Tag Archives: James 2:14-20

It’s Different Now? Isn’t It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #324

23 Sunday Feb 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Search me O God?, Seeing Truth, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, Serving God or Using God?

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It’s Different Now? Isn’t It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #324

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.”   2 Corinthians 5:17

I love the old southern gospel song, “It’s Different Now!” (Written by David Beatty in 1958.) because it calls us to recognize that when Jesus comes and saves us, it will be different!  It was for me!  Scripture teaches this even when we recognize that people can stumble and fail, but Jesus never does!  Yet, it seems to me that we have gone way to far from scripture becoming willing to accept sin, compromise, and tolerance of that which scripture doesn’t!  When Paul says we are a new creature, it is because when Jesus comes, He makes all things new!  I am so grateful that Jesus took this broken life and soul of mine and began to do a work that only He can do; and while I wasn’t perfect then and am by no means perfect now—I have experienced the work of Jesus in me much like Paul described to the Roman believers; but first of all let’s see that Paul and James inherently agree that real saving grace by faith makes a difference.  If all you have is words with no substance, then you may want to check and see what your faith is really in.  Is it in your words, or the life changing, saving blood of Jesus—who makes all things new?  As I heard a pastor say this morning, the difference between what I believe and what you may believe is that what I believe (in whom I believe!) has made a change in me.  How about you?

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man

say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked,

 and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me

thy faith without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man,

that faith without works

is dead?”  James 2:14-20

James gives a bit of insight into his meaning from a simple command.

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:22

In Blanche’s paraphrase, if your actions don’t match your words, you may be deceiving yourself!  God gives us a great answer to this dilemma from the Psalmist.

“Search me, O God,

and know my heart:

try me,

and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way

in me,

and lead me

in the way everlasting.”  Psalm 139:23-24

Oh, how I remember the day that Jesus came speaking to my hypocritical heart, and said clearly, “You’re not mine!”  And after several hours of arguing with Jesus, I fell on my face and called on Jesus to save me, for I could NOT do it myself (and surely I had spent many years trying to do it myself—and believe me, my friends, Salvation is not a  DIY project but can only be accomplished through the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin—and SIN is the issue!)  Consider what Jesus says!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-25

Jesus makes it clear that only HE can save!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am

the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  John 14:6

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

If a man love me,

he will keep my words:

and my Father will love him,

and we will come unto him,

and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not

keepeth not my sayings:

and the word which ye hear is not mine,

but the Father’s which sent me.”  John 14:23-24

So, let’s go back to Paul’s call to each and every believer!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say,

through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

So, my question for today is a very simple one; have you been changed by the blood of Jesus that cleanseth from all sin?  Are you God’s child but you’ve reserved some sin for yourself?  Are you claiming the name of Jesus, and expecting to go to heaven on His coattail, while holding on to the reins of your life?  Or have you come to the cross and obeyed the call of Jesus:

“If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me…”

And in closing, a thought from Isaiah’s prophecy from God!

“Wherefore the Lord said,

Forasmuch as this people draw near me

with their mouth,

and with their lips

do honour me,

but have removed their heart

far from me,

and their fear toward me

is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13

Is it different now?  To take up the cross of Jesus means dying to self; Paul said it better than me.

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

 but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

How About MY Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 NO. 13

28 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be ye doers of the Word, Clothed In His Righteousness, Sayers or Doers

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 13   How About MY Heart???

It seems that we are living in a world gone amuck with power, money, and disregard of The Lord God Almighty, HIS Word, and HIS SON!  But the real question is, “What about “MY” heart?”  I think Jesus’ words make it clear what we need to consider—and notice that Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders in this first passage.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.”   Matthew 12:34-37

And as Jesus said in another place:

“And Jesus said,

Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

 and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:16-20

The Psalmist reminds us that what comes out of our mouth is under our control, and as we avoid the evil, we are to appreciate and desire the correction of the righteous—to both receive it, and to be that “iron sharpening iron” to others!

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not

eat of their dainties.

5 Let the righteous smite me;

it shall be a kindness:

and let him reprove me;

it shall be an excellent oil,

which shall not break my head…”   Psalm 141:3-5a

So, what is in my heart?  In yours?  Only God knows all about me, but what comes out of my mouth, according to Jesus’ words, will reveal what is truly in my heart.  I’m not talking about a stray word when someone bangs his thumb, but I am talking about the evil, vile words of hatred, spite, and cruelty that spew from many who claim the name of Jesus.  And there is a difference between what the Psalmist is describing as the reproof and accountability of the righteous toward one another.  James contrasts it as real faith and vain faith—that which is confirmed by a righteous, holy lifestyle, in contrast to a lifestyle of nothing but words!  Jesus talked about this in Matthew 7, (And just let me clarify, I don’t think Paul and James disagreed on faith and grace—James isn’t denying faith, but simply distinguishing the difference between “just saying so”, and “being so”!)

