Tongues, Bits, and Rudders!
Scripture reading for November 4: James 3
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. 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.” James 3:1-5
James was giving practical wisdom to believers in Jesus Christ. He shared two practical illustrations taken from their culture about self-control and guidance and applied these to our human body and the tongue. The first illustration was the bit on a bridle of a horse. The horse is a big and powerful animal but is trained to respond to the rider through pressure and even pain applied to his mouth through the bit. As the bit is applied to the horse’s mouth, the pressure and pain causes the horse to respond and obey the rider. It brings correction of direction and actions. The second illustration was the small rudder on a big ship or boat. As the rudder was turned to deflect the water, the ship would go as the pilot directed it through applying appropriate pressure and direction to the small rudder.
Using these two illustrations, James encouraged the believers to use their small tongues judiciously. They must be careful in using their tongues to teach. False teaching or lies can lead those who hear in a wrong direction to their destruction. What we say and confess directs our own lives either on the path of faith or the destructive course of fear, anger and unbelief. Tongues can also spread gossip or back-biting which is like a fire causing strife and division. A wise tongue can bring direction and correction. A wise tongue knows when to speak and how to keep quiet. A wise tongue brings our bodies under control like the bit in the horse’s mouth or the rudder on the great ship.
Have you ever ridden a horse with a bridle and bit in it’s mouth? What are some ways that you have had to bridle your own tongue to change direction and make corrections? What one change could you make in the use of your tongue that would help you and others to walk by faith?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the many times I have spoken with my tongue and hurt others or set a bad course of direction to my life and hurt my family. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and put Your bit in my mouth through confessing Your Word and speaking life and truth. Amen!
Faith Demonstrated by Works
Scripture reading for November 3: James 2
“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? 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.” James 2:18-23
In today’s culture, believing God and having faith is often a nebulous concept that is defined by feelings or confession. Feelings depend on our circumstances and can often be misleading. It is easy to confess that we believe in God and go on living for ourself. On the other hand, some in our culture are strong proponents of works and are into working to please God. From James’ letter to the church, we see that this tension between faith and works was something that God wanted to address. James taught that true faith would always produce works that demonstrated our beliefs. Our works complete our faith! Faith without corresponding works is dead faith.
James pointed to Abraham, father of the Jews, as an example of faith. Abraham believed God’s promise of descendants that would be as numerous as stars in the sky. After giving Abraham a son in his old age, God then tested his faith in a most unusual way. God asked Abraham to take his son Isaac and offer him to God as a sacrifice. Abraham did as God had asked, demonstrating that he believed that God would fulfill His promise, although it looked like sacrificing his only son would destroy the promise. God was pleased with Abraham’s faith, demonstrated by his obedience. Abraham was credited with righteousness by God through faith and obtained the blessing of being a friend of God.
If God tested your faith in His ability to do what He promises, would your faith be supported by obedient actions and works? How do you show your faith through your works in your current life in this culture? Could God call you His ‘friend?’
Prayer: Father God, thank You for your amazing grace through the sacrifice of Your only Son on our behalf. Through Him, I have received the gift of justification and righteousness for which I am thankful. I ask daily to be filled with Your Holy Spirit that I might obey Your command to love You and my neighbors. Amen.
Blessed Obedience!
Scripture reading for October 31: James 1
“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:22-27
James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ and the pastor of the Jewish congregation in Jerusalem. He wrote this letter to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.” (James 1:1) This dispersion took place after the persecution of followers of Christ by the Jews and Romans. James wrote to encourage these believers who were being tested by trials to count it all joy. (James 1:2) Their attitude was critical to staying in the faith and pressing through each trial. God was at work to strengthen their faith and add spiritual depth to each person. (James 1:4)
James emphasized a key to staying in the faith. Each believer must become a doer of the Word and not just one who heard it. If there was no application of God’s Word, deception would overtake believers. A steady diet of God’s Word through public reading of Scripture, preaching, and teaching would bring hearts to focus on Jesus and His great example of perfect obedience. As we do the Word, the blessing of pleasing God and living the abundant life in the power of the Holy Spirit brings joy and fruitfulness, even in the midst of trials. Believers must guard their lips and be careful to speak faith and apply God’s Word. As examples of ‘true religion, James encourages the ministry to orphans and widows. God’s heart is to care for these hurting members of Christ’s church. When we are busy doing God’s work and Word, there will be little or no time to become stained by the culture of worldliness. We are not saved by our works, but rather our works demonstrate our true relationship to Jesus Christ.
