-
Christian Devotional – October 23, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:19–You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. TRUTH: Our belief in God is a good thing, but we must remember that it is more than just believe that God is real and that He is powerful. The demons know those facts. They just how real and how powerful God is. Yet, they are not saved. Our knowledge of God and Jesus isn’t enough. We must desire that He take control of our life. We must put Him first. As we do that, then we will see His power in our life daily and we will experience His…
-
Christian Devotional – October 21, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:17–In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. TRUTH: You can’t just say you believe in something. Your deeds and actions must also line up with that statement. If you just say it, but don’t do it, no one will believe the words that you say. The proof that we believe what we say comes when we are actually living it and doing what we say. If someone from the outside was looking in at your life, would they believe that you are a follower of Jesus Christ just based on the actions in your life?…
-
Christian Devotional – October 20, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:15-16–Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? TRUTH: James gives another example of how not to do something. Earlier the example was about love, now this example is about faith. If we say great, spiritual sounding things, but then don’t follow up with the actions that support our words, what good is it? James here is reminding believers that if we say we have faith in God, our faith will also be seen in…
-
Christian Devotional – October 19, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:14–What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? TRUTH: That is a very good question; what good is it? If we say we believe in God and that we have faith that He will do all that He has said He will do, but yet our actions don’t reflect that belief and faith, then what good is our faith? Our actions are going to always reflect what is truly in our heart at that moment. We may slip up and fall and sin, but if we say that we…
-
Christian Devotional – October 18, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:13–because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. TRUTH: Most people will talk about how mercy should triumph over judgment, especially if they are the ones needing mercy! However, most people don’t practice that or live that out on a regular basis. We want to receive mercy, but we want to pass out judgment. However, the scripture here discusses how mercy is given to those who give mercy. The Lord is merciful toward us. We all need His mercy. However, are we showing that same level of mercy to others? RESPONSE: Father, I talk…
-
Christian Devotional – October 17, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:12–Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. TRUTH: Earlier in the chapter, James explained that there is the law of love that we are to be following. Since we are all guilty of breaking the original law that god established (the 10 commandments), he explained that we are to be living under the law of love. Interestingly, the law of love encompasses all of the 10 commandments and so much more. If we are truly loving other people as God loves them, we will not allow them to stay in their sin and in…
-
Christian Devotional – October 16, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:11–For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. TRUTH: As mentioned before, we must keep the whole law, not just a part of it. If we disobey even one part of if, we’ve become guilty of disobeying all of it. We must be sure that we understand the importance of all the Words that god has spoken. He didn’t speak some words with more importance than others; all of the words of God are important and are to be valued as such.…
-
Christian Devotional – October 15, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:10–For whomever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. TRUTH: This verse goes directly against one very popular idea that many people have. Often, you will hear people talk about how they’re a pretty good person and they think they’ve done enough good things to get them to heaven. This verse indicates that it’s not about doing most things right, it’s about doing EVERYTHING right. If we stumble at just one spot; if we sin just one time, then we are guilty of breaking the entire law. We must realize that if we…
-
Christian Devotional – October 14, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:9–But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. TRUTH: Showing favoritism and showing love can’t co-exist. You can’t be loving to people while you are favoring one above the other. Love, as Christ show it, is to be equally shared among all people, reminding everyone that we are all loved by God. As a result of His love, we can be made right and through His love, God shapes us to be more and more like Him every day. If we are not showing God’s love to others, we are guilty of breaking the law of love…
-
Christian Devotional – October 13, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:8–If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. TRUTH: Notice that they are not indicating that they need to keep the 10 commandments. Why? Because all of the 10 commandments are covered by loving like Christ loves. This is the royal law. This is how we are to conduct ourselves every single day. All of our actions and thoughts and everything should be able to be described as loving Christ. Do we show the love of Christ and keep the royal law to love others? RESPONSE: Father, I pray that You will help…