James, half-brother of Jesus, attacks the notion that becoming a Christian is simply a matter of assenting to a few spiritual truths without experiencing any real change in behavior or thought, and a notion indeed, embraced from layperson to the pulpit, seeing no reason for change; while such an attitude has brought us to where we are today - a much hated faith because of the example being set, without truth having a chance to stand by said example.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that "anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" But let's be honest, no different than rules of the drivers handbook, or notes from graduation; once we pass that's it - we have all the answers we need, and no more study is necessary. Ask an honest doctor!
We have become proud as Peacocks, having an exceedingly high opinion of our Christian selves, laypeople and leadership. Look at us today, nothing to be proud of. The most hated people on the planet, and rather than earning our way out, by example noted, we carry on with shoulders high and back with denominational pride and ministry titles as though greater than God Himself, with zero respect for the very truth that has set us free, literally - living on even though we die. WE JUST DON'T GET IT!
Perhaps, James can help us out as we ponder sixteen verses, with commentary & scriptural links included - more Jesus, less of me.
James 1:18 (NLT) He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
And we would dare doubt "once saved, always saved," as though He would adopt us, give us His glory, call us His friend, and then dump us? When Luke 11:11-13 also teaches us "11 You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
We are God's pride & joy - His prized possession - His masterpiece!James 1:3 (NLT) For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Although a secular expression, "Rome wasn't built in a day," we might consider perhaps that God, through James, is trying to tell us, that if the pagans can gain the world while losing their soul, surely we Christians can trust enough to benefit in the here and now and new world.James 1:20 (NLT) Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
If the living word tells us "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ," then should we not strive to be more like Him and not the world? In Ephesians 4:31, wisdom says "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior." 2 Tim 2:15 tells us to be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Meaning, the truth can only lead to less anxiety and frustration, thank you, Jesus, bringing us in line with the righteousness of God that pleases and glorifies Him?James 1:4 (NLT) So let it (faith) grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
We can count on the promises of God, who doesn't lie, and when He tells us to pray it, believe we've received it, and it will be ours, in Mark 11:24, then we should believe and not doubt, expecting to receive it as promised.James 1:17 (NLT) Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
If He spoke the heavens with its constellations into being, seeing it as good and perfect, then He who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, will continue to provide all that is good and perfect while here on earth and we should expect nothing less as a child of God.James 1:14 (NLT) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
God tells us - And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. We must never blame God, and remain accountable and responsible for our own actions in a world where anything goes.James 5:16 (NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Let us confide in a fellow brother (Males), or sister (Females), as to our struggles, praying for each other, giving thanks for the resolve of the challenges faced. True friends will eagerly fulfill their prayer requests, resulting in great power, producing wonderful results just as promised.James 1:21 (NLT) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
We are told that "the word of God is alive and powerful," and as we read the inerrant and infallible living word that will never fail us, teaching us that the tongue can bring death or life, and more specifically, "don’t use foul or abusive language," we suddenly find ourselves consumed by the living word that sets us free, with Jesus teaching that "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying," and so the soul is wondrously saved and secure for all eternity, by faith and faith alone.James 1:22 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Any time we listen to someone sharing the word, we should be confirming what is being said by reading the word for ourselves as Paul teaches "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." Otherwise, we are only fooling ourselves.James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Too many, self included many moons ago, even today if not in the word for myself, we can do more talking than listening; people don't learn by talking, but by listening. The latter curbs many things, especially the haste to be heard, proving self to be a fool, not wise.James 1:6 (NLT) But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
There is no room with being on the right team, if you're determined to play both sides; God says it this way: "since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold (for me or against me - make up your mind - no in between), I will spit you out of my mouth!"James 1:12 (NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Many blessings are ours long before glory; the crown of life is the glory that comes with salvation, when and where we will know all things.James 4:8 (NLT) Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Don't play games. Do you want the best for yourself? Who knows best, your Creator, or yourself? What we think we want, is more often than not, nothing to what God has planned, and the cool thing is, by the time we get to this point, we begin asking ourselves, "WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS YEARS AGO?" Duh, lol! We cannot have our cake and eat it too - God or the world?James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
A/ It's good to know that "the Lord corrects those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child," during our troubles, however,
B/ ... we must eagerly remind ourselves amidst our trials, that God has already made a way through the mountains or the Goliaths that come against us, in unimaginable ways, including, "We can do all things in Him who gives us the strength" - and He that is in us, is greater than he or anything that comes against us - and if He is for us, who or what can be against us to bring us down? WE ARE INVINCIBLE IN CHRIST - VICTORY IS OURS, therefore, every setback brings us closer to our next blessing.James 1:5 (NLT) If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
In Jesus, we find hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - understanding also! And he himself teaches us "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." He has only our best interest at heart, desirous to give us a rich and satisfying life.James 4:7 (NLT) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
When we harness the little things, like "those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted," trusting the living word, knowing that anything is possible if a person believes, then the power given us to resist all demonic challenges, influences, and attacks against us, including sickness and disease, also becomes as evidently straight forward without need of worry, fear, or doubt, as God's masterpiece, friend, and adopted child, amen and amen.So there are just sixteen verses identified, with minor commentary and reference links, from a five-chapter book (James), leaving still, the rest of James, totaling 31,157 verses of further irrefutable, inerrant and infallible truth unmatched across the globe, as found in the Holy Bible, the inspired living word of Jesus Christ Living God, for there is no other.
