Author: Brian Burdett

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17

This is a weighty word, indeed! Have you ever had times when you just KNEW what you were supposed to do but didn’t do it? Many, perhaps most, people have. And that’s sin! To look the other way when you know you’re supposed to get involved – for you, that’s sin. To keep silent when you’re supposed to speak up – for you, that’s sin. To be more afraid of how people will react to your words or actions than you are afraid of God’s judgment for your inaction – for you, that’s sin.

Spend some time reflecting on this. When and how have you sinned by failing to do the right thing? Ask God to show you where you have failed to live up to what He’s called you to be and do in this fallen world as His ambassador. Don’t avoid His conviction. Then confess any sins to God and receive His gracious forgiveness.

Now, consider whether there are things you’re currently sinning about by failing to say or do the right thing? Confess that AND ask for courage to do the right thing, no matter the earthly consequences to yourself, your career, your status, your freedom, your wealth, or your popularity. Don’t avoid doing the right thing just because you want to stay safe, comfortable, or anonymous. Take up your cross and #FollowJesus

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” – James 1:26

This is a sobering word from the Lord that every follower of Jesus should reflect on VERY carefully. If you think you’re a very faithful Christian but what flows out of your mouth, pen, keyboard, or phone is vile, vicious, cruel, shameful, hurtful, or otherwise out of control at times, you have a spiritual problem! Not a behavioral problem, a spiritual problem. James warns that you may not be nearly so close to Jesus as you imagine!

It’s not that our words can save us (or cause us to lose our salvation). It’s that our words reflect our true spiritual situation. Have we actually been born again as a new creation in Christ? A follower of Jesus must carefully, prayerfully control what he or she says. Out loud. In email. By text. Over social media. Jesus was very clear that what flows out of your mouth, pen, keyboard, and phone reflects the actual condition of your heart. As a follower of Jesus, take this warning seriously. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you right now, don’t ignore Him. And certainly DO NOT try to excuse yourself by claiming that’s just how you are!

Consider what you say (in all the ways you can say things) when you’re angry, lonely, upset, disappointed, embarrassed, frustrated, or exhausted. Does it glorify God or does it tear people made in His image to bits? Does it glorify God or glorify yourself? Does it breathe life into people or reek of death? Commit to control your tongue in the power of the Holy Spirit and #FollowJesus

“Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” – Hebrews 13:13-14

Don’t be afraid to be questioned, mocked, humiliated, or abused for following Jesus. Don’t worry about getting tossed out of the “right sort” of groups, jobs, people, and places because Jesus is your Lord. Don’t be afraid to pay the price Jesus paid. Everything we have here on Earth is temporary, but the joy of an eternity with Jesus in the new Jerusalem will last forever!

Jesus Himself was led out of the old Jerusalem to suffer and die. He has invited you to take up your cross and follow Him out of the city where all the “right and proper” people have their power and influence. Follow Jesus out of comfort and ease. Out of popularity and away from earthly power. Follow Him into His power and presence. Into His peace the surpasses all human understanding. Once you actually trade the world for Jesus, you’ll quickly realize it was the best deal of your life!

So, take up your cross, live your faith, and don’t worry about how embarrassing it may be, how foolish it may seem to your friends or family, or how difficult the road ahead may be. As you follow Jesus, know that He is comforting and carrying you, strengthening and sustaining you, loving and encouraging you. The rewards you pile up in heaven for faithful obedience will be eternally satisfying year after year, century after century in God’s presence. Whatever it may cost today, it is completely worth it! #FollowJesus

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

If you’re a blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ, adopted by God the Father, then you’ll never again experience God’s righteous anger. God will never condemn you or punish you. Jesus took all the condemnation and punishment you deserve on Himself on the cross. There is nothing left for you!

However, you may experience God’s discipline, which is certainly uncomfortable but considerably different than punishment. When a follower of Jesus sins without repenting, God often places hardships in his or her life to get their attention and bring them to repentance. When we become unserious in our efforts to grow spiritually, God may let us experience ongoing dissatisfaction with whatever’s getting our energy and attention. He may cause things to fail that we’re putting our time and energy into rather than our relationship with Him. Solid plans won’t work out. Things that should go well don’t. The things we value most leave us feeling cold and empty. That’s the Lord’s discipline.

What’s important to understand about God’s discipline is that it’s rooted in His love for you. He’s giving you frustration and dissatisfaction so you’ll snap out of your spiritual stupor, repent of any sins, and renew your eagerness to draw near to Him. Discipline is ultimately for your blessing. It’s uncomfortable in the moment but ends once you’re back on the path toward the deepest and most fulfilling blessings of your earthly life. Discipline, once it has been responded to, helps you grow and become more like Jesus. That’s the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” this verse mentions – your transformation to become like Jesus.

Many Christians get confused about God’s punishment (for sinful unbelievers) vs. God’s discipline (for His beloved children who wander off the right path). If Jesus is your Lord, God isn’t punishing you when things are going badly. But He may be using discipline to get your attention and guide you into even better blessings in Christ. #FollowJesus

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

Biblical faith is about confidence in the future that you can’t yet see, hear, touch, taste, or smell. It’s the choice to believe that because your Savior died and rose from the dead, you will also rise from death to be with Him eternally. There are plenty of stories in the Bible to help build your confidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God, God Himself come in human flesh, the Christ, and your Savior. But faith is still required. You must simply believe some things which won’t entirely be proven until Jesus returns and your faith becomes your lived experience.

Not only is this OK, it’s absolutely necessary! Faith isn’t faith if it’s easily proven in every last detail. Hebrews 11 is full of examples of the faith of God’s people throughout history and how God has blessed and rewarded that faith. The saints of old trusted God’s promises and He delivered them, even through suffering. God’s grace, favor, and blessing come through faith. Faith isn’t foolish acceptance of fairy tales. It’s the thoughtful and confident assurance that God is good, faithful, trustworthy, and powerful enough to keep every promise He has made.

The life of faith is the path of ultimate joy and reward now and forever. Embrace your faith, even, and especially, when your senses and feelings point in a different direction. Be confident in what God has revealed through His Word (the Bible) and His Word Made Flesh (Jesus). Live your life in confident faith. #FollowJesus