The Devotional - JAS005

The Devotional

Comment:

Many of us in life are bush beaters, we have needs or desires and we know that our wives or husbands, our children and neighbors can provide our need of the moment, yet and instead of just asking, we beat the bush until all the grapes fall to the ground and destroyed. There is nothing left but the a few leaves and bruised vines. But of course we always assume that our bush beating tactics are a proper way of asking. However, we should look at the Words of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-12. Ask, and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will open. If our earthly fathers can give good gifts, why should we think less of Our Father God? The Law of God and the testimony of the Old Testament Prophets reveal that God gives wisdom to assist mankind to relate to one another properly, not by the works the flesh but by being doers of faith in God.

Challenge: James 1:21-27

What does the apostle James mean to be a “doer of the Word and not hearers only”? The statement of James in verse 22 has caused a bit of confusion in many religious camps. Working for one’s salvation is no doubt the broad way in many religions. Yet the apostle is very clear that he is not talking about doing anything other than walking by faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This same thought is expressed same by the apostle John in 2 John 1:4 – I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking it truth, as we received commandment from the Father.

Again, I suggest that the apostle James is reflecting on the Words of Jesus in found in Matthew’s gospel, now in 7:21-28, without faith it is impossible to be the doer of God’s Will which I believe is very clear in 1 John 4:17-5:5 a lengthy passage but in verse 4:21 we see that it is a command of God the Father that he who loves God must love his brother also. In this we fulfill faith by obedience which in my understanding is a “doer of the word and not a hearer only”. To be a doer of the Word is having a right understanding of our vertical and horizontal standing before God and man as we abide in Christ.

Trouble is with many of us is that we KNOW this and yet as soon as we come face to face with a trial or temptation, we can forget our image. Being born again is justification, a completed action of God’s love in us at some time in our passed. Now in our spiritual growth as a babe in Christ and seeking spiritual maturity we are learning what it means to live in our new birth. We are learning that our souls are purified through obedience 1 Peter 1:13-25. This is an ongoing process with many trials and tribulations. In a word, “be holy for I am Holy!”

If we are not obedient to the implanted word which is able to deliver our souls in times of trouble (James 1:21) than we are opening the door and walking away from the image of Christ in us and we forget what kind of person we were and the trial or temptation gives birth to the sin; sin always results in spiritual death, and spiritual growth is delayed.

However, if you look steadfastly into the PERFECT law of liberty and continue, you will not be a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer. So how does this work? John 14:12-14 is a good starting point but the apostle James answers this in his epistle, we only need to study the epistle. James 1:5 – If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given. And again in the very next verse he continues – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Now some will think, there is not enough evidence here for me to see that my faith should not have some works mixed in. Well here is the negative when we fail to be the image that God the Father desires of us and try to handle trials and temptations apart from asking God for the wisdom that only He can provide for us to be a doer of the Word.

James 4:1-6 – Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (Do not be deceived, every good gift comes down from the Father, James 1:12-20) Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."