For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. James 1.23-24
Perhaps you have heard the comedy routine in which Steve Martin posed the question, “How many times do we let ourselves get into terrible situations because we don’t say “I forgot”?” These magic words can deliver one from all sorts of trouble, or so Martin’s tongue-in-cheek comedy proposes. I think we all know better. Forgetting is seldom an acceptable excuse for a failure to do what we ought to have done. Last week we considered James’ warning against deceiving ourselves into thinking that merely hearing is enough. In this week’s passage we are warned against the danger of forgetfulness.
“If anyone” unfortunately encompasses us all in that we are all guilty at times of hearing the word and failing to follow-through with obedient action. In whatever instances in our lives this may be true of us, we are likened here to someone who looks intently upon his own face in the mirror and walks away with no further concern for what he looked like. The picture here is of one who looks into the mirror of God’s word and is confronted with something that needs correction. This hearer immediately forgets what they look like, that is, ceases to care about what they have seen. Suffice it to say, this warning is for you today, as it is for me.
Imagine a man stopping into a restroom to check his appearance before an important meeting. The mirror makes him aware that his face is smudged, his hair is wind-blown, and the knot of his neck-tie is crooked. Now imagine that man walking away from the mirror and heading straight into his meeting without doing anything to correct the problems he just saw with his own eyes in the mirror. Absurd, isn’t it? Likewise, how absurd for you and I to leave the mirror of God’s word and forget what we have seen there, doing nothing to correct it.
As a state leader, your responsibilities dictate a high degree of multi-tasking and an ability to manage multiple priorities. It requires careful organization and record-keeping to ensure that important action items do not fall through the cracks. It is easy to forget to do something you were supposed to do. Lists, tickle-files, calendars, and the assistance of others to stay on track are all invaluable in your desire to be known as a doer and not a forgetter.
And so it is in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ. If we are serious about being doers, and not merely forgetful hearers, we must make use of whatever means possible to act upon the word when we hear it. In whatever form you hear the word—sermons, Bible study, daily reading—consider how lists, reminders, calendars, and personal accountability can help you to follow-through in doing what you ought. You will certainly find this approach more effective in delivering you from trouble than trying to use the worn-out excuse, “I forgot.”
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1.22
Maybe you are old enough to remember a popular advertising jingle of the 60’s—“Wherever wheels are rolling, No matter what the load, The name that's known is Firestone, Where the rubber meets the road.” From this jingle the saying, “where the rubber meets the road,” came into popular use. It refers to the point when the action really begins, when you really begin the job—it refers to the moment when theory becomes reality. James gets down to the point where the action really begins in the verse we consider today. This is when theory becomes reality for the Christ-follower.
In the previous verse, James emphasized the humble and teachable posture the believer should have toward the truth of God’s word. Now he goes on to point out that receiving the word is not the end, but the point when the action really begins, the time to get serious, the moment when theory becomes reality. We must be hearers—receive the word—but hearing is not enough. Doing what the word teaches is where the rubber meets the road.
Here again we find James alluding to the teaching of Jesus, this time from a parable about two houses (see Matthew 7.24-27). One house was built on a foundation of sand and the other, of rock. Those who heard His words and did not do them, hearers only, He likened to one who built his house on sand. That house was destroyed by the storm. Those who heard His words and did them, doers of the word, He likened to one who built on the rock. When the storm came, the house built on the rock stood firm. Jesus’ words immediately preceding this parable suggest that the storm refers to the day of judgment. Are you building on the rock as a doer of the word?
James words here carry an important warning about deceiving ourselves into thinking that hearing is enough. Amassing head knowledge regarding the things of God can bring complacency and, even, spiritual pride. Yet when the judgment comes, what a shocking confrontation awaits the one who has been a hearer only. Falling into deception is one thing, to deceive oneself is another. If we are not careful, we can casually brush aside the teachings of Christ as though they do not apply in our case. Considering the situation, the people involved, the demands of the moment, the desired outcome…surely God does not expect me to…?
Where does the rubber meet the road for you today? Are there areas in your life you have reserved unto yourself and your own preferences in spite of their contradiction to the clear teaching of God’s word? Do you take the teaching of Scripture seriously? Have you deceived yourself into thinking that certain teachings from God’s word don’t apply to you? Do you read and study the word and listen to biblical teaching with a readiness to learn and grow from what the word teaches? Be a doer of the word!
