LOVE this book.
This may be my new favorite. I don't even know where to start. I love what he says about faith alone not being enough if there are no good works to back that up, and visa versa. We read this before but I don't have the time to look up where it was...
The discussion of temptation is a good one as well. "Blessed is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and has been approved he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him." Does temptation and the ability to withstand it makes us stronger people? Does it make our faith stronger? I think it does, it seems to me that the person who is never tempted by anything (as if there is such a person) or lets say tempted little, has an easier go at it......therefore maybe doesn't build up such a strong faith. Perhaps not in all cases, but hopefully you can see my point. I've an analogy, but am running short on time.....
It also says that one is never to think that God is the one who is tempting you....like a test. He doesn't do that.
"for as the human body, apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from its works of obedience is also dead."
Chapter 3 talks about the might power of the tongue. SO much truth in this. The old saying that we tell kids "sticks and stones may break my bones but word will never hurt me" is INSANE. Words can hurt a million times more than sticks and stones. The beauty of it is however that words have powers that those other things only dream of. Words spoken aloud and put into the correct order have created more beauty in the world than all the paintbrushes that ever were....but on the flip side as James warns us of, they have also cause more pain and suffering than all the sticks and stones that ever were.....might powerful things
and perhaps my favorite..."and the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God's will in thought and deed) is sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflict].....this is ALL I want in life, truly.
let no simply be no and yes simply be yes
confess your sins to one another and pray for one another
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2:10 If you commit one sin, it's as though you committed all of them. Murder is no different than lying or not keeping the Sabbath in the eyes of the Lord. Sin is sin. I know that's hard for humans to wrap their head around, but to God unrighteousness (sin) is unrighteousness. There are no "little" sins or "white" lies.
I want to point out the faith-works dilema is actually two-fold. Yes, it's talking about putting action behind your faith, in that, what you do for people, etc. relfects God's love in you. It also means when you are praying to God for something that you act as though it's already been granted. That's expectancy. It's making actual, physical preparations to receive what you've asked for. People may think you're crazy, but it is putting action behind your faith. For example, if you used to be a runner, and you had knee surgery, the doctor may tell you that your running days are over. If you want to run again, and pray for God to completely heal you, then go buy yourself a new pair of running shoes, or a gym membership, etc. Put action behind your faith. Show God that you wholeheartedly believe He will grant what you ask.
3:1 Has some very important connotations about a certain private situation that Crystal and I have discussed. Preachers, Pastors, Priests, Sunday school teachers will absolutely be held to a higher standard.
This is a good book. The rest is straightforward I think.
Tomorrow is back to Acts. Acts 15-16
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