For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
– James 2:26
If you know your NT scriptures, you probably could have guessed the scripture reference just by the title. On the surface, James essentially contradicts Paul's teachings that works cannot earn you salvation. If you want a better understanding of this "contradiction", click here for an article that might help. Regardless of who thinks either teaching is right or wrong, they are both right. This is the word of God and he does not contradict himself. In short, Paul is saying that the Mosaic Law (10 Commandments and OT traditions) can no longer earn you a spot in heaven. Rather, we have been offered the grace of God through Jesus' death and resurrection. That being stated, James is not disagreeing with Paul that God's grace cannot save us, rather he is continuing Paul's instruction. James teaches the reader that with the grace we have received, we cannot be on the sidelines of our faith. In order to show our faith, we must get in the action and perform faithful works as Christ did on earth. Hopefully by now you get it, because I would rather not make this post into a sermon (I almost did anyway, keep reading). Instead, I will give you some of my own thoughts on this.
Mainly, I am at a point in my life, or my faith, where I know I can do more but I seem to be settling in to my circumstances. I have been investing more time into prayer, and though I am an easily distracted person, the Lord is teaching me a lot during my time with Him. I think that James is a fitting book for me right now because I am looking at the facts that I am not really doing a lot of "work" for Christ. I work a full-time job and mostly put my service to the church second. After praying and opening the Bible to this chapter, perhaps God is really telling me to trust him, and move closer to serving him before myself.
Though that is the point of this chapter, I am struggling with the conflict of serving myself in this comfortable job, or trusting him to lead me into the unknown... Typically I end with encouragement, I would like to stick with that, though before I end today's entry I would ask if you would pray for me to be led by the Holy Spirit and to commit fully to God's will for my life over my own will.
Being on the bench, or the bleachers, during a sporting event never allows us to be involved in changing the end result of the game. If we live our lives simply waiting for God to do his work in the world while we watch, then we cannot truly experience the blessings he has for us when the final point is scored. James 2:22 supports that saying "you see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works." So go on and trust that God has a better plan for you... Get out there and work for His glory!
Monday, June 17, 2019
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Deny and Follow
Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24
One thing I will note, my titles usually relate to different experiences or two different verses, but today, I will only focus on this verse. I have not been writing as much as I would like, yet I still find encouragement in these entries, as I hope you do.
The depth of this verse is not as deep as some may consider, though the value is great when it is lived out... ultimately leading to our earthly death. To better understand scripture, I use and recommend the David Guzik commentary because he has put a lot of time into developing that. Anyway, I have held this verse with me a while now, and find it to be something that I keep looking to in everyday life. Essentially when we deny ourselves, it is not self-denial where we are giving up things we want, like certain foods or activities, for a greater purpose (though that is valuable on its own). Denying yourself simply means to deny what you want in this life. Denying your will and following the Lord's will.
This is exactly what Jesus did when he went to the cross. At one point, Jesus even asks God to take away the responsibility of the crucifixion (Luke 22:42). Yet he knows that is what God needs from him to grant mercy on us, so he carries out his calling anyway. Personally, I doubt any of us would make it the whole way to the cross, whether we run away, or give up prior to the event. However, this is what Jesus is calling us to, and I have constantly had this verse on my mind whenever I am making a choice for myself. I actually bought a cross necklace to remind myself of the verse and though it is fashionable, I keep it as my own cross to carry. The necklace holds me closer to the Lord when I am reminded of what Christ has done for us.
More than anything, I hope to deny myself and follow Christ more, each day, until I am brought up to Heaven to be with Him. Christ denied himself and followed God's calling to death on the cross so that we had the freedom to choose our life. If one wants to serve Christ, they must expect the same result, giving up the glory of this world, for the glory of God.
May the Lord guide you and uphold you on this journey, so you choose to follow him.
One thing I will note, my titles usually relate to different experiences or two different verses, but today, I will only focus on this verse. I have not been writing as much as I would like, yet I still find encouragement in these entries, as I hope you do.
The depth of this verse is not as deep as some may consider, though the value is great when it is lived out... ultimately leading to our earthly death. To better understand scripture, I use and recommend the David Guzik commentary because he has put a lot of time into developing that. Anyway, I have held this verse with me a while now, and find it to be something that I keep looking to in everyday life. Essentially when we deny ourselves, it is not self-denial where we are giving up things we want, like certain foods or activities, for a greater purpose (though that is valuable on its own). Denying yourself simply means to deny what you want in this life. Denying your will and following the Lord's will.
This is exactly what Jesus did when he went to the cross. At one point, Jesus even asks God to take away the responsibility of the crucifixion (Luke 22:42). Yet he knows that is what God needs from him to grant mercy on us, so he carries out his calling anyway. Personally, I doubt any of us would make it the whole way to the cross, whether we run away, or give up prior to the event. However, this is what Jesus is calling us to, and I have constantly had this verse on my mind whenever I am making a choice for myself. I actually bought a cross necklace to remind myself of the verse and though it is fashionable, I keep it as my own cross to carry. The necklace holds me closer to the Lord when I am reminded of what Christ has done for us.
More than anything, I hope to deny myself and follow Christ more, each day, until I am brought up to Heaven to be with Him. Christ denied himself and followed God's calling to death on the cross so that we had the freedom to choose our life. If one wants to serve Christ, they must expect the same result, giving up the glory of this world, for the glory of God.
May the Lord guide you and uphold you on this journey, so you choose to follow him.
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