First of All, Pray: Blog
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The weapons of our warfare
[This entry was originally posted on August 15, 2014—Day 6 of the conflict in Ferguson after the death of Michael Brown.]
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and descuento de cialis every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ… 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Many around the nation have been praying about the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. I am grateful for every bit of spiritual assistance in the face of all the hurt, anger, and discord in the area—my area.
We stand in the gap before the Lord on behalf of the residents and others involved in this situation. As we stand, we pray, sowing seeds of peace for the purpose of rebuilding the hedge of protection around the community.
But we also stand equipped. God never sends His children into spiritual battle without granting them the appropriate equipment and weaponry.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh…
If you are alive, you are walking around in a flesh and blood body. But even though you are “packaged” in flesh, you don’t conduct spiritual warfare according to the flesh.
… for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh…
Bible commentator David Guzik explained this portion of Scripture. He wrote, “The carnal [or fleshly] weapons Paul refuses were not material weapons like swords or spears. The carnal weapons he renounced were the manipulative and deceitful ways his opponents used” (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide_2Cr/2Cr_10.cfm).
No matter what the concern or conflict may be, you need to lay aside manipulation, backstabbing, slander, deceit, insinuations, power plays, and all the other methods which typically rise up out of a fleshly desire to justify yourself, prop yourself up, save face, or get ahead.
…but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
God does outfit you with equipment and weapons for fighting spiritual battles. In Ephesians 6:11, the apostle Paul urged, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” when struggling against the unseen forces of darkness. The armor He provides not only protects you defensively, but it is also effective offensively against the enemy targeting you or those for whom you pray. However, you must lay aside both the defensive and offensive techniques of the flesh and take up God’s equipment if you are serious about effectual gap-standing.
According to Ephesians 6, God provides six specific pieces of equipment to any believer seeking to stand against the enemy—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Guzik observes, “Our spiritual weapons are scorned by the world, but feared by demonic powers” (ibid). The man or woman who launches into prayer covered by the truth and righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, the preparation of the gospel of peace, steadfast faith, the helmet of salvation, and the Word of God can be confident in the face of any scheme of the evil one.
We are destroying speculations…
While praying for volatile situations such as in Ferguson, you may not be able to distinguish between speculation and acheter des cialis génériques fact. But your part is to remain in the gap and pray. As you do, speculations will be brought down and truth will be made known. Pray that the authorized fact-finders will receive divine direction, grace, and wisdom as they do their jobs. Cover them—those in law enforcement and government and the journalists reporting on unfolding events—so that speculative and incorrect information will be squelched, enabling truth to prevail and healing to begin.
…and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God…
One prayer focus of mine is to address the “lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God” stirring around in Ferguson. People from outside of the community have arrived to take advantage of the chaos and to push their own agendas. As I pray, I remind myself that despite what I see or hear, the weapons I’m wielding in the gap are divinely powerful to bring those lofty things down. The forces of darkness—manipulating men like pawns—are not more powerful than the living God—and as you and I pray, their demonic effectiveness is being diminished. However, more often than not, it takes persistence and the long-haul in prayer to see the restoration of territory which the devil has ravaged. That’s why Paul wrote, “…and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm” (see Ephesians 6:13-14).
If things you’re hearing or seeing in a local, national, or international situation don’t line up with the knowledge of God, you are equipped with spiritual weaponry to address them in prayer and render them ineffective. But again, remember—this is warfare, and it won’t necessarily change overnight. Stand.
…and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…
Whose thoughts should you take captive to the obedience of Christ as you stand in the gap? Despite the fact that individuals being manipulated by the enemy are unpredictable or volatile, it’s not their thoughts you’re to take captive. As a prayer warrior, that’s not your job—controlling people or their minds. Instead, first you must get control over your own thoughts, lining them up with the Word of God to the obedience of Christ. Saturate yourself in His Word; let it speak to your heart and direct your thoughts as you yield to the Holy Ghost. Then you’ll be ready to take up your authority in the name of Jesus against the realm of demonic forces stirring and viagra sin receta francia agitating chaos, violence, and destruction.
I have barely scratched the surface of the divinely powerful weaponry God has given to you for effective spiritual warfare. My aim in writing this is to whet your appetite, hoping to make you hungry to press in and learn more and more about how to stand in the all the gaps God reveals to you—and to do so effectively.
