“More grace”

The Apostle Paul often began his epistles with these words; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” He understood, as we must, that grace (divine help) comes only from God, but as we read in (Ja.4:6) "But he giveth more grace...” meaning that there is even more grace available to those who resist sin and obey God. So, learn to 1) Resist Lust. The lust spoken of in (Ja.4:1) is the lust of wanting things our way, contrary to the will of God. Sometimes, rather than ask God for help, we selfishly try to work it out ourselves, without God’s grace. (Ja. 4:2) “ye have not because you ask not,” or you “ask amiss” due to selfish purposes. 2) Resist worldliness. Worldliness is an ideology or lifestyle that is contrary to the Bible. God resists those that practice worldliness because it’s opposed to His Word and His perfect will (Ja.4:4). 3) Resist Pride. (Ja.4:6) “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Don’t be so proud that you don't repent, or confess sin, or forgive others, or humbly seek God the way you should. “More grace” is available to those who humbly seek God and His help.

Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.

(James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” All of us who know the story of Adam and Eve’s fall, know that they were deceived by the devil. His tactics have not changed over the years, because he always includes the words “yea hath God said.” He hates the Word of God and his temptation is always to get us to doubt it, but Christian don’t, Satan is a defeated foe. The only power that he has over us is the power that we give him when we doubt God’s Word. Jesus said, (Matt. 28:18) All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore..” And in (John 4:4) “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We have been given the power of Christ as Sons of God, not just to resist the devil, but to cause him to flee. How? By our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and his Word. Jesus is God, and his name powerful. We can call upon no greater, and he has promised all who believe in him to do so when under attack by the devil. (Jn 15:5)”… for without me ye can do nothing” Grace is available to all who resist the devil, but stand in the power of Christ.

No faith, no power.

As Christians, God allows us to go through certain tests and trials for a purpose. In the book of James, James gives us insight into why we go through trials and into what God is trying to teach us by them. So why do we go through them ? 1) To Promote Joy. To teach us to have joy in Christ, even in the trial. Joy is an inner rejoicing of peace and trust, knowing within that no matter what happens Christ is at work both comforting and helping us for good. 2) To Perfect Patience. Patience is strengthened by experience. Trust God, obey God, and watch God handle the situation, so that the next time a similar trial comes, you patiently know God can handle it. 3) To Provoke Wisdom. When we ask for wisdom, God promises to give it. Wisdom is acquired in one of 4 ways: through prayer, bible study, council, and experience, so be careful not to miss it when it comes. 4) To Prioritize Faith. Faith is the power behind asking. No faith, no power. Ask doubting, and God cannot answer. Faith is prioritized when we have nothing to hold on to but God’s Word. 5) To Produce Endurance. Endurance takes much exercise. The more we are tried the greater our endurance or faith. An enduring Christian does not quit, is not impatient, nor does he waver in faith. He has learned to trust in God.

Religious hypocrisy is wide spread,“so say and do.”

In Christianity, it’s very common for us to say that we are religious but in practice, not be. In James 1:27, James explains to the Jewish brethren that pure religion is demonstrated by the practice of loving others, and by the practice of obeying God. In other words it’s not enough to know the truth we have been called to practice the truth. 1) Visit the needy. The church has been called to watch out for one another. Visiting involves caring for people, love, and time. We have been commanded to go, and not just pray for others. 2) Love without partiality. Our calling is to love & minister to all people, regardless of race, religion, stature, or depth of sin. “For God so loved” all men, and died for them. 3) Keep yourselves unspotted. As Christians, our affect on people is greatly determined by our walk with God. Before we can effectively preach to others, we must obey God ourselves. Religious hypocrisy is wide spread,“so say and do.”

(Jas 2:17) “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

What James is implying here, is that if all we have is a knowledge of the Word of God, and not practice what it says, then our faith is useless and dead. Works of righteousness must accompany our faith or the promises of God’s Word cannot be given to us. For instance, 1) In Salvation. If we read how to be saved in the Bible, and yet not do what it says to be saved, how then can we get saved? The only work that God expects the believer to do for salvation, is to repent, and receive Jesus as Savior (Ro.10:9-13). 2) In Service. What good is just knowing that we should serve God and others, and then not practice it. Good intensions will never profit anyone on the day of judgment. 3) In Submission. What good is just knowing that we need to surrender our will to God, if we don’t do it. Abraham of old submitted,” and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Christmas Story

As we continue to look at the Christmas story it’s important to point out that Christ was born without sin. If Jesus was the biological descendant of Joseph the curse of sin would be upon him, and that’s exactly why (Luke1: 43-35) is so important, because it describes the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit and not by Joseph. In the Gospel of Luke chp 3, Luke traces the human genealogy of Mary backward from her father Heli to Adam himself, but it never says that Christ was “begat” by Joseph. In Matthew chp. 1, the genealogy of Joseph is traced back to David and Abraham describing the fact that Joseph was in the genealogy of the promised seed, thus giving him the right to claim the throne of David, but it still is never stated that Joseph “begat” Jesus, only that he was the husband of Mary. Joseph adopted Jesus, and as an adopted son all the rights, blessing, and privileges of son ship were given him by law. This firmly shows that Jesus Christ was completely human, a true descendent of David, and at the same time God. Jesus was indeed virgin born, (Isa 7:14) says “…therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

“proving”

When it comes to Faith Promise giving, it’s all about “proving” or keeping our word. (2Co 9:7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give;…” Giving after one has promised to give, is proof of one’s commitment. Faith Promise is making a financial commitment to give knowing that God will provide for us if we give. In other words our faith is tested every time we give. It’s one thing to vow, but it’s another thing to keep one’s vow when things get tight. If we will just learn to give first, God is obligated by His Word to provide every time back to us. Faith always precedes God responding. (Lu 6:38) says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you;” There is only one person to blame if your needs are not being met, and that’s You! God does not lie or make false claims in His Word. If He says He will take care of us, than He will, and when He does you’ll know it. (2Co 9:8) “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” So which will it be, will this year be a year of fear and doubt, or a year of faith and miracles. We can’t have it both ways. So practice faith promise, & watch God provide!