james 2:2-26
"you foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that people are justified by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
so, this verse has recently been taunting me. i read it about 3 weeks ago and can't shake it. it struck me how odd and almost out of place it seemed. james was talking about faith and works & how they go hand in hand. you don't get faith by works but rather works are evidence of your faith. he literally says (2:14) "what good is it, my brothers and sisters, if people have faith but no deeds?"
but here's where it gets odd to me. he then, all of a sudden, offers an example of how faith and works go hand in hand... and he uses Abraham and Rahab to prove this point. these 2 examples couldn't be more different. one is a man, and one is a woman. one is the forefather of our faith, and one is a prostitute. one has about 13 chapters where they are mentioned, and the other maybe 2.
i always ask a lot of questions when reading the Bible. like why did James chose these 2 examples? couldn't he have chosen Abraham and Moses? or Joshua? or David? these are all people....well men, that have lived extraordinary lives of faith. but instead James chooses Rahab, a women AND a prostitute, to be an example of faith. she is even mentioned in Hebrews 11 (the hall of fame chapter) for her great faith.
the fact that Rahab is even mentioned in the Bible is highly significant (topic for another day)... but the fact that she is mentioned along with Abraham is huge. i would like my name to be mentioned along with Abraham's. that would be pretty cool if someone said that i lived out my faith like Abraham did.
but this got me thinking. we know these 2 examples of faith are very different, but how are they similar? that is when it hit me. they both did something extremely risky and scary for God. Abraham almost sacrificed his son truly believing God could raise him from the dead & Rahab was almost killed for hiding spies.
but if you really think about it, what Rahab did seems kind of small. she lied to some people about knowing where the Israelites were hiding. but in reality it was actually pretty huge. she risked her life (and her family's) for a group of people and a God she hardly knew. and not to mention if she hadn't, who knows how the whole entering the promise land deal would have worked out. it was because of what Rahab did, the israelites were able to finally enter the promise land. this is huge. she was a part of a monumental turning point for the nation of Israel.
funny how sometimes the little things or decisions we make in life can actually end up being the ones that change lives or alter ours. i tend to look over the small stuff. i am a big picture, big plan, big vision person. but i am realizing that it is the small stuff, the small everyday decisions that actually shape my character and who i become.
now i want my name to be mentioned next to Rahab's as well. i hope that one day people can say i had a faith like Rahab's... now that would be pretty cool.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
think about thinking.
romans 12:2
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
first, i must apologize. i lied about waiting another 3 months to write another blog. ill be honest, i think i put way too much pressure on what to say and how to say it. i get nervous. so now i'm not making anymore promises about when my next blog will be... but lets all hope it wont be in december...or january.
second, i have decided to change things up. i hope this is ok.lately i have had some good conversations and it has made me want to discuss many different things... not just james. even though i really like james and recommend getting to know him. he has some good stuff to say.
recently i have been thinking about thinking. i've been thinking about where my mind is and how it completely affects everything i do, say, and believe. ill be honest. i have a critical, insecure, worried, and doubtful mind sometimes. i hate it. but this verse has started changing that for me.
see paul tells us to literally be transformed by the renewing of our minds... not our heart, actions, words, or people... but by our minds. paul starts with the mind. that's usually where it starts with me too. whatever is going on in my mind eventually comes out in my life. if im thinking negative and critical thoughts, slowly i start becoming negative and critical.
the word paul uses for "transform" is the Greek word, "metamorphoo" which translates to our english word "metamorphosis." a metamorphosis is essentially when one object changes into a completely different object. there is no resemblance of the old object. like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly.
our minds should have this kind of extreme transformation. but this is hard. sometimes i feel like my mind naturally gravitates to things i shouldn't dwell on. its almost like i have to fight to make myself think about the things i am supposed to think about. i guess real transformation isn't easy.