Maybe you are old enough to remember a popular advertising jingle of the 60’s—“Wherever wheels are rolling, No matter what the load, The name that's known is Firestone, Where the rubber meets the road.” From this jingle the saying, “where the rubber meets the road,” came into popular use. It refers to the point when the action really begins, when you really begin the job—it refers to the moment when theory becomes reality. James gets down to the point where the action really begins in the verse we consider today. This is when theory becomes reality for the Christ-follower.
In the previous verse, James emphasized the humble and teachable posture the believer should have toward the truth of God’s word. Now he goes on to point out that receiving the word is not the end, but the point when the action really begins, the time to get serious, the moment when theory becomes reality. We must be hearers—receive the word—but hearing is not enough. Doing what the word teaches is where the rubber meets the road.
Here again we find James alluding to the teaching of Jesus, this time from a parable about two houses (see Matthew 7.24-27). One house was built on a foundation of sand and the other, of rock. Those who heard His words and did not do them, hearers only, He likened to one who built his house on sand. That house was destroyed by the storm. Those who heard His words and did them, doers of the word, He likened to one who built on the rock. When the storm came, the house built on the rock stood firm. Jesus’ words immediately preceding this parable suggest that the storm refers to the day of judgment. Are you building on the rock as a doer of the word?
James words here carry an important warning about deceiving ourselves into thinking that hearing is enough. Amassing head knowledge regarding the things of God can bring complacency and, even, spiritual pride. Yet when the judgment comes, what a shocking confrontation awaits the one who has been a hearer only. Falling into deception is one thing, to deceive oneself is another. If we are not careful, we can casually brush aside the teachings of Christ as though they do not apply in our case. Considering the situation, the people involved, the demands of the moment, the desired outcome…surely God does not expect me to…?
Where does the rubber meet the road for you today? Are there areas in your life you have reserved unto yourself and your own preferences in spite of their contradiction to the clear teaching of God’s word? Do you take the teaching of Scripture seriously? Have you deceived yourself into thinking that certain teachings from God’s word don’t apply to you? Do you read and study the word and listen to biblical teaching with a readiness to learn and grow from what the word teaches? Be a doer of the word!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Are You Teachable?
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1.21
Will they ever learn? Perhaps at some point in your life you have muttered this statement under your breath in frustration. Better yet, you may have been frustrated at your own inability to learn from your experiences and mistakes. Age and experience do not guarantee maturity and wisdom. James began his letter urging us as believers to recognize the Lord’s program for bringing us to maturity in Christ, namely, trials and tribulation. But James understood too well that trials do not guarantee growth—a teachable spirit is essential.
This verse begins with an assumption regarding the reader that bears directly on their readiness to “receive the word.” James assumes that you and I have already laid aside “all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” The word rendered “lay aside” actually refers to something in the past. Before any believer can receive the word, he must set aside anything vulgar, impure, sordid or dishonoring. Like putting off a dirty garment, we have set aside the wickedness that characterized our behavior before trusting in Christ.
The primary call to action in this verse is to “receive the word!” This exhortation places the initiatve with us, not to begrudgingly accept, but to delight in His word. The Proverbs teach us, “buy the truth and do not sell it” (23.23). Job wrote of his longing for the word even more than the food necessary to sustain him. The psalmist desired the word more than fine gold and found it to be sweeter than honey. Spiritual growth is fostered by actively embracing the word of God.
Now, how does one receive the word with meekness? The term used here can be translated as gentle, willing, humble, or teachable. It is the opposite of brusque, irritable, ill-tempered, defiant, resistant, or stubborn. The believer is to demonstrate a quietness of spirit, being good-humored in the face of testing. These attitudes are consistent with the posture of a teachable child of God described in Psalm 25.9, where the psalmist says “The humble He guides in justice; and the humble He teaches His way.”
Finally, consider a moment what it is that we are to receive. In using the term “implanted word” James alludes to what is commonly known as the Parable of the Sower. In this parable, some seed yields a crop and some does not. The crops differed in relation to the condition of the soil on which the seed fell. James desired that the word yield an abundant crop in our lives as God moves us toward maturity.
Let’s seek to apply all this. Is there filth in your life rendering you unteachable? Are you making room in your life and schedule to receive the word of God? Do you have a humble and receptive attitude or has your position in leadership gone to your head? What are soil conditions like in your heart today? Are you approaching the unique pressures of your position each day in quiet dependence on the wisdom God provides?
