Today’s scripture: James 5:19-20
As I wrote yesterday, I don’t usually post on weekends, but I wanted to finish
James before the new year begins. (I’m going to try something new, so I hope you continue visiting!)
We’re told, “Do not judge and you will not be judged” (Luke 6:37). We’re told
to “esteem others better than ourselves” (Phil. 2:3).
And indeed we should not judge others. It is God’s place and His right to judge
the actions of us human beings.
However, we who follow Christ should be willing and able to help guide fellow
believers back to faith. While we shouldn’t judge them and the choices they’ve
made, we can help them to see where they’ve strayed and share truth with them.
And we can remind them of God’s love for them. We can share verses like 1 John 1:9 that assure them of forgiveness.
Over a decade ago, I wrote my testimony in book form. Toward its end, I
included these words:
God loves each of us, and He dearly loves prodigals—and welcomes them back with
open arms. I know this from experience. I spent a very long time as a prodigal
daughter, but praise God, I finally made my way back to Him. As I wrote in
Crooked Paths: For the first time, I could picture that father
standing in the road, just waiting for his son to return. It didn’t matter
where the son had gone or what he’d done, the father loved him still. It didn’t
matter that the son had squandered his inheritance or that he’d lived an
immoral lifestyle, the father waited with unconditionally opened arms. That’s
the picture I had that evening and the picture I have now: my heavenly Father
standing in the road with His arms open wide, just waiting for me to come home,
waiting to embrace me with all the love He has for me. (Crooked Paths © 2005
Sauni Rinehart)
If you know someone who’s strayed from the truth, someone who’s a prodigal,
walk alongside her. Help her find her way back to the arms of the Father.
Today’s scripture: James 5:16-18
I have to be honest. I don’t really understand how prayer works. God knows
everything. There is nothing that is outside of His sight. He could do anything
without our intercession.
So why do we pray? Why does James insist that the “effective prayer of a
righteous man [or woman] can accomplish much”?
Because, somehow in God’s plan, prayer does change things.
Paul wrote on more than one occasion that prayer isn’t an option. We are to
“pray without ceasing … for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:17-18). And he told Timothy, “I desire that the men pray everywhere,
lifting up holy hands …” (1 Tim. 2:8).
As I’ve mentioned before, for reasons beyond my comprehension, God loves to
hear our voices raised to Him in prayer. In fact, as I wrote yesterday, He
delights in hearing our voices (Prov. 15:8).
When we pray with sincere and open hearts, God listens. And He answers. Every
time. We just have to remember that His answers aren’t always what we’re hoping
for. You’ve heard this before, I’m sure, but sometimes He answers, “Yes.” But
sometimes His answer is “no.” And then there’s the answer I don’t really love …
“wait.”
So pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray for your needs and for the needs of
others—within His will. Be ready to accept His answer, not matter what that
answer might be.
Because your effective prayer can accomplish much.
NOTE: Although I don’t usually post on the weekends, come back tomorrow to
finish up the book of James.
Today’s scripture: James 5:13-15
I think most of us would agree with the first part of today’s verses. We can
pray when we’re suffering. We can praise when we’re cheerful. As I wrote in The
Best Laid Plans:
We have an amazing privilege as children of God. We can talk to Him. Doesn’t
that amaze you? The Sovereign Creator, the Lord of all, our heavenly Father,
wants to hear our voices. That just astounds me. Who in the world am I that God
would want to hear my words? I don’t understand it, but I’m grateful beyond
words. Just listen to your Father: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show
you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). (© 2005 Sauni Rinehart)
Yes, we can speak to God when we’re hurting, when we’re confused, when we’re
celebrating. And He listens.
Not only does He listen, but He delights in hearing our voices. Proverbs 15:8
tells us that “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the
LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.”
But then James also tells us that when we’re sick, we can call on the elders to
pray over us and anoint us with oil, and we’ll be restored. And indeed that
sometimes happens ... but sometimes it doesn't. God's healing often comes in ways we would not choose. Sometimes, He heals here on earth; sometimes, He heals in heaven. And sometimes, He heals a heart rather than a body.
Yes, we can pray for healing, but we have to remember that all prayer must be said
with the sincere request for God’s will. Just as Jesus prayed in the garden
(Luke 22:42).
Today’s scripture: James 5:12
This is one of those verses of which I’m rather unclear, so I visited a couple
of commentaries. The Adam Clarke Commentary offered some illumination.
