Friday, October 7, 2016

Shelter of the Most High

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Today I just want to lift up those of our friends and co-workers that live in the path of Hurricane Matthew.  Times like this it is hard to understand why such devastation has to happen yet when we put our trust in the Lord, we don’t have to fear as he will be our refuge and our fortress. 

Brothers and sisters, please join me in praying for all of those that have to evacuate their homes, those that lose or have damage to their homes, those who may suffer other loses during this storm.  Pray for those here in the states, as well as those in Haiti or Cuba. 


Heavenly Father, we ask your protection upon those being hit by Hurricane Matthew.  May you always be glorified, even in the mist of disasters.   

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Redirected

“Now when they had gone through
Phrygia and the region of Galatia,
they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit
to preach the word in Asia.
After they had come down to Mysia,
they tried to go into Bithynia,
but the Spirit did not permit them.”
               Acts 16:6-7 (NKJV)

Last week, I thought I knew just where the Lord wanted me to go, so I rushed ahead, excitedly making plans.  Then suddenly the door I thought I was going through was slammed shut.  At first I was disappointed.  This seemed like the perfect scenario. . .so what happened, what went wrong?  But then I was grateful for God’s clear guidance.

God’s ways are not our ways and His timing is not our timing.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Although my plan seemed like the right thing, it was not God’s will for me then.  Apparently, He has something different (and better!) in mind, or maybe it will happen as I supposed but at a different time. As noted in the verses above, the Apostle Paul set out to do God’s work in certain areas but was prevented from doing so by the Holy Spirit because God had other plans for him at that time.

I also learned something important. I was rushing ahead rather than waiting for His direction; leading rather than following.  Also, I was presumptuous, assuming I knew what God had in mind instead of waiting for Him to show me, step by step.  It’s much better to let God’s plan unfold as He sees fit rather than forging ahead with my own ideas, even if my way seems good.


So I’m staying close to Him and His word so He can guide me. I’m spending time quietly listening for His direction. I’m laying aside my expectations in submission to His plan and timing. And I’m praying for God to keeping closing the doors that are not in His plan and opening wide the ones that are. Being redirected by God is a good thing!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

The Forgiven

When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.  Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.

“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver[i] to one and 50 pieces to the other.  But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

That’s right,” Jesus said.  Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”  Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven. Luke 7:37-48

We have been taught since we were children to forgive.  However, we often focus on us forgiving, and rarely do we focus on the person forgiven.  I recently had a situation where it was me who was in need of forgiveness.  It was revealing because I have not always been the quickest to forgive.  In this instance, I learned exactly how powerful forgiveness can be as the one being forgiven.  You see, we have been forgiven for our sins through Jesus Christ.  That was amazing enough, but it was through being forgiven by a loved one that you can actually gain context.  You have a true feel for what Jesus did for us and its significance.  More importantly, you can actually feel the love one has for you when you’ve been forgiven.  It’s funny that while I practiced the former of forgiving others, I did not truly understand its value until I too was forgiven.

One of the most transformative things one can have is to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.  The story of Christ, Peter, and the sinful woman is one I have often read and even written a devotional on before.  However while I previously focused on the woman’s faith, today I want to focus on two things; Peter and the woman being forgiven.  We often react to people who either have a troubled past or struggled in their lives with something, and we look at them as Peter initially looked upon the woman.  “You’re beyond redemption,” might be the voice in our head.  But Jesus understood the bigger picture.  He saw a broken woman who was desperately looking for a savior to heal her.  The guilt of her sins was overwhelming such that she could wash his feet with her tears.  Can you imagine the pouring out of tears that must have occurred?  Jesus noted in verse 47 just how tough it had been for her.  “Her sins- and they are many,” gave a clear indication of just how low emotionally she was.  Yet in her forgiveness, she gained a new lease on life.  The burdens of her past were gone, and she could only see a future filled with God’s love and ‘peace.’  Our goal as followers of Christ is to spread the Good News, and if you understand how powerful it is to be forgiven, it can make the path toward forgiving others much more impactful.


