This small victory in my habits reminds me of one fundamental truth:faith without works is ineffective-"dead," as James puts it. - P39
Faithmust be completed by tangible action for it to have any effect (James2:22). - P39
If I had gone on visiting my workout website without followingany of the routines, it would not have done me any good, no matterhow attentively I watched each video or how much I appreciatedthe experts‘ work. - P39
I had to diligently apply what they taught to reapthe benefits. Likewise, our faith in Christ was not given to us merelyto be contemplated or appreciated. - P39
Rather, we are called to put ourGod-given faith to work by applying what Christ teaches and watching it shape and transform our lives. - P39
Dear God, thank you for the righteousness of Christ that is mine through faithalone. - P39
Help me to receive Your grace with a heart that overflows with zeal todo good works for Your glory. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P39
Those who teach will be judged more strictly. The tongue is a small part ofthe body but can set the whole course of one‘s life on fire. - P41
Believers shouldnot curse people while praising God with the same mouth. Envy and selfishambition bring disorder and evil. - P41
But heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. - P41
So many of life‘s problems stem from our failure to control what we say.
- P44
The tongue is such a small part of the body, but it possesses incredibleinfluence and can determine the fate of entire lives and even nations.
- P44
If it is not kept under control, it can be as dangerous as poison or awildfire. - P44
And the unfortunate reality of this sinful world is that evenwhen we praise the Lord and speak blessings, we use that same mouthto revile and curse others. - P44
But God has redeemed our souls, our bodies,and our attitudes so that we might become conformed to the imageof Christ. - P44
Through the power of the Holy Spirit-and through Himalone-we can learn to tame our tongue. - P44
Some believers in James‘s community were making a show of their supe-rior wisdom through boastful self-promotion. - P44
This led to envy, rivalry,and division these are just some of the disastrous consequences thatresult from failing to tame the tongue. - P44
James therefore condemns suchbehavior as unspiritual and demonic. - P44
The kind of wisdom that pleasesGod and builds up His church, on the other hand, flows from a gentleheart of humility, just as Jesus exhibited throughout His life. - P44
Those whopossess godly wisdom are peacemakers. They do nothing out of selfishambition but are submissive, considerate, and full of mercy, eager tobuild others up rather than putting them down. - P44
And God promises toreward their ministry with a harvest of righteousness. - P44
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue, to show that we should be swift tohear, but slow to speak. God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teethand the lips, to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
- Thomas Watson - P44
Exasperated, some members expected my dad to give the slackersblistering rebuke. But one Sunday after the last service, he simply wenfrom row to row and began picking up the trash himself. - P45
This proveto have more impact than anything he could have said. After seeinthis, people diligently cleaned up their space every Sunday.
- P45
My dad‘s example gave me a clear picture of what James terms th
"wisdom that comes from heaven" (James 3:17). It was "pure; thepeace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruiimpartial and sincere." He faced the problem, seeking to "keep thunity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3). - P45
There certainly is a time for rebuke,
but even then, God‘s wisdom would nevermanifest itself in a bullying or domineering demeanor. The life ofChrist was characterized by mercy and a desire to extend peace andreconciliation to others-even in His most scathing rebukes. As wecontemplate Him, may the Holy Spirit shape our character to conform to His wisdom. - P45
Dear God, forgive me when I speak words that are foolish, impure, and untrue.
- P45
Help me to repent of my boastful attitudes and to imitate the humility of Jesusin all I do. In His name, amen. - P45
|