Dorothy
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
Gaps
[Originally posted August 14, 2014]
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30, KJV; emphasis added
Let’s take a closer look at gaps: What are they, what is your responsibility concerning them, and how do you interact with them?
Gaps—what are they?
A gap is a gaping hole in a hedge—an unprotected opening through which bad things can gain access to a person, a relationship, a family, a church, a community, a people group, or a nation. The original gap was sin—Adam and Eve blasted a gap in the protective “bubble” surrounding the human race by disobeying God. Ever since then, sin has been the common denominator for all gaps, both large and small. And the common denominator for closing the gap blown opened by Adam and Eve—and every subsequent gap—is Jesus Christ.
Gaps exist wherever there are people. They happen because the devil wants access to lives—saved and unsaved alike. Conflicts between husbands and zithromax ohne rezept kaufen wives, if not dealt with appropriately, create gaps. Hurts, misunderstandings, miscommunication, and the like can tear open gaps between friends, neighbors, and colleagues. I call these “micro-gaps” due to the limited number of people involved. How do you approach these micro-gaps? Simply, you pray and then you obey; you stand your ground in love before God and you walk by faith—not by feelings or by sight.
Macro-gaps also exist, affecting hundreds, thousands, millions, or billions of souls. Very likely each one of these gaps began as micro-gaps—unresolved conflicts between two parties which eventually became infected by unforgiveness, bitterness, and unrepentant, hardened hearts. “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled” (Hebrews 12:15, emphasis added) In effect, this is how micro-gaps morph into macro-gaps
Here are some of the glaring macro-gaps in today’s world: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; ISIS; terrorism; racial conflict; culture war; political polarities; etc. How do these issues qualify as gaps? They are openings through which the devil has gained entrance to create turmoil, confusion, terror, destruction, and the like. They are opportunities for Satan to create a smokescreen, obscuring the gospel. They are openings through which ungodly men and women gain access to positions of influence so as to steer entire cultures away from both godly values and the Lord Himself. Have you noticed any gaps in your world lately?
Gaps—what is your responsibility concerning them?
Because of the immense number of gaps on every hand, recognize that you won’t be able to cover everything you see. But as certain issues pop up on your “radar”—especially repeatedly—you can be certain that those are gaps in which you are to stand in prayer. Trust God to direct you to those specific people and issues about which to pray. Then believe that He will lead you as you pray.
Due to the avalanche of issues out there, I frequently ask God to orchestrate the prayers of believers all over the nation and around the world, divvying up all the various situations, people, and crises, depositing them separately into all the different hearts so that every gap gets plugged and every broken hedge gets addressed. A great company of men, women, boys, and girls are called by the name of Christ; if each one of us prays our part, then much will be accomplished.
You may ask, How much time should I pray about an issue or a person? You pray about it until it lifts off of you or until it resolves. This doesn’t mean, though, that you do nothing else but pray; you set aside time to pray specifically and you pray as you go about your business. This is one reason I like to pray in the Spirit quietly as I move through my day—I keep my spirit open to input from God, making myself available to pray when He brings something up.
And although you’re responsible to pray and stand in the gaps He assigns to you, you need to stay balanced. If you get “heavied out”, back off for a while. Talk with someone. Sing. Laugh. Have fun. Eat a good meal. Get some sleep. If you wipe yourself out as an intercessor, you diminish your effectiveness. You aren’t God; He is, and He’s the only One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. You will need to give it a break from time to time—and then, just like a soldier who has been on leave—after you have rested, you return once again to the front lines.
Gaps—how do you interact with them?
Once you become aware of a gap, simply ask God how He wants you to pray. If you can, pray in tongues as you think about it. The Holy Spirit will direct you. It may lift off of you quickly; that’s OK. A lot of the time, you will be a “stop-gap” gap-stander. In other words, you may be led to pray about something in passing. Sometimes that’s all the Lord leads you to do; perhaps you’re plugging the gap while some other intercessor takes a break. God has all the angles covered; your part and mine is to be ready and willing to participate however He leads.
In the case of the Ferguson, Missouri, situation, I know that I’m supposed to stand for the dissipation of chaos and the resolution of conflict. It’s my region that’s under attack; I must stand for my people—both black and white. I could shrug it off, denying any responsibility to pray by saying that God is sovereign and His way will prevail, but to do so ignores the fact that He searches for folks to stand in the gap.
