James Week 5

Read vs 22-24

How many people think that just because they sit in a church weekly, that they are Christians? Or maybe reading the right books and listening to the right music makes you holy?   Do you think we ever feel this way?

Just sitting in a church (reading Christian books, listening to Christian music) does NOT make you a Christian. 

Many of us also sit in church and hear the word being read…we may even nod our heads if we are really holy J, even say “yup” to things we agree with, or maybe we are bold enough to shout AMEN!  Yet….we NEVER DO WHAT THE WORD SAYS! 

If we are TRULY Christians, the ultimate proof should be in HOW WE ACT AND WHAT WE DO!  Even Satan KNOWS God’s word….it is our ACTIONS that define us! 

That is what I believe James is saying here!  “DON’T JUST SIT AROUND LISTENING TO THE WORD, BUT DO SOMETHING WITH IT!!” 

Now here is a part of that text I really want you to consider: 

How does God’s word act like a mirror?  What does this mean?

When you read God’s word…it helps you take a good look at yourself! It helps you see where you may be falling short!  It isn’t meant to condemn you, but to show you where you may need His help.

Here is the sad truth according to James: MANY PEOPLE WILL READ THE WORD, SEE WHERE THEY ARE FALLING SHORT, AND CLOSE THE BOOK AND WALK AWAY ANYWAY!

They forget the areas in which they need work!  Like a guy who looks into a mirror and sees his face caked with mud, then walks away and forgets to clean it!  Let’s NOT be this way!  Let’s be like the next man James describes:

READ v 25

There will be some folks who read the word, and do something about what they “see in the mirror”.  They study God’s word and then apply it to their lives….according to James, these folks will be blessed.

How does God bless us for following his word?

Read v 26

Now…switch gears.  Just as what you DO is a sign of what you believe, so is what you SAY.  Let me ask you a question: 

DO you tell friends your mind is on heaven then use a mouth that sounds like it’s from hell??? J

Seriously….does your speech always reflect the fact that you are a Christian?

Just remember this…your mouth, even if you’re “just joking” and what and how you say things is a sign to the world that says “This is what I believe and who I am”.

It is one of the main ways the world labels and defines a person.

I think of the lyrics from the Kutless song “Treason” that say “with these 2 lips I will praise your name.  Then I turn around and only curse and blame……tell me a reason that this isn’t treason”…..makes sense huh?  And we are all guilty.

James is NOT ONLY talking about cuss words either!  Just because you may not litter your sentences with 4-letter words you are NOT off the hook!  It is about put-downs, making fun of each other etc…….  Who does your mouth say you truly are? *****(see Matt 12:34 and Matt 12:36-37)

V 27

Very famous verse here…… here we are given a definition of what God sees as TRUE RELIGION.

We get caught up in thinking that religion is about nice churches, going to church meetings, youth functions, camp, etc……………………

Here we are reminded that religion is about SERVING! 

So, when was the last time you practiced “PURE RELIGION”?

V27

This is second part of true religion.  And the HARDEST thing for a modern Christian to do in the world!  It is a command….but seems impossible. 

Is it possible to stay unstained from the world?  How?

Look at the temptations around us……. On every TV station is some hot body dancing around or a couple jumping into bed.  Purity and holiness are treated as weak and like jokes in schools.

The easiest defense in my opinion (and I am guilty of not doing it) is avoidance.  Clean up what you watch and listen to. 

I know it is hard…and we may feel like outcasts if we do this, but God calls us to a higher standard…… are we willing to do it?