A Daily Devotional – James, the Epistle – Personal Meditation
Comment: Being able to see the invisible is
supernatural wisdom; Okay, Jesse must be a bit ‘bonkers’ this morning with a
statement such as that. But wait a minute; before you make this your
conclusion, let us consider the following verses from 2 Corinthians 4. “Therefore,
we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward
man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while we do not look at the things which are seen. For the things, which are
seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Verses
16-18.
Devotional: James
2:1-13 – Again, James is referring to position and performance, yet this time
he aims more directly at the outward influence people project. This brings us
to an everyday expression of the world without Christ thrives on. The world
around us thrives on catering to the brightly dressed, while openly rejecting
those who are vile in appearance. We should not see this in church yet we do
all the time and it is a vile expression of our common faith, especially those
in authority when they are drawn away from the rest by this enticement.
There are a variety of reasons for this error in partiality
of faith. Those of community position, educational qualities, pretentious appearances
and those of non-spiritual efforts to promote self. Rather than seeking a
humble unity within the fellowship, these people knowingly suffocate the rest.
Note if you will, Philippians 2:1-11. Humble obedience exalts the Living Christ,
this is working faith, while everything else is faithless works.
God has chosen those who are ‘rich in faith’, not
those who are ‘rich in appearance’. God has promised and will not fail to keep
His Word, the heirs of the kingdom will go to those who love Him. He is a
thought for each of us to think about. “Do you have faith in God, or do you
have faith in the way you look to others?” Why? Because true faith is not in
what we project to those around us, but in what God sees in us. Religious
idolatry seeks the approval of man and God sees that as well.
In other words, do not be a judge of the “law of
liberty” but allow the “law of liberty” to judge you in that mercy triumphs
over judgment.
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