James continued his thoughts for the twelve tribes scattered in the world. In these verses he told how children of God should behave once they have God’s word inside them. There is a saying that says something like, “we have two ears and one mouth because we should listen twice as much as we talk.” James told those reading his letter something similar. Listen to what people are saying and do not rush to speak. I have a bad habit of waiting to talk instead of listening to what a person is saying. Maybe you have that habit as well. James connects the bad habit of rushing to speak with being quick to get angry. How many arguments or disagreements happen because someone is not listening well? We mishear or hear only what will trigger us, then we feel justified to be angry and act based on our anger. Verse twenty clearly says, “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” We get in our own way of living a life pleasing to God when we act based on our anger. Now is the time for the children of God to behave and act in a way different than the world. Too many people have been hurt by religious people claiming to be Christian. A lot of people listen to the word of God. There are multiple ways to listen to the word of God now compared to back when James wrote his letter. James called for people to do what the word says. I also challenge you and me to do what the word says. Only by doing what the word says will we be blessed. Only by doing what the word says will we be a blessing to someone else. Do you like listening to the word of God? During this pandemic, have you listened to the word of God more than, less than, or about the same as before the pandemic? What ways do you listen to the word of God? What have you been doing this week based on the word of God?
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James wrote this letter to the twelve tribes scattered in the world. In these verses he reminded them about two important things they needed to know and remember. First, every good and perfect gift is from God, the Father of the heavenly lights. God has been perfect from the beginning. God has been love from the beginning. God has been merciful from the beginning. God does not change. We need to trust in him now as we see things change quicker than they used to. Governments change over time. The things society accepts as good change over time. Our relationships change over time. We change over time. God is outside of time, because he created it. God sees what we need and will provide it for us. We should respond to him with gratitude and humility, knowing that he does what we can not do for ourselves. Second, God chose to give us birth through his word. Those that accept Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit. It is the second birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John 3. Those born of the Holy Spirit are children of God and are like first-fruits of his creation. There was the first creation listed in Genesis. Mankind was last during that creation. For the new heaven and new earth that God is creating, those that are his children will be first. Paul mentioned in Romans 8 that the creation is waiting for us, the sons of God, to be revealed. We have the Holy Spirit with us, but we also have our flesh. We wrestle with it now, but one day we will be like Jesus Christ. We will have a new body that does not wrestle against the Holy Spirit.
How is your relationship with God the Father and Jesus this week? |
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May 2024
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