How do you normally react when you encounter a trial or severe test of your faith? What were some suggestions that James brought out to help us through our trials? What is one suggestion that you could begin to apply to your life today?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the trials of life that come to test our faith. Forgive me when I have not approached the trials with joy and humility to learn and grow. Help me to bridle my tongue as I go through trials and to focus on Jesus and His Word as my source of direction and ground of faith. Amen.
Our Great Shepherd!
Scripture reading for October 30: Hebrews 13
“Now may the God of Peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
The writer of Hebrews concludes his letter with a blessing for a benediction. I love blessings and all God’s people love to be blessed and rejoice in their deliverance from the curse of sin and death. Here God the Father is called the “God of Peace” because of His wonderful plan of redemption that worked out peace with God and sinners who were separated from God and under His wrath. His amazing plan was to send His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to demonstrate the love of the God of Peace. Jesus would be God’s final Word that would draw mankind to repentance and faith and adoption into His forever family.
Jesus Christ is introduced in this blessing as the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Jesus came to call His sheep out of the world of sin and darkness. He came to lead them to quiet waters of peace with God and green pastures of transforming food. This Great Shepherd laid down His own life as a sacrifice for sin to purchase back the lost sheep. He gave His own blood to make an ‘eternal covenant’ of righteousness by faith. The Father sent His Holy Spirit to equip the purchased sheep to love Him and others and do His will. The Holy Spirit would make them pleasing to God as He worked increasing faith and obedience into their lives through a deeper walk with God. All this results in glory and honor and praise to God the Father and Jesus Christ forever and ever! Amen!
Have you received this blessing from the God of Peace? Are you pleasing God through a life of faith, doing what is pleasing in His sight? Is the Great Shepherd leading you each day to fulfill God’s will and live a life of peace and worship?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your peace through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Great Shepherd Who leads me daily through His Holy Spirit to do what is pleasing to God. May my life and faith bring joy and glory to my Great Shepherd and the God of Peace. Amen.
God’s Unshakable Kingdom!
Scripture reading for October 29: Hebrews 12
“See that you do not refuse Him Who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him Who warns from heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:25-29
The writer of Hebrews continually contrasted the Old Covenant of Law with the New Covenant of Grace. The accounts in Scripture of God speaking with Moses and wanting His people to hear His voice and honor Him as a Father are used here as a warning. Those that heard trembled with fear as Moses went up on the fiery mountain. They did not want to hear God. But those hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ are told to listen and obey. Jesus is the final Word from heaven spoken to shake the earth for the final harvest of souls. (Hebrews 1:2) Those who chose to listen in faith enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who refuse to listen will not escape the final shaking when Jesus returns in that their own ‘kingdom’ will come tumbling down.
All created things will be shaken in heaven and on earth. The purpose of the shaking is to remove those things that can be shaken. All that man has made and depended upon for protection will be shaken out. All sin and human pride will be shaken and exposed. All the schemes of man and Satan will come to naught at the revelation of the One Who shakes not only the heavens but the earth. This calls for reverent worship and holy awe. Our God is Himself a consuming Fire. His holiness and shining presence will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord. Those in faith will not be shaken for their kingdom is forever secure!
Have you received the ‘unshakable kingdom’ promised by God to those living by faith? Could others who know you testify of your life of worship and reverence for God? Are you ready for the shaking of the heavens and the earth that is foretold?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus as Your final Word from heaven. Thank You for opening my ears to hear Your voice and respond in faith, drawing me to Jesus. Help me to live my life daily in such a way that others see You through my obedience, worship and joy of eternal life. Amen.