Will they ever learn? Perhaps at some point in your life you have muttered this statement under your breath in frustration. Better yet, you may have been frustrated at your own inability to learn from your experiences and mistakes. Age and experience do not guarantee maturity and wisdom. James began his letter urging us as believers to recognize the Lord’s program for bringing us to maturity in Christ, namely, trials and tribulation. But James understood too well that trials do not guarantee growth—a teachable spirit is essential.
This verse begins with an assumption regarding the reader that bears directly on their readiness to “receive the word.” James assumes that you and I have already laid aside “all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” The word rendered “lay aside” actually refers to something in the past. Before any believer can receive the word, he must set aside anything vulgar, impure, sordid or dishonoring. Like putting off a dirty garment, we have set aside the wickedness that characterized our behavior before trusting in Christ.
The primary call to action in this verse is to “receive the word!” This exhortation places the initiatve with us, not to begrudgingly accept, but to delight in His word. The Proverbs teach us, “buy the truth and do not sell it” (23.23). Job wrote of his longing for the word even more than the food necessary to sustain him. The psalmist desired the word more than fine gold and found it to be sweeter than honey. Spiritual growth is fostered by actively embracing the word of God.
Now, how does one receive the word with meekness? The term used here can be translated as gentle, willing, humble, or teachable. It is the opposite of brusque, irritable, ill-tempered, defiant, resistant, or stubborn. The believer is to demonstrate a quietness of spirit, being good-humored in the face of testing. These attitudes are consistent with the posture of a teachable child of God described in Psalm 25.9, where the psalmist says “The humble He guides in justice; and the humble He teaches His way.”
Finally, consider a moment what it is that we are to receive. In using the term “implanted word” James alludes to what is commonly known as the Parable of the Sower. In this parable, some seed yields a crop and some does not. The crops differed in relation to the condition of the soil on which the seed fell. James desired that the word yield an abundant crop in our lives as God moves us toward maturity.
Let’s seek to apply all this. Is there filth in your life rendering you unteachable? Are you making room in your life and schedule to receive the word of God? Do you have a humble and receptive attitude or has your position in leadership gone to your head? What are soil conditions like in your heart today? Are you approaching the unique pressures of your position each day in quiet dependence on the wisdom God provides?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Two Ears, One Mouth, and One Very Short Fuse
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1.19-20
Two ears, one mouth, and one very short fuse—an inventory of the basic human equipment with which members of a fallen humanity relate to one another. Here James issues to believers a warning against jabbering on without giving a guy a chance to get a word in edge-wise. Should such a warning be necessary for those described as new creatures in Christ? And surely nobody on the receiving end of divine forbearance, patience, and forgiveness could ever be guilty of being hot-headed. Or then again…maybe we should take a moment to reflect on the three imperative commands found in these verses.
First, you and I are challenged to a watchful readiness to listen. Snap to it, hustle up, as soon as possible you must listen. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” is one of the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People explained in the best-selling book on leadership. This habit is not easily established. A smug bit of philosophy proposes that another man listens to you talk only because he hopes it will be his turn next. True as this may be, our efforts to listen are greatly enhanced through attention to James’ next exhortation, “be slow to speak.”
Second, “Zip it,” James reproves us. Slow to speak is a gentle way of saying “just shut up already.” Our proneness to be eager to speak and reluctant to listen must be turned on its head. The New Living Translation paraphrases Proverbs 10.19 in these words, “don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow.” A more somber warning is found in Ecclesiastes 5.1-3 where the preacher writes, “draw near to hear, rather than give the sacrifice of fools…do not be rash with your mouth…let your words be few.” For the final blow, the preacher concludes that, “a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”I think you get the idea.
Third, be slow to anger. This term for anger pictures a welling up, like the sap of a tree in springtime or the raging of the sea. The term describes being carried away by irrational impulses which run counter to sound thought or factual information and usually involves a desire for vengeance. The Greek tragedy seldom strayed from a basic formula featuring a negative impulse, which, once acted upon, brought catastrophic misery. Man’s anger is consistently presented as a negative principle in the Scriptures. Outbursts of anger are incompatible with the sanctified life to which the Christian is called.
As a state leader, you are familiar with biting critiques such as, “he sure loves the sound of his own voice.”May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. You know the risks of your constituents feeling that you are not listening, that you do not understand their concerns, that you are out of touch. May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. Daily headlines spotlight the tragic consequences of a moment given over to anger. May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. May it never be so of you!