Yes, the purpose of forgiveness is for us to be loving examples of Jesus Christ, but to focus exclusively on our own side is to miss the point.  God forgave us for our sins, and we are thus reborn.  How much could someone in your life gain should you forgive them?  The reward is a person will see the God in you, and more importantly, will be able to see God themselves.  Who has forgiven you that you can learn from?  How can you quickly forgive as Jesus has forgiven you?  My prayer is that we realize that forgiveness is more than about forgiving.  It is about the forgiven.  Amen.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Tues Devo: Faith and understanding

Matthew 8:5-13 “And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.” (NASB)

Hello,

I was reading through part of Matthew this past week when this story stood out to me. As this man asked Jesus to heal his sick servant, and only needed the word of Jesus – not His presence – to know he would be healed. Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. As I look at the explanation that the centurion gave, it is clear that he understood something we need to remember – true authority. The reason he didn’t need Jesus to show up at the house to heal the man was because he recognized the healing power wasn’t about the presence of the body of Jesus, but rather it was found in His authority – which didn’t require immediate physical proximity. The authority of Jesus existed no matter where He was – the centurion knew this, and just looked for the command which would be obeyed under true authority.

How are we doing at allowing God to have His true authority in our daily lives?



Sunday, October 2, 2016

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 5:13-20)


Hello Friends!

 

Welcome back to the conclusion of our multi-part Monday morning Daily Devotions summer series titledThe Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

 

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

 

This week we will conclude by reading verses 13-20 in the completion of chapter 5 as we consider Praying in Suffering and for Souls…

 

In considering this final passage of our wonderful study in the book of James, we now arrive at one of the most interesting and most encouraging sections of this rich letter. It is one that has quite frankly been a battleground for interpreters through the centuries and there are certainly many people today left in “confusion” as to its true “meaning” and “application” for our “Christian” lives – TODAY!

 

This section of Scripture represents the one passage in which the Roman Catholic Church references to support what they refer to as their sacrament of “Extreme Unction” or “Final Anointing” administered as one of their “Last Rites”. It is also a passage that many would-be “faith-healers” and advocates of the modern-day “healing” movement cite to propound the notion that we have an absolute and all-encompassing promise from God for guaranteed healing if we will simply “pray” in “faith” under the proper circumstances. It is also a passage that is used in support of putting “oil” on “sick” people. James will address all of these ideas in this final and phenomenal section of his excellent epistle. It is certainly a curious passage – Creating even more curiosity!

 

QUIZZING QUESTIONS: Here are some important questions to ponder prior to our study of this poignant passage studied in its proper context:

 

What kind of “suffering” is James referring to here?

What kind of “sickness” is James referring to here?

What kind of “anointing” is James referring to here and why is “oil” mentioned?

What kind of “prayers” do the “elders of the church” have to “offer” and do they have a special access to God?

What kind of “healing” is James referring to here and why is an illustration of “rain” placed in the middle of this passage?

Will the “prayer of faithalways restore the “one” who is “sick” and how will the “Lord raise him up” as promised?

How does “sin” appropriate itself into these commonly misrepresented passage references?

 

Great questions! We will address these often challenging concerns in this final “study” session – Very thrilling!

 

Praying in Suffering and for Souls

 

The main KEY to proper interpretation of any Bible passage is always the clear CONTEXT. In other words, each section of “Scripturemust be interpreted in the light of the entire book, it's corresponding chapter, the paragraph before and the paragraph after. Therefore, CONTEXT is the environment of thought in which any passage of “scripture” is containedWe must study God’s Word in its proper context!

 

The main theme in this entire epistle is a host of various tests through “suffering” of which is the overarching theme for James’ readers. In addition, verses 13 to 18 found in this chapter are all about one subject: “prayer.” And sure enough, “prayer” is mentioned in every verse of this passage! Beloved, when “we” want to “endure” through “suffering” what can we do? We must “pray“ earnestly. Why? Because “we” are depending on “our” amazing and all-powerful Divine resource – We go to God!

 

Therefore, let’s do that! As we conclude this passage, we will find FOUR resources of “prayer” for the loyal “Christian” who is “suffering” much “grief“ in his spiritual life:

 

RESOURCE number ONE: “Prayer” and comfort!

RESOURCE number TWO: “Prayer” and restoration!

RESOURCE number THREE: “Prayer” and fellowship!

RESOURCE number FOUR: “Prayer” and power!

 

POINTS TO PONDER: James is telling us that the heart of our “endurance” is fervent “prayer” and if we “remember” back in verse 6 of this same chapter, James speaks to the “rich” oppressors: “You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you." In other words, this “persecution” of the “brethren” was very severe. There were some “unbelieving” worldly “rich” people who were literally killing these Jewish “believers” without care. Therefore, many of the “brethren” were suffering bodily injury and physical wounds. They were devastated and consumed by weariness and weaknessSerious suffering for Jesus Christ!

 

RESOURCE number ONE: “Prayer” and comfort!

