Craig Cooper

This week marks the start of the Advent season. Advent means “to come.” It prepares us to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Advent season includes the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It’s a season of devotion and remembrance of Christ coming in the flesh and moving into our neighborhood, so to speak, as well as anticipation of His Second coming. God demonstrated His love for us by sending the Savior. I believe remembering that first Christmas can make our current one a genuine Christmas to remember.

Advent is a journey of sorts. During this season, we explore the gifts of Christmas delivered by and through Christ: hope, love, joy, and peace. No matter where you find yourself today, this Advent journey is for you. We begin by looking at how we’re to embrace the hope offered to us in Christ.

Each and every one of us needs hope as we navigate the ups and downs of life, which exist on this side of paradise. Is your Christmas season already hectic, perhaps even filled with struggles such as financial stresses, relational issues, memories of loss, and/or commercialized expectations? If you find yourself there, let me encourage you, that’s exactly where hope shines the brightest.

We read in Isaiah 7:10–14, “Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: ‘Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.’ But Ahaz said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.’ And he said, ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’” In context, our passage is tucked between verses where God gives Isaiah a message of judgment because of Israel’s sin and disregard for the Lord. However, we discover a reminder that in the darkest of times, the light of hope shines the brightest. I have found that far too many people seek solace this time of year by distracting themselves in ways that are not truly helpful to avoid acknowledging the darkness. The truth is that it’s when we face the darkness and call it what it is, then and only then can we begin to see the light of the hope offered by the Lord. In fact, to embrace the hope of Christ, we must first acknowledge the darkness.

As we take this Advent journey together this Christmas season, let’s be honest about the darkness we may find ourselves in or see in the world around us or perhaps even in our own hearts. We live in a world often characterized by darkness and fear, but it’s amid this darkness that the light of the hope we have in Christ appears brighter to light the way. Isaiah speaks of both the coming light and the present darkness. That darkness continued to grow through the centuries. Isaiah proclaims, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2). The light would come, but the One hoped for did not arrive for generations.

Advent is a time of waiting. The waiting of Advent reminds us where we are to set our hope. To embrace the hope of Christ, we must embrace the wait. John writes of what the believer awaits, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). He further writes, “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17). In a genuine sense, it’s this hope that fuels our faith.

Waiting is often seen as something passive, but waiting is actually quite active. Waiting is being present in the moment while anticipating what is to come. We don’t stop living. We journey on in life. This is not easy. Waiting while living on journey takes strength and courage. We can take encouragement from this psalm, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord” (Psalm 31:4)! Such strength and courage come from the Lord as we trustingly wait on Him. The gospel truth is that if we are going to embrace the hope of Christ, we must commit to the journey.

Advent is about a hope to remember. First, we must acknowledge the darkness. We do live in a fallen world. This is not a perfect world. We’re not in paradise. We must be honest about what we are going through with ourselves and God. Then, we need to embrace the wait. We are currently living in the here and now, waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled. We’re awaiting our Lord’s return, His completed work in our life, and paradise. Lastly, we need to commit to the journey. This life isn’t always easy, but we don’t have to make it harder than it needs to be. All God asks of us is to stick with Him, walking in faith, led by His Spirit.

When we boil life all down, we are called to know God and make Him known. God desires to fill our hearts with hope for the ultimate healing and eternal life with His Son. This life begins when we receive Christ as Savior and Lord and extends into the unforeseen future. This is a hope to remember that fuels our journey through Advent and beyond. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Whenever I think about thankfulness, at least two people come to mind, Ms. Harris and my Granny (my Dad’s Mom). When I had the opportunity to know these two women, they were single and deeply in love with Jesus. By human standards, they did not have much, but they were two of the most thankful people I’ve ever met.

Mr. Harris was my friend Ron’s Mom. She hadn’t had an easy life. She was homeless for a while, with two kids. Ron said, “We lived in a car for that time but always went to school clean.” By the time I knew Ms. Harris, she was living in an apartment complex. What I remember most were her genuine smile and contagious spirit.

Once, some individuals vandalized an outer wall where she was living with racial slurs and told her to leave in no uncertain terms. When others who lived in her complex saw what had happened, they went to work painting over the remarks and, in many ways, showed their support for her. I don’t know if this is true, but a story circulated that some men found out who had perpetrated this hateful and cowardly act and paid them a visit to ensure it didn’t happen again. Something can be said about community accountability, but I digress. All I know is that she never had any problems from that point on.

