James 4:11-17
The cool morning air caused me to grab a jacket on the way out the door. During my normal morning trail walk with the dog I met one of the regular walkers who smiled and said, “I did not recognize you, but I recognized your dog.” We shared a good laugh and then continued on our separate ways. As I walked away I began to think about what had just been said. As a believer in Jesus Christ, God wants my life to be so in tune with Him and submissively under His control that others see Him first. My conversation reminded me to be submissive to God in all areas of my life so others will see Jesus first before they see me. In the closing part of James chapter four, we are reminded to submit our life to God in two areas that we struggle with even today. The first area is our speech and specifically judging others (11-12). When we judge we demand that others conform to our imperfect standard rather than God’s. In doing so we elevate our selves to be more important than others. However, a life of faith willingly submits to God’s view that we are all sinners in need of God’s perfect correction through His perfect grace. Secondly, James addresses the worldly issue of self sufficiency that seeks to be in control of life (13-16). James helps us see that a life of faith will humbly submit to God who knows all and His perfect plans. Living by what God has made clear is a life submitted to Him and His authority (17). James reminds us that a submissive life lives by faith by trusting God’s authority in what is right in the present and His plans for our future. When others look at us who do they see? Do they see Jesus first?
For More see JAMES
The cool morning air caused me to grab a jacket on the way out the door. During my normal morning trail walk with the dog I met one of the regular walkers who smiled and said, “I did not recognize you, but I recognized your dog.” We shared a good laugh and then continued on our separate ways. As I walked away I began to think about what had just been said. As a believer in Jesus Christ, God wants my life to be so in tune with Him and submissively under His control that others see Him first. My conversation reminded me to be submissive to God in all areas of my life so others will see Jesus first before they see me. In the closing part of James chapter four, we are reminded to submit our life to God in two areas that we struggle with even today. The first area is our speech and specifically judging others (11-12). When we judge we demand that others conform to our imperfect standard rather than God’s. In doing so we elevate our selves to be more important than others. However, a life of faith willingly submits to God’s view that we are all sinners in need of God’s perfect correction through His perfect grace. Secondly, James addresses the worldly issue of self sufficiency that seeks to be in control of life (13-16). James helps us see that a life of faith will humbly submit to God who knows all and His perfect plans. Living by what God has made clear is a life submitted to Him and His authority (17). James reminds us that a submissive life lives by faith by trusting God’s authority in what is right in the present and His plans for our future. When others look at us who do they see? Do they see Jesus first?
For More see JAMES
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