 

Therefore, we're not surprised when James opens here by saying to the individualbelievers”:

 

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms – James 5:13

 

The word for “suffering” here is “persecuted” also used back in verse 10 of which means to suffer evil treatment. Therefore, James says, "Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray" in a continual pleading to God. On the other hand, James also asks "Is anyone cheerful?" And he answers: "Let him sing psalms" by turning to God for comfort with a “cheerful” attitude of spirit The other side of suffering for the Lord!

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Consequently as we approach the next passage, James moves beyond the “one” who is “suffering” to those “among you” who have lost the ability to “endure” his “suffering” for Jesus Christ. Here we have the true “believer” whom is a wounded warrior, is spirituallysick” and completely exhausted in his “walk” with Jesus Christ – The Weary Christian!

 

RESOURCE number TWO: “Prayer” and restoration!

 

James continues by addressing the plurality of “elders” in the shepherding of God’s people:

 

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord – James 5:14

 

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: There are several Greek terms for “sick” found throughout the New Testament of which can refer to “illness” or “disease” but the original Greek term here is a very important one. The word used here is astheneo and all Greek lexicons agree that its primary meaning is to be weak, feeble or impotent in matters of “faith” and life. In fact, throughout the Apostle Paul’s four prison Epistles and Doctor Luke’s Book of Acts, the Greek word astheneo is used in most passages in the CONTEXT of spiritual “weakness” – A weak and wandering walk of faith!

 

Let’s consider the Apostle Paul’s famous “thorn in the flesh” for a very interesting use of this same Greek word astheneo as he describes in his second epistle to the “believers” in Corinth:

 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Here Paul is speaking in the CONTEXT of his persecutions and difficulties experienced in his life for “following” Jesus Christ. And he says in verse 7 that he has a “thorn in the flesh” of which in verse 8 he “prayed three times” that God would “take” it away, but God never did! Was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” a physical ailment of sorts? Perhaps. But we are not given any specifics or details of Paul’s particular plight. However, we do know that Paul “suffered” much in his life for the “sake” of the Gospel. Therefore, God said to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is perfected in weakness." Then in verse 10 Paul says:

 

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong – 2 Corinthians 12:10

 

The same word Paul used in this passage for his “weaknesses” is astheneo of which come to the “fallen” and “sinful” human “flesh” as a result of the difficult “distresses” of life – Common to us all!

 

Then James says “we” should “call for the elders of the church” and “let them pray over him.” Why? Because the “elders” are the spiritual strength and encouragement that “we” can “call” upon as an example to follow! In other words, “we” can go to the spiritually strong and victorious men who are “patiently enduring” the many hardships of life – Draw on their strength for battle!

 

Next James says the “elders” should also be “anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” as this is consistent with the caring “Christian” life! How? The Greek word for “anoint” here is aleipho of which means to vigorously rub or to crush over the body through massage in an effort to cleanse or sooth. Incidentally, the word aleipho is never used anywhere in Scripture to speak of a ceremonial anointing for either “impartation” or “last rite” purposes. In fact, that's a completely different Greek word chrio of which was used for the washing or pouring of “oil” over someone's head and feet. There is nothing “mystical” or “magical” spoken of pertaining to “oil” found anywhere in the Scriptures. Rather, as compassionate “shepherds” of God’s flock, James instructs the “elders” to strengthen and stimulate, to “bind up the broken heart,” to “pray over” and even aleipho physical “wounds” of the body if necessary – A true ministry of love and care! 

 

Is it any wonder than that James continues in this manner concerning “faith” and the power of “prayer” to God?

 

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven – James 5:15

 

This “prayer of faith” offered by the “elders of the church” will “save the sick” and the “Lord” will “raise him up” from his spiritual deadness. Incidentally, this Greek word for "sick" here is komnonta and means to be weary or burdened in “spirit.” In fact, komnonta regarding the word “weary” is used only ONE other place in the entire New Testament:

 

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart – Hebrews 12:3

 

The writer of Hebrews also “admonishes” us to “consider” Jesus Christ whom has “endured” much “hostility” by “sinners against Himself” so that we may not komnonta and “lose heart” for Him! Similarly, James is referring to those “believers” who in the midst of great “persecution” are foolishly “fixing their eyes” on their TROUBLE rather than on their SAVIOR and ”Author and Perfecter of our faith” and thus are not able to humbly “endure” their spiritual battles. Rather, we are to “look” upon Jesus Christ as He “endured the cross” and “despised the shame” considering Him always in our lives – That's what komnonta has to say!

