Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” – James 3:5

The words that fly out of our months have great and terrible power! With them we can praise or destroy. We can build up or tear down. We desperately want to release our tongues to do any old thing, but for Christians, that simply isn’t an option.

We’re made new in Christ and that requires new habits, patterns, and words for our tongues. Scripture forbids us letting our tongues go wild, because God knows just how vile and wicked our tongues can truly become. Followers of Jesus should not be using their tongues to gossip, spread lies about other believers, or profane the name of Jesus.

With a few careless (or intentional) words of hurt and offense, we can spark a massive internal fire within our relationships, families, and churches. That fire can quickly grow out of control and consume the many resources of God – particularly His people! Lies, gossip, and harsh words can literally suck the life out of many who love the Lord. So, be careful what you say and how you say it. Don’t let your tongue be caught by God spreading wildfire!

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James 2:17

We aren’t saved by our good works and James isn’t saying we are. No amount of good works could ever be enough to reconcile an imperfect sinner with a perfect, sinless God. Only faith in Jesus Christ can save us as a gift of God’s grace.

However, such faith never travels alone! True saving faith will always be followed by a passionate desire to do the good works of God described throughout Scripture. If your faith is sufficient to reconcile you to God then it will be accompanied by a lifelong pattern of good works.

Take a few minutes to review your life. Is there a pattern of good works in your life? Are you excited about expressing your love for God and neighbor? If not, then you may not yet truly know Christ! If this describes you, stop to pray. Yield your life to Jesus as your King and Lord. Confess your sins to Him and turn from them for good. Believe in Him as resurrected from the dead for your good and His glory. Don’t go through life with a dead faith. Nurse your faith to new life in Jesus Christ, then watch it surround itself with good works.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22

God’s Word, the Bible, is truth that demands action. Always. At all times, God expects a response of faithful obedience to what He’s written us. It isn’t enough for us to like the Bible. It isn’t enough to know a lot about the Bible. It isn’t enough to attend many Bible studies. It isn’t enough to memorize large portions of the Bible. We must also act on what the Bible says.

The commands of Christ are meant to be obeyed, not merely admired. What if we’re merely collectors of Bible studies instead? What if we hear and study the Bible without actually doing what it says? James is clear – we deceive ourselves…

What do we deceive ourselves about? Our salvation. If we aren’t acting on the commands of Jesus then He isn’t actually our Lord and if He isn’t our Lord we probably aren’t actually saved from our sins. We also deceive ourselves about holiness. It isn’t enough to study holiness – God commands His people to be holy because He’s holy. We deceive ourselves about ourselves. We imagine we’re particularly righteous when we aren’t. We convince ourselves we’re following Jesus when we’re really just sitting on our spiritual sofa watching Him on Netflix.

Don’t just hear what God said in the Bible. Do what He said!

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22

God’s Word, the Bible, is truth that demands action. Always. At all times, God expects a response of faithful obedience to what He’s written us. It isn’t enough for us to like the Bible. It isn’t enough to know a lot about the Bible. It isn’t enough to attend many Bible studies. It isn’t enough to memorize large portions of the Bible. We must also act on what the Bible says.

The commands of Christ are meant to be obeyed, not merely admired. What if we’re merely collectors of Bible studies instead? What if we hear and study the Bible without actually doing what it says? James is clear – we deceive ourselves…

What do we deceive ourselves about? Our salvation. If we aren’t acting on the commands of Jesus then He isn’t actually our Lord and if He isn’t our Lord we probably aren’t actually saved from our sins. We also deceive ourselves about holiness. It isn’t enough to study holiness – God commands His people to be holy because He’s holy. We deceive ourselves about ourselves. We imagine we’re particularly righteous when we aren’t. We convince ourselves we’re following Jesus when we’re really just sitting on our spiritual sofa watching Him on Netflix.

Don’t just hear what God said in the Bible. Do what He said!

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12

Trials will come. There will be seasons in your life that hurt and leave you questioning God’s will, plan, presence, and goodness. Blessed are those who endure those trials with steadfast faithfulness in the Lord! Blessed are you when you can continue praying, praising, and worshiping God through fire.

Whether your trials last for months or years, know that what lies ahead is the eternal joy and reward of the Lord. God gives the glorious crown of life to those who love Him and endure the agonies and sorrows of a broken world in a manner that glorifies Him through faithful following of Jesus Christ. Whether your earthly life is long or short, prosperous or poor, comfortable or miserable, always remember that eternal life, joy, and reward lies ahead for everyone who loves God through Jesus Christ.

If you’re in a fiery trial, be encouraged! It won’t last forever. On the other side is the eternal peace, comfort, and joy of God Himself. Suffering is temporary. Peace, love, and joy are eternal. Remain steadfast for God is good and faithful toward those who love Him!