Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

James 1-5

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24

Day 353 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read James. My commentary* bundles both the letters of James and Jude into a single day but given I feel there is already enough in James I broke this into two days and I will read Jude tomorrow. Both my commentary* and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) write that James - the half brother of Christ - is the author of the letter from James in the NT.  My commentary also offers up the following: "[i]n the Gospel accounts there is an indication that Jesus’ brothers initially rejected his deity and lordship, but the historical record later includes his brothers as being among the disciples in Jerusalem following Christ’s ascension....If the traditional date of James’ death is accurate, then his letter must have been written prior to A.D. 62. It may have been as early as A.D. 50–60, but the exact date is not certain. Addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (a designation for the post-exilic Jews and, by extension, all Christians everywhere), the letter probably is intended for general distribution among the scattered churches of Christ. Unlike Paul, James does not struggle with deep issues of doctrine or comment upon any specific problems which a particular local church might be facing. Rather, he addresses himself to the crisis of persecution facing all the churches during this time."

"After discussing the nature of temptation, James writes at length concerning the need for consistency between faith and conduct. In context, James appears to be saying that only those who demonstrate true faith can endure the sufferings of the times, and that faith can be measured by conduct. It is also possible that James is urging consistency between belief and action as a source of strength against temptation. James closes his letter with various exhortations for saints having to endure suffering. Despite its immediate relevance to times of widespread persecution, James’ writing contains words of practical advice for every Christian’s daily walk."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

While James covers several topics in his letter, my focus this morning is how our lives - if we are to have true faith as James indicates - must bear fruit. Faith and acts work together.  See also my post from a couple of days ago upon reading Titus.

Although I highlight James 2:21-24, other verses on this topic from James' letter include: 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17

James letter provides us with a litmus test for our faith...as does Paul's letter Galatians where in 5:22-23 of the letter we have another litmus test.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You have grown in my heart and worked in my life to make me more like You and produced fruit - thank You Jesus!  I also know that I am not done!  There is more work by You in me to be done.  Thank You Jesus for what You have done to sanctify and refine me but please forgive me for my sins that continue...worry, harshness, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Matthew 13

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. v23

Jesus wants us to take what He provides to us - His Word, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, etc. and put them to good use for His glory, bringing others to Him.

See also

See also post here.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided me with so much - Your Son, salvation, the Holy Spirit, Your Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, spiritual gifts, etc. - thank You Jesus for how You have richly blessed me!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be in action.  Please provide wisdom and strength to Lisa and myself.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.

Ezekiel 33

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. v32

God continues to reinforce Ezekiel's role as watchman - to deliver God's message to the people to repent...so that we may have life.

In the New Testament, the role of prophets and the high priest changes as we have a direct line to Jesus and all of us can have a personal relationship with Jesus vs intercession through the prophet or high priest (Old Testament).  James warns us of reading or hearing the Word of God and not putting it into practice.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

 

See also posts on action and being in action.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I worry...and far too much!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Genesis 6

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. v22

God gave Noah very specific instructions about how to build an ark, and Noah followed these instructions - to the "t".  We exist to glorify God, and we can do this by doing what God says to do.  As James says, we should become "doers" of the Word.


Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  Your Word is perfect and You provide it as a means for us to know and understand You, to spend time with You, for You to encourage and teach us, and I am thankful for Your Word and the Holy Spirit.  I am not worth such incredible blessings.  I am broken and I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

2 John 1

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. v6

Love means action - not just words.  In all relationships, including marriage, and even with those whom you know "loosely".  Just because we may not share the same close bond with others as you may a spouse, a family member, or even a close friend, that does not mean we should not love - with action.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24 

I am compelled to be in action to demonstrate that I love others as God loves me.  Help me be who the man You intend me to be.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I have seen You in others as they have serve myself and Lisa.  Thank You Jesus!  I know You love me and You want me to love others as You love me.  Yet I often do not.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome this sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

Proverbs 20

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. v4

God wants us to be in action...it's not just about listening but doing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

The question becomes what do we do.
1. We love God with our all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22)
2. We love others as ourselves (Matthew 22)
3. As a consequence of #1 and #2, we deny ourselves and our desires and live for God (that is why we exist) for others - to serve and not to be served.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God that never ceases to love me and You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an awesome God.  I am often lazy - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them accept You as their Lord and Savior as their choice.  Help me serve You and my family Jesus.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 6

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. v9-11

God wants us to be in action - He gives us many commands and He gives us the Great Commission, which includes teaching others to obey the everything He has commanded us to do.