but sometimes i wonder if i am missing a huge piece of what this life is supposed to be like. i wonder if i am missing sunrises and sunsets, the amazing people that surround me, or even the little things God wants to say and do when i am too busy thinking about my to-do list, getting through the day, being upset at the days unplanned events, or obsessing on where and what God wants me to do. i wonder if when i give up fighting, i give up living... living the kind of life i was meant to live.
when i think about it this way, i kind of want to fight. i want to fight to think about what im thinking about... i want to fight to live the kind of life i was meant to live. one filled with joy, peace, love, and hope... the kinds of things that are worth fighting for.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
first, i must apologize. i lied about waiting another 3 months to write another blog. ill be honest, i think i put way too much pressure on what to say and how to say it. i get nervous. so now i'm not making anymore promises about when my next blog will be... but lets all hope it wont be in december...or january.
second, i have decided to change things up. i hope this is ok.lately i have had some good conversations and it has made me want to discuss many different things... not just james. even though i really like james and recommend getting to know him. he has some good stuff to say.
recently i have been thinking about thinking. i've been thinking about where my mind is and how it completely affects everything i do, say, and believe. ill be honest. i have a critical, insecure, worried, and doubtful mind sometimes. i hate it. but this verse has started changing that for me.
see paul tells us to literally be transformed by the renewing of our minds... not our heart, actions, words, or people... but by our minds. paul starts with the mind. that's usually where it starts with me too. whatever is going on in my mind eventually comes out in my life. if im thinking negative and critical thoughts, slowly i start becoming negative and critical.
the word paul uses for "transform" is the Greek word, "metamorphoo" which translates to our english word "metamorphosis." a metamorphosis is essentially when one object changes into a completely different object. there is no resemblance of the old object. like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly.
our minds should have this kind of extreme transformation. but this is hard. sometimes i feel like my mind naturally gravitates to things i shouldn't dwell on. its almost like i have to fight to make myself think about the things i am supposed to think about. i guess real transformation isn't easy.
but sometimes i wonder if i am missing a huge piece of what this life is supposed to be like. i wonder if i am missing sunrises and sunsets, the amazing people that surround me, or even the little things God wants to say and do when i am too busy thinking about my to-do list, getting through the day, being upset at the days unplanned events, or obsessing on where and what God wants me to do. i wonder if when i give up fighting, i give up living... living the kind of life i was meant to live.
when i think about it this way, i kind of want to fight. i want to fight to think about what im thinking about... i want to fight to live the kind of life i was meant to live. one filled with joy, peace, love, and hope... the kinds of things that are worth fighting for.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
james 2:1-7
playing favorites.
"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the one who is poor, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?"
first, i must be honest, i almost gave up on this blog. in January i started seminary and thought i didn't have time for a blog. but a friend of mine encouraged me to keep it up... and now here i am 3 months later keeping it up. so, for all my 12 faithful followers i am sorry it has taken me 3 months to write another blog. i promise to not wait that long again.
and now to the good stuff... playing favorites. i admit, i have done it. but here's what i continue to love about James, he tells us like it is, "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism (verse 1)." it's that simple, believers- don't show favoritism.
but that makes me wonder, why do i show favoritism? why do i sometimes treat people who look, talk, and act like me better than i do those who are different than me? for me, it's about comfort. i'll be honest, i can be awkward at times. and so when i think about interacting with someone who is different than me, i get nervous and fail miserably under the pressure... this causes me to not want to try.
lately, this has changed for me, though. in class i have been learning a lot about different races, genders, and social classes. i have had some incredible discussions with and about people who are different than me. and because of these conversation i have started seeing things through different eyes. i have begun seeing the things we all have in common and have started forgetting what is so different... really, i have stopped showing favorites because i have stopped seeing favorites.
but the heart of this passage is about the believers taking sides with the rich instead of the poor. it's about the believers judging on appearances and favoring those with money and power. the ironic thing about this is that it's exactly the opposite of what Jesus did. he took sides with the poor, he didn't judge on looks but saw the heart and identity of each person. but now, the believers got it all mixed up. maybe they started fearing for their lives, maybe they started caring what people thought... i don't know. all i know is that they started getting things real mixed up.
