Doers of the Word James 1:22

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, exhorted his readers of “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” to “lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness” and rather “receive with meekness the engrafted word which” was “able to save” their “souls”. In chapter one and verse twenty-two of his letter, James told them to “be doers of the word” and not just to hear it where we read:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

The verse begins, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,...” James began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “be doers” or “makers, producers and performers” “of the word” which refers to “the speech, utterance, conception, decree, mandate, discourse or idea” of the scriptures, “and not hearers” or “one who listens and hears the sound of” “only” which means “alone, but and solely”. The readers of James' letter were to put into practice the “concepts and ideas” of the “word of God”.

The verse goes on to say, “...deceiving your own selves.” James continued, “deceiving” or “reckoning wrong, deluding, circumventing, discounting and cheating by false reasoning” “your own selves” which refers to the “men and women” who were part of the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”. If the people to whom James wrote would not put into practice the ideas of the scriptures, they were “deluding and cheating themselves” by “false reasoning” as to what they read.

When we think through these words of James, we should be inspired to practice the ideas and concepts of the Holy scriptures rather than simple reading or “hearing” them. God's ideas are to be “engrafted” or “put into” into our lives, and the manner in which we conduct ourselves should thereby be altered. If we only “hear” God's words and do nothing about them, we only bring “deception” to ourselves concerning our state before Him. All who come to Jesus Christ in humility and repentance are submitting themselves before Him as Savior and Lord. In other words, what He instructs, we will do. There is no place for only “hearing” the word of God and doing nothing about it. May the Lord help us to be “makers and producers” of His ideas

Next time James shares about “a man beholding his natural face in a glass”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The Engrafted Word James 1:21

The “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were exhorted by James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” and “slow to wrath” because “the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.” In chapter one and verse twenty-one of his letter, James continued his urging by telling them to “receive with meekness the engrafted word” where we read:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

The verse begins, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,...” James began with the word, “Wherefore” which is a conclusion word that means “on account of, through, consequently and therefore” “lay apart” or “put off, aside or away” “all filthiness” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, all things, everything that is filthy, befouled and dishonored” “and superfluity” or “abundance, superiority, preference, pre-eminence, gain, profit, superabundantly and superfluously” “of naughtiness” which refers to “malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, evil and trouble”. Because “the wrath of man” does not “work the righteousness of God”, James' readers were to draw the conclusion to “put away” everything that was “foul, dishonorable and abundant in malice and ill-will”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James continued, “and receive” or “take with the hand, take hold of, take up or get” “with meekness” which means “mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit” “the engrafted” or “inborn, implanted by nature and by others instruction” “word” which means “speech, utterance, conception, decree, mandate, discourse or idea”, “which is able” or “has power whether by virtue of own's own ability, resources, state of mind or capability” “to save” which means “keep safe and sound or rescue from danger, destruction, injury or peril” “your souls” or “the seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. Rather than involve themselves in ungodly activities, the people within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were to “take in” with “gentleness of spirit” God's “nature and instruction” through the “utterance, conception, mandate and discourse” of His “word”. This would “divert” them from “danger, destruction, injury and peril” to the “seat of their feelings and affections”.

When we meditate upon these words of James, we see the value of putting aside “evil manners and ways” and embracing the “word of God”. God desires for us to know His ways and live in a manner that pleases Him. We do this best by “receiving” His “inborn and implanted” “word” and by following His instructions. Jesus Christ wants us to have a relationship with Him, and as we hear the direction of the Lord, we will flee from “filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness” and live in a manner that is delightful to Him.

Next time James tells his readers to “be doers of the word and not hearers only”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Wrath Works Not God's Righteousness James 1:20

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, exhorted the members of “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” to be “swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath”. In chapter one and verse twenty of his letter, James shared about the unrighteousness of the “wrath of man” where we read:

For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

The verse begins, “For the wrath of man...” James began with the word, “For” which means “because, even, as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then and therefore” “the wrath” or “anger, temper and indignation” “of man” which refers to “a group of both men and women”. James referred to the “anger and indignation” that most people have from time to time in their lives.

The verse goes on to say, “...works not the righteousness of God.” James continued, “works not” or “does not perform, accomplish, achieve or work out” “the righteousness” which means “the condition acceptable to God, integrity, virtue, purity of life, correctness of thinking feeling and acting” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The “anger” of man does not “accomplish” the “purity and correctness” which is according to the the ways of God.

When we think through these words of James, we should be inspired to examine the reasons that we get “angry”. Does our “wrath” exhibit the “righteousness of God”, or does it magnify our own self interest? The Bible exhorts us to “be angry and sin not”, and Jesus Christ is our example for the way to do this. May He make us aware of our areas of “wrath”, and may we aspire to live after His “righteousness” in everything we do.

Next time James tells his readers to “lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Wrath James 1:19

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” to not “err” concerning the “good and perfect gifts” that come down from “the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. In chapter one and verse nineteen of his letter, James told his readers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” and “slow to wrath” where we read:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

The verse begins, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren,...” James began with the word, “Wherefore” which is a conclusion word that means “so that, insomuch that, so then and therefore”, “my beloved” or “James' esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love” “brethren” which refers to “fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection in Jesus Christ”. Because the Lord “begat” he and his “dear and esteemed” readers “with the word of truth”, James wanted them to draw the following conclusion.

The verse goes on to say, “...let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James added, “let every man” or “each, any, all , the whole and everyone” “be swift” which means “quick, fleet, and speedy” “to hear” or “attentive, considering what is or has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said”, “slow” which means “dull and inactive in mind or stupid” “to speak” or “utter a voice or emit a sound, using the tongue or faculty to articulate sounds”, “slow” or “dull and inactive in mind, stupid” “to wrath” which means “anger, with temper, movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire and any violent emotion with indignation”. James desired for his “beloved brethren” to be “quick” to “listen and be attentive” and very “inactive” in their “speaking” and “anger”.