Apparently, the Jews were “notoriously guilty of common swearing [which] is
allowed on all hands; and that swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, the
temple, the altar, different parts of the body, was not
considered by them as binding oaths ...”
So
instead of swearing by something, just do what you say you’re going to do.
Don’t say “yes” and then turn around and do “no.” To do so would be hypocritical (a couple of
the commentaries I read said that “judgment” could be translated as
“hypocrisy”).
It’s like the story Jesus told about the two sons: “But
what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son,
go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will
not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and
said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The
first” (Matt. 21:28-31a). Do what you say you’re going to do.
Be true to your word.
Today’s scripture: James 5:9-11
Endurance.
Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “the
ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially :
the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity.”
James refers
to Job, who is certainly an example of one who withstood hardship or adversity. And he received God’s blessings after he endured (Job 42:10-13).
Many of us have had our own “Job moments.” Perhaps you’ve lost a child. Or a
home. Or your health. You’ve experienced tragedy and hardship and suffering.
Maybe you are still.
And
too often, instead of enduring, we try to cover up our pain through alcohol or
drugs or rejection of God.
I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that I covered my own suffering through the
latter. I turned my back on God whom I blamed for allowing sexual abuse and
emotional pain. I didn’t endure.
After I made my way back to God and recognized His compassion and mercy, I
experienced new suffering—I continue to suffer today.
But now I’ve learned to endure because I know God is compassionate and
merciful. I know He loves me through the pain. I know He gives me strength
through my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). I know I can crawl on His lap and cry out to
my Abba.
And one day, after I’ve endured all this world throws at me, I will stand
pain-free in the presence of my Lord God (Rev. 21:4). And I pray He’ll smile at
me and say, “Well done, my daughter. Well done” (see Matt. 25:14-30).
Today’s scripture: James 5:7-8
Like many of you, patience is one of the “fruit of the Spirit” that I struggle
with the most. Fortunately, the older I get, the easier it is to wait.
But the one thing that I feel really impatient about? Christ’s return.
I really can’t wait … although I know I must.
When I went through Philippians a few months ago, I talked a lot about this
when I came to verses 21 and 23 in chapter 1. I believe with all I am that
being with Christ is far better than being here on earth.
This earth and all it holds is nothing compared to being in the very presence
of my Lord and Savior. Being free from this pain-filled body. Being free from
wars and rumors of wars. Being free from natural disasters that maim and
destroy.
So, I read words like these from James that I’m to be “patient … until the
coming of the Lord.” And I know he’s right. I must patiently wait Christ’s
return.
But James reminds me of something else I can do as I wait. I can strengthen my
heart. I can grow more like Christ as I study and meditate on the word of God.
I can spend time in prayer seeking the Father’s will. I can share the truth of
the gospel.
And I can be assured that the “coming of the Lord is near” … nearer than it has
ever been.
Oh, Lord Jesus, come quickly! But I’ll patiently wait for You and strengthen my
heart as I wait.
Today’s scripture: James 5:1-6
Our society seems to revere the rich and famous. We read about their escapades
in the latest tabloid. We stand in awe of their homes, cars, and jewels. Even
“mainstream” media seems obsessed with them. I can’t count how often the newsfeeds
I often read focus on some celebrity’s multi-million dollar wedding or some star’s
latest brush with the law.
Some day, however, all the houses, cars, and jewels will mean nothing. The
exotic vacations. The wild parties.
None of it will matter.
When Jesus Christ returns to set up the new heaven and the new earth, this
world and all that’s in it will be no more (see Revelation 21:1).
The only thing that will matter then is whether or not a person has put her
faith in Christ. Riches themselves isn’t really the issue. Commitment to Christ
is. God doesn’t condemn riches. But if you’ve been blessed with money, use what
you’ve been blessed with to serve others. Provide for the “least of these”
(Matthew 25:35-40).
Don’t live wantonly, focusing only on your money and what it can do for you.
Don’t risk the “upcoming misery” of eternity separated from God … because
you’ll also be separated from your riches.
You really can’t take it with you.
Today’s scripture: James 4:13-17
I have an entire weekend retreat talk centered around knowing God’s plan for
our lives. I do believe God will reveal His plan—sometimes. Yet I do believe He
expects us to do a bit of planning ourselves.
It’s a fine balance. Trusting God and planning our futures.
I’m a big-time planner. I like to know what I need to do and where I need to
be—often months ahead. But I do my planning with a major caveat: I pray for
God’s will in all things.