So how do you stand in the gap? You pray, both in the Spirit and with the understanding. You pray the Word over the situation. You make time to pray; you pray quietly as you go about your day. When God brings light, you pray what you see; when He speaks to your heart, you pray what you hear. If you get no direction, you trust God and pray for His intervention. If your faith is wavering, you build it by feeding on the Word and praying in the Holy Spirit. And you stand, refusing to believe that the situation is hopeless. And you stand, resisting the temptation to throw in the towel. And you stand; having done everything to stand, you stand.
Know that your Father girds you up as you stand. “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10). Although this verse speaks of financial seed, know that as you pray for crisis situations by the leading of the Holy Spirit (often far harder on the flesh than giving money), you are sowing precious seeds of life and deliverance. And He—who has given you that seed to sow directly in the gap of the hedge—will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and He will increase the harvest of your righteousness—a tall, robust hedge!
That’s how you stand in the gap.
Dorothy
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13
Gap-standing
In mid-August this year, I wrote a series of blog entries focused on praying for Ferguson, Missouri, and seeking God to turn the tide of chaos hitting this region. I believe that now is the time to revisit that series. Although none of the general public living here in the St. Louis region know for sure when the grand jury will return its decision, we all sense that we are facing some “interesting” times ahead. With that in mind, I will repost my August, 2014 series, “Ferguson”. My goal is that you will be inspired and encouraged to “pray your part” and that you will recognize that your prayers will indeed make a difference—even in this situation.
[Originally posted on August 13, 2014.]
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30, KJV; emphasis added
The recent turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri, has hit national and international news. And while pundits, leaders, personalities, and citizens give their opinions to awaiting microphones and cameras, another stream of focus has hit Heaven—men and women are taking their stand in the gap.
The last clause of Ezekiel 22:30 is terribly sad. “I found no one,” lamented the living God concerning His search for an intercessor. However, the seriousness of our times compounded by the critical events in St. Louis—the heart of America—have brought many sincere men and women to their knees, crying out to the God of all things to intervene with His mighty power and unquenchable love.
And I sought for a man among them…
God searches for people. One type of person for whom He looks is someone who will stand in the gap, praying and interceding for others.
… a man among them, that should make up the hedge…
God looks for a man (or a woman) who will make up the hedge. What is the hedge? According to Strong’s Concordance, this Hebrew word gader simply means a fence or a wall (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H1447&t=KJV). Enemies are deterred by hedges, walls, and fences surrounding those they seek to harm.
What is it that God wants the man or woman to do with the hedge? He wants them to “make up” the hedge. Gadar is the Hebrew word for “making up” and means “to wall up, wall off, close off, build a wall [or] to shut off” (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H1443&t=KJV).
Effective gap-standing prayer takes place right where the hedge has been trampled down.
Consider societal unrest. Somehow, violence and lawlessness exalts itself over a population, victimizing a community or region with anger, fear, and chaos. The restraining effects of discipline, decorum, and lawfulness have somehow fallen apart, and God wants the hedge of protection rebuilt and repaired because of His great protective love for the people. This is accomplished by walling up, walling off, closing off, and shutting off the community in question from the ravages of the destroyer—sometimes literally (as in the boarding up of broken windows in looted businesses). But this “hedge making-up” enterprise is also—and always—to be enacted in the realm of the Spirit as intercession is offered by someone on behalf of those lacking full hedge-coverage. Effective gap-standing prayer takes place right where the hedge has been trampled down.
…and stand in the gap before me for the land…
God has been talking about a hedge in need of repair. This hedge has a gap. Perets is the Hebrew word which is used, and it means a breach or a bursting forth—similar to when a dam breaks and water spills out (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H6556&t=KJV.) In other words, a gap in a hedge is a great big hole. And you know what holes allow: They allow that which is good on the inside to leak out and get lost, and they open the door to let the wickedness outside come flooding in.
What does the Lord instruct His man or woman to do about the gap? Does He lead them to wring their hands and worry? Does He tell them to condemn the hedge?
No. Once the intercessor is made aware of the gap, he is to stand in it. As the trampled hedge is repaired, the intercessor is to remain in the gap, plugging it up until it is rebuilt. This word “stand” is `amad which indicates to take a stand, to remain and endure, and to hold your ground (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5975&t=KJV). As you stand in the gap, you are blocking the devil from gaining continued entrance into a volatile or destructive situation. You are restraining him and his lawlessness as you stand in the hedge’s gap.