i get things mixed up sometimes. for instance how to say the word "frustrated." i sometimes leave out the "r" and it drives my husband crazy. but playing favorites is a big mix up... not jut a leaving out the "r" mix up. if we are believers, playing favorites goes against everything we believe. think about it. think about who Jesus was and what he said and who he said it to... He spoke to the people he wasn't suppose to speak to and loved the people no one else loved. he was a leader who lived a radically different kind of life. the kind of life that mixed things up like "the first will be last and the last will be first," or "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom in heaven," or "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." he really mixed it up... but the kind of mix up that literally changed history. that sounds like a good kind of mix up to me. much better than forgetting the "r" in "frustrated."
"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the one who is poor, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?"
first, i must be honest, i almost gave up on this blog. in January i started seminary and thought i didn't have time for a blog. but a friend of mine encouraged me to keep it up... and now here i am 3 months later keeping it up. so, for all my 12 faithful followers i am sorry it has taken me 3 months to write another blog. i promise to not wait that long again.
and now to the good stuff... playing favorites. i admit, i have done it. but here's what i continue to love about James, he tells us like it is, "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism (verse 1)." it's that simple, believers- don't show favoritism.
but that makes me wonder, why do i show favoritism? why do i sometimes treat people who look, talk, and act like me better than i do those who are different than me? for me, it's about comfort. i'll be honest, i can be awkward at times. and so when i think about interacting with someone who is different than me, i get nervous and fail miserably under the pressure... this causes me to not want to try.
lately, this has changed for me, though. in class i have been learning a lot about different races, genders, and social classes. i have had some incredible discussions with and about people who are different than me. and because of these conversation i have started seeing things through different eyes. i have begun seeing the things we all have in common and have started forgetting what is so different... really, i have stopped showing favorites because i have stopped seeing favorites.
but the heart of this passage is about the believers taking sides with the rich instead of the poor. it's about the believers judging on appearances and favoring those with money and power. the ironic thing about this is that it's exactly the opposite of what Jesus did. he took sides with the poor, he didn't judge on looks but saw the heart and identity of each person. but now, the believers got it all mixed up. maybe they started fearing for their lives, maybe they started caring what people thought... i don't know. all i know is that they started getting things real mixed up.
i get things mixed up sometimes. for instance how to say the word "frustrated." i sometimes leave out the "r" and it drives my husband crazy. but playing favorites is a big mix up... not jut a leaving out the "r" mix up. if we are believers, playing favorites goes against everything we believe. think about it. think about who Jesus was and what he said and who he said it to... He spoke to the people he wasn't suppose to speak to and loved the people no one else loved. he was a leader who lived a radically different kind of life. the kind of life that mixed things up like "the first will be last and the last will be first," or "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom in heaven," or "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." he really mixed it up... but the kind of mix up that literally changed history. that sounds like a good kind of mix up to me. much better than forgetting the "r" in "frustrated."
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
james 1: 19-26
resolutions.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
so, if i'm honest i have been putting off this section. sorry. it's not because i didn't like it, but that it's something i struggle with and is pretty self explanatory. i'm a big fan of new years resolutions. not sure why. i think there is something exciting about the beginning of a whole new year. and so every year i like to come up with a few things that i want to do, be, or become during the upcoming year. the more i thought about this verse, the more it seemed like a great new years resolution. so i decided to put what james said in this section into my new years resolution, cliff notes version...
#1. be quick to listen
#2. slow to speak
#3. slow to become angry
#4. don't merely listen to the word, but DO what it says... like looking after orphans and widows and keeping oneself form being polluted by the world.
i know i'm oversimplifying what james is saying in this verse, but this is what i sincerely want to pursue this year. and if i could live this out, well that would be a pretty incredible year. sorry this entry is short and sweet, hope you have a good year.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
so, if i'm honest i have been putting off this section. sorry. it's not because i didn't like it, but that it's something i struggle with and is pretty self explanatory. i'm a big fan of new years resolutions. not sure why. i think there is something exciting about the beginning of a whole new year. and so every year i like to come up with a few things that i want to do, be, or become during the upcoming year. the more i thought about this verse, the more it seemed like a great new years resolution. so i decided to put what james said in this section into my new years resolution, cliff notes version...
