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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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James 1:12-15
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully-grown, gives birth to death.”
I’ve come to the conclusion that ‘Uncle James’ is a real ‘pain’.
He was the half-brother of Jesus. He shared the same mother – but his father was Joseph, rather than God, the Holy Spirit. He was the brother of Jude. If anyone could have written highly spiritual words, it was James. He lived with Jesus as a brother for many years – up until Jesus left on His mission.
But of all the New Testament writers, James is probably the most basic and down to earth. He cuts through ‘super spirituality’ and sham. He confirms Christianity as a lifestyle rather than a religion and puts the onus on Christians to live out their faith, rather than store it up as just knowledge.
He challenges us to remember that we are both choosers and accountable for our choices and actions, our words and deeds. That is why his writing is a ‘pain’. He denounces hypocrisy. He ‘cuts right to the heart of the matter.’
Listen, who in their ‘right-mind’ would start their letter as he does? “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (v 2). Hey, I don’t want that sort of talk. Why can’t I have an easy life? Jesus won the victory – why can’t I just sit back and wait for Glory?
As we have seen before, Christianity is not just a ‘heavenly insurance policy’. Neither is it a religion. It is life with a capital ‘L’. We have the same challenges as everyone else, maybe even more, but we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to overcome them all.
God tests us to produce ‘character’. He wants us to develop perseverance, faith, patience, love and joy. These are qualities which do not shift with circumstances, changes or challenges. It’s a ‘Ring of Truth’ throughout Scripture!
But please notice, James tells us that God does not “tempt” us. Can I also add that he reminds us that we are tempted by our “own evil desire”? Therefore, we should not blame the enemy for everything either. We are responsible for our own self-control. Yes, we are responsible; yes, we are choosers and yes, we are accountable. We shouldn’t blame God or Satan.
On the contrary, we need to ‘grow up and develop back bone’. There are far too many weak Christians around. They live ‘under the circumstances’ instead of living in the authority and power of the Holy Spirit. We have not been saved to just carry on as we were. We have been empowered to live in the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit. We should be “the head, not the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:13).
We can be “the head” only when we follow the ways of the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our lives. It is possible. That is why Christ died, rose again and ascended back into Heaven (see John 16:7).
Fill your mind with the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to put His Word into practice in your life and then you also will be able to be “the head” once more.
Go on – do it. It is possible, as He will help you - if you ask Him.
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