Two ears, one mouth, and one very short fuse—an inventory of the basic human equipment with which members of a fallen humanity relate to one another. Here James issues to believers a warning against jabbering on without giving a guy a chance to get a word in edge-wise. Should such a warning be necessary for those described as new creatures in Christ? And surely nobody on the receiving end of divine forbearance, patience, and forgiveness could ever be guilty of being hot-headed. Or then again…maybe we should take a moment to reflect on the three imperative commands found in these verses.
First, you and I are challenged to a watchful readiness to listen. Snap to it, hustle up, as soon as possible you must listen. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” is one of the Seven Habits of Highly Successful People explained in the best-selling book on leadership. This habit is not easily established. A smug bit of philosophy proposes that another man listens to you talk only because he hopes it will be his turn next. True as this may be, our efforts to listen are greatly enhanced through attention to James’ next exhortation, “be slow to speak.”
Second, “Zip it,” James reproves us. Slow to speak is a gentle way of saying “just shut up already.” Our proneness to be eager to speak and reluctant to listen must be turned on its head. The New Living Translation paraphrases Proverbs 10.19 in these words, “don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow.” A more somber warning is found in Ecclesiastes 5.1-3 where the preacher writes, “draw near to hear, rather than give the sacrifice of fools…do not be rash with your mouth…let your words be few.” For the final blow, the preacher concludes that, “a fool’s voice is known by his many words.”I think you get the idea.
Third, be slow to anger. This term for anger pictures a welling up, like the sap of a tree in springtime or the raging of the sea. The term describes being carried away by irrational impulses which run counter to sound thought or factual information and usually involves a desire for vengeance. The Greek tragedy seldom strayed from a basic formula featuring a negative impulse, which, once acted upon, brought catastrophic misery. Man’s anger is consistently presented as a negative principle in the Scriptures. Outbursts of anger are incompatible with the sanctified life to which the Christian is called.
As a state leader, you are familiar with biting critiques such as, “he sure loves the sound of his own voice.”May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. You know the risks of your constituents feeling that you are not listening, that you do not understand their concerns, that you are out of touch. May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. Daily headlines spotlight the tragic consequences of a moment given over to anger. May it not be true of you as a professing Christian. May it never be so of you!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
A Charitable Disposition
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1.17-18
Is God smiling upon you today? Or is it more of a scowl? You may feel that God is out to destroy you through the “various trials” that you currently face. Still, James exhorts us to “count it all joy.” One thing is sure—if we cannot see God’s charitable disposition toward us in the trials we face, we will never experience true joy. Joy amidst trials is not a matter of tricking our minds into some irrational confusion of pain and pleasure. Joy comes bubbling up through our experience of the constancy of our Father’s love toward us as His own children.
Does God have a charitable disposition towards you? His every act of giving speaks to the constancy of His love. His every gift results in your benefit. All good things flow down to you through His loving condescension. Using light as a figure for good, God is set forth as light’s Source, not its reflection. His love for you knows no variation, it is not sporadic or fluctuating. With no shadow of turning, He is not given to sudden or unexpected changes in His disposition toward you. His care for you is reliable, steady, consistent.
From eternity past it was His desire that you be His child. “Brought forth” translates the same word rendered
“birth” back in verse 15. The term used here for the Divine will speaks of desire rather than decree. God wished it so! The word of truth refers to the gospel message, as the means by which we were born again. It was the Father’s desire that we be born again to the end that we might be the firstfruits of all his creatures. James writes to a Jewish audience that readily understood that the first things harvested belonged to God. Considering all this…do you have any cause to question His disposition towards you?
As a state leader, you face many difficulties that are not of your own making. You constantly face criticism that is unfounded or distorted by your opponents. You work in a complex setting, where it is not always easy to distinguish friend from foe. When the pressure is on you may struggle with feeling that God has left you all alone in your predicament. Be assured…He will never leave you nor forsake you. He made you, redeemed you, and He is using the “various trials” you face to conform you to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ! He is smiling on you today!
Is God smiling upon you today? Or is it more of a scowl? You may feel that God is out to destroy you through the “various trials” that you currently face. Still, James exhorts us to “count it all joy.” One thing is sure—if we cannot see God’s charitable disposition toward us in the trials we face, we will never experience true joy. Joy amidst trials is not a matter of tricking our minds into some irrational confusion of pain and pleasure. Joy comes bubbling up through our experience of the constancy of our Father’s love toward us as His own children.