#1. be quick to listen
#2. slow to speak
#3. slow to become angry
#4. don't merely listen to the word, but DO what it says... like looking after orphans and widows and keeping oneself form being polluted by the world.
i know i'm oversimplifying what james is saying in this verse, but this is what i sincerely want to pursue this year. and if i could live this out, well that would be a pretty incredible year. sorry this entry is short and sweet, hope you have a good year.
Monday, November 15, 2010
james 1:13-19
excuses, excuses.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
Excuses… I’m practically an expert at giving excuses. I found all sorts of reasons when I was younger why I waited until the day before my 12 page paper was due to ask my parents for help at 10pm or why I didn’t see the stop sign in front of me and got in a wreck with an off duty policeman and a car full of lawyers (I wish I was making that up). But now that I’m older and far more mature (well…maybe just older), my excuses are much deeper and well, more dangerous. There are many reasons why I didn’t have my quiet time or why I “need” those new shoes at target… or maybe even why I didn’t do what I knew God was calling me to do.
I love how immediately following verse 12, “blessed is the man who preservers under trial…,” james goes straight into temptation. It’s almost like he encourages us to endure the trials (and even adds that we will be blessed if we do) and then immediately addresses what excuses we may use when we are undergoing those trials.
Here, james is using his “when” language…again. Remember verse 2 (“consider it pure joy my brothers WHEN you encounter various trials”)? Now, in verse 13, james says, “let no one say WHEN he is being tempted…” there is no question as to whether or not we will be tempted… it’s just a matter of when. And when we are tempted, and give in… there are no excuses… because God does not tempt us. God tests us, but he never tempts us. Rather, when we are tempted and fall, it’s because of our own lust…or desire. And then to make it even more convicting he lays out the consequences of our lusts… death. Our lust brings about sin and sin brings about death. (Side note: james is talking about a life of lust leading to sin and not the life long struggle Christians have with sin.)
Then, immediately following this james adds “do not be deceived.” Lots of things deceive me. I feel like I am surround by lies that make me think I don’t need to do what I know is the right thing to do. I guess I need to be more aware of what lies I’m believing, the lusts i am chasing after... Because it’s those very lies and desires that start whispering excuses to me.
and how encouraging is it that james closes this section with, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God doesn’t change. I change, excuses change, and my desires change…. But God never changes. When tempted, when lies fill my head, I must remember the everlasting power of God’s truth and consistency. See it’s truths like “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrew 13:5)” and “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corithinans 10:13)” help me when I desperately long to makes excuses and believe the lies.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
Excuses… I’m practically an expert at giving excuses. I found all sorts of reasons when I was younger why I waited until the day before my 12 page paper was due to ask my parents for help at 10pm or why I didn’t see the stop sign in front of me and got in a wreck with an off duty policeman and a car full of lawyers (I wish I was making that up). But now that I’m older and far more mature (well…maybe just older), my excuses are much deeper and well, more dangerous. There are many reasons why I didn’t have my quiet time or why I “need” those new shoes at target… or maybe even why I didn’t do what I knew God was calling me to do.
I love how immediately following verse 12, “blessed is the man who preservers under trial…,” james goes straight into temptation. It’s almost like he encourages us to endure the trials (and even adds that we will be blessed if we do) and then immediately addresses what excuses we may use when we are undergoing those trials.
Here, james is using his “when” language…again. Remember verse 2 (“consider it pure joy my brothers WHEN you encounter various trials”)? Now, in verse 13, james says, “let no one say WHEN he is being tempted…” there is no question as to whether or not we will be tempted… it’s just a matter of when. And when we are tempted, and give in… there are no excuses… because God does not tempt us. God tests us, but he never tempts us. Rather, when we are tempted and fall, it’s because of our own lust…or desire. And then to make it even more convicting he lays out the consequences of our lusts… death. Our lust brings about sin and sin brings about death. (Side note: james is talking about a life of lust leading to sin and not the life long struggle Christians have with sin.)
