Again I Say Rejoice, Every Praise, Beautiful Savior, Doxology (God Be Praised), Unbroken Praise, I Will Sing

What kinds of products and services in daily life would you like to first try a sample of before buying or availing of them?

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Times were very difficult for the believers that James wrote to, and he was writing to encourage them. Their testing (proving by trial) will eventually bring about the blessing of endurance (James 1:2-3). Though we don’t desire trials, it is a fact of life. Yet we are to consider it “pure joy” when we encounter these difficulties because of the good result that God will bring about in our lives. Today, the book of James is telling us that if we claim to be believers in Christ, we ought to prove it by our lives for the glory of God and the sake of the people around us. Let us find out by what MEANS, and with what MOTIVE, should I prove that my faith is real?

MEANS: We are to work out (bring to a definite conclusion) our salvation, because it is God who is at work in us — even the desire to live a Christlike life comes from Him (Philippians 2:12-13).

MOTIVE: Jesus makes it clear that our motive is our love for Him (John 14:15, 21). Here are proofs that REAL FAITH OBEYS GOD’S WORD:

CLEAR TRANSFORMATION (1:19-21)

By the power of the gospel, believers in Christ have experienced a spiritual rebirth (“born again”) (James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23). This is something that the believers knew; but James instructs the believers then, and us today to be better listeners (“quick to hear”). When we read the Word of God, are we really willing to hear from Him? We also need to listen to people when they give us feedback on how we can improve or change for the better. We are also to be “slow to speak”; if we are not quick to hear, we will probably say something that we shouldn’t.

Many Christians today, including leaders struggle with anger (words, tone of voice). It happens in the home, and there are words that wound us for years, etc. Even on social media, we can easily react angrily to something posted online — especially when we feel anonymous. But God knows what we think, say, and post! We are to be ambassadors of Christ and represent Him well. Do we want to be wise, or be fools (Proverbs 19:11; 29:11)? “Anger is not in itself sinful, but…it may be the occasion for sin. Violence, tantrums, bitterness, resentment, hostility, and even withdrawn silence are all sinful (manifestations of) anger.” (R.C. Sproul). Even the “cold shoulder” treatment is a manifestation of anger!

We may be capable of “righteous anger”, but we still have to be careful where that anger might take us. But James was talking about the “anger of man” — the exact opposite of Christlikeness. The perfect righteousness of Jesus was imputed upon us when we placed our faith in Him, so positionally, we are righteous before God. However, we need to work out that righteousness in our lives. It does not mean that because we practice righteousness, we become righteous. Rather, it’s because we have been made righteous by Christ that we practice righteousness (1 John 3:7). Our families at home ought to be the first recipients of our transformed life. The worst thing people can say about those who claim to be Christians is that our walk does not match our talk (Titus 1:16). But when people see our imperfections and see how we repent, reconcile and confess our sins, they will see proof that we are truly followers of Christ. James addresses not only our anger issue; he goes on to say that we are to put aside all kinds of filthiness, evil, and malice from our lives (James 1:21). The Bible not only tells us what we ought to stop doing, but gives us what we need to practice, such as humility. We need to continue receiving God’s word in our lives because that is our daily bread! Will you receive God’s word today in humility, that it may be implanted in your heart and bear fruit in your life?

CONSISTENT APPLICATION (1:22-25)

We are not to deceive ourselves by thinking that we can merely hear the Word but not do it (James 1:22). Even Greek thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates valued practical application and internal conviction over rote memorization; learning wasn’t complete until the student could do it. Jesus told His followers that they will truly know the truth that will set them free if they continue to obey His word (John 8:31-32). God’s word is not meant to restrict us, but to set us free to be the person that God wants us to be; free to do the things that will bless God and the people around us. We would be foolish if we don’t change what’s wrong in us that God’s word, like a mirror, reveals to us (James 1:23-24). “The Bible is the only mirror that lets us see ourselves as God sees us. It is also the only mirror that can transform our appearance.” (Precept Austin). If you are not only a hearer of the word, but a doer, you will be blessed (James 1:25). Hearing + Doing = Blessing.

PURE RELIGION (1:26-27)

The Bible mentions the word “religion” only a few times, and most of the time, it’s with a bad connotation (pompous religiosity). However, pure (separated from contaminants) and undefiled (no stain) religion before God (not men) care for those who are in distress, marginalized, and ostracized. The neediest people today, in slums and palaces, are those who don’t know Jesus. This is why we want to mobilize the whole church to share the gospel to them! We (the church) are the Bride of Christ. Jesus, our Bridegroom has gone away for the time being to prepare the place where He will take us to someday. While we wait, our job is to keep ourselves pure! Are we excited to meet our Bridegroom someday? Until then, let’s keep ourselves pure by the righteous acts God has given us to do (Revelation 19:7-8).

Pray for more people to become doers of the God’s word, and not hearers only.

Set an example with your own life by devoting yourself to the study of God’s word and obeying it faithfully.

Share the gospel that others may know Jesus, the Living Word.

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• PRAY for the protection, safety and release of kidnapped American Christian missionary, Kevin, serving in Niger (West Africa). For God to turn the hearts of the kidnappers to repentance and salvation. Peace and comfort for Kevin’s family.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that the last remaining dead hostage will be returned to his family for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism. May this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For nations in turmoil (e.g., Ukraine, Iran, Venezuela, etc.) to experience true freedom in Christ and become centers for massive spiritual revivals in their regions.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.