Sunday 29 January 2017

A Truth

A Truth
The letter James was described to me as a “Christian how too” letter. A letter all who claim to be followers of Christ need to read and heed.
He writes,
“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.  
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:25-27
James makes several points to the believer
1/ He tells us that we should be studying the word of God. That by doing so we will be blessed.
2/ That we should keep a tight rein on our tongue. That not doing so can make his faith worthless.
The wrong word can sometimes be more damaging that a physical injury. What we say can either point people to God or away from God. Can point people to eternal life with God or an eternity without him.
If our words are not pointing people to God then our faith is worthless because the whole duty of a believer in Christ is to point people to eternal life with God.
3/ James states “Religion that God our Father accepts is pure and faultless”
We are to keep true to what the scriptures say. Not twist them to say what we want them to say. This is the only faith God accepts.
4/ We are to look after the widows and orphans.
We are to look after those who cannot look after themselves.  As one pastor told me “our faith must has legs”.
James later in his letter reminds us that faith without works is useless.
Question. If you claim to be a Christian what are you doing for Christ?
Please think about it.

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