James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Personal Challenge...
God is the source of our salvation, not our faith or our works. But just putting our faith in God is not enough, that faith must be followed by works for Him.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Personal Challenge...
I was purchased for a very expensive price...God in the form of man being sacrificed to redeem me form the grip of hell. God's grace, pored out through His Son Jesus Christ brings me my salvation. What should my response to this be? To live my life in such a way that I deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present, physical life, and look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. He has redeemed me and purified me for Himself as one of His special people and I should be zealous to do good works for Him and through Him.
Isaiah 55:10-11
For as rain comes down, or snow from heaven, and does not return until it saturates the earth, and it brings forth and produces, and gives seed to the sower and bread for food, so shall My word be, whatever proceeds from My mouth. It shall not return until it accomplishes whatever I willed, and I shall prosper your ways and My commandments.
Personal Challenge...
It is up to God what purpose His Word serves and when. Just as it is His decision as to what benefit the rain and snow will have upon His creation. It is up to me though, His follower, as to what I will do with His Word when He pours it out upon me. I can choose to use it for His glory, to build up His kingdom and those whom He has placed in my life or I can choose to use it for my own good, my own edification. Not only does God pour out His blessings upon me, but He also gives me the freedom to choose what I do with it. I must learn to choose wisely.
James 1:13
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Personal Challenge...
Throughout the scriptures and the traditions of the Church we are reminded that there is only One that has the right to judge mankind, and it is not us. My role as a follower of Christ is to show mercy and reserve any passing of judgement to Him.
James 1:19-20
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Personal Challenge...
Hmmmm...in a recent heated exchange with someone dear to me I explained away my behavior as being passionate and therefore tried to justify my method of response. When is one person's passion interpreted by another as wrath? This verse is a timely reminder, actually a command, for me to behave differently in my relationships with those in my life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Personal Challenge...
Even though Christ has come to redeem His creation from death we still live in a fallen world. It is in this fallenness that temptations arise. Part of my growth in Christ is to develop the strength to endure the temptations that well up from the flesh or from the evil one. It may be difficult, but the end results will make all the difficulty worthwhile.
I love how Yogi Berra enlightens us on the difference between theory and practice in this quote: "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is." This could easily be applied to how we deal with temptations in our lives.
Psalm 55:22-23 (54:23-24 LXX)
Cast your care upon the Lord,
And He shall support you;
He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
But You, O God, will bring them down into the pit of decay;
Men of blood and deceit
Shall not live even half their days.
But I will hope in You, O Lord.
Personal Challenge...
How do I ever know if I am doing the right things for God? Am I truly living my life in a way that honors Him or is it for my own sake? Am I treating those whom He has brought into my life in a godly, righteous way, or am I treating them in a similar way to those called out in the second half of this passage? I have come to learn in my few years of life that the answers to these questions do not typically come in the instance or situation where I am asking the question. I must look across a span of time and try to assess how am I doing at trying to live for my Lord. If I look at a single point in time the results will be skewed...either a good way or a bad way. If I look at multiple points then I will be able to better see what is my pattern, my propensity. And with all this said, the beginning and the end of this passage I am clearly told what to do..."Cast my care upon the Lord...I will hope in You, O Lord." Thank You Lord Jesus that You are my Rock and my Salvation, and that I can hide in You.
