by Macy Tiradoegas | Sep 10, 2015 | James
James 2:18-20
Here in James chapter two this so called, “paradox” of faith vs. works is fully revealed. This tension is something that every believer battles at one point or another, if not continually. In Ephesians 2:19, we read that salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, but that it is a gift of God through faith in Him alone. All throughout Romans, Paul makes the case for free grace, only found through Jesus’ work on the cross. So this makes it a little confusing when we read in James that we cannot have faith if we don’t have good deeds!
“But I thought I wasn’t saved by anything I could do, I thought it was only by God’s grace and that all I needed to do was believe.” I battled this for a long time. The “paradox” seems overwhelming.
But here is where we get it wrong. Paul is right. We are not saved by anything we can do. Our good deeds do not make us righteous in the sight of God, only Jesus, his death and resurrection. It is true that we are blameless before God because of Jesus. Our deeds do not save us BUT, our deeds REVEAL our faith. They are the evidence of a changed life.
“It is not enough to believe, even the demons believe!” That sentence should bring us to a shivering revelation! How many people are going about their life, ignorant to the fact that they are not saved by grace? Believing isn’t faith. Faith is putting your trust and your hope in something. When your trust and your hope are in something it produces a changed heart and actions that reflect that heart. It doesn’t mean that we will never mess up, it doesn’t mean that we don’t still stumble and sin, but it means we are pursuing a holy life. Jesus says in Matthew 7:16 that “you will know them by their fruit.” His disciples will show evidence in the way they live their life!
Jesus goes on to say in verse 21, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”
I ask you today, are you the one doing the will of the Father? Are you living a life surrendered? Not perfect, not a check list of things you do right. But a faith that has produced a changed heart that has produced a changed life. Walking in the direction of righteous, overflowing the fruits of the spirit. Is your faith backed up by your deeds? It’s not something we have to force. As true disciples of Jesus, the beautiful thing about it is, it will come naturally as you seek Him. The paradox, this tension that is seemingly overwhelming, is actually what makes our faith worth it. Our works prove our faith and they go hand in hand. May the world be able to tell a difference. May that be drawn to Jesus because of our faith that produces every kind of good work.
by Priscilla Bowin | Sep 9, 2015 | James
James 2: 8-13
In our culture today, much of what we hear or see screams favoritism, partiality or judgement calls. We can find ourselves getting caught up in the frenzy of the latest news clip, social media post, or even at times church drama, falling into the trap of favoritism and partiality. We begin to judge others without mercy. Little word bubbles floating over our heads with thoughts like, “My favorite pastor is not speaking today, I think I’ll stay home,” “I can only worship with that other worship group,” “Look at the way he is dressed, he must be poor,” “Look at that homeless guy, what a loser!” You get the idea. We most likely all have had these types of thoughts at different times in our lives. So we ask, “What is so bad about showing partiality?”
Well in James we read what God says about favoritism, “But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin.” Because His royal law is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Great King is love; He “is no respecter of persons.” So for us to show partiality is at a variance against God and His royal law, a law of love and liberty.
Mercy triumphs over judgement! We need to receive God’s mercy to the extent that we can demonstrate it to those around us: the less privileged, the stranger, the friend that “unfriended” you. God will show mercy to those that show mercy to others.
May today be a day we let mercy triumph in our lives, a day that we obey the royal law, “Love your neighbor as yourself!”
by Morgan Lunsford | Sep 8, 2015 | James
James 2: 5-7
It’s so easy for us as Christians to use our opinions to try and judge someone else. If we see someone living or acting in a way that is contrary to what we believe or what the bible says is the way to live or act, our first response is typically to judge them or to shame them. If we see someone who has less than us, sometimes we automatically assume they are worth less than us. But the bible says that, “God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith.” We were chosen by God to inherit his kingdom, despite anything we have done or anything we have said. This verse is simply pointing out that if we are all chosen to inherit his kingdom, what reason is there to judge someone else? We are all humans and we will all make mistakes. There is no one sin that is worse than another. Who are we to judge someone who makes mistakes differently than us? Above all, when we honor our neighbors and choose love over judgement, we honor God.