God is seeking today for a man among us to make up the hedge and to stand in the gap, and I believe that He is finding an army of us in this hour. In fact, I believe that every living member of the Body of Christ has gap-standing assignments every day on behalf of lost and hurting humanity. And despite the critical nature of those gaps to which you are led, the God before whom you stand is quite capable of shaping your prayers and granting you effectiveness in that gap in the hedge.
You are called to be a gap-stander in this hour. You are a repairer of the hedge. May God grant you effectiveness as you stand before Him.
Dorothy
Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell. Isaiah 58:12
James 2:25-26—Rahab, faith, and works
In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:25-26
James cited Rahab as the second example of an individual who demonstrated her faith by works. Whereas Abraham is known in the Bible as the father of faith (see Galatians 3:7), Rahab was a common prostitute who lived in an apartment on the walls of Jericho. If James had been promoting “being good” as the work which demonstrates faith, then probably he would not have mentioned Rahab.
However, Rahab is honored in the Bible for her faith. Not only does James refer to her, but she is also included in Hebrews 11 as one of only two women named among the great men of faith who lived in Old Testament times. Moreover, she was not of Jewish blood—she was a Gentile from Jericho. And to top it off, she is found in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Matthew 1:5 and Luke 3:32).
In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
How did Rahab exemplify faith? She received the messengers and sent them out by another way. When the king sent for Rahab to release the spies into his custody, she told him they had already departed when they were actually hiding up on her roof. What was it about her action that prompted James to consider it on par with the obedience of Abraham, the friend of God? Let Rahab speak for herself as she explained her decision to the spies:
“I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11, emphasis added).
Very little touches the heart of God as deeply as faith toward His promises concerning the land of Israel. And this woman of ill-repute declared boldly that God had given the land to the Jews. Moreover, she declared out of her mouth that the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Her faith in God and His purposes for Israel set her apart as a woman of unusual faith.
Had she kept her feelings about the God of the Jews to herself, or for fear of her own government neglected to help the spies, we would have never read of her in Bible; indeed she would have lost her life when Jericho fell, and her DNA would have never flowed through the Messiah’s veins.
Rahab and Abraham were two entirely different persons, each living in his or her allotted time span; yet both were honored in Scripture as individuals of great faith. Surveying what was recorded in the Bible about both of these faithful souls, you can see that neither was perfect, yet each bear the distinction of being commended more than once in the New Testament as people of faith.
As you consider the lives of both Rahab and Abraham and the faith each one demonstrated, be encouraged. God does not view you as others do; God looks deep within, at your heart. He reads the thoughts and motives that are there and delights as you seek to act on the Word—however awkward, shaky, or unpolished you may be. Whereas others may scoff or turn away from you in embarrassment or disgust as you allow your faith to shape your behavior, God rejoices. As you exalt God and His Word more and more, practicing your faith boldly in your life, the fear of man will lose its power to control you. And you will discover that for you, faith is very much alive.
May your faith shine through your actions!
Dorothy
Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:15-16, Living Bible
James 2:21-24—Abraham, friend of God
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:21-24
Many wonderful people of faith have been bewildered throughout the history of the Church about the subject of works vs. grace and faith. Am I too legalistic? Am I too loose? How do I reject condemnation without rejecting the pure conviction of the Holy Spirit? These are extremely important questions.
This is not a new challenge; the apostles James and Paul both addressed it in their letters, as have men and women of God throughout the ages. But navigating through the various doctrines promoted by the vast array of teachers can be mind-boggling, to say the least, when all you want to do is to pursue God with the simplicity of devotion to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:3). It is my aim to clear up some of the muddy waters, not to agitate them with more confusion.
James had just stated the case—faith without works is useless. He did not say that works were required for you to go to Heaven; he did not say that you cannot be saved unless you do good deeds. He did say that if you have true, legitimate faith, works will be present in your life.
We’ve all seen it: A churchgoer breezes through life misusing, abusing, and using others without any sign of conviction or concern at all. We’ve watched him—or her—live like the devil, talk like the devil, and rarely bat an eye. We’ve watched as he seems to say all the right things at church but then turns his back again and again on the very real needs and hurts of others.