 

Notice what James also says: “And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” What does this mean? This CONTEXT of wording “save the sick” proves for certain that James is not referring to “sickness” of disease but one of “spiritualforgiveness through Jesus Christ. In other words, James is stating that if our “weariness” and spiritual defeat is a direct result of un-confessed and habitualsin” residing in our lives, God will “restore” us to a right “relationship” with Him if we “pray” to Him for His “forgiveness!” Brethren, it is within a “loving” environment of fervent “prayer” and “repentance” in “confessing” your “sins” to God that will indeed komnonta and – He will forgive you!

 

RESOURCE number THREE: “Prayer” and fellowship!

 

James continues adding to our “prayer” resources by addressing “one another” within the entire congregation:

 

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much – James 5:16

 

Up to this point, James has said if you're spiritually weak get alongside someone spiritually strong and let him “pray” for you. And if your “heart” is sincere in that you want God to “raise” and restore you, He will do it! And since the “prayers of a righteous man” can “avail” greatly in your life, James now says you are to “confess your trespasses to one another” and to “pray for one another” to God. Why? So that you may be “healed” of your “sins” against God. How? Because the “effective” and energetic “fervent prayer” of the “righteous man” pleases the Lord! Therefore, true POWER is found in “prayers” that are according to God’s “will” and Word – Sharing in the needs of others!

 

CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The CONTEXT of verses 14-16 clearly comprise a poignant passage about “healing” our spiritual weakness, weariness, exhaustion and depression of which calls for spiritual means of address. Therefore, there's NO compelling reason to hold to the premise that James has now inserted a promise for physicalhealing” here in this passage. Why? Because the passages before and after these verses would NEVER cause one to expect that to be the case. And as we will also find, the final two verses of this chapter shouldn't cause us to expect it either. However, a beautiful passage on how to help other “brethren” who are spiritually troubled makes perfect sense! With that as a background of “understanding” we now clearly see that the CONTEXT of this passage is regarding “persecution” that is focused on “prayer” and is NOT a PROMISE for physical “healing” of the “believers” body – HOWEVER…

 

POIGNANT POINT: Is God ABLE to physicallyheal” people TODAY as HEwills” in accordance with His Sovereignplan” for humanity? ABSOLUTELY! In fact, He is God and “does whatever He pleasesWhenever He pleases!

 

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases – Psalm 115:3

 

And “we” as “believers” certainly have the wonderful privilege to “pray” for each other in the “will” of God. However, physical bodily “healing” is clearly not the point James is making here in this excellent passage – The CONTEXT is very important!

 

RESOURCE number FOUR: “Prayer” and power!

 

And to wrap up this little series of powerful points on “prayer,” James gives us another Old Testament illustration from the life of Elijah:

 

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit – James 5:17-18

 

Most of the Jews within the “assembly” considered “Elijah” to be the most romantic and adventurous of the Old Testament Prophets and everyone was very familiar with him. “Elijah” was not a perfect super-saint to be sure! But he was a man with passions and a “nature like ours” because he was human just like us. Therefore, James says this godly man “prayed earnestly” in regards to “rain” matters. This is an amazing Greek phrase of which means “prayed with prayer“ and is a compound way to say “Elijah” had really prayed! Many professing “believers” will “pray” but they don't reallypray” to God in this manner. Rather, they “sinfully“ speak to God as if He was simply a buddy or a divine waiter on stand-by just waiting for His orders. Or as if He was a divine secretary dictating their diabolical and “evil” desires of their “sinful” and fallen “hearts” – Wicked!

 

James says this godly man’s prayers were so powerful that it “would not rain” and did not do so for “three years and six months” by God’s design. Then he “prayed again’ and the sky “gave rain” and the earth “produced its fruit” as it should! The only thing we know about this “prayer” is what James tells us here. The only thing we know about the draught is what James tells us here. And “Elijah” was a man like we are: strong at some points and weak at other points. So, James said “look at him” as an example when he “prayed” in power and look what God did in response! Therefore, “Elijah” really “prayed with prayer“ and we can read all about his spectacular life in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings 17Elijah really prayed!

 

This is an interesting illustration of the power of God here concerning the powerful purpose of “prayer” shared by James! Again, if James had been referring to physical healing all along here, he could have used a myriad of other illustrations on the topic. Therefore, this illustration says: God sent the “rain” in response to the powerful godly “prayers” of this “righteous” man “Elijah” according to God’s “will” in the matter. Likewise, in response to the powerful and “righteous prayers” of men TODAY, God will send the restoring spiritual “fruit” of Holy Spirit filled “joy” and “patience” to the parched, weary, exhausted, weak and struggling true “believer” who so desperately “needs” a refreshing touch from heaven – A magnificent ministry!

 

Saving a Soul!