He is worthy of boasting, the CEO of the Universe, author of life, promised Messiah, and Savior of the world, and it is He who could have prevented the likes of the PlanDemic, but did not, not because He didn't want to, but because He surrendered that part of His sovereignty in which He gave WE THE PEOPLE His living word, that we might know it, trust it, and put it to good use. However, we Christians have much to learn, no one to blame but ourselves, stumbling on the likes of James 1:22 alone, fooling ourselves, playing church and games with God, when instead, we could take hold of a verse or two, or part of His living word never before investigated, and learn; check out this free book HERE - 100% Jesus!
This is nothing new for God! He confronted the people of Israel in Ezekiel 18:25 asking them, "Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you?" THEY WEREN'T GETTING IT!
Genesis to Revelation - into our very day - WE'RE NOT GETTING IT - really?
He asked the Hebrew people in Deuteronomy 30:19 , wanting nothing more than to bless them, "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" THEY WEREN'T GETTING IT!
Paul, in Philippians 4:19, still trying to get the attention of the people, teaches "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." BUT WE'RE STILL NOT GETTING IT, insisting on our perspective rather than God's perspective; afraid of money and the likes of Mark 11:24?
Paul in Ephesians 3:19, he encourages them with "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." But still in this very day an age, with every means possible to know God and His word, to trust it and act on it, WE STILL DON'T GET IT!
And in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus teaches the Great Commission, simple and straight forward, key words being 'OBEY ALL MY COMMANDS' - 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
We are not teaching as we were told to do, 'OBEY ALL MY COMMANDS,' being a direct result of the church being taken over by man, teaching denominational perspective/doctrine (bits & pieces), rather than Holy Bible Doctrine (all of God's word while obeying all of His commands - 2 Tim 3:16). Why do verses like Matthew 21:22, or John 14:14 make us nervous? Why do we avoid certain topics, or leave out sections that could help us edify each other?
Rather than categorize, or single out 'Word of Faith,' or 'Baptist/Lutheran/Presbyterian' or Charismatic movement, whatever, why not just look at the bible and preach it all, cover to cover, word for word, encouraging all believers to do the same thing, preferably an easy-to-read version; nothing more, nothing less than 66 books, no adds, no deletions, and believing and not doubting according to the teaching of faith even as small as a mustard seed?
So, because of our weaknesses and indifferences, the devil has us right where he wants us ... defeated and looking like fools to the world ... the only faith that has the truth to set people free. Change begins with self, each individual, otherwise, pride, as warned in the book of Proverbs, pride precedes every man's downfall.
We can do much better, church! I'm doing my part, and challenge you to do the same.
PS: If you're looking to youtube for insight into other leaders, you're wasting your time, in such an unprofessional, faceless society, that is built on a deliberate demonic platform, just like faceybook, twitter, the works of all SM billionaire monsters - and real good people do not, or should not be using such platforms.
*** Comment comes from years of deliberate research and study - that will all be supported when the truth behind the PlanDemic, zero to do with health, is exposed, thank you, Jesus.
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