You Are More
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
Goodness should be the highest object of human desire. When we are at our best we will never want anything evil. The good life is not some namby-pamby kind of existence, but is a life filled with joy and happiness because it shares the highest values. The good life is possible for all of us.
A story is told about Daniel Webster. During his days in the city of Washington the great statesman attended worship regularly in a little rural church outside the city. Some of his colleagues were disturbed about it. They said it lacked prestige. And they asked him why he attended a little church in the sticks when he would be welcome in the most fashionable churches in Washington.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword upon your side,
O mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:18)
Read more of James 2
There is a controversy that is taking place about what is more important: faith or deeds? One person may think they have it all together because their faith is as strong as a cement wall. Then you have the next person who thinks they have it all together because the things they do for others are too many to count. The author of this passage wants us to realize that faith and deeds belong together. I must live by faith daily and in that faith I take action to lead a life of service to the Lord.
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. (James 2:1)
Please take time to read James 2 this week and find out what God has for you there.
I’ve read and studied James 2 for a couple of weeks now. I’ve asked the Lord to show me where I play favorites. I’ve asked for Him to help me back up my faith with action. I’m learning more about myself through this chapter and God’s call for me to live a righteous life.
At first glance, James 2:1-13… didn’t resonate with my heart. But the more I studied it, the more I understood it. The Lord has shown me where I play favorites. Honestly, I thought I was fairly good in this area, but a closer look at it made me see I have some work to do in this area as well. I tend to treat most people equally, but there is one area where I see that I treat people differently. Or at least this is the one area that God is working on in me, this week.
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