James did not blanketly state that this man—or woman—was going to hell. He did insist, however, that if you recognize yourself—even a little—in this description, that you must take a closer look at the fruit—or lack thereof—in your life and allow the Spirit of God to search you and reveal any hurtful way in you (see Psalm 139:23-24). If anything’s amiss, He’ll reveal it to you, and He’ll also show you what to do about it. He wants to help you; likewise, He wants to use you to help others.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected…
James pointed to Abraham as an example of one whose faith played out in actions. When God directed Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his long-desired, promised son, he obeyed the Lord’s instructions. In fact, he would have followed through fully if God hadn’t stopped him right before the kill. Isaac was delivered from death, Abraham was spared from having to kill his son, and God found a man who would obey Him without reservation (see Genesis 22:1-14).
You, as well, have the opportunity every day to follow through with God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. As you do what you read in the Word or sense in your spirit, you, too, are allowing your faith to play out in your actions. And this reveals that your faith is not useless—your faith is very much alive!
…the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”…
Without action, Abraham couldn’t have demonstrated the very real faith within him, thereby rendering his faith useless. However, Abraham’s faith played out in a supreme act of obedience, and because of that, God declared him righteous.
The New Testament is clear: you follow in the footsteps of Abraham when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Your faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice on Calvary is the “work” God uses to declare you righteous (see John 6:29). At the very moment you receive Jesus, you not only are called righteous, but you are also cleansed, forgiven, and made new—something Abraham never experienced.
…and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Abraham was the only person throughout the record of the Old Testament who was called the friend of God (see 2 Chronicles 20:7 and Isaiah 41:8). What gave him this amazing honor above all others—even above David, a man after God’s own heart? Abraham obeyed God unconditionally, proving his faith by doing what he heard God tell him to do—even to the point of nearly sacrificing his precious son.
You, too, are a friend of God. Jesus said, “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15, emphasis added).
What draws you into the intimacy of friendship with God? Jesus said, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him” (John 14:21, emphasis added). Notice that Jesus emphasized, like James, both hearing and doing the Word.
Jesus went on to say in verse 23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him” (emphasis added). As you prioritize God’s Word and put it into action in your life—despite how uncomfortable or tough it may be—Jesus discloses Himself to you and makes your life His personal habitation and hang out.
You will never be able to perform enough good deeds to earn a spot in Heaven. That’s impossible; and that’s why Jesus died for you. But as you grow in the grace of God through faith in Christ and put His Word into practice in your life, you demonstrate the reality of the faith that is in you. As the simplicity of your devotion to Christ plays out through your actions, you honor Him and help others along the way—and you become someone He calls friend.
You are a friend of God!
Dorothy
James 2:20—Faith without works is useless
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? James 2:20
James labored with this group of believers. You can hear it in his tone in this portion of the letter. Evidently, they thought that being “saved by grace through faith” meant that they could coast from here on out. They were “in” with God for eternity; the rest was gravy. Indeed, there was some cause for their ease—authentic faith in Christ and His atoning work on the cross truly did make them new men and women. But again, it appears they mistook their position of rest in Christ for license to live for themselves without regard for the conviction and promptings of the Holy Spirit.
It is likely that these believers were so thrilled with the message about grace that they took it to the extreme to the exclusion of the rest of the teachings of the apostles. The same tendency is alive and well today, and as a result, the teaching of God’s wonderful grace gets a bad rap. The fact that you are loved by God despite your sin is foundational to salvation; without His grace, you can’t get saved. The fact that you live in this dispensation of grace—a set time in history in which God views you through the blood of His Son Jesus—is absolutely true and should set your life ablaze with thankfulness to Him. The fact that God’s grace is always extended to you in your life, unconditionally connecting you to the Father as a son or a daughter is intended by Him to comfort, encourage, and empower you.
Yet despite the wonder and all-encompassing depth of His grace, the Bible is also very clear about another important truth: you are accountable to God for your choices and behaviors in this life. Faith in Jesus and His accompanying grace does not exempt you from responsibility to live uprightly and to walk in love with others.
James was adamant about this. When he asked, “Are you willing to recognize…?” he was spotlighting the root of the problem—the will of man. As it is now, so it was in James’ day—people want to believe what they want to believe and are often unwilling to hear anything else—even if it comes straight from the Word of God.