“If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13: 2
Photography: @brandon_nalley
by Dan A Thomas Jr | Sep 7, 2015 | James
James 2: 1-4
Prejudice. Discrimination. Favoritism. These are words that most of us wish didn’t exist in our culture. There are many who presuppose that these are realities of a bygone era buried beneath years of victorious struggle and sweeping legislation only to discover that branches were severed and roots left firmly intact.
Prejudice is something we all have to deal with. We all have ideas and opinions in our minds that have been formed independent of exposure to what we hold opinions about, yet there they are – the seedbed from which motivation springs forth.
True equality can only be realized in Christ as we give up our identity and discover our true uniqueness in Him. As we begin to see people as He sees them it forms our opinions and treatment of others and removes false barriers such as race and class and allows us to deal with people individually and not with the tainted spectacles of labels and stereotypes.
Jesus’ entire ministry was centered on removing false barriers that inhibited unity. In John chapter 4 he purposely sends his disciples away to buy meat because of an ensuing controversial encounter with a Samaritan woman. He expertly removed her boundaries on equality for women, ethnic superiority, and true worship.
James challenges us in similar fashion and places our biases under the vision-correcting scrutiny of true faith in Jesus. If you believe what Jesus taught and did, your faith does not include prejudice and does not provide room for favoritism due to a preferred demographic. Don’t think you can show favor to who you think God has favored and expect favor from God. Material blessings don’t necessarily represent the favor of God. It could be the exact opposite – independence from God.
Rich or poor? Equal.
Black or white? Equal.
Equal. Identical. Same.
Photography: @mattglenn
by Maison Tiradoegas | Sep 5, 2015 | James
James 1: 12-17
“I don’t care and I want it now!” -Veruca Salt Willy Wonka
As I’m writing this, I’m becoming increasing impatient with how long I’m spending writing this and how my wifi isn’t fast enough to stream Apple Music. My life is constantly in a state of irritably looking at the clock and wondering, “Why is this taking so long?” “Cars get out my way now! “The “Uberization” of the world is in full-swing, but at what cost? Even dating is becoming streamlined and hassle-free with Tinder. Relationships must be quick, convenient and less time-commitment. Let’s get real: We don’t care and we want it now, but what is this doing to us spiritually? To be clear, Uber and Tinder aren’t the problem, we would have this problem regardless. We all have a little Veruca in us, but the Christian life is about rolling up our sleeves and daily pursuing God and asking Him to make us more into the Image of Christ.
James 1:12
Even in Biblical times, James is writing to believers and encouraging them to remain steadfast during trials and that those who remain faithful will inherit the crown of life. Passages like this are a struggle to read. They are in complete opposition of what we experience. Let’s be honest, remaining faithful is boring. It’s antiquated language. Following through with commitments is becoming uncommon, but how our hearts must yield to scripture.
James 1:13
This is one of my favorite verses because it speaks to the human psyche. The thought pattern is: When temptation happens, it’s God’s fault. Why would God allow temptation into my life. Or well I just can’t stop doing….[fill in the blank]. James is very quick to correct this. God is not upstairs playing some sick game with humanity. The story of Job is the most accurate depiction of how God allows, but does not cause.
James 1:14-16
Bad things happen because of our sin, which originates in our desires, which ultimately leads to death. You’re the problem!!!! I’m the problem!!! My temptations come from the depths of my black heart that’s constantly wrestles with my spirit for control. Temptation is the elusive carrot dangling that our heart yearns to reach for. It’s the soft whisper of deceit that edges us one step too far. James is warning believers to stop thinking temptation is out of our control and start taking control. Be responsible for your relationship with God.
James 1:17
In contrast of our own ugly, sinful desires, God is good. He’s a God that gives magnificent treasures. He gives perfection. Unlike our ever-changing state, God is unchanging. God doesn’t turn his back casting a shadow on anything. He is a patient God.
In a world of. “I want it now,” we must fight the temptation of thinking our relationship with God is temporal, immediate, and can be completed. “I am spiritually in it for the long haul” must be the response as genuine Christ-followers.
Photography: @jacobnnorris
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