What I found utterly amazing is that she did not complain about what had happened. She didn’t cover up the tragedy of it all but praised God that through the incident, she was able to know how much she was loved by her neighbors. Her thankfulness was used by the Lord to guard her heart and mind and bless others.

Similarly, my Granny also had a tough life. My Grandfather ran out on the family, leaving her with six children to raise. She had no source of income. Yet, at some point in her life journey, she entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. By the time I knew her, she had been walking with Jesus for many years. She had few material possessions but shared them extravagantly. In fact, my family would bring her a gift, and the next time we visited, it would be gone. We would ask where it went, and she would say she ran into someone who really needed it and felt led by the Lord to give it away. Now that’s regifting at its best.

Both of these women of God have left a lasting impact on my life. When I was in High School, the whole WWJD (what would Jesus do) thing was the craze. For me, when I hit a rough time, I think about what Ms. Harris or Granny would do in this situation. After all, like Paul, both of them could proclaim, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). I know that they both exemplified 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” After all, Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving. They certainly were, and I desire to be too. Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the Glory)!

The first four words in the Bible are “In the beginning, God” (Genesis 1:1). They may be, along with John 3:16, among the most known words in all of Scripture. These four words have much to say about God and how we should understand life and our part in it.

Think about it. While the earth was formless, there was God. He existed before land and sea. He created the animals and man and woman. Nothing existed before Him, and all that exists is due to Him.

This is a remarkable truth. Its implications are many, but it directly affects how we should live our lives. For one, since God is our Creator, we ought to desire to see our lives from His perspective. There are many philosophies of life, but only One who is the originator of life. Therefore, it would seem most valuable to see life through His lens.

Secondly, I would pose that since He is our Creator, who has always existed, we ought to desire to know His purpose for us. People invest tons of time and money speculating on why they exist. Tragically, most people never find the answer to this pivotal question. God has the answer, and we can receive it from Him.

On last thought, when I look at the world and perceive it spinning out of control, I want to know God’s part. He created it. What is He doing with His creation? Is it truly out of control or in His control? Does He have a plan? Again, we can find the answers from God.

The good news is that He’s provided for us in the Bible with all these answers to these questions and much more. In a simple way, I think about getting something new with an instruction manual. Unlike the stereotype of men, I do read the manual. At least, I skim it. I want to know about this new gadget. How does it work? What can I do with it? And on-and-on. If I do this with something like a new device, why would I not read the book provided by our Creator to help me navigate life and, most importantly, know Him?

“In the beginning, God” has real implications for my life and yours. He is our loving Creator and worthy of being sought before we seek answers elsewhere – before we try to find the meaning of life anywhere. Not only is He worthy of such action on our part, but ultimately it’s for our good.

Interestingly, the last verse of Scripture reads, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:21). Think about it. The Bible begins by telling us that there was our eternal God before there was anything. It ends with words of blessing that God’s loving favor, which is not earned, would be ours. God existed before me, He is with me, and His loving favor, due to me entering into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, not by anything I have done, is upon me into the unforeseen future. This is true for all who begin a personal relationship with our eternal God through Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

The central theme of the book of James is practical Christianity. It’s the thread that runs through the entire book holding it together. The first chapter sets forth the principle that we must not merely hear the Word but also doers of it (James 1:22). If we are merely hearers and not doers, we deceive ourselves into believing we are something we’re not. Faith without works is worthless for James. Saving faith is an active faith. In James 2:14-26 James answers the question, what makes faith real? And, can we be sure that our faith is saving faith?

Our English word “Faith,” as found in the New Testament, is the translation of a Greek noun that is often defined as firm persuasion, conviction, or trust. This noun comes from the Greek verb, translated as believe, have confidence, persuade, trust, or obey. This quality of faith is fundamental to Christian living.

We discover four ways faith is defined in James 2:14-26. First, saving faith includes works (vv.14, 20). In fact, James clarifies that any faith without works is useless. Second, faith without works is dead (vv. 17, 26). As the body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is dead. Third, faith can’t be limited to intellectual belief (v.19). James explains that the demons have a belief in God, but it’s not saving faith. Fourth, biblical faith is best defined as active obedience (vv. 23-24). James offers as two examples of active obedience, Abraham and Rehab. Interestingly, the one common factor of every person in Scripture who honored God by their faith is actively obeying Him.