He even called them foolish, using a Greek word that means “empty, vain, devoid of truth” (see http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G2756&t=KJV ). They were foolish because they assumed that they could live their lives believing in Jesus without ever manifesting His love to others.
…faith without works is useless…
Faith without works is useless, but works won’t save you. However, if you say that you believe in Jesus without exerting any effort to help others, yours is a very unstable faith, at best, and according to James, that type of faith is useless.
I know that I need to lean upon the grace of God to do the works of God whether they are supernatural or completely natural. If I pray for the sick or lead the lost to Jesus, I need grace to empower and direct me. If I buy groceries for someone or write out a check so they can pay rent, I need the grace of God to empower and direct me. If I open a door for a stranger, say a kind word, or catch someone’s eye and smile, I need the grace of God to remind me that it’s not all about me.
James was unwavering—he taught that faith without works is useless, similar to lighting a lamp and then hiding it under a bushel (see Matthew 5:15). Jesus’ death freed us from sin; He did not redeem us so we could live for ourselves alone or just be like everyone else. Instead, His sacrificial death empowers us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4), to manifest the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (see 2 Corinthians 2:14), and to declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9). It is an honor and an adventure to take part in the works of faith, however God may lead you. And He will lead you.
May your faith be demonstrated by the gracious works of God!
Dorothy
…prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life… Philippians 2:15b-16a
James 2:19—Demons also believe
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. James 2:19
You believe that God is one. You do well…
James commended his brothers for believing in one God; by this they proved they were neither atheists nor followers of the false gods to which much of society was devoted at that time. According to the writer of Hebrews who wrote “he who comes to God must believe that He is” (see Hebrews 11:6), the early believers mastered the first baby step of faith—they believed in the one true God.
However, neither the writer of Hebrews nor James taught that the mere acknowledgement of God’s existence equaled saving faith. Hebrews 11:6 goes on to say that the one who comes to God must not only believe that He exists, but must also believe that “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV). Simply believing that there is a God on one hand and diligently seeking Him on the other are two different things. You can believe in Him without any passion or awe at all; however, when you seek Him diligently, you are moved with spiritual hunger and an earnest desire to know Him. Believing in Him is intellectual acknowledgement—a good thing; but diligently seeking Him involves not only your mind, but your heart and soul as well—the basis of intimacy in any relationship.
…the demons also believe, and shudder.
Demons believe in God; they not only believe, but they resentfully recognize the authority of His Son, as well. They loathe God; they despise the fact that His Word and the name of Jesus spoken in faith by one of His children has the power to thwart their plans. Yes, they know all too well that God exists and that He is a very real Presence here on the earth.
Therefore, what distinguishes your belief in God from the type of belief that resides in demons? James’ very blunt answer is this: your works. You aren’t saved by your works; you are saved by faith in Jesus. But saving faith is demonstrated through corresponding actions that bring glory to God and salvation and help to others.
May your faith shine so vividly through your life that others “will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you” (see 2 Corinthians 9:13-14).
Blessings,
Dorothy
James 2:18—Show me your faith
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18
No two believers are exactly alike. Gifts, talents, interests, and personalities vary from person to person within the Church. Paul wrote that there are varieties of gifts, ministries, and effects within the body of Christ, and each member is to move in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
However, despite the huge diversity of gifts, callings, and godly talents within the Church, each member is to live by faith—no exceptions. Likewise, each member is accountable to the Lord for the deeds done in the body, whether good or bad (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, you are responsible to walk by faith and you are accountable for all the things you do—your works.
You and I may have different functions within the Church, but I can’t say, “I am called to works; you are called to faith.” You and I are both called to works and faith.
James challenged those who said they had genuine faith without works. He wrote, “…show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (emphasis added). He knew that no one’s faith could be proven without corresponding actions or deeds of kindness and charity.
Confusion sneaks in the door whenever you emphasize one side of the faith/works spectrum to the exclusion of the other. Many cults are built around the belief that human works are the basis of salvation; however, the Word of God is clear—you are saved by grace through faith, and that is not of your own manufacturing; it is a gift from God (see Ephesians 2:8). Whether you are good, bad, or somewhere in between—you must be born again through faith in Jesus Christ if you hope to make Heaven your eternal home. It is impossible to be saved any other way.