In my book, The Best Laid Plans, I
quoted Bill Russell:
Any plan has to be submitted with the qualifier,
“Lord willing.” Still, although God may alter any plan through dramatic
circumstance or counsel, Jesus said, “No man builds a tower without first
sitting down and calculating the cost” (Luke 14:28). While we realize that God
is in control, he does expect us to make provisions for the future (When God
Builds a Church © 2000, p. 89).
We know this. We know we should say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
But have you ever thought that when you don’t ask for God’s will—sincerely ask
for it—you’re being arrogant? Even more, you’re sinning?
When you commit your life to the Lord, you’ve given Him back what’s already His.
Plan your life. But put everything in God’s loving hand. Ask Him to do His will
in all things. And trust that His plan is perfect for you (Jeremiah 29:11).
Today’s scripture: James 4:11-12
We are told in these verses and others in God’s word that we are not to judge
others. It is not our job. Yet how often do we point fingers at others? We
judge their behavior. We judge their choices.
But the Bible makes it clear: We are not to judge others.
That’s God’s job.
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to
destroy …” God and He alone has the right to judge because He and He alone is
holy and righteous. He is perfect and without sin.
We are not—definitely not—holy and righteous. Oh no. We are sinful and fleshly.
We should be focused on cleaning up our own acts rather than telling others how
they should clean up their own.
So next time you’re tempted to judge someone else, let it go. Let the Judge of
all of us do His job. And you do your job of becoming more like Christ.
Today’s scripture: James 4:7-10
James gives us a check list of things we should do as Christ-followers. We
should:
Submit to God. This means giving everything we are and everything we have to
Him. Every day. It all belongs to Him anyway, but sometimes we hold back a
little. A habit. A desire. A relationship. Give it all to Him.
Resist the devil. Don’t just hope he’ll go away. Resist him. Combat his wiles
with scripture. Defy his presence.
Draw near to God. Seek Him constantly. Pray. Read His word. Ask Him to reveal
His will.
Cleanse your hands and purify your heart. Figuratively cleanse yourself of all
sin by confessing everything that takes your mind and heart off of God.
Be miserable … Okay, I kind of hit a roadblock with this one. Everything up to
this I totally understand. But we’re to be miserable and mourn and weep? Why?
So I went to one of my trusted commentaries. According to the Adam Clarke Commentary:
… many of those to whom St. James addressed this epistle had lived a very irregular
and dissolute life. He had already spoken of their lust, and pleasures,
and he had called them adulterers and adulteresses; and perhaps
they were so in the grossest sense of the words. He speaks here of their
laughter and their joy; and all the terms taken together show that
a dissolute life is intended.
In other words, if you’re living in the joy and laughter of sin, you need to
feel the misery and sadness of your sin, and you need to repent.
And finally, humble yourself. God exalts (other translations say “lifts up”) the
humble—the truly humble in heart. It’s not necessarily that He’ll give you all
the desires of your heart or lift you to a place of prominent. Rather, He’ll
lift you from the depths of your sin and cloth you in pure garments.
Are there any of these you need to work on? Pray for God to work through you to
be more like Christ.
Today’s scripture: James 4:4-6
James has been writing about how the tongue can destroy and how conflict
between believers can harm and how we don’t receive answers to prayer because
of wrong motives.
Now he really lays it on the line.
He accuses those of us who have “friendship with the world” as adulteresses.
And rightfully so. The church, the body of Christ, is described as the bride of
Christ (Revelation 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17). And what do we call a bride who
cheats on her bridegroom?
So if we cheat on the Lord by being friends with the world, we are rightly
called adulteresses. We are enemies of God.
Wow.
I don’t know about you, but that thought makes me cringe. I in no way want to
be God’s enemy. But I see myself often spending more time watching TV shows
that don’t honor God or reading books that don’t nurture my faith. Time that I
should be spending with my Bridegroom.
But there is hope. God’s grace. If we humble ourselves and come to Him,
surrendering our lives to Him, He showers us with His grace. He forgives our
sins. And He invites us to one day attend the marriage feast.
When you one day stand before God’s throne, whose friend do you want to be?
Today’s scripture: James 4:1-3
We truly are fleshly, fallen creatures, and James perfectly captures the state
of our hearts. We want what we want. And many of us do pretty much anything in
order to get what we want.