Faith Pleases God
Scripture reading for October 28: Hebrews 11
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, through he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1-6
In this chapter of Hebrews, we have the record of some of those in Scripture who by faith pleased God. An initial step of faith is to believe that God exists, although He is Spirit and cannot be seen with the human eye. Further progress in pleasing God comes when we choose to believe that God created the universe. Scripture offers the story of creation in the early chapters of Genesis and plainly states that God through the Holy Spirit brought creation into being through His Word out of nothing. It also states that man was created by God in His own image and likeness.
In this passage two people are mentioned as having faith that pleased God. Abel, the son of Adam, pleased God when he brought a blood sacrifice in contrast to Cain, his brother, who brought produce from the ground. God commended Abel and rebuked Cain. Although Abel was murdered by Cain, through his act of faith he is still speaking to us today! His reward was to be commended by God and written in God’s book. Enoch was the seventh generation from Adam and he chose to walk with God. He walked so closely, that he was taken right up to heaven as a reward. God is pleased with faith and rewards those who seek Him by faith through His sacrifice, His Son Jesus Christ. All who believe and walk with Him await the reward–eternal life in Father’s house!
If you stood before God today, are you assured by this passage that you would please God? Have you come before God with the final blood sacrifice that He has already accepted? Does Enoch’s reward give you confidence to walk by faith each day?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for all those recorded in Scripture who have walked by faith and pleased You. Thank You for Your Son, Who ultimately walked by faith in every Word You spoke, offering His own blood as the final sacrifice for sin. I await my reward! Amen.
Don’t Insult the Spirit of Grace!
Scripture reading for October 27: Hebrews 10
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of Grace?” Hebrews 10:23-29
The writer of Hebrews encouraged the Jewish believers to stand firm in their confession of hope in the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus. God said, “I will” and He is faithful. We should also consider how to encourage our brothers and sisters to stay true and continue in love and good works that result from faith. This included regular church attendance, which some had made it a bad habit of skipping. As judgement Day approaches our faithfulness to meet together for encouragement is necessary.
The subject of willful sinning in the face of the knowledge of the New Covenant was addressed. The writer of Hebrews warned the believers that to continue in sin willfully against God’s Word and the discipline of church leaders was a fearful thing. He likened it to trampling under foot the Son of God and profaning the blood of the covenant that had cleansed them of sin. He warned that there would be no sacrifice available for them. Their actions would ‘outrage the Spirit of Grace’ Who had sanctified them. Our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ but our willful choices can take us into dangerous territory. All the more reason to gather together all the more as the Day of judgment comes closer.
As you look at your current spiritual life, do you regularly gather with God’s people for worship, the Word, and prayer? In looking at your current life, are you engaged in any willful sins that are taking you into dangerous territory? As you see that judgment Day is approaching, are there changes you should make?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great patience and mercy with all who willfully sin. Help me to see any changes that I need to make and to find mercy through the Spirit of Grace. Use me to encourage believers to meet together and build each other up to love and good deeds. We see the Day coming soon! Amen.
Power in Christ’s Blood!
Scripture reading for October 24: Hebrews 9
“But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:11-14
The writer of Hebrews was familiar with the Old Covenant Laws and how they were administered by the high priest in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was made according to the pattern that Moses had received from God on the mountain. The priesthood was appointed by God and the daily sacrifices were prescribed by God. The high priest could only enter the most holy place once a year, and must have the proper sacrifice for himself as well as the people of Israel. If he was obedient and humbly did his job, the high priest would return from offering the sacrifice to declare the people’s sins covered for another year. This enabled God to dwell among His people and be their God. But more sins would be committed and more sacrifices needed each time and each year before God’s dwelling place.
But when Christ appeared as High Priest, He ascended to heaven with a perfect sacrifice of His blood. He entered into the real holy of holies and applied His blood to the true ‘Mercy Seat’, God’s very throne. He then took His seat at God’s right hand to intercede for all who would believe in Him and His sacrifice. The blood of Christ was offered without blemish in the power of the Holy Spirit in complete obedience to God. It is able to purify sinners and cleanse their conscience of dead works. It has power to sanctify the believer and justify him completely. It is the only sacrifice to cleanse completely from sin when applied.