Why, then, did James emphasize works? Do we, as some cults suggest, receive partial salvation through Christ and then bridge the gap by our own good deeds? Can we save ourselves by our works? Absolutely not.
James pointed out very directly that if you live a life of faith and consecration to Christ, then you will demonstrate it by the way you treat others. Your genuine faith life will be accompanied by a trail of good fruit and kind deeds. If your personal history is not littered with such occurrences, then very possibly you need an overhaul by the One you say you serve.
You do not work your way into Heaven. However, if your faith lacks any external indication that the Lord lives in you, it is at best useless (see James 2:16 and 20), and is very likely dead.
I believe James’ motive in writing this was to stir believers to authentic expression of faith, especially toward those less fortunate than themselves. His goal was neither to douse the grace message of Paul nor to push the Church into legalism. His objective, I believe, was simply to offer his brethren an opportunity to examine whether or not their actions lined up with their words of faith.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Being a recipient of the loving grace of God will never exempt you from examining your life to determine if your actions demonstrate the Lord you proclaim. And if you do find that you have a deficit of works that declare your faith (and there’s a good chance you will from time to time), God’s grace is the very place to which you should run. His grace will lift you up and put you back on track to live out your faith—full of the gracious works of Jesus.
May you, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, live by faith and let it blossom into wonderful good works!
Dorothy
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
James 2:14-17—Faith without works
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:14-17
James opened a can of worms with this question: “Can faith without works save you?” Upon first glance, he seems to contradict the message preached by the apostle Paul found in Ephesians 2:8-9. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” How can both be true and coexist within the New Testament?
You are saved by grace through faith; it is a gift from God. You are not saved as a result of your works—no amount of good deeds on your part could ever grant you entrance into Heaven when you die. No matter how good you’ve been, you have need of Jesus who bore your sin and the punishment for it. You receive redemption through your faith—also a gift from God. This is the very bedrock of the Christian message.
However, as the young church was learning about the grace of God through Paul’s revelation, James wrote a powerful letter declaring that faith without works is dead. Was the early church divided along these lines or were they just doctrinally schizophrenic? The answer, as far as the teachings of Paul and James are concerned, is neither.
You are saved by grace through faith and that not of yourself. And faith without works is dead. These seemingly contradictory truths do not negate one another; instead, they complement and complete each other, offering a full-orbed view of the proper operation of faith in the life of a believer.
James asked, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” In other words, saying so doesn’t make it so.
When I was a little girl, my sister and I would put petticoats on our heads and “sway in the breeze”, singing “I’m a flower.” Were we flowers? We played that game all the time, but we never underwent photosynthesis. We never grew roots. We couldn’t. We were humans.
Likewise, merely saying I’m a Christian doesn’t make it so any more than a child singing I’m a flower turns her into a plant. A trade must first take place—you lay your sin at His feet in exchange for His cleansing forgiveness and righteousness. Without this deliberate choice on your part, you do not become a Christian, no matter what you call yourself.
If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
Being saved by grace through faith truly changes you. You are born again and receive the Father’s nature. The imprint of eternity is forever emblazoned upon your heart, and the fire of His Spirit warms and brings light through your life. Although you may stumble in your decisions from time to time, the conviction of God urges you onward, willing and working within you for His good pleasure (see Philippians 2:13).
When I get up in the morning, I pull out one of the cold, empty coffee mugs that sit in my cabinet. Each mug looks lovely, sturdy, and welcoming, but not one of them can warm my hands or awaken my groggy body or soul until it receives the infilling of steaming coffee, fresh from the pot.
Once filled, that mug takes on the warmth of the brew which fills it, and as I sip its contents, my taste buds smile. The rich liquid within is constant: it always warms, it always fills the room with rich aroma, and it always delivers what it promises.
Similarly, before you receive Jesus, you may be helpful, appealing, or sweet; however, something is missing—a relationship with the One who lovingly created you. But once you become filled with God by faith in Christ, you take on the characteristics of the One who indwells you. Mugs filled with hot coffee become hot; people filled with Christ become Christ-like.
As a believer, you behave like the One who indwells you. When Jesus sees a brother or sister in need of food or clothing, He does something about it. Therefore, as His vessel, you likewise take action as He works in you to help those who have need. Hot coffee warms up cold mugs. The living Christ within a person prompts loving action. If no one is helped by your life, as James said, what use is that?
