Hello Sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … James 1-5, Acts 15-16 and Galatians 1-6
Studying James and Galatians on the same day is like examining 2 sides of a magnificent coin.
Galatians, written by Paul, is an impassioned letter about our freedom in Christ.
James, written by James, the brother of Jesus, is a practical letter dealing with Christian ethics and how to maintain a lifestyle of deeds that matches a confession of faith.
Each of these men came to Christ in very intimate ways. Paul was converted, through a personal encounter with Jesus, after he had persecuted and murdered many Christ followers. Paul transitioned from being a relentless adversary to the cause of Christ to being a relentless advocate for relationship with Christ. James was the brother of Jesus and yet did not believe Him to be the son of God until after the resurrection. It was in a special and private interview with the risen Lord that James was converted and then became the head of the Jerusalem Church. Each of these bold witnesses to the faith came from backgrounds of doubt and were transformed by an encounter with Christ.
There is a beautiful balance between the writing of Paul and the writings of James:
Paul says, “Take the Gospel in.”
James says, “Take it out.”
Paul saw Christ in the heavens, establishing our righteousness.
James saw Him on earth, telling us to be as perfect