Timeless Truths. Right Living 101

There is a right way to live.

While it might be painful, it really isn't difficult.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 1:19-27

James says there is a proper way to respond and act.

We know it, but "forget" what it is.

When God transforms our "inside," we should be different on the "outside" -

- different in the way we act and the things we do.

James provides examples, not an exhaustive list of what he's writing about.

Verse 21. Live morally pure, accepting God's commands.

Verse 22. Life should be full of action based on God's Word.

Verse 26. Control your tongue. Don't speak cruelly.

Verse 27. We have a responsibility to those in distress--orphans and widows.

Verse 27. Don't be polluted by the world.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 

Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 2:14-26

In this passage, James says there is one right way to live, regardless of your spiritual gifts.

Your faith better be active.

Proper motives acted out with proper attitudes can change the world.

Examples of the life James describes
Verses 21-25. Neither Abraham nor Rahab would be considered "perfect people."

But

Abraham and Rahab were obedient.
Abraham when he is directed to sacrifice Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-9)
Rahab when she hides the Hebrew spies. (Joshua 2)

Abraham and Rahab show love for others.
Abraham when allows Lot to choose where to live. (Genesis 13:1-14:24)
Rahab when she hides the Hebrew spies. (Joshua 2)

The first-century church changed the world by welcoming strangers

Benefits of this type of life
Freedom. Doing what God commands brings freedom.

Opportunity for Blessing. No promise of material or physical blessing--Your life is a blessing to others!

You can have all the faith in the world in an umbrella that is big enough to protect you,

BUT

unless you put the umbrella over your head, it's useless!

Thanks to Dr. Scott Peterson for the basic teachings in this post.

Next Timeless Truths: Right Living 102

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