Bible Study: Come Forth As Gold 12.16.10

King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Come Forth As Gold
For: Thursday December 16, 2010
Chapters: The Book of James
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-december-16

Details of Today's Chapters: The trying of faith, learning patience, enduring temptation, becoming doers of the Word, rich in faith, faith without works, the unruly tongue, double minded people, and being a blessing to others.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The Book of James is the twentieth book of the New Testament, the fifty-ninth book of the Bible, and contains five chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is James and it was first written to the Jewish believers who were among the twelve tribes of Israel. The purpose of the letter was to comfort believers who were undergoing trials for their faith. What we are to learn from the book is that faith is the foundation of works, but without works faith is dead. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:26.

The word work is defined as an exertion (voluntary action) or effort directed to produce or accomplish something. As Christians we can say that when we call on Jesus Christ and ask Him to save us that we have, by faith, voluntarily made the effort to accomplish one thing, salvation from hell. The Bible says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. It can not be stressed enough that no amount of physical exertion can be directed for us to escape the death penalty of hell that we all face for our sins. However, simply believing that Jesus can save us does not save us, voluntarily asking Him to save us is what saves us.

James places strong emphasis on the practical ethical life of justification by faith. He examines practical applications of truth in everyday situations, encourages Christians who are being persecuted, and gives instruction on Christian ethics. “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” -James 1:3-8.

Patience is work, it takes effort to remain faithful to God through affliction, it takes even more work to live in God's will through affliction. However, just like salvation can not be obtained without asking Him for it, help from Him during our afflictions can not be obtained without asking Him for it. A double minded man is a person who can not remain committed to one thing. God has no problem with a person who chooses not to accept His Son, He has a problem with a person who accepts Him, but goes from one belief to the next when things get a little rough. Through John, Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.

It may sound confusing and contradictory to read that it was by works that people of the Old Testament were saved, but it really is not. The truth is this, faith comes first, without faith we would not even believe that God exists. The people who lived in Old Testament times needed faith in God also, without their faith they could not have been saved either by their works. James explains further, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” - James 2:19-24.

To understand works beyond a physical level we have to think about it in a different way, take reading for example, it is not something you can accomplish through physical work, if you want to learn to read you can not just look at words and immediately understand what all those letters mean. To accomplish reading you have to work, or make an effort yourself to learn what each letter sounds like that forms each word. Of course, someone can read it for you, but unless you take action for yourself you would never be able to do it on your own. Likewise, someone can tell you how to get saved, but unless you took action yourself you would have never gotten saved. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.

As Christians we are going to be tried, we are going to face trials, we are going to suffer affliction, some of our own doing. However, everything we go through it is through the tryings, trials, and afflictions that we benefit the most. God uses things like this not to punish us, but to strengthen us, grow us, and prepare us for something amazing. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7-10.

When we humble ourselves and give everything over to God, especially if it is something that we caused ourselves we are truly acknowledging that we need Him and when we do the blessings will follow. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh...Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” - James 5:8,11. Like I said patience is the key to living by faith and seeing God's blessings and like Job we can say, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:10. Praise God!

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.

Merry Christmas, Praise God, Jesus is the reason for the season.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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