Does God have a charitable disposition towards you? His every act of giving speaks to the constancy of His love. His every gift results in your benefit. All good things flow down to you through His loving condescension. Using light as a figure for good, God is set forth as light’s Source, not its reflection. His love for you knows no variation, it is not sporadic or fluctuating. With no shadow of turning, He is not given to sudden or unexpected changes in His disposition toward you. His care for you is reliable, steady, consistent.
From eternity past it was His desire that you be His child. “Brought forth” translates the same word rendered
“birth” back in verse 15. The term used here for the Divine will speaks of desire rather than decree. God wished it so! The word of truth refers to the gospel message, as the means by which we were born again. It was the Father’s desire that we be born again to the end that we might be the firstfruits of all his creatures. James writes to a Jewish audience that readily understood that the first things harvested belonged to God. Considering all this…do you have any cause to question His disposition towards you?
As a state leader, you face many difficulties that are not of your own making. You constantly face criticism that is unfounded or distorted by your opponents. You work in a complex setting, where it is not always easy to distinguish friend from foe. When the pressure is on you may struggle with feeling that God has left you all alone in your predicament. Be assured…He will never leave you nor forsake you. He made you, redeemed you, and He is using the “various trials” you face to conform you to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ! He is smiling on you today!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Desire
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1.13-16
Desire is a conscious impulse toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction. It is longing, craving, coveting. It is passion—sometimes driving us to do things which are impetuous and irreversible. The word can be used in a positive sense, but that is not the sense it carries in the passage we consider today. Here, desire can be deadly.
James begins by prohibiting anyone from blaming God by saying that He is tempting them to sin. Our pride compels us to seek cover when confronted with wrong-doing by trying to attach the responsibility to someone else. But God’s holiness being such a central aspect of His nature makes it impossible that sin ever be attributed to him in any form. It would be entirely inconsistent with His nature for Him to seduce anyone to commit that which He condemns.
James lays the responsibility for your sin and mine right at our own feet. He explains that our own desires are the threshold through which temptation passes. The particular word translated here as desire refers to an impulse and a motion of the will commonly called lust. Selfishly, lust says, “I want it and I must have it now!”
“But each one is drawn away and enticed…” The phrase “drawn away” was used to describe the method of baiting a trap to draw prey away from their place of safety. The word “enticed” literally refers to the bait a fisherman places on the hook to lure the fish to bite. In both cases, the bait promises satisfaction, but ultimately brings death. It is your own desire that lures you, your passion that traps you, your lust that sets the hook.
James goes on to use one more word picture explaining the deadly progression of sin. Desire conceives and gives birth to sin, sin grows up to maturity and brings along offspring of his own by giving birth to death. When you allow your lustful desires to carry you away sin is conceived. Sin is progressive if unchecked. Without active opposition sin will take more and more ground in your soul striving for complete destruction. Sin wants you dead.
As a state leader, it is easy to rationalize wrongdoing—to justify yourselves by pointing to the myriad of temptations you face because of your position. “Hogwash,” is James’ reply. It is your desires you’d better be worried about. Stop to reflect on this sober warning. The secret desires of your heart are not inconsequential, but a deadly poison. Would you, this moment, ask God to purify your heart?
Desire is a conscious impulse toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction. It is longing, craving, coveting. It is passion—sometimes driving us to do things which are impetuous and irreversible. The word can be used in a positive sense, but that is not the sense it carries in the passage we consider today. Here, desire can be deadly.
James begins by prohibiting anyone from blaming God by saying that He is tempting them to sin. Our pride compels us to seek cover when confronted with wrong-doing by trying to attach the responsibility to someone else. But God’s holiness being such a central aspect of His nature makes it impossible that sin ever be attributed to him in any form. It would be entirely inconsistent with His nature for Him to seduce anyone to commit that which He condemns.
James lays the responsibility for your sin and mine right at our own feet. He explains that our own desires are the threshold through which temptation passes. The particular word translated here as desire refers to an impulse and a motion of the will commonly called lust. Selfishly, lust says, “I want it and I must have it now!”
