Friday – July 1 – James 2:20 ------
20) But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
A GOOD LEARNER IS ONE WHOSE EARS GET MORE USE THAN HIS OR HER MOUTH.*
Hello Friday and hello July 1st. Yes, we are embarking on a new month and as mentioned yesterday the second half of 2022. Our inspirational thought for today is a great way to kick off this new season. In the Daily Walk Bible, we began July with a reading of the book of Proverbs. Along with the book of James, Proverbs is one of the two most practical theological books of the Bible. I have always loved the book of Proverbs because the number of chapters easily corresponds to the number of days in most months. A practical use of this practical book is to read one chapter each day. And when we do, then we are certainly using our ears/eyes more than we are using our mouths. Absorbing the word of God into our lives prepares us to be better witnesses for the Kingdom of Heaven – through both our actions and our words.
In our pick verse today, James is introducing a slight transition in his already strong argument for faith with actions. I find it interesting that many of the most important aspects of scripture are often repeated as a way for us to better incorporate the principle into our lives. James re-emphasizes that faith without works is a dead faith but poses it in the form of repeating a question from some unnamed opposing counsel in this debate. I doubt James would win many friends by opening his statement by calling his opponent “foolish”. But the verses that follow will serve to point out the true foolishness of questioning the validity of having only a mental commitment to belief without a corresponding demonstration of actions. One of the most challenging aspects of being a spiritual mentor or spiritual leader is to encourage folks to take the step of faith to put their faith into action. The devil is very good at convincing us that merely upholding orthodox doctrines, going through the motions of rituals, or verbally supporting evangelical principles can achieve a faith apart from works salvation. James is convinced that we need both to be the disciple God desires us to be as a follower of Jesus.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Saturday – July 2nd – James 2:21-22
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Kindle Locations 33841-33842). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
20) But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The Daily Walk Bible inspirational thought for today:
A GOOD LEARNER IS ONE WHOSE EARS GET MORE USE THAN HIS OR HER MOUTH.*
Hello Friday and hello July 1st. Yes, we are embarking on a new month and as mentioned yesterday the second half of 2022. Our inspirational thought for today is a great way to kick off this new season. In the Daily Walk Bible, we began July with a reading of the book of Proverbs. Along with the book of James, Proverbs is one of the two most practical theological books of the Bible. I have always loved the book of Proverbs because the number of chapters easily corresponds to the number of days in most months. A practical use of this practical book is to read one chapter each day. And when we do, then we are certainly using our ears/eyes more than we are using our mouths. Absorbing the word of God into our lives prepares us to be better witnesses for the Kingdom of Heaven – through both our actions and our words.
In our pick verse today, James is introducing a slight transition in his already strong argument for faith with actions. I find it interesting that many of the most important aspects of scripture are often repeated as a way for us to better incorporate the principle into our lives. James re-emphasizes that faith without works is a dead faith but poses it in the form of repeating a question from some unnamed opposing counsel in this debate. I doubt James would win many friends by opening his statement by calling his opponent “foolish”. But the verses that follow will serve to point out the true foolishness of questioning the validity of having only a mental commitment to belief without a corresponding demonstration of actions. One of the most challenging aspects of being a spiritual mentor or spiritual leader is to encourage folks to take the step of faith to put their faith into action. The devil is very good at convincing us that merely upholding orthodox doctrines, going through the motions of rituals, or verbally supporting evangelical principles can achieve a faith apart from works salvation. James is convinced that we need both to be the disciple God desires us to be as a follower of Jesus.
Blessings
Pastor Jim
Saturday – July 2nd – James 2:21-22
*Tyndale. The Daily Walk Bible NLT (Kindle Locations 33841-33842). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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