In addition to my bible reading this morning, I am also doing an indepth Bible study of the book of James. This was begun with my Sunday School class, but since we are in limbo about where we will be attending in the future, I decided that I would finish it myself. Today I just looked at the background of the book (using Halley's Bible Handbook) and read chapters 1 and 2.
The verses that really spoke to me (actually they hit me over the head, repeatedly!) were James 1:22-25, James 2:10-11, 14:26
The theme of these verses can be summed up by James 1:22-25
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves, for if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was, but whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therin, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
The part of the passage in chapter 2 is discussing how faith without works is dead.
On this past Sunday, Doug reminded us that people are watching what we are doing, not necessarily what we are saying (we also discussed this in sunday school). How do my actions measure up? I know that I tend to talk the talk.....I know all the "right" things to say, but are my actions those of a mature Christian? Are the things that I say and profess reflected in my daily life? How about in my though life? Do my thoughts line up with the things that I say are true?
I think that as a Christian I have fallen very short in this area of my life. Like I said, I have attended church all my life. I know what I am "supposed to say". I have the right words and I fear that in certain situations I have the proper actions. But what about in my day to day life? I know that I don't always read my Bible every day (although I know that I should). I don't always speak with love to everyone I see (my children must be included in that everyone, no matter how irritated I am at them). I let laziness rule my day sometimes (even though I know that slothfullness is a sin). My heart isn't always into being a "keeper at home" (that is my mandate from God!). I let fear rule my life sometimes (fear isn't from God). That is just the beginning! What about the way that I treat those that aren't "loveable"? Or those that I disagree with? I know that my behavior is probably deplorable in the eyes of the Lord.
So that is my challenge as I live my life today....and the rest of the week. I am going to pray before I speak/act/think and ask God to guide my ways. I pray that what the world sees of me will glorify God.
1 comment:
You write very well.
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