When we think through these words of James, we should heed his exhortation to be eagerly ready to listen, and arrested in our “speaking” and “ire”. When we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we are to know Him not only as “Savior” but also as “Lord”. It is interesting that God gave us two ears and one mouth that we might hear twice as much as we speak, however, sometimes our words are hasty, our “wrath” unbridled and our “listening” faint. May we meditate upon James' persuasion and live in a manner that is pleasing to God.

Next time James tells his readers how the “wrath of man” does not work “the righteousness of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

First-fruits of His Creatures James 1:18

James, “the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, told “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” not to “err” concerning the “good and perfect gifts” that come down from “the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. In chapter one and verse eighteen of his letter, James declared how his readers were “the first-fruits of” the Lord's “creatures” where we read:

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,

that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

The verse begins, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,...” James began with the words, “Of his own will” which refers to “deliberate, purposeful and affectionate desire” “begat he” which means “brought forth, produced and generated” “us” which refers to “James and his beloved brethren” “with the word” which means “speech, voice, decree, mandate and declaration” “of truth” or “what is true in any matter under consideration, reality, fact and certainty”. It was God's purpose and desire to “generate” James and his brethren with His wonderful saving “truth”.

The verse continues, “...that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.” James added, “that we should be” or “that James and his brethren exist, happen and were to be presented as” “a kind” which means “certain one and some” “of first-fruits” which refers to “the first of the productions of the earth which was offered to God and the first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared” “of his creatures” or “those who have been transformed by divine power to a moral newness of soul, spoken of true Christians as created anew by regeneration”. James and his brethren were to be the “first” of those who would be included in God's glorious harvest of souls.

When we consider these words of James, we marvel that the Lord Jesus would “desire” to make anyone His “first-fruits” because that means there were to be “later-fruits” afterward. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have received the truth of God because He desired that it be so. Any and every person who yields their lives to Him and humble themselves before Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior shall be saved, and this is God's greatest passion. May all who read these words of James understand, he and his brethren paved the way for us to be in the fruitful field of God's harvest, and may what He has done for us be an example to all who will surrender to Him.

Next time James tells his readers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Every Good and Perfect Gift from Above James 1:17

After sharing from where “temptation” really comes, James, “the servant of God” exhorted his “beloved brethren” not to “err”. In chapter one and verse seventeen of his letter, James continued his exhortation as he told them about “every good” and “perfect gift” where we read:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The verse begins, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,...” James began with the word “Every” or “each, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things and everything” which is considered to be a “good gift” which means “useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent and distinguished sharings, talents, acquisitions and pecuniary gifts” “and every” or “each, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things and everything” “perfect gift” which refers to “bounty, benefaction and bestowment which is brought to it's end, finished, complete and wanting nothing” “is from above” or “from a higher place such as the things that come from heaven or God”, “and comes down” or “descends, falls and is cast” “from the Father” or “departed and separated, befalls, comes and is taken from the one who stands in a father's place and looks after another in a paternal way” “of lights” which means “the extremely delicate, subtle, pure and brilliant quality of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it”. There is no “gift” whether “good” or “perfect” that is not given to people from God above. He is over all the “lights” of the sky, and He certainly has more than an ample supply of “gifts” to bestow.

The verse goes on to say, “...with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James continued, “with whom” or “at, by, beside and within this Father of lights” “is no variableness” or “change, transmutation or fickleness”, “neither shadow” or “shade which is cast by one object on another” “of turning” which means “revolution, alteration or modification”. When the Lord “bestows” His gifts upon people, He doesn't waver or “turn” away from benefits He gives.

When we consider these words of James, we should understand there are no “benefits” given to people whereby the Lord is not the author of them. We might sometimes marvel how some people seem so “gifted” in areas and others are not. These “gifts” originate with God who created and made all the “lights” of the sky and the enlightenments among men. The greatest gift He gives is His Son Jesus Christ who was sent to save people from their sins, and after this, we may enjoy more and more of His precious goodnesses. May we realize the value and source of everything that has been afforded to us, and may we bless the Lord Jesus for His precious “gifts”.

Next time James tells his readers they were designed to be “the first-fruits of his creatures”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Do Not Err James 1:16

James “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” continued to share with his readers about being “tempted”. The origin of our “temptation” is “when we are drawn away” of our “own lust, and enticed”. In chapter one and verse sixteen of his letter, James told his readers not to “err” concerning their “trials” where we read:

Do not err, my beloved brethren.

The verse begins, “Do not err”. James began with the words, “Do not err” which is the Greek phrase “planaō mē planaō” which means “don't stray, roam from, be lead away or aside from the right way”. James did not want his readers to be deceived, in error and lead astray from the truth.

The verse continues, “my beloved brethren”. James added, “my beloved” which means “dearly loved, esteemed, favorite and worthy of love” “brethren” or “fellow believers in Jesus Christ who are united to each other by the bond of affection”. James' address was to those for whom he cared deeply and “dearly loved”.

When we think through these words of James, we should pay particular attention to James' exhortation. The insinuation is that “error” was possible, and James did not want them to “be lead or stray away” from the truth. When we face “trials” and “temptations” we are subject to make “wrong conclusions” concerning the reasons for them. Sometimes people actually blame God for their troubles, but James relied upon His relationship with Jesus Christ to make the correct and right assessments of his “trials”. Those who are wise will heed his counsel not to “err”.

Next time James tell his reader from where “every good and perfect gift” comes, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.