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding

ye give them not those things

which are needful to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

 is dead?”  James 2:14-20

And as James also said (in the same vein):

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:22

Jesus makes the delineation clear:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it…

…. 20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:13-14, 20-23

We are impowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in The Spirit and not the flesh if we will but yield to HIS work and obey!

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered

for us

in the flesh,

arm yourselves likewise

with the same mind:

for he that hath suffered

in the flesh

hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time

in the flesh

to the lusts of men,

but to the will of God.”  1 Peter 4:1-2

Paul gives us a key to walking in victory over our heart and mind, which leads us to victory over our tongue.  Are you and I heeding The Holy Spirit as we should?  Or going our own way?  As I’ve said before, it’s your choice (and mine), but remember there is a test!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

…25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous

of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

And in closing, Paul’s amazing reminder of what The Spirit’s work looks like in us!  I encourage you to spend some time and memorize these verses (at least 22-23) for your good and God’s glory!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.”  Galatians 5:22-24

So, the question we all must answer is, “How about my heart?”!  It’s what Jesus calls us to, and scripture is replete with the call to us is to be “salt…and light…” to a world lost in sin and darkness!  What will you do with your “light”?

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:16

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Side Are You On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17

15 Sunday Aug 2021

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Whose Side Are You On?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17  Whose Side Are You On???

 

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,

and said,

Who is on the LORD’S side?

let him come unto me.

And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves

together unto him.”  Exodus 32:26

You might ask why such a question; well, the truth is it’s really the nature of the question that I want to address today.  Are we asking God to “be on our side”, or do we understand that there is really a much more important question to ask, and answer; “Are we on God’s side?”  Even the question itself says a lot about our mindset; are we focused on trying to convince God to approve of our plans, programs, and propositions, or have we gotten so far afield of our place before God that we no longer seek HIS face and HIS will for every aspect of our lives?  Ouch?

Joshua got it!  He understood that it’s not about our “rights” or our “desires”, it is all about “serving God” not “using God” for our own desires, purposes, plans, programs, and propositions!

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

The issue isn’t really, “Is God on our side?”; but the issue is whose side are we on?  Have we chosen to “serve the LORD”, or are we demanding that God “serve” us?  I am just a bit weary of people presuming to tell God what HE ought to do—the level of your faith isn’t measured by how much “stuff” you have “claimed” and “received” from God but the usefulness of your life for HIS service.  I remember an old song that Ray Stevens wrote and sung some years ago, and it kind of hit the nail on the head: “Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?”   What did Jesus have to say?  Did He call us to seek more and exalt ourselves or to serve others?

“And said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive this child

in my name

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me

receiveth him that sent me:

for he that is least among you all,

the same shall be great.”  Luke 9:48

Our faithfulness to God is the question, not HIS faithfulness to us!  God is always faithful, but because we have, in many ways, neglected God and HIS Word and because of that, we don’t know what GOD said, so we believe what sounds good to us.  Scripture says something about that too!

“He that is faithful in that which is least

is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least

is unjust also in much.”   Luke 16:10

Are we being faithful with and to God and His Word?  Are we following the way that “seemeth right” or the way that is in line with The Word of God?

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

James also addressed this issue of the measure of genuine faith.  And no, he didn’t disagree with Paul, he isn’t saying that we earn our faith, but that if we belong to Jesus and have real, saving, life-transforming, faith in Jesus it will be evident by our “actions” not our possessions!  Real faith serves—GOD and man!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

 Depart in peace,

be ye warmed

and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

is dead?”  James 2:14-20

Dead means without life, and Jesus said a lot about life, one of those we want to note today!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Jesus came to give HIS life so that we might have “everlasting life”!  Real life, and when we are born again by the blood of Jesus, in repentance and faith, we are called to die to self and live to Jesus.  Faith trusts and depends on the master, but it is never presumptuous.  We are to align ourselves with God, His Word, and His work, not spend our time throwing tantrums when we don’t get out way!  Oops… did I really say that?  Yep!  I did!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

To take up one’s cross means that I die to self and live to, for and through The Lord Jesus Christ; doing all to His glory as HE does all things for HIS glory and my good.\

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

And another of Paul’s admonitions and encouragements to all believers:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.     

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:15-17

“Whether therefore ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

And one of my favorite and concise calls to selfless living for Jesus is Paul’s call to the “crucified life”—crucified to selfish living and made alive IN JESUS to selfless living for Jesus!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

So, my friends, “whose side are you on”?  Are you on God’s side, doing God’s work, or have you chosen to go your own way, or follow someone or something else?  I’ll simply close with Jesus’ own words and pray that we all pay attention and choose wisely!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”

And a thought in closing, I would remind each of us that the question is not “will you bow”, for all will bow before Jesus!  The question is “when will you bow”; will you bow before HIM in this life as your Lord and Savior, or will you bow before HIM as judge?  The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above

every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!