Not too long ago I read an article written by a “ghostwriter.” Most people know
that a ghostwriter writes another person’s story and that other person gets the
credit. This particular person gets paid by graduate students to write their
papers for them. They then turn them in to get credit. Sad, isn’t it? But what
was really tragic? Many of his “customers” are seminary students …
Truly sad …
Then those of us who selfishly seek what we want complain when God doesn’t
answer our prayers. Perhaps we should memorize verse three of today’s passage.
We don’t receive answers to our prayers because we’re asking with “wrong
motives.” Instead of praying for God’s will, no matter what that might be, we
pray for our will.
We want a better-paying job, not so we can better support our families or give
more to God’s word, but so we can buy a bigger house, a luxury car, and a
summer cottage.
We pray for a change of heart in our spouse, instead of praying for a change in
our own.
God does answer prayer. Always. But He knows our motives. He knows our
selfishness. And He’s going to say “no” when what we’re asking for isn’t within
His will.
When you pray today, ask Him for whatever you want. However, make sure you’re
asking with right motives. And make sure you’re asking for His will—over and
above your wants.
Today’s scripture: James 3:14-18
The world has wisdom of its own. It is a wisdom that says, “I know everything
and am in total control. Therefore, I don’t need a god.” The worldly wise are
selfish, looking out only for themselves.
That’s not the wisdom the Bible talks about. Godly wisdom is selfless. Those of
us who follow Christ and seek the Father’s will grow to know our triune God
more intimately through His word.
We learn about loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). We learn about
godly humility and meekness (Matthew 23:12; Philippians 2:5-9). We learn about
taking up our cross (Luke 14:27). We learn about the fruit of the Spirit
manifested in each of us (Galatians 5:22-23).
That wisdom is so very different than the “intellect” the world sees as wisdom.
It has nothing to do with book knowledge or degrees or facts. It has everything
to do with a pure heart.
How wise are you? Are you so busy trying to attain worldly wisdom that you
neglect to seek wisdom that will last through eternity?
Seek God’s wisdom, a wisdom that is pure and gentle and merciful. A wisdom that
loves and serves both God and those around you.
Today’s scripture: James 3:13
I usually feel far from “wise and understanding.” As I continue growing in my
faith and learn more about who God is, I realize how little I really know.
But I do realize this: True wisdom equals humility. It equals gentleness.
Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble
is wisdom.”
And how do we gain wisdom? First, we need to know and honor the one true God:
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and
instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Then we need to spend time in His word.
God gave us a written document through which He teaches, exhorts, admonishes,
convicts, encourages … When I speak, I often say that He didn’t have to give us
His word. He could have just let us “wing it.” However, He loves us so much, He
inspired writers over centuries to put to paper what He wants us to know about
the history of His people, about what lies ahead of us, and how He wants us to
live. Most importantly, He gave us exactly what we need to know to find
salvation and how to live in relationship with Him.
That’s how we acquire wisdom. And when we come to know Him more through His
word, when we realize how much He’s done for us, we serve Him with gratitude
and humility.
And the gentleness and humility others see in us may very well attract them and
lead them to the Giver of wisdom.
Today’s scripture: James 3:5b-12
As I was beginning to write today’s devotional, I really struggled with what to
say. Even after I prayed and started several times, I kept hitting the delete
button.
I feel very strongly about the fact that many Christians “bless our Lord and
Father, and … curse men” with the very same tongue. “… from the same mouth come
both blessing and cursing.” I so agree with James when he writes, “… these
things ought not to be this way.”
I know I sound old-fashioned, but when did it become okay to use really vulgar
words in everyday language? And what makes Christians different from everyone
else when they’re using the same curses others do?
I think the problem is these words have become part of the world’s lexicon. You
hear and read them everywhere.
But think about it. Jesus is with you all the time. He hears your words and
knows your thoughts. What would He want to hear?
Think about it.
Today’s scripture: James 3:1-5a
“… we all stumble in many ways.” Isn’t that the truth?
None of us is able to “bridle the whole body.” None of us is perfect. We will
stumble.
The question is, what do we do when we stumble? Do we throw our hands up in
defeat and continue in our sin? Do we figure we’ve failed so badly there’s no
hope?
If you have never accepted the gift of salvation of your sins, all you need to
do is confess your need for salvation and submit your life to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Then find a Bible-teaching church. Get a Bible and read it every day.
Pray for guidance and help from the Holy Spirit.
But if you’re already a Christ-follower, don’t ever give up. Know that you will
stumble, but the more you grow in your faith, the more you become like Christ,
the less you’ll stumble. And when you do, confess your failings and commit to
avoiding that sin in the future. Keep away from anything that might make you
stumble—that means you may have to give up certain friends or seeing certain
movies or going certain places.