Sloth is not a good thing as this morning's verses indicate - we need to be ready!  See other verses on sloth here.

Our work must be for Him and to be a light unto others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  I am not worthy of Your love - yet You pour it out daily, all day long, for me.  Thank You Jesus for Your mercy and compassion and grace.  Please forgive me for my sloth!  Help me overcome my sloth and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Battlefield of Coasting
Proverbs 16

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. v18

The key sentence for me in this morning's devotional is the following: "If there is one aspect of spiritual battle that remains more hidden than others among Christians, it’s coasting."

Coasting not only implies arrogance as the devotional suggests, but also being passive about what God calls you to do and then not doing it because you simply are not in action about God's call.  Coasting comes into play for me because I procrastinate.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always in action...acting on behalf of all Your children and calling them to You...dispensing grace, compassion, love, etc.  What a great God You are....You provide the Holy Spirit, Your Word, my brothers and sisters in Christ, the church, all as weapons in my battle against coasting...Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus as I do worry and procrastinate.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be in action (according to Your will!) and avoid coasting!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer and relieve her of the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

1 Peter 5
Night Vision

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. v8-9

From the devotion, the key takeaway is this:

Notice that he doesn’t give just anyone living wisdom for the fight. He looks for the difference between the intellectual understanding and practical application.  We all know lots of guys, pastors, and full-time theologians who have been given the Intel that God provides and are still getting slaughtered by the enemy. The Bible says the more spiritually undivided you are the better your Intel gets. More integrity, more clarity, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright…. Is a shield to those who walk in integrity.”

Francis Chan uses 2 Peter 1 to emphasize how Jesus wants us to "make every effort"...to be in action.  Help me be in action...help me make every effort.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are....You make every effort all the time...for all of Your children...including myself!  Thank You Jesus!  Forgive me for not making every effort.  Help me turn from my laziness and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me make every effort.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer, including all of these side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.



 

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. v17-18

God help me be a good steward of how You bless me - help me be generous and help those in need. I am reminded also of James' words:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  James 1:22-24

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God that has more than abundantly poured out Your compassion, kindness, patience, mercy, love, etc. on me...I am not worth all of this...I worry, stress, get impatient and angry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Thank You for Your patience with me but please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith. Help me be a doer of the word...help me be generous to those in need.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. v26

Building on what he wrote in James 1 (see post here) faith and action work hand in hand.  The examples provided such as Abraham and Rahab are illustrative and clearly reinforce the key message - be in action, not only to reinforce understanding of scripture but also to demonstrate faith.  Spiritual disciplines work together and if we lack one our drive towards spiritual maturity and greater faith is incomplete.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love (indescribably so!) and mercy for me...all of this knowing everything about me, including my brokenness and sin!  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and mercy because of my sin...I know the wages of sin is death and that is what I deserve yet You have mercy.  Thank You again Jesus!  I need You desperately in my life - I often fail to be content.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me more fully and completely practice spiritual disciplines.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort, strength, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Thank You Jesus for a good appointment with the surgeon-praise You for the great news and progress driving out this cancer!  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

James 1

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. v22-24

James wants us to be in action, specifically in the context of our scripture reading - and this appears to be for two key reasons: (1) the act in of itself and its role glorifying God, (2) the application of our scripture reading will help us reinforce both head and heart learning of the scripture - on this latter point Jesus was able to remain pure, holy, and blameless in part because of His perfect understanding of scripture (Matthew 4, Luke 4).  I am in dire need of a spiritual discipline that applies scripture so as to reinforce the learning.  I need to defeat sin in my life.  I know Jesus will save but I know also that I can be more successful in beating sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, pure, holy and blameless.  I am not - I am filthy and in need of cleansing.  You have been patient with me, merciful, gentle, etc. and not punishing me with what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for Your mercy and patience...and Your blessings.  I am not deserving of the many blessings You provide. Please forgive me for my lustful actions and my indiscretion...help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me apply my scripture and reinforce my learning.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Please heal and cure her cancer.  Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.