Saving faith is demonstrated by ever-increasing godly works. There are two categories of works mentioned in Scripture. The first category is works of the flesh. Works of the flesh are accomplished by one’s effort alone. We find a list of works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, which include sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. The second is works or fruit of the Spirit. Works of the Spirit are done with the help of the Spirit, which brings glory to God. The works of the Spirit do not originate with us (our lust or flesh) but flow from the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches that we are to live by such good works (Ephesians 2:10). Paul lists the works or “Fruit” of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. The works James refers to in reference to faith are the works or fruit of the Spirit.

Without the works or fruit of the Spirit present in the lives of believers, their faith is dead. James describes three major principles concerning faith and works. The first is that saving faith demonstrates appropriate works (vv. 14-16). It’s inconceivable for a person walking in the Spirit to say that he has faith if that faith isn’t translated into appropriate works of the Spirit. Such works include caring for the needs of others. Then, saving faith is accompanied by godly action (v. 17-19). James has already demonstrated the need for faith in action by sharing about helping those in need; now, he argues from a more theological perspective explaining that it’s impossible to prove a faith that has no works, as well as that mere belief does not save, since the demons believe in God, but are not saved. Our faith must show itself in action. Lastly, faith without works is not saving faith, but dead (vv. 20-26). We see this through James offering the biblical examples of Abraham and Rehab, who demonstrated their faith in action. We also see this in the very practical illustration of a body being lifeless without the spirit. Similarly, faith without works is dead.

Saving faith goes beyond mere lip service. The Bible describes saving faith as knowing about the gospel, assenting to the gospel, and trusting in the gospel. Proof of faith that saves is trust and commitment that accompanies a profession of such faith; it’s active faith. Such faith is made available to us through the finished work of Christ on the cross. We are not saved by our works, but as we walk in the Spirit, we produce godly works because we are saved. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

In James 2:8-13 we discover how we as believers can fulfill the law of love or what James calls the royal law. Love is to be core to the lives of believers. Jesus proclaimed, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord desire to respond by giving their whole lives to God through godly living. Since God is love, believers are to love Him and others.

Before telling us how to fulfill the royal law, James reveals something we all need to know. We read, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10-11). In other words, we have all broken God’s law.

To say that one of the commands does not apply to you or me is to say that there is some aspect of God’s nature that does not matter to you or me. If you could live your whole life and only break one of God’s moral laws, you would be guilty of breaking all of them. The simple truth is that we have all sinned by breaking God’s law.

James then tells us what fulfills the royal law. He writes, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:8-9). Therefore, only love can fulfill the law.

Paul summarizes the royal law well, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). This was accomplished perfectly through Jesus, who did not only teach the royal law but lived it. Therefore, since a disciple is a person who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus, it ought not to surprise us love is expected in the lives of those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

After sharing that we have all broken the law and that only love can fulfill the law, James writes how we who can only offer imperfect love can fulfill the law. Our passage concludes, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:12-13). We discover that only Christ can supply the love that fulfills the law.

We can’t fake it or make it; only when we have received Christ and we surrender to the Spirit’s working in us can we enjoy the unconditional love of the Lord and share it with others. Therefore, to fulfill the royal law of love, we must come to Christ for salvation and allow His Spirit to love through us. This is the good news of the gospel. Through Christ, the believer satisfies the royal law of love.

We can only fulfill the royal law of love when we acknowledge that we have broken God’s law. Discover that only love can fulfill the law. Believe that Christ can only supply the love to fulfill the law. Then as believers, we must walk, directed by the Spirit, enabling the love of God to fill us and flow through us to others. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

Through the teaching of the first chapter of James, we discover that genuine Christianity is not merely a matter of talk but demonstrates itself through appropriate Christlike action. In fact, a declaration of faith without any sign of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is useless.

The one word for which the closing verses of chapter 1 have prepared us is absent at the beginning of chapter 2. James never uses the word again. The word is “religion.” Yet, as we jump into James chapter 2, we discover that James continues to teach on this vital subject, and that’s the link between chapters 1 and 2. Remember that religion is the specific ways that a heart-relationship with God is expressed in a believer’s life.

This is how chapter two of James begins, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). James very practically shares how we should live out our faith in the way we treat those who come into our lives, and specifically, into our churches. We are to avoid showing partiality.

