A Nugget from New Life Network

Scripture for the Day (January 29, 2018)

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

The Book of James is one of the smaller books in the New Testament and was authored by the brother of Jesus. This short book has only five chapters but addresses several critical Christian doctrines that have been taught incorrectly over the years and is still wreaking havoc in the lives of many Christians. The following is just a brief summary of some of the doctrines and beliefs we are referring to:

God is in charge of, and controls, every aspect of our life Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:13-15)

It is obvious from this scripture that God is not in complete control of our life. You and I have been given a free will and we can choose to walk in the Spirit or walk in the flesh. God wants you to walk in the Spirit but you and I still have a choice. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19)

God orchestrates and/or allows bad things like sickness into our lifeDo not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:16-17)

It is obvious from this scripture that we err when we think bad things like sickness originates or is approved by God. The scripture says every good and perfect gift is from above. The opposite of that is that every bad and imperfect gift such as sickness and disease does not come from God.

God’s blessings are on all church goersBut be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful heaer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:22-25)

It is obvious from this scripture that God‘s blessings are reserved for those that do the Word and do the work and not those that just come to church once a week and listen to a sermon. We deceive ourselves if we think we can know God’s word by just hearing it once a week. For example, to be saved you must believe in your heart and confess with your mouth (Romans 10). That pattern is repeated throughout the Word of God. It’s not that works will save you, but doing the Word activates the truth in your very being. When you obey the Word and lay hands on a sick person, and see them healed, no one can steal that truth from you. It becomes an anchor that keeps that Word from ever being stolen.

God allows exceptions when it comes to bitternessOut of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (James 3:10-12) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:13-15, NIV)

That is probably the most deceiving tactic of the enemy in our lifetime! A spirit of hate and bitterness is rampant in our world and we think we can justify harboring bitterness and unforgiveness due to something so menial and worldly as a person having different political views. That’s not going to fly with God!!! The whole reason Jesus (God’s only son) had to die on a cross was for our forgiveness and we surely did not deserve it. Now we are going to tell God we should be excused from His mandate to not judge others, and be excusesd from His mandate to forgive our neighbors and those that trespass against us. I don’t think so!

Think about those things!!!

 

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