Because, yes, you may stumble. But you have choices to make that might keep you
from stumbling again.
Today’s scripture: James 2:24-26
Rahab is an unlikely example of faith. She was, indeed, a harlot, a prostitute.
For reasons we’ll never know, she made her living by giving her body away.
But God redeems those who seek Him.
Rahab lived in Jericho, a city that God had promised to His people. But the
city was surrounded by high walls, and God’s people needed to see more of the
city. So two spies snuck into the city (presumably through a gate) and found
shelter with Rahab. And this woman—who was not a member of God’s chosen
people—hid the spies and saved their lives.
Somehow, though, she knew of their God: “I know that the LORD has given you the
land … Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly
with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give
me a pledge of truth, and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my
sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:9, 12-13). She knew this God whom she didn’t serve was the one true God. And
she knew He could save and protect His people—and those who helped His people.
She had faith, and she demonstrated that faith through her actions.
And Rabab—that unlikely example of faith—became the mother of Boaz, who married
Ruth. And is in the line to Joseph … the earthly father of Jesus.
When we claim to have faith, our
heart’s desire should be to show that faith through serving others. And when
people see faith in action, they’ll be attracted to the One in whom we’ve
placed our faith.
Today’s scripture: James 2:18-23
Countless people say they believe in God, and because of that belief, they feel
they’re headed to heaven. But James makes a chilling assertion here: “… the
demons also believe, and shudder.” Satan and his minions certainly believe that
God exists, but if you’ve read Revelations, you know their fate (Rev. 19:20;
20:10, 15).
Again, as we saw yesterday, faith—true faith—demonstrates itself in more than
just lip-service. True faith shows itself through works of service, works of
obedience.
Then James gives us a marvelous illustration of amazing obedience. Every time I
read about Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, I’m humbled. He was so
willing to do anything God asked him to do, trusting that his Jehovah would
work everything out for good.
And because of his obedience, Abraham was called a “friend of God.”
Isn’t that what your heart desires? To be a friend of God?
Believe in Him, certainly. But don’t stop there. Commit your life to Him.
Submit everything to Him. Obey His every command. Seek His will. And serve Him
by doing what He asks.
Today’s scripture: James 2:14-17
The next couple of days are going to cover some rather controversial verses.
James makes quite an argument about faith vs. works, and some say he
contradicts other passages that speak to our being saved by faith in Jesus
Christ (see Romans 3:21-28; 5:1-3; Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation does come through
faith in Jesus Christ and the belief and acceptance of His death, burial, and
resurrection.
But James adds a dimension: The person who has true faith in Jesus, who has
committed himself to Him, demonstrates that faith through service. Just as
Jesus Himself served.
This means taking action against those who exploit others. I have friends who
are active in the fight against sex trafficking. They are the hands and feet of
Jesus as they go into the bowels of some cities to serve those forced into
prostitution.
This also means serving the “least of these” (Matt. 25:34-46). Helping out at a
soup kitchen. Volunteering at a local prison. Giving to organizations that
provide food and shelter for the disenfranchised.
I believe a person is saved through faith. Forgiveness of sins and promise of
eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ. But if she stops there, her
faith doesn’t grow. If she’s not demonstrating her faith through service, her
faith can become stagnant.
Don’t let your faith “die.” Go out and do something. Let the world see Jesus
Christ through what you do to serve others.
Today’s scripture: James 2:8-13
Many belief systems or religions believe that if your good outweighs your bad,
you’ll get to heaven or some kind of an eternal realm of peace or nirvana. What
that percentage of good over bad no one quite knows.
The Bible tells us something very different. All have sinned and fall short of
God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). There is none righteous (Rom. 3:10). Or as James
puts it, if we “stumble in one point, we have become guilty of all.” And each
of us has stumbled … at least once.
We are all deserving of judgment, and if it were up to us, we wouldn’t get
anywhere near heaven. But God is merciful. He, through His love and grace,
offers freedom from our sin. He offers liberty. He offers forgiveness. To
everyone:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him will have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We are sinners. We do deserve judgment. We do deserve eternal separation from
our God. We don’t deserve mercy. We don’t deserve grace.
But when we accept God’s gift of salvation, we don’t receive judgment or
eternal separation from God. Instead, we receive His mercy and grace.
What an amazing God we serve!
