Bible Study - Build (5) - Obey GOD'S Word - James 1:19-27 - November 13, 2022

 

Bible Study – Build (5) – Obey GOD’S Word – November 13, 2022

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled, “How to Build Your life on GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is James 1:19-27.

We display the truth and value of GOD’S Word as we live it out.

A sobering thought. If we, as Spirit-born people, were the only people who others came into contact with, would they see JESUS in us and would they seek what we have?

The brothers of JESUS did not believe in HIM until after HIS crucifixion and resurrection. James, the writer of the book of James, is a half-brother of JESUS. The Apostle Paul confirms this is 1 Corinthians 15:7: ⁷ Then he (JESUS) appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,^[a] he also appeared to me (Paul).

James went on to be the leader of the Christian church established in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit had to reveal truth to James regarding living the Christian life in a wicked world. Let’s explore!

Let’s read James 1:19-21:

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, ²⁰ for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. ²¹ Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,^[e] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James is clearly speaking to Spirit-born people; “Brothers and sisters,” pay attention to what I am writing to you. In essence, listen very carefully, process what you are hearing, think before you speak and by all means be very careful when you feel yourself getting angry to control your tongue. Why? It is because, “for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” What does human anger do? It reveals that the angry person is relying upon self and not the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve GOD’S intended result from the issue being debated. Our human nature is programed to win at all costs, whereas, our Spiritual nature is to wait upon GOD and let HIM reveal to us how HE brings about HIS desired result. Often, this is very hard for us to do.

As a Spirit-born person, how do we do that? James reveals it to us, “ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent,^[e] humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” As Spirit-born people, we are to meditate upon GOD’S Word and to live according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Moral filth opens our minds to the things the world has to offer and entices us. What is the Good News? This world is not our home. We are simply passing through. As Spirit-born people our home is eternal with JESUS but during our time upon earth, we are Ambassadors for CHRIST, representing the truth of salvation and redemption to the physical earthly inhabitants. GOD has called us to work in HIS vineyard according to HIS leadership through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We are to put into action what the Holy Spirit reveals to us. James reveals GOD’S secret to us as we read on -----

Let’s read James 1:22-25:

²² But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face^[f] in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

What does James’s reveal to us who are Spirit-born? Put into action what we read in GOD’S Word by being “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Who gives us balance? The Holy Spirit. When self leads, we burn out serving.

What happens when we put GOD’S Word into action? Our action, reveals the trust we have through faith in GOD and HIS power and leadership. It builds our trust in HIM, such that we can tell the mountains in our lives to jump in the lake. The key is that we act as the Holy Spirit reveals to us to act.

Fellow Spirit-born believers, I believe as we approach the end that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to draw those who are lost in sin to salvation. There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit from all who have been entrusted with the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS. We who know the truth must share it and not hide it under the canopy of lack of trust. YES!!!

Are we, as believers, doers of the Word or only hearers? What does James’s reveal to us?

²³ Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face^[f] in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

When we, who are Spirit-born, meditate upon GOD’S Word and put it into action GOD, reveals truth and HE teaches us. Meditation on GOD’S Word anchors HIS Word in our hearts and lives. When we trust GOD’S Word and we apply it when led by the Holy Spirit, it achieves GOD’S desired result. The Spirit-born person will be blessed. As we apply, GOD blesses. WOW!!! Both us and the those to whom we minister.

What does this do? It builds our trust and confidence. 

 Let’s read James 1:26-27:

²⁶ If anyone^[g] thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

What is religion? I think of religion as humans trying to reach up to GOD/a god. To me true Christianity is not a religion but it is GOD reaching down to humankind with eternal salvation through faith in GOD’S only SON, JESUS. True Christianity is not a religion but an eternal relationship through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

It is sad but humans have made a religion out of Christianity. But NO PERSON can be good enough or work hard enough or work long enough doing what he or she thinks GOD desires for him or her to do to earn eternal salvation. Salvation is the eternal gift from GOD the instant any human places his or her faith in JESUS.

Sin is the eternal barrier that blocks all humans path to GOD. JESUS’ sinless life upon earth as 100% human and the shedding of HIS blood, paid in full GOD’S requirement to remove the sin barrier. When any person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, the miracle of Spiritual birth takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. That person is forgiven for all of his or her sins and the divine sperm of GOD (The Holy Spirit) unites with the human spirit and the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family takes place.

Salvation is the eternal gift of GOD. When those who are born-again receive JESUS as their Savior, GOD sends the Holy Spirit to indwell each person as a security deposit/guarantee that he or she is eternally GOD’S Son or Daughter. WOW!!! What a gift and it is eternal!

But as GOD’S Child, we are not to hide this good news but we are to share it with those with whom we come into contact, as GOD gives us opportunity. We are one source of living water which springs up within us to share with others.

However, those who know the truth must walk the talk. Who desires to drink from a spring that appears to be surrounded with things that do not entice one to drink from it. James gives his readers an example as we read on ----

James tells those to whom he was writing and us today to “control our tongue” and to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves for various reasons. We who know the truth, through the miracle of Spiritual birth, are to share the love of GOD, as led by the in dwelling Holy Spirit.

Those of us who know the truth are to reach out to those who find themselves in need as written in verse 27, “²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

We who know the truth are to reach out to those who are in need of salvation. Those who need physical and/or Spiritual help.

The key is for those of us who have been born-again Spiritually are to be led by the Holy Spirit. We are to read and study GOD’S Word and build a solid Spiritual foundation. A solid Spiritual foundation is based upon truth. Meditation upon GOD’S Word helps us to divide truth from error. Truth never fails as we who are called to serve are directed by the Holy Spirit. GOD equips HIS Children with Spiritual gifts which are to be used to discern GOD’S Word and to serve. Obey GOD’S Word!

Blessings!!!