James Reed's FORGE

The Host Gets Back On Script

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In James we have been thinking in terms of "tests". We've had the test of: Faith, Obedience, True Religion, Brotherly Love, Good Works, The Tongue, and now we get into the Test of Motivation. As always, James has some challenging words for us.

We have talked about the Book of James in terms of a series of "tests". We have the tests of: 1. Faith; 2. Obedience; 3. True Religion; 4. Brotherly Love; 5. Good Works; and 6. The Tongue. Today's discussion finds us with yet another test: The Test of Motivation. We have been asking the question throughout our study of James, "What is your motivation?", and now we will take the examination just a bit further.

The Host Goes Off Script

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. These words are found in James 4:6. James is reflecting here upon Proverbs 3:34 which states, "Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble." We preach God's Law to the prideful that they may see their violation of God's Law. We preach grace to the humble-- the ones who have been broken before God's Law and see their state as hopeless. But all is not lost! "God, who is in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)... (Ephesians 2:4-5).

If you have not come to Christ for forgiveness, then you have no case before God. What are you going to do?

What do a horse bit, a boat rudder, and a fire place all have in common? How does this relate to our control over our speech? To find answers to these and other questions, you're just going to have to listen to this episode of James Reed's FORGE.

“Belief” is not enough.  While a belief in the one true and living God is good, we’re reminded even demons know this. This doesn’t mean they’re saved. I’m reminded of Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” The Amplified Bible further defines this belief as “adheres to, trusts in, and relies on.”  This is an absolute trust in God for salvation, not a mere admission of His reality. It’s a deep confidence, not just acknowledgement. True repentance is whole heartedly trusting in Christ for salvation and is born out of the realization of what He’s done for His people. This understanding is what causes the sinner to turn away from and actually lose his appetite for sin! Good works spring from a growing love of Christ. These are the kind of works which demonstrate a real saving faith. If someone says they have faith there should be deeds which reflect its life.

Our study in the Book of James has covered several "tests". We have the "Test of Faith" from chapter 1, but we also mentioned the "Test of Obedience" and the "Test of True Religion". Now, as we take a look at James Chapter 2, we will see the "Test of Brotherly Love".

What is the test of true religion?

In this episode we take a look at LSD- Lust, Sin, and Death.

How can a person find joy in trials? We are to see a trial as an opportunity for development in us. If we really desire to be all God wants us to be, we will look forward to the outcome, and thus endure the time of testing with joy. James 1:3-4 lets us know the trial will work patience and from patience will come a wholeness and maturity which is gained no other way. “Trials can be faced with joy because infused with faith, perseverance results, and if perseverance goes full-term it will develop a thoroughly mature Christian who lacks nothing” (Blue, J. Ronald. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Colorado Springs, CO, David C. Cook, 1983). God is sovereign and God is good. If there was any other way to produce what He desires in me without the pain of a testing, He would grant it. But He knows me better than I know myself; there is no short-cut. The trial must come. Jesus focused upon the joy set before Him and endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Knowing this, we can face the trial with pure joy. Bring it!