Tag: unstained
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.
Holy, innocent, unstained, separated, exalted!
Scripture reading for August 16th: Hebrews 7
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 7:22-28 “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 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 people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself.“
God appointed Jesus as our high priest forever. He made an oath and swore by Himself, because there was no one greater. The Father raised His Son from the dead because of His perfect obedience and holy, separated and innocent life. Jesus offered His own body and blood as the final sacrifice for our sins. He had no need Himself as He never sinned. Jesus now lives forever and is able as our permanent high priest to make intercession for us. He is able to save us completely and keep us for God and eternal life. Jesus is seated at God’s right Hand, a place of eternal honor as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, having all power and all authority and ability to save completely all who come to Him in faith in all ages. He is worthy of all honor, glory and praise forever and ever! Amen!
Hebrews 7:21 “. . .but this One was made a priest with an oath by the One Who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever.'”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, I thank You that Your oath and Word stand true forever concerning Your Son, Jesus Christ. He is my high priest and the guarantor of the New Covenant through His resurrection from the dead. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit of holiness, innocence, separation to God and perfect obedience to the Father’s will and Word.
Hebrews 7:28 “For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priest, but the word of oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever.“