Then, immediately following this james adds “do not be deceived.” Lots of things deceive me. I feel like I am surround by lies that make me think I don’t need to do what I know is the right thing to do. I guess I need to be more aware of what lies I’m believing, the lusts i am chasing after... Because it’s those very lies and desires that start whispering excuses to me.
and how encouraging is it that james closes this section with, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God doesn’t change. I change, excuses change, and my desires change…. But God never changes. When tempted, when lies fill my head, I must remember the everlasting power of God’s truth and consistency. See it’s truths like “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrew 13:5)” and “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corithinans 10:13)” help me when I desperately long to makes excuses and believe the lies.
Monday, November 1, 2010
james 1:9-12
to boast or not to boast.
“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (nlt).”
Boast: (n) a source of pride.
At first, this section seemed random to me. it appeared a little out of place considering that we just talked about having joy and trusting God in our trials. And now James shifts the topic to “boasting.” That’s odd.
He states (according to the new living translation) that the poor can boast that God has honored them and the rich can boast that God has humbled them… this is interesting to me. James is encouraging the poor and humbling the rich…. But isn’t this what both groups need to hear? Don’t the poor need to know that they can boast in the Lord and that he has honored them even when the world doesn’t? And don’t the rich need to be reminded that that it was God who gave them their riches and as quickly as the flower blooms and dies is how quickly our life, and our stuff, will pass?
I guess it doesn’t really matter whether we have money or don’t have money, at the end of the day our life is as quick and short as a flower in the field (Now that’s humbling). Look at what the Lord says about boasting in Jeremiah 9:23,24:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,
declares the LORD.”
Like I said, at first this section didn’t seem to fit … but now I see how it fits perfectly. I used to boast about doing youth ministry as my career. it was where I found my security and identity. When I felt led to step down from youth ministry I was confronted with the reality of how terribly wrong i was. I had been boasting in something that didn’t last. i had found my identity in something that was meant to be a gift. I realize now that despite my career or service in the ministry, I have something far more dependable that I can boast in. my spelling…. Just kidding. But really, that I know the God who exercises “kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth.” that’s something to boast about.
“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (nlt).”
Boast: (n) a source of pride.
At first, this section seemed random to me. it appeared a little out of place considering that we just talked about having joy and trusting God in our trials. And now James shifts the topic to “boasting.” That’s odd.
He states (according to the new living translation) that the poor can boast that God has honored them and the rich can boast that God has humbled them… this is interesting to me. James is encouraging the poor and humbling the rich…. But isn’t this what both groups need to hear? Don’t the poor need to know that they can boast in the Lord and that he has honored them even when the world doesn’t? And don’t the rich need to be reminded that that it was God who gave them their riches and as quickly as the flower blooms and dies is how quickly our life, and our stuff, will pass?
I guess it doesn’t really matter whether we have money or don’t have money, at the end of the day our life is as quick and short as a flower in the field (Now that’s humbling). Look at what the Lord says about boasting in Jeremiah 9:23,24:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,
declares the LORD.”
Like I said, at first this section didn’t seem to fit … but now I see how it fits perfectly. I used to boast about doing youth ministry as my career. it was where I found my security and identity. When I felt led to step down from youth ministry I was confronted with the reality of how terribly wrong i was. I had been boasting in something that didn’t last. i had found my identity in something that was meant to be a gift. I realize now that despite my career or service in the ministry, I have something far more dependable that I can boast in. my spelling…. Just kidding. But really, that I know the God who exercises “kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth.” that’s something to boast about.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
james 1.1-8
joy
"1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "
i like james. he gets to the point...quickly. it's almost like he's saying here's who i am, now lets get to the issue.... how are you facing trials in life? and, do you really believe God when you ask for His help in these trials?
