefore, we do not live in fear of God's holy wrath because we are no longer bound by our sin. Christ has died in our place, so we live in liberty with the Bible as our measuring stick of accountability in all we say and do. But we must be aware that the world will persecute us for what we believe until the day Christ returns to fulfill what we know to be true.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
James 2:11 (Devotion)
"For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law."
There is an ongoing spiritual battle between our flesh and the Spirit of the living God that dwells in the heart of every saved human being. This battle is extremely discreet, yet it has devastating effects that are glaring in the body of Christ. The battle exists on various levels, but two in particular warrant attention: hierarchies of sin and minimization.
In the church we tend to look upon sin with almost a 1-10 scoring card on how bad someone is based on their sin of choice. But James highlights this point specifically, pointing out that avoiding one sin but committing another has the same result: separation from God which requires Biblical repentance regardless of the sin committed.
This leads to minimization where the flesh compares our sin with other sins and whispers into our ear that we are not as bad as we appear to be on the surface. It is a form of self deception where we fall into a trap of evaluating our spiritual maturity based on what sins we avoided rather than owning those sins we are actually committing, all the while falling further into a state of hypocrisy.
In the end, how we view sin is imperative. Do we see all types/variations/severities of sin as universally equal and deserving of judgment in the sight of God? Do we question what the Bible specifically calls out as sin? Do we seek wisdom from Scripture to help define our boundaries concerning sin? Do we trust the Spirit's prompting when conviction reveals our true heart?
Simply stated: If we believe the Bible is absolute truth, we cannot live in ignorance. We cannot rank our sins and believe God only punishes the big ones. We cannot minimize our sin and think more highly of ourselves than we ought. And we cannot plead ignorance when the day of judgment comes, for we all have sinned and deserve judgment.
There is an ongoing spiritual battle between our flesh and the Spirit of the living God that dwells in the heart of every saved human being. This battle is extremely discreet, yet it has devastating effects that are glaring in the body of Christ. The battle exists on various levels, but two in particular warrant attention: hierarchies of sin and minimization.
In the church we tend to look upon sin with almost a 1-10 scoring card on how bad someone is based on their sin of choice. But James highlights this point specifically, pointing out that avoiding one sin but committing another has the same result: separation from God which requires Biblical repentance regardless of the sin committed.
This leads to minimization where the flesh compares our sin with other sins and whispers into our ear that we are not as bad as we appear to be on the surface. It is a form of self deception where we fall into a trap of evaluating our spiritual maturity based on what sins we avoided rather than owning those sins we are actually committing, all the while falling further into a state of hypocrisy.
In the end, how we view sin is imperative. Do we see all types/variations/severities of sin as universally equal and deserving of judgment in the sight of God? Do we question what the Bible specifically calls out as sin? Do we seek wisdom from Scripture to help define our boundaries concerning sin? Do we trust the Spirit's prompting when conviction reveals our true heart?
Simply stated: If we believe the Bible is absolute truth, we cannot live in ignorance. We cannot rank our sins and believe God only punishes the big ones. We cannot minimize our sin and think more highly of ourselves than we ought. And we cannot plead ignorance when the day of judgment comes, for we all have sinned and deserve judgment.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
James 2:10 (Devotion)
"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it."
The common belief in secular culture is that we who are "saved by grace" Christ-followers (Eph 2:8-9) take the Bible very seriously. We are identified most notably to the public by one man (Jesus) and one book (the Bible), yet our unity and beliefs are severely questioned by skeptics. Why?
James answers this question pointedly. It is our inability to unify our theology that is plaguing our impact on society. For when we do not apply Scripture and practice what we preach, we come off as hypocritical. Similarly, when we pick and choose what we want to believe and not believe in the Bible, we diminish and discredit the faith we profess because we question its validity and authority.
James also reinforces that we who profess the name of Jesus are held accountable to the authority of Scripture cover to cover. Our personal rights are revoked because we surrendered them when we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Why? Because the Bible states clearly in John 1:1 that Jesus and the Word of God are one in the same, interchangeable. Therefore to reject either means we reject both, and thus we are only left with relative truth and post-modernistic thinking.
But most importantly, James debunks any theory that states we can live as we choose as Christ-followers without judgment, for the law (God's Word) is our compass between sin and righteousness. Because God has revealed His will and His law because of His love, we are without excuse when it comes to consequences of sin because we know right from wrong. It is written in the pages of Scripture, yet many struggle with this concept.
Bottom-line: We must be consistent, and that requires surrender of our fleshly opinions and justifications for things explicitly condemned in God's Word. Because like or not, the Bible is absolute truth for those who accept the gift of saving grace through Jesus. It is a package deal. Period.
The common belief in secular culture is that we who are "saved by grace" Christ-followers (Eph 2:8-9) take the Bible very seriously. We are identified most notably to the public by one man (Jesus) and one book (the Bible), yet our unity and beliefs are severely questioned by skeptics. Why?
James answers this question pointedly. It is our inability to unify our theology that is plaguing our impact on society. For when we do not apply Scripture and practice what we preach, we come off as hypocritical. Similarly, when we pick and choose what we want to believe and not believe in the Bible, we diminish and discredit the faith we profess because we question its validity and authority.
James also reinforces that we who profess the name of Jesus are held accountable to the authority of Scripture cover to cover. Our personal rights are revoked because we surrendered them when we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Why? Because the Bible states clearly in John 1:1 that Jesus and the Word of God are one in the same, interchangeable. Therefore to reject either means we reject both, and thus we are only left with relative truth and post-modernistic thinking.
But most importantly, James debunks any theory that states we can live as we choose as Christ-followers without judgment, for the law (God's Word) is our compass between sin and righteousness. Because God has revealed His will and His law because of His love, we are without excuse when it comes to consequences of sin because we know right from wrong. It is written in the pages of Scripture, yet many struggle with this concept.
Bottom-line: We must be consistent, and that requires surrender of our fleshly opinions and justifications for things explicitly condemned in God's Word. Because like or not, the Bible is absolute truth for those who accept the gift of saving grace through Jesus. It is a package deal. Period.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
James 2:8-9 (Devotion)
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."
Partiality within the body of Christ is intolerable, but what is even more concerning is the level of self-protection that fuels partiality. Self-protection is self-serving and caters to its own desires. It manipulates its environment in order to ensure that self is deemed most important, even if that requires making decisions that include showing favoritism.
The theme James uses to illustrate his point echoes Old Testament law of loving one's neighbor as one would themselves. For who could say they are unfamiliar with what it means to yield to the flesh? We all do, so it is an easy teaching point for us to identify with.
I wonder if we ever look at the topic of favoritism in this light though. Are we too consumed with our own hectic lives to understand how much we put ourselves before others? Are we too busy to bother with needy people at all? Are we helping only those who benefit us by choosing the rich over the poor? Or when we do make an effort to help others, are we negotiating with God to provide a return on investment for our time, energy and resources?
The main point is that when Scripture calls us to act, we must respond with no expectations but a willingness for God to elevate our awareness of the needs of others. For meeting needs must never be self-serving or partial to any economic group, but an act of the Holy Spirit working through for God's glory, not our own. Only then will we dispel partiality from our hearts, and only then will we see that self-protection undermines the call to obedient application of Scripture.
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