James mentions “the Lord of glory.” Glory can be understood as shorthand for the personal presence of the Lord in all His goodness and in the fullness of His revealed character. Partiality reveals the values of the world, not the Kingdom of Christ. It does not demonstrate the Lord’s glory.

As we proceed through James, we read, “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts” (James 2:2-4)? James writes that the tendency is to warmly welcome those who are rich and invite them to sit in a place of honor. Where the tendency is to treat the poor differently. The point is that God shows no partiality, and neither should we.

James explains, “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called” (James 2:5-7)? In context, James’ original audience is believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire, who lost great wealth due to persecution, and their persecutors were mainly wealthy and people of position. James is not encouraging believers to discriminate against the rich but to understand that true value in the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with bank accounts, gold rings, or fine clothes. The truly rich in the Kingdom of God aren’t those who have earthly possessions but are those who are spiritually rich, laying up treasures in heaven that will last for eternity.

James’ overarching point is made in verse 1, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” Here’s the point. Those who follow Jesus Christ as Lord are to avoid partiality towards the rich, poor, or anyone else.

James offers three points to align with Christ by avoiding partiality. First, think of Jesus as the (true) glory (v. 1). Jesus is our example. He humbled himself and left heaven’s splendor, placing humanity upon His divinity, identifying Himself with the least and the worst. If our faith rests in Him, how should we reflect Him in our relationship with others? Second, think of God’s economy (v. 5). God chooses the poor to be rich in the Kingdom. The last is first, and the first is last. The true leader is a servant. Third, think of your new position in Christ (v. 1). Those of us in Christ were spiritually bankrupt before coming to the Lord. However, we were enriched in faith and hope when we received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Believers have been granted this amazing, loving relationship with God; we are His heirs and have been called by His name. The crucial question James 2:1-7 calls us to answer is, in what way will the family likeness of our Father God show itself in us? I pray it is by showing no partiality, displaying the Lord’s glory. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

James has proceeded throughout chapter one of the book bearing his name to deliver us a couple of understandings of our heavenly Father: first (v. 5), that He is ready to give wisdom to us, and second, that it’s His nature to do so (v. 18). As a result, we may ask, what will life be life be like if it’s controlled by God’s wisdom? And, what will it look like if it’s the outworking of our new nature in Christ?

James answers these questions by writing, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:26-27). James writes about genuine religion.

Religion is the specific ways that a heart-relationship with God is expressed in a believer’s life. James offers us three marks of genuine religion. James’ first mark of genuine religion is a controlled tongue (v. 26). James does not tell us to silence the tongue but to bridle it. The word “bridle speaks of the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached. Our tongue is not to lose its power, but it’s to be harnessed like a wild horse, still with all its power. The heart and the tongue are linked so that the tongue is an accurate index of what we are at our core. In other words, if our heart is right, our tongue will show it.

The second mark James shares of genuine religion is a caring ministry to the needy (v.27). James mentions caring for orphans and widows. Still, we don’t need to think that James limits or restricts ministry to orphans and widows. However, such care is on God’s heart, as revealed throughout the Bible. For instance, we read in Psalm 68:5, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” We understand biblically that ministry is responding to the authentic needs of others with the love of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must love in action. Religion is pointless unless it corresponds to the heart and will of God.

Lastly, the third mark we discover from James of genuine religion is personal holiness (v. 27). Personal Holiness is the believer, by the Spirit’s help, loving God with their whole being, becoming increasingly like Christ, sharing His character, love, and mission. We are to love the world of people, but we are to hate the world system, which robs us of the joy Christ has for those who place their faith in Him. Personal holiness begins with receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, continues as His Spirit does the ongoing work of making us like Christ, and is completed when we see Christ face-to-face.

James’ words are so crystal clear that he leaves no middle ground for a sort-of-religion or a spirit of self-excuse. Although it’s possible to consider ourselves “religious” when we are not by gauging ourselves by the world or self. It’s impossible to look at God’s Word in general, and specifically James 1:26-27, and not determine our actual progress with Christ. Genuine religion must be carried out in action. It’s expressed by controlling our tongue, being involved in caring ministry to the needs of others, and experiencing a growing personal holiness?

I am excited about what God is doing in our weekend gatherings. We have our live services Sunday mornings at 9 and 11am. We have nursery and children’s ministry at both services. You can also go to www.crosswinds.church and participate by streaming the live services or through the week join in through our recorded service, which is posted every Monday afternoon. It can be viewed for the entire week until the following Monday, after which you can still find the message of the week and weeks past posted.