“But each one is drawn away and enticed…” The phrase “drawn away” was used to describe the method of baiting a trap to draw prey away from their place of safety. The word “enticed” literally refers to the bait a fisherman places on the hook to lure the fish to bite. In both cases, the bait promises satisfaction, but ultimately brings death. It is your own desire that lures you, your passion that traps you, your lust that sets the hook.
James goes on to use one more word picture explaining the deadly progression of sin. Desire conceives and gives birth to sin, sin grows up to maturity and brings along offspring of his own by giving birth to death. When you allow your lustful desires to carry you away sin is conceived. Sin is progressive if unchecked. Without active opposition sin will take more and more ground in your soul striving for complete destruction. Sin wants you dead.
As a state leader, it is easy to rationalize wrongdoing—to justify yourselves by pointing to the myriad of temptations you face because of your position. “Hogwash,” is James’ reply. It is your desires you’d better be worried about. Stop to reflect on this sober warning. The secret desires of your heart are not inconsequential, but a deadly poison. Would you, this moment, ask God to purify your heart?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Blessed Endurance, Jesus Is Mine!
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1.12
Each of us faces opposition, pain, difficulty, and loss. With every test we face the temptation to flee rather than stand firm. The follower of Jesus Christ is called to endure hardship. James teaches us that the one who endures temptation, the same term rendered trial in earlier verses, is blessed. Let’s look to discover what form this blessing is to take.
Do you long for a time when endurance will no longer be needed? James speaks of such a time in the believer’s future—the test will be over and the disciple will receive a passing grade from his Teacher. Knowing that the tests of this life will someday come to an end and that endurance will be rewarded with the approval of our Teacher, we gain a perspective on trials that allows us to count it all joy.
This graduation from the School of Christ, as it were, brings with it a crown of life. This is not a crown designating royalty, but victory. James alludes to the wreath placed upon the head of an athlete on the occasion of his triumph. The believer’s victory, won by Christ, but apprehended by enduring to the end, is the wreath of eternal life. Those whom Christ has saved will endure to see His salvation consummated in eternal life. This is the sure promise of Christ to all who love Him.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13.7).” As those rescued from the clutches of sin and from the condemnation of eternal torment, we find in the love of our Savior an inexhaustible reservoir of resolve. Paul reminds us that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5.8).” It is His love which constrains us, having been shed abroad in our hearts so that we cannot but love Him who first loved us. This love endures all things.
As a state leader, it is likely that today finds you in the midst of trying circumstances. As you read this today, you may be bearing up under pressures of which few are aware. Today I encourage you to stop and consider God’s great love for you. John’s first letter says it this way, “in this is love, not that we loved Him, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4.10).” However steep and rocky the path before you may be, find strength to endure in the knowledge that nothing can separate you from “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Blessed Endurance, Jesus Is Mine!
Each of us faces opposition, pain, difficulty, and loss. With every test we face the temptation to flee rather than stand firm. The follower of Jesus Christ is called to endure hardship. James teaches us that the one who endures temptation, the same term rendered trial in earlier verses, is blessed. Let’s look to discover what form this blessing is to take.
Do you long for a time when endurance will no longer be needed? James speaks of such a time in the believer’s future—the test will be over and the disciple will receive a passing grade from his Teacher. Knowing that the tests of this life will someday come to an end and that endurance will be rewarded with the approval of our Teacher, we gain a perspective on trials that allows us to count it all joy.
This graduation from the School of Christ, as it were, brings with it a crown of life. This is not a crown designating royalty, but victory. James alludes to the wreath placed upon the head of an athlete on the occasion of his triumph. The believer’s victory, won by Christ, but apprehended by enduring to the end, is the wreath of eternal life. Those whom Christ has saved will endure to see His salvation consummated in eternal life. This is the sure promise of Christ to all who love Him.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13.7).” As those rescued from the clutches of sin and from the condemnation of eternal torment, we find in the love of our Savior an inexhaustible reservoir of resolve. Paul reminds us that, “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5.8).” It is His love which constrains us, having been shed abroad in our hearts so that we cannot but love Him who first loved us. This love endures all things.
As a state leader, it is likely that today finds you in the midst of trying circumstances. As you read this today, you may be bearing up under pressures of which few are aware. Today I encourage you to stop and consider God’s great love for you. John’s first letter says it this way, “in this is love, not that we loved Him, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4.10).” However steep and rocky the path before you may be, find strength to endure in the knowledge that nothing can separate you from “the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Blessed Endurance, Jesus Is Mine!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