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
If a mug doesn’t feel hot to the touch or emit a rich coffee aroma, there’s a good chance it isn’t filled. If a professor of faith lives for himself alone and not at all for others, there’s a good chance he is not filled. Such a faith—which never reaches out to others—is empty, devoid of the One it professes.
You are saved by grace through faith, not as a result of your own works. When Jesus takes up residence in your heart, you emit His warmth, aroma, and giving nature to those around you and they are helped.
If you discover that you’re doing nothing to minister to needs of anyone else, then go back to the Source, hold up the cold, empty mug of your life to Him, and by faith, receive the piping hot infilling of the One who died for you. Then pour out into the lives of others.
Dorothy
James 2:10-13—Mercy triumphs over judgment
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:10-13
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
James continued his instruction on Christian partiality by illustrating that the royal law he described in verse 8 is not subject to the whims or circumstances of life. Those who heard his letter were very familiar with the Mosaic Law and its requirements—just because you were “good” at one point of the law didn’t cut you any slack on the rest of it. Everyone in the congregation where this letter was first read knew this all too well.
For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
Although he was writing to born again men and women, James drew the connection between embracing the whole Old Testament as a standard to the believer committing his entire life to the law of love. Even if you walked in love with almost everyone, if by your behavior or attitude you dishonored even one of your brothers or sisters in the body, your good behavior toward the rest did not absolve you from the dishonor you showed to the one. Remember, our Lord was He who left the ninety-nine to find the one (see Matthew 18:12). That one was very important to Him, and He took the manner in which the one was treated very seriously. The good news is that Jesus is just as protective toward you.
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
James revisits the law of liberty. In James 1:25 he wrote, “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.” Not only are you to gaze into His Word and do what it says, but you are to so speak and so act as those who are to be judged by it, as well. You are called to submit everything in your life to the Word of God, which is the law of liberty. By this you can keep your motives, attitudes, and behaviors in contact with the washing of the water of the Word. By this you also stay humble before the Lord, knowing that you—along with everyone else—are accountable to the royal law, the law of liberty.
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
You will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. You will be rewarded according to the deeds you’ve done in your body here on earth (see 2 Corinthians 5:10); all of your works will be revealed that day by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). In light of this fearsomely awesome event to come, the wisest way to navigate through life is by James’ sweeping admonition: Judgment will be merciless if you have shown no mercy; however, mercy triumphs over judgment.
Mercy will be the common denominator at the judgment seat of Christ. His mercy poured out toward you—because of your professed faith in Him—has made you His own treasured possession (see Malachi 3:17), and will usher you into your eternal home. I believe that your mercy shown toward others throughout your life will render you triumphant over any outstanding judgments against you.
Paul wrote, “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work…If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13, 15). The mercy of our Lord is evident here; despite the flawed works of this man and the deep loss he sustains on that day, yet he, as a new creature in Christ, will be saved. And what is the primary requirement of the Lord for believers? To love the Lord and to love others. Living below this standard destabilizes and undermines everything else in your life. Living below this call to love is the same as building with wood, hay, and stubble in your life. Those things burn; judgment is merciless to the one who has shown no mercy. But he himself will be saved as through fire. I believe that a Christian life stingy in mercy is a life built with wood, hay, and stubble.
On the other hand, mercy triumphs over judgment. As you major on mercy toward others in your life—even when you need to confront them with truth—your deeds will be formed of gold, silver, and precious stone (see 1 Corinthians 3:12-14). Despite other flaws that may have nagged you in your life, as you make it your habit to major on the royal law, the law of love—liberally displaying mercy to those you encounter—you walk in the mercy that triumphs over judgment. An earth walk saturated with mercy toward others will be a precious commodity on the day you see Jesus face to face.
When you are disappointed with yourself—perhaps your behaviors, attitudes, words, or thoughts fall short of the glory of God—you have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ Himself (see 1 John 2:1). Turn to Him with your whole heart and allow His love and forgiveness to wash you. But remember, freely you’ve received His mercy; now freely extend it to others as well (see Matthew 10:8). I believe that as you do, you will be building with gold, silver, and precious stones, not wood, hay, or stubble. And when you arrive before His throne—and you will—the mercy you have shown toward others will cause you to triumph over judgment.
Sow mercy—reap mercy!
Dorothy
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9