Let the brother of low degree rejoice
in that he is exalted: but the rich,
in that he is made low: because
as the flower of the grass he shall
pass away. For the sun is no sooner
risen with a burning heat, but it
withereth the grass, and the flower
tereof falleth, and the grace of the
fashion of it perisheth: so also shall
the rich man fade away in his ways.
Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to
them that love him.
James 1:9-12
Yesterday's question as to prayer was to remind us that we do not have faith in our prayers, rather our faith is in the One Who can answer prayers. We pray in that faith, a faith assured by the written word of God wherein He has revealed to us His answered prayers, and His promises fulfilled. We do not always pray in His will, but we pray knowing that God hears our prayers and will lead by means of His word and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us to that place where we prayer according to His will. James gives this: "Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord" (James 1:7). We are to be living a life that is an Authentic Christian life and that can only occur if we study His word, take time to critically think about that which we have read, and then to apply what God has asked us to apply in our lives.
James now gives to us that God equalizes men so that neither the poor that has received salvation can boast, nor can the rich man who has received salvation boast. This is not some Socialistic, or Communistic life so that all men are equal, they are not, some are rich, some are poor, some are in the middle, but all are equal in Salvation. There is no preference by God for one or the other. It is the heart, our true self revealed to God as to whether or not anyone receives anything from God. All men have the same ending: DEATH! Therefore, it from B to D (Birth to Death) that we are accountable before God and to give Him and answer as to what we say and what we do.
All men are tempted: this is the world of sin that Satan brought into the lives of men. Yes, Adam and Eve are to progenitors that pass their sinfulness unto us and caused our souls to be corrupted. This is the prima facie evidence, that they caused this corruption but they are not to blame for our individual corruptions. We can choose, this was not taking away from man, so we are responsible for our sins. We can blame Adam and Eve, we can blame Satan, for instigating this sinfulness but we do not have to fall under the devises of Satan for we still have an understanding of morality and justice. We just do not want to do it and will listen to our fallen souls that no longer want anything to do with God. So how then can we escape this problem? We cannot! Not on our own. Jesus Christ paved the way for our salvation and we have the ability to read and hear His word. We can choose to accept what we hear, to listen to the Holy Spirit calling us to believe or not. This faith then comes by hearing the word of God and then accepting it as truth and then applying it to our lives. Now, when temptation comes, and it will for all men face temptations we do not have to acquiesce to it for we have a helper, the Holy Spirit, we have the word of God to lead us and teach, therefore we can choose not to give way to temptation.
Do you love God? Do you love His Only Begotten Son? If so: Good! When faced with trials then remember who you are and Whose you are and run, turn away from that which would derail your faith and turn to the One who died for you so that you can run, turn away from sin. There is a crown of life waiting for you and all you have to do is to become an Authentic Christian with Authentic Christian Faith making Jesus Christ the priority of your life, and to grow in your relationship with Him. You will receive all the promises of God for His children. Love is action, not just a word. Jesus showed us love in a way that no man could ever do, He paid the debt we owe to God. Now receive this payment and live for Him. Remember it is from B to D that we live and how we live and what we say is eternal and we will give an answer to God, would it not be nice to hear: "well done faithful and discreet slave" and have your life in the Book of Life. Well, you know the course you must travel. Don't talk about it: do it!
The earth also was corrupt before God,
and the earth was filled with violence.
And God looked upon the earth, and behold,
it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted
his way upon the earth.
Genesis 6:11-12
Can you see the resemblance in our world?
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment