Day 10- Unquenchable quest 4:1-17

When you listen to the news and read newspaper, what are five big things that in your opinion are always highlighted? I may be wrong but the truth is over 70% of the news, has been quarrels and conflicts among friends and family members, it has been the political wrangling that always seek personal gains and not positive impact in the society.

That’s why James is asking us the question, “what causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” Ja 4:1

Quarrels and conflicts come from desires that may not be necessarily wrong but desires that have evil and selfish intents and therefore with wrong reasons. Someone may desire promotion, a new car or to start a business. These are all good ideas and goals but the reason behind it may not be right.

James says that “you want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God” Ja 4:3. I have never met someone who has had enough of everything he/she wants. As a result, the world is full of greed to get more and more without considering the means. The rule has been ‘I must get this thing the easiest way and in the shortest time possible’. This is unquenchable quest that is destroying our society slowly by slowly.

James tells us we do not have because we do not ask God reason being, there is a plan B somewhere and therefore the trust to depend on God for our needs is not there. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures”. Ja 4:3. Some prayer take very long time to be answered and one may complain that ‘God no longer answers his/her prayers. Its not that God can’t answer your prayer but you must look at your motives always when you approach God for something.

The Lord is pleased with those whose priorities second those of others and those that add value to His kingdom. It’s not everything that we desire or do that counts, but all the things that are godly and have eternal significance in doing them. That is why James tells us in v 4 that friendship with the world is hatred towards God. “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” for this reason, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” v6

Our action plan must be that we turn from the world and its sinful pleasures and willingly submit to God who knows us very well and has a plan for each of us. This will be a reality when “You resist the devil and he will free from you”v8. In the recent past, I have realized that the greatest enemy of our progress is not even the devil but ourselves, the devil always looks for a chance to strike and must be given an opportunity to do so. Yes, God may allow him to, but mostly you have the power to give him re way or not.

Jesus in Mt 4:1-7 encountered the devil in person not his agents and He had the right to give Satan a chance or rebuke him. The best is what he did; first He told the devil “It’s written” the second time, “It’s written” The third time, Jesus denied Satan all the chances of winning him by taking authority over Satan and said, “Away from me, Satan! For its written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only”. Then the devil left him.

The instructions James gives on how we can build a discipline of drawing near to God are very clear, One, we must cleanse ourselves from any sinful behavior, “wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded, grieve , mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” V8-10.

We purify our hearts by confessing our sins and turning away from them, repenting and coming to Jesus who is able to save us and to keep us till his return.

In conclusion, James in 4:17 says that “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins”.

April 16-Who is smarter now! 3:13-18

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom”.

In our yesterday’s reflection, James talked to us regarding leading a blameless life through controlled tongue, today James starts by asking the above question and he gives a response to it. That if anyone says he/she is wise and have understanding, then let him/her show proof of it.

The only way someone can say they have love is by giving love, the only way one can say they have faith is by their actions. All these things must be proved by our good life and by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.

James explains to us two types of wisdom; one that is from heaven i.e. God’s wisdom and the other one is earthly i.e. worldly wisdom. The worldly wisdom is described in verses 14-16 “but if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambitions in your hearts, do not boast about or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambitions, there you find disorder and every evil practice”.

The fruit of worldly wisdom is envy and selfish ambitions and this is from the devil. The person with worldly wisdom focuses on what they can gain from others more than what they can give or do to others. James says in v16 that because of worldly wisdom motivated by envy and selfish ambitions then, people will always find strive and fights among themselves. “There will be disorder“. Another fruit of natural or worldly wisdom is pride which is referred in James 4:6 to what God opposes. It’s a terrible thing when God reaches to an extent of opposing someone one’s idea opinion or plan because of pride.

The other wisdom is heavenly wisdom; the wisdom that comes from God which James describes as “pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” v17.

God’s wisdom is full of humility; ready to accept the wrong and ask for forgiveness, always ready to bring solutions to people’s issues and problems. It seeks the good of others more than self. It’s what brings peace in hostile circumstance. The wise will always be slow to speak but quick to listen and the response will be worthwhile. Wise people are always submissive not only to God but to others, respecting their thoughts and desires without trying to control them but to team with them. Wise men are considerate always thinking about the affairs of others through care and concern more than their own. They are merciful always willing to go an extra mile for the sake of others without judgment or revenge. They are sincere and worthy of trust, always speaking the truth in love. Finally, wise men are full of good fruit which is the fruit of the holy spirit described in gal 5:22-23 and which is so essential for our walk with the Lord and for our personal relations with others.

According to James 1:5, this is the kind of wisdom that we should desire to have and which we should ask in prayer and our father in heaven is faithful to give to us.

In conclusion, the peace makers who are wise men and women we’ve described above, will sow righteousness in peace, will raise a harvest of righteousness.

April 15-Ignited Tongue 3:1-12

People who are in positions of authority such as leaders in the Church, who teach and shepherd God’s flock, can be given high respect to an extent that many will desire to be in such positions. During James times, people presumed to be leaders and teachers as a way of seeking honor and high positions. This was the reason James wrote and said “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers and sisters because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Ja 1:1-2

Being a teacher or a leader is a good thing because God has chosen some among us to be in positions of leadership and bestows upon those he chooses high expectations and responsibilities. Therefore, God’s judgment to those in authority is stricter than those who are following them.

The root for all these is everything that comes from someone’s speech through the influence of the tongue. James illustrates this by explaining how a horse can be controlled by a very small bit and an entire huge ship by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot wants it to go, yet no one can be able to tame a small organ of the body, the tongue. Though small, the tongue can result to all sorts of evil and at the same time speak the best of the best.

James gives an example of a forest in verses5b-6 saying, “consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell”. Jesus also challenged the tradition of the Pharisees when He said, “what goes Into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean”. Mt15:11. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean. V19.

The illustration James gives from the bit, rudder and a spark shows how important the tongue is as a member of our body. It’s what the devil will always target to use and is sure to control your life if he gets hold of it. If the devil corrupts your tongue then your whole person is corrupted. Proverbs 10:19, “when words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver but the heart of the wicked is of little value”.

James says that it should not be that the same tongue which gives praise to him is the same that curse men who have been created in God’s likeness. We must therefore be very careful on what we say to others. According to Ja 3:8 one can tame the tongue because it’s a restless evil, full of deadly poison..Is there any solution? Yes. The solution is living a life that is surrendered and submitted to God. Our sincere devotions to God is a super catalyst that brings dynamic transformation in our lives; molding us into God’s likeness and making us to be the kind of people He wants us to be.

April 14-Facts but no Fruits 2:14-26

Last week on Friday we enjoyed a wonderful family service in remembrance of the work that our Lord and savior Jesus Christ did for us on the cross. The theme of the day’s homily was about those things that one does that amazes God. One scripture highlighted in the homily was Lk 7:1-10 the story of the centurion. This is one of the few passages in New Testament where the bible records that Jesus was amazed. Listening to the Centurion speak, He was amazed by the man’s great faith. v9 “when Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel”

I don’t know what would be your response if someone asked you, do you think God can be amazed by our actions? The truth is that God is always amazed by those who believe and respond to circumstances in their lives and in the lives of others according to His word.

“What good is it my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him/her, ‘go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same Way faith in itself if not accompanied by action is dead” James 2:14-17.

Did you know that the only way people outside the household of faith can tell whether someone’s faith is true or not is by their deeds. Your deeds of love, mercy, obedience and kindness speak a lot about your faith among those you interact with. In other words this is the prove of your faith; that whoever you say you are, you truly are. That you don’t speak water and drink wine and for that reason you are an example and a model in the society.

James reminds us that well wishes to the needy and the hungry without a hand of concern and care cannot save someone. Our Christian life is admired by those who see true love being expressed in a practical way to someone who is desperate and in need. When we attempt to tell people that God loves them and our actions confirms it, these people in their situation will desire to know more about the God we believe in.

Hebrew 11 is a record of heroes of faith who pleased God by their faithful actions. One of them is Abraham who took God by His word and laid his son Isaac on the altar as a sacrifice. His act of faith was credited as righteousness. Immediately Abraham believed God and did as he was instructed, the angel of Lord called to him and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the sea shore. Your descendants will take possessions of their enemies and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me”.Gen22:15-17

Rahab also as a hero of faith is quoted by Apostle James as one who expressed her faith by her action and she too was considered righteous. I am convinced that God is always amazed by acts of faith done by people who are faithful to His word. “As the body without spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”. Ja 2:26