Have you ever tried to get rid of guilt from something you did or experienced that you knew was sinful? How does this passage of Hebrews help you to find God’s only remedy for sin? Why do you think that God required blood to cleanse us from sin?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the sacrifice You provided for the cleansing of our sins and specifically my sins. I can rest in what Jesus Christ did with His own blood on my behalf. I can call on Him daily for additional application and cleansing. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and power to declare these truths. Amen.
God Says: “I will”
Scripture reading for October 23: Hebrews 8
““For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” In speaking of a new covenant, He makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:10-13
When God speaks a Word, we can believe it and know that it is true. God Alone has the ability to know all things and all power to bring what He has spoken to pass. According to Solomon, not one Word of any of God’s promises to Moses had failed! (1 Kings 8:56) When God makes a promise or oath, He swears by Himself, as there is no one higher in authority. (Hebrews 6:13) The Old Covenant contained the Law and was given to Israel. It was conditional upon their obedience. If disobedient they must make sacrifices as prescribed by law as necessary to cover the sins. But this ‘Old Covenant’ was becoming obsolete and was passing away to be replaced by a New Covenant based on better promises, a better Sacrifice, and the perfect High Priest Who would mediate for sins,
Jesus Christ, as God’s Son, would come to earth to show God the Father’s mercy towards sinners. He would perfectly fulfil and obey the first covenant and offer Himself, body and blood, as the final sacrifice for sins by death on a cross. He would raise from the dead establishing a New Covenant through faith in His sacrifice and the Father’s Gift to each believer of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would mediate this New Covenant seated at the Father’s right hand. The Holy Spirit would enable each person to know God personally and His law would be written on their hearts. Their sins would be cast away and remembered no more! Through faith as a Gift from God, the “I will’s” of the New Covenant become eternal reality. Amen!
Do you struggle to believe the promises in this passage that God makes when He says, ‘I will’? If you dared to believe these promises and live by faith, how would your life be different? Which of the ‘I will’ statements is most encouraging to you right now?
Prayer: Amen! Thank You for Your amazing proclamations of Your finished work on our behalf! Thank You that You are my God and that I know You through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your great mercy to forgive my sins and remember them no more. Thank You for Your laws on my heart. Amen!
The Eternal High Priest
Scripture reading for October 22: Hebrews 7
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priest, but the Word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:23-28
Most of us are not Jews and have not lived under the law and priesthood. The Bible records the story of the priesthood and the position of high priest in the Bible. Aaron, the brother of Moses and a Levite was appointed by God as the first high priest. God appointed the priesthood as an aid to His people in having a relationship with Him and as a way that He could dwell with His people. There were many high priests as they were also sinners and suffered death. As they offered sacrifices for the people, they also sacrificed for their own sins as well. In their weakness, they had to make sacrifices year after year.
But Jesus was not a Levite, but was of the tribe of Judah. He was the Son of God and humbled Himself to come identify with lost sinners by becoming a man. He suffered temptations as we did, but was without sin. According to God’s loving plan, He offered His own body and blood as the final, once for all, sacrifice to God on behalf of sinners. God declared on an oath, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a Priest forever.'” (Psalm 110:4)(Hebrews 7:17,21) Jesus is the perfect High Priest, as He lives eternally and is able to make intercession for all who come to Him throughout history. He alone is holy and unstained by sin. He is separated from sinners and exalted to God’s right hand above the heavens.
Do you feel like you need an intermediary like a priest who could stand before the Holy Father on your behalf? Can you now list some things that make Jesus the only High Priest that we need?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your appointment of Jesus Christ, Your Son, as our High Priest eternally. I am comforted to know that Jesus knows my every weakness and temptation and willingly intercedes for me. Use me to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and High Priest to those needing a Savior. Amen.