 

These final two verses are a very fitting conclusion to this wonderful “epistle” as they express the main objective of James' entire letter:

 

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins – James 5:19-20

 

As we have discussed, the term “sinner” is always used in the “Scriptures” to refer to those feeble folks who are outside the spiritualKingdom of God.” And James’ entire “letter” is intended to convert the lost “sinner” from the error of his way and to “save” his “soul” from spiritualdeath” through God’s “forgiveness” of “sin.” Its evangelistic emphasis is primarily directed at a professing person within the “assembly” who outwardly names the “Name” of Jesus Christ but inwardly is “dead” in spirit. Therefore, James informs the “brethren” to be aware of the unregenerate person “among you” who “wanders from the truth” due to an errant theology and the “error of his way” lived out through an – Errant life style!

 

In fact, the Apostle Paul further warns of “such people” within the “assembly” of God:

 

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! – 2 Timothy 3:2-5

 

These “lost” people within the “church” have a false faith holding to a “form of godliness” but “denies” the “power” of “God” through the “Holy Spirit” – Just as the Apostle Paul warns Timothy!

 

Similarly, the Apostle John's first epistle was also “written” to confront the “assembly” of professingChristians” to “examine” their profession to “be sure” it is a realfaith” in Jesus Christ rather than a deadfaith” producing nothing for God:

 

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:11-13

 

In other words, James, John and Paul want to be “certain“ that no one is “deceived” about their “salvation” claim. In fact, The “Lord” Jesus Himself first prompted this emphatic thought on His Sermon on the Mount when He said:

 

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!Matthew 7:21-23

 

With that very eternally frightening statement, our “Lord” introduced the “truth” that there will be “many” people who will name His “Name” and even “preach” His “Gospel” message. In fact, they will even do “many wonders” in His name – But will not be genuine Christians!

 

And now as James closes chapter 5, he has one more “salvation” appeal to his “hearers” to heed. But this time he's not “preaching” directly to the unsaved as he did back in chapter 4. Here he is directing the “Brethren” to personally pursue the “lost” souls “amongthemselves. Notice also that James is not referring primarily to the “elders” here. Rather, this is a fervent “call” for ALL true “believers” within the “assembly” to the “ministry” of “evangelism” towards the lost “souls” found “among you” from within the churchAn important point of distinction!

 

REAL REFLECTIONS: Do you know any people like that “among you” in your church” family? Do you know people “among you” who used to “talk” about honoring “Jesus Christ” and are now “living” an overt “sinful” life? Do you know people “among you” who used to “say” they belonged to the Lord Jesus but now deny the “faith” and have joined a cult or another religious system? These are the very people “among you” of whom James is concerned of here as he closes his “letter” to the Jewish “brethren” within the “assembly.” Sadly, these people “among you” will have indeed FAILED all of these TESTS outlined throughout James’ excellent epistle and we must help to “turn” them from their “sins” as the Lord leads – They have turned their back on Jesus Christ!

 

Therefore, “we” ought to “consider” anyone who used to be a part of the “church” naming the “Name” of Jesus Christ and “reach out” to those people. Why? Because the threat of eternal judgment for those “among you” is much greater than “someone” who has never professed Jesus Christ:

 

How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? – Hebrews 10:29

 

Beloved, our “Gospel” efforts should definitely include the people “among” us who profess to “know” Jesus Christ but of whom do not truly “know” Him as “Lord” and “Savior” – What an opportunity!

 

In closing:

 

We all communicate using CONTEXT! For example, if I simply said to you:

 

"It moved up and then down…"

 

With this limited statement, you don’t have any idea what I'm talking about here. I might be talking about my temperature, my weight, a roller coaster, an airplane flight or perhaps even a car driving up hillYou need full and proper CONTEXT!

 

Beloved, that's a very simple and silly way to describe how every conversation with any meaning surely must have a full CONTEXT for proper “understanding” of what is being communicated. And reading God’s “Word” is definitely NO EXCEPTION! In fact, every passage of “Scripture” has a “truth” of which makes plain sense when properly considered and “interpreted” in its full CONTEXT as we “study” God’s eternal Word – Praise the Lord!

 

The Apostle Paul perhaps said it best concerning the handling God’s “word of truth”:

 

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15

 

And as someone has once said:

 

If the plain sense makes good sense seek no other sense!

 

Therefore, if we want to properly “understand” and “obey” God and His Word – CONTEXT is KEY!

 

Thank you for taking this wonderful journey with us! We hope you have been blessed by God’s Word through this exciting study of The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

 

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued study of The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

 

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

 

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

Blessings!

Shane <><