it's interesting to me how he says consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds... not "if" you face them but "when" you face them. and not only does he say we will face trials, but when we do we should be joyful. now that just seems weird. why would we be "joyful" when life gets tough? because through the testing (or trial) we learn endurance and become essentially who we are supposed to be...complete, lacking in nothing. i lack in many things- spelling for one, but patience, trust, and so on. and here james is saying that as we endure these trials we are becoming people who (using myself as an example) have trust and patience. who are becoming more like Christ.
and isn't it interesting that right after james says, "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing," he says "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously." why "wisdom" i wonder. of all the things we could be lacking and ask God for, why is it that james chooses to use wisdom? maybe because it's what keeps us from giving up.
i've noticed that when i don't have wisdom about a particular topic i tend to give up on it more quickly. when i first started running i thought you were supposed to run as fast and as hard as you could every run. i also didn't know stretching after a run was vital. so my knees started hurting and i immediately had shin splints. almost 2 weeks in i stopped running thinking my body couldn't handle it. it wasn't until a friend of mine, who runs religiously, let me in that my running knowledge was completely incorrect (in a nice way, of course). i obviously didn't have much knowledge about what i was doing and because i didn't, i just gave up. however, the little knowledge i did have was incorrect and kept me from doing what i wanted to do, run. i wonder if it's the same way spiritually? if we don't have the wisdom we need to remind us that this is only a trial and the importance of sticking with it, it's much easier for us to give up. but what's so great about God is that he's gracious. if we ask, he gives us wisdom.
however, there's a catch.... we have to believe it. we have to believe that when we ask God for wisdom or for help, he will. we have to have faith. and we all know how easy that is (that was sarcasm).
so, now, i love running. i took some time, some 1/2 mile runs, some 2 day breaks, and some stretching... but i'm glad i stuck with it to figure it out. i'm actually hoping to do a half marathon soon.
hope you liked your coffee.
"1James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "
i like james. he gets to the point...quickly. it's almost like he's saying here's who i am, now lets get to the issue.... how are you facing trials in life? and, do you really believe God when you ask for His help in these trials?
it's interesting to me how he says consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds... not "if" you face them but "when" you face them. and not only does he say we will face trials, but when we do we should be joyful. now that just seems weird. why would we be "joyful" when life gets tough? because through the testing (or trial) we learn endurance and become essentially who we are supposed to be...complete, lacking in nothing. i lack in many things- spelling for one, but patience, trust, and so on. and here james is saying that as we endure these trials we are becoming people who (using myself as an example) have trust and patience. who are becoming more like Christ.
and isn't it interesting that right after james says, "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing," he says "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously." why "wisdom" i wonder. of all the things we could be lacking and ask God for, why is it that james chooses to use wisdom? maybe because it's what keeps us from giving up.
i've noticed that when i don't have wisdom about a particular topic i tend to give up on it more quickly. when i first started running i thought you were supposed to run as fast and as hard as you could every run. i also didn't know stretching after a run was vital. so my knees started hurting and i immediately had shin splints. almost 2 weeks in i stopped running thinking my body couldn't handle it. it wasn't until a friend of mine, who runs religiously, let me in that my running knowledge was completely incorrect (in a nice way, of course). i obviously didn't have much knowledge about what i was doing and because i didn't, i just gave up. however, the little knowledge i did have was incorrect and kept me from doing what i wanted to do, run. i wonder if it's the same way spiritually? if we don't have the wisdom we need to remind us that this is only a trial and the importance of sticking with it, it's much easier for us to give up. but what's so great about God is that he's gracious. if we ask, he gives us wisdom.
however, there's a catch.... we have to believe it. we have to believe that when we ask God for wisdom or for help, he will. we have to have faith. and we all know how easy that is (that was sarcasm).
so, now, i love running. i took some time, some 1/2 mile runs, some 2 day breaks, and some stretching... but i'm glad i stuck with it to figure it out. i'm actually hoping to do a half marathon soon.
hope you liked your coffee.
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