Won’t you take time today to ask the Lord to help you examine your life to determine whether or not it gives evidence of genuine religion, as well as what next step He’s calling you to take to assure it continues or begins from this day forward?

A key to growing and flourishing in Christ is the Word of God. An estimated 69% of American adults are professing Christians. Yet, only 9% of these professing followers of Christ claim to have a biblical worldview. In other words, 91% of professing believers receive their understanding of God, the world, themselves, and others from sources other than the Bible. This is a tragic reality since God’s Word is critical for a believer to grow and flourish in Christ.

In the first 18 verses of the first chapter of the book of James, we discover that we believers live amidst conflict, just like everyone else. However, there is an inner conflict that we contend with also between two natures at play within us (sinful nature or old self and sanctified nature or new self). The good news is that God’s Word has the power to lead us to victory over the old self and walk in the newness we have received in Christ. Although this conflict lasts while on this side of paradise, it might be hard, but it’s not fruitless. What must the believer do to live in the liberty granted to us by the Lord? We must be doers of the Word.

James writes, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” ( James 1:19-20). In order to be doers of the word, we must first hear the word. It’s by hearing the Word of God that the energies of the new nature (sanctified nature) are moved into action. James seems to mix together the two ideas of getting on with people and going on with God. Our growing in Christ is easily understood by gauging our ability to not have to speak all the time and not allow anger to fester into sin. In this sense, life is the pressure test; it determines the genuine integrity of what we are hearing from God from His Word. Those determined to listen to God train themselves to be listeners, controlling the tongue and possessing a calm temper.

Further, to be a doer of the Word, a believer must receive God’s Word. We read, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Here, we discover four aspects of receiving the Word. First, we must “put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness.” Second, we ought to have an attitude of “meekness.” Thirdly, we should understand that wheat needs to be received is the “implanted word” or Word of God. Lastly, the expected result is that the Word has the power to save. We dig out the weeds of filthiness and wickedness, understanding they can grow back, but with God’s help, in part by conforming to His Word, we can do the continual work to have a well-manicured growing field for Christ. Every day should provide us with some fresh evidence that we are saved, that God’s Spirit is at work within us, and that the Lord is increasingly making us whole. James is not arguing that we are saved by works but that those who are saved do righteous works.

In order to be doers of the Word, James shares one last thing. We must obey the Word. He proclaims, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (James 1:22-25).

The example James presents us with is a man looking in the mirror. He looks into the mirror and compares himself with himself. Then he goes away, forgetting what he sees. That is the problem. When we look into a mirror or into a theology that is established by our standards, usually, we tend to look alright. We’re deceived into thinking we’re okay. But, glancing into a mirror is not enough. We need to peer into God’s Word day by day. We must listen closely to what He is saying to us through His Word. After listening, by faith, we can be doers of His Word – following Him in active obedience.

You could say, “I spent fifty minutes this mourning reading the Bible – and I can remember what I read. It was a super, uninterrupted time.” James would say, “Well done! But now, what about obeying the Word you read? Have you actually changed your mind so that you now hold to be true what you learned in the Word? How are you going to apply what you just read? We grow and flourish in the Lord when we express God’s Word in Christlike conduct.

We are genuinely free when we live the life appropriate to those created in God’s image. The law of God, His Word, safeguards liberty for us, but it does even more, for obedience brings life and power (Lev 18:5; Deut 4:1; Acts 8:32). The law of God is “the law of liberty” because it safeguards, expresses, and enables a life of freedom into which Christ brought us.

The blessings of a growing and flourishing life in Christ comes from not just hearing of the Word but being doers of God’s Word. Only in Christ can we actually be free. Only when we know the truth through Jesus Christ can we be genuinely free (John 8:32). The life of the doer of God’s Word enjoys the good life in Christ. There are lifestyles that are far easier, but there are none better. The doer enjoys life at its very best. He or she is not deceived but is set free in Jesus Christ to enjoy a life of liberty and blessing. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

In James 1:12-18, we discover teaching on God’s promise of the crown of life to those who stand the tests of life, our problem with sin, and God’s solution, leading us to victory. James writes, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). To be blessed is to be filled with joy and fulfillment. God promises that the steadfast will be blessed and receive the crown of life. To those willing to “fight the good fight” for Jesus’ sake, they’ll discover an abundant life awaiting them from the very hand of God.

God promises that the steadfast will be blessed and receive the crown of life, but we have a problem. We read, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:13-15). So the problem we have is sin.

James shares two things about God in verse 13. First, God can not be tempted with evil. Then, God does not tempt anyone. Further, he describes the downward spiral of sin. First, we are tempted when we are drawn by our own wrongful desires and lusts. Second, we are enticed by sin. Third, when lust conceives, it gives birth to sin. And finally, when sin is fully grown, it brings death. This is a real problem since “the wage of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

We should be thankful that the passage does not end with bad news but good news – God’s solution. James writes, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18). The solution is found in that every good we need is found in, and from, God.

J. Alec Motyer declares, “If anything is to be done, God must do it; if any blessing or change is to come to us, it must come from outside; if any agency is to be at work, it must be other than ours, for we are dead.” Paul shares that God has indeed offered this great work to us. He writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Those who give themselves to sin, not receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, will die both physically and eternally. In contrast, those who place their faith in Christ for salvation are assured eternal life. This offers good news, indeed.

I have already shared the downward spiral of sin. Let me share the upward spiral of salvation from sin. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The believer does not just have hope for the future, but hope for today over sin. We learn first that every temptation that we face is common to others. You might feel alone in your temptation, but others have faced similar temptations. Second, God is faithful. The importance of realizing God’s faithfulness can’t be overstated. Third, we must believe God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to stand. And, fourth, and finally, God will make a way of escape so that we can bear the temptation. Even when believers face morally confusing situations, they should never think they have no options other than sinful ones. God always provides a morally right solution and the power to take it.

Our trust must be in the Lord. We must walk in the Spirit rather than lusting in the flesh (our sinful inclination). We must keep our minds and focus on the Lord. In short, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, depending on His strength, wisdom, and power. He will give us victory in this life and ultimately in the life to come. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!

James writes in James 1:5-11 about obtaining godly wisdom. Now, there is commonly some confusion between what exactly is knowledge and what is wisdom. Knowledge is knowing the truths of something. Wisdom is the ability and utilization of knowledge in a beneficial way.

We may say of someone, “He knows the Bible really well.” This describes the knowledge he has about the Bible. But, if he knows how to use his Bible knowledge to form a biblical worldview and live Christlike through this maze of life, then knowledge has become wisdom.

Paul writes, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). This verse speaks of human wisdom or common think and the deeper wisdom of God that is offered to believers if asked. James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). Believers need to ask God for wisdom, and they will receive it.

How we ask is important. We should ask in faith, without doubting. We read in James, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8). We must believe God is capable of giving us wisdom as we need it, and He will give it to us as we request it from Him. Therefore, faith excludes doubt. This is to be understood in light of faith not being double-minded. The doubting James describes is that of a believer hedging his bets. How? He doubts by trying to put on foot in God’s kingdom and the other in the ways of the world. Jesus proclaims, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). We cannot be double-minded and flourish as believers.

James proceeds to offer an example of godly wisdom. We learn how to be rich and poor. James writes, “Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (James 1:9-11). The poor are to understand the richness of humble circumstances. We could put it this way. Those who find themselves in humble circumstances or a low position ought to take pride in the fact that a high position awaits them in paradise. Those rich are to recognize the poverty of riches. Riches can be very deceptive because they can be lost, taken, and will be resigned upon one’s death. Therefore, James instructs those who are rich to not foolishly trust in their wealth but rather to glory in their humiliation or servanthood in Christ.

In essence, James maintains that the rich and the poor are to live, in godly wisdom, with the same priorities of living. Whether rich or poor or somewhere in between, we are the Lord’s if we are genuine followers of Jesus, and He is indeed the Lord of our life. Godly wisdom leads us in holy living where we trust the Lord for all things; whether steadfastness amid trials (James 1:2-4) or any of life’s situations (i.e., rich or poor), we are to place our hope and joy in the Lord, grateful, and walking humbly in Him, awaiting the true riches of heaven.

It’s only by the wisdom of God that we can navigate life, journeying down the path God has for us of knowing Him and making Him known. The good news is that godly wisdom is ours for the asking. So, do you admit your need for wisdom? Are you willing to ask God for wisdom? Are you committed to the Lord and what He reveals to you? If yes, then be assured God will answer your prayer for wisdom. He is generous and always to be trusted. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!