THE ROYAL LAW
Today’s Reading: James 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Dormition Abbey, a grand German Benedictine building, is located on top of Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It commemorates the Virgin Mary at one of the traditional sites of her death (the name means “Eternal Sleep”). This complex was built in the beginning of the 20th Century over the ruins of a Byzantine church. It is also called Hagia-Maria-Sion Abbey, named after the great Byzantine church in present day Istanbul, Turkey.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The book of James is filled with very practical applications of divine principles. The first principle is that of faith! The Jewish Christians in Jerusalem and James, known as the brother of Jesus, were under severe pressure to deny their faith in Jesus. While thousands of Jews were believers, the Roman-appointed Jewish authorities, who instigated the arrest, mock trial, and crucifixion of Jesus, were still in charge of daily life. The Apostles left Jerusalem in order to share the Good News of Jesus with Jewish communities all over the known world. James (not the brother of John) is now Pastor of the Jerusalem Church. Approximately 20 to 30 years have passed since Jesus arose from the grave and His Church was born. Tradition says that Pastor James spent so much time on his knees in prayer that they nicknamed him, “Camel knees.” Camels kneel a lot and develop callouses on their knees.
James would approve of our emphasis on reading God’s Word! He writes of “the implanted Word,” and of being “a hearer of the Word.” He declares that “He who looks into the perfect law of liberty (the Scriptures) and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work [yes it is work], this one will be blessed in what he does!” (James 1:25). In 2:8 James writes, “If you really fulfill the Royal Law according to the Scripture, ‘you shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18), you will do well.” He sets a pattern here for Pastors everywhere and at all times in his emphasis on God’s Word! In 2:21-26 the Pastor references two Bible characters, Abraham and Rahab. His point is that “The Word produces faith which produces good “works,” not a faith without works, but a faith that works.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please continue to plant the seed of Your Word in me daily, so that I will produce a harvest of good works consistently. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve often struggled with the word “Religion” (James 1:27a). That word comes from the same root word as “ligament.” It’s what holds my body together. It’s the practice of ministering to the needs of others and of living a holy life. It definitely does not mean my particular denomination. This past Sunday I found myself singing over and over an old chorus which I had not heard for probably 30 years. It goes something like this…”I know the Lord will make a way for me. I know the Lord will make a way for me. As I live a holy life, shun the wrong and do the right, I know the Lord will make a way for me.” James teaches that our profession of faith is only valid when manifested in practiced faith. As a boy I remember conversations that would include the words “he professes.” I drew the conclusion that, while I may claim to be a believer, my life, my works, keeping “unspotted from the world,” and failing to “bridle my tongue” were proof that professing and possessing the real deal were two very different matters.
Yours for “pure and undefiled religion,” which will bond us together in Christ,
David
Amen, David! “The Word produces faith which produces good “works,” not a faith without works, but a faith that works.” Working for the Kingdom of God, here on earth, as it is in heaven. Here is that song you are professing to, so powerful!! God’s continued blessings, dearest saints!
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
I Know The Lord Will Make A Way, Johnny Minick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiWkraFunHo
Thank you do much Beverlee, what a blessing to hear that song this morning. I have a friend Elizabeth who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I have known her since I was ten, which is now 65 years. I have talked to her many times about accepting The Lord Jesus as her Lord and saviour. Now I feel The Lord will make a way to approach her gently. The Doctors feel she has to the end of the year, God could have a different plan. I would so appreciate prayer for my dear friend, she is a lovely person. I am glad I was able to share this today, I have known about it for just over a week. God Bless everyone . Thank you pastor David for your words of wisdom., Eleanor M.
Sorry I meant to say 66 years.
Lord, please make yourself known to Elizabeth, please help her to accept your love and faithful pursuit of her. May your Spirit lead her to the truth. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Lord we hold Eleanor’s dear friend, Elizabeth, up to You. Lord. Strengthen her, ease her pain, give her healing and comfort, and fill her with the Holy Spirit. Heal her with Your saving grace and Holy Light, Lord. Let her come to know You and claim Your mighty Name, as her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ–Name above all names. We give You all the thanks and praise and glory, Lord. For You alone, are the Holy One. You alone, are the Most High. Amen, amen and amen.
Love this song Beverlee, I can see why Pastor David loves it. The song is a Sermon in itself. I needed to hear that message this morning.
Thanks for yours prayers for Elizabeth Beverlee and Sherry. God Bless You.
As ligaments hold our joints and bodies together in our daily activities so does religion. Faith without activity or work will die.
So true, David! I’ve often felt more positive about living a “spiritual life” than a “religious life” as it seems to me being spiritual is more about my relationship with God than following prescribed religious obligations. Somatics maybe, but I see a difference. Anyway one puts it, my behaviour and actions primarily speak to where my mind and heart are. Saint James tells it well. It’s up to each of us to live it out and free from discrimination. His strength and blessings, to all!
Typo “Semantics” not Somatics 🙂
Faith plus good works equals salvation?
Shalom,
Graham.
Amen, Graham. I believe so.
David N.
I believe it is more that faith, (believing that what you know is Really Real), will manifest itself in behavior. We behave in accordance to our beliefs. It is a better indicator of what we truly believe than the words that come our of our mouths.
Salvation is a work of God not men– our faith and our good works does not equal salvation. Accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is the means to access that salvation– and our faith and our good works are then the proof on whether or not we have really made Jesus Lord of our life or not.
If you abide in Christ you will produce good works, just like the branch on the vine produces grapes—so if someone is claiming they are a Christian but their actions are not producing the the life of Christ here on earth, it is sure sign their faith is in name only or just religion.
Amen Graham…”Faith plus good works equals salvation!”
Amen!
NOPE!
salvation, noun THEOLOGY
deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.
synonyms: redemption, deliverance, reclamation
“salvation by way of repentance”
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone … But faith without works is dead. — James 2:24-26
maybe I got it all wrong but for me accepting Jesus Christ as my Saviour was how I received salvation, my assurance that if I die I would go to Heaven. But actually I believe that God did it all! My heart was ready and God wrote the Name of His Son on my Heart! I accepted it even though I was a child. Over the years withGod’s help my faith has become stronger and again, He did it for me! Thank you Jesus!
NOPE!
Thanks for all the above comments as a result of my question.
I seem to remember that C.S. Lewis said that “faith” and “good works” were the two blades on a pair of scissors?
Also Martin Luther said that the Book of James was “an epistle of straw”?
Shalom,
Graham.
Amen
James says…”receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your souls.”(1:21). The Word is powerful. However, I get what James is saying, “Faith without works is dead.” We remember your friend Elizabeth, Eleanor that she will come to faith in Jesus. That’s a familiar chorus David and we used to sing it often in church.
Thank you Ger I do appreciate your prayers.
Thank you David….Have a great day all you saints!!
Amen! Pastor Mainse.
I prayed your prayer for today.
Thankyou for the key verse James 1: 22
But be doers of the word & not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
May God bless you all, Amen.
Have brought your friend Eluzabeth before The Throne of our Saviour and pray she will sense her need of Him as she goes through this illness. I pray also for you Eleanor that your faith will shine brightly as you share with Elizabeth. Blessings to all.
Thank you so much Catherine, it is wonderful to have others pray for our needs.
Thank you Jesus You are the Vine and I am the branch resting in you as You produce the fruit!! Amen!!
Amen, dear sister-in-Christ!
For without You Jesus I can do nothing…In You all things are possible!!
John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me.
John 15: 5 “I Am the Vine, you are the branches; he that abides in Me, and I in him the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Amen and amen!!
Eleanor I pray that the “Sword of the Spirit” which is the Word of God…will penetrate Elizabeth’s heart with that Love that is extended to her. Jesus I pray this in Your Name, Amen!!!
Amen to that prayer, Irene, for Elizabeth!! Your words speak the truth. So deeply do they resonate. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Put on the full armour of God Elizabeth, through His Sword–the Word of God. Read and touch the Holy Bible and His Light will come into you–amen!!
Open the Holy Bible and lay it on your chest and let it rest there, to breathe through you.
Eleanor I don’t know what treaestment your friend is on, where I live several people have done and are doing the Vitamin C, Zinc & Magnesium treatment through intavenus, 3x a week or 12 weeks, given by a Naturopath, it works wonders, the people had chemo and then these treatments, no radiation, and if you Google the treatment it explains it in more detail BUT the ones I know that had or are having the treatment are feeling so much better, those that are finished are travelling….I can’t help but Thank God for this treatment because it sure has made a difference.
there has been some fund raising for some who needed extra help, but it is priviledge to help others…..
Lord we ask for Your Will to be done in the life of this friend. We ask that the Holy Spirit enter the life of this precious friend! We pray that she will ask COME LORD JESUS COME! We give You all the praise and glory for a total restoration of her life, we ask that You continue to bless her good friend Eleanor, give her the energy and insight to minister to her good friend! WHAT A PRIVILEDGE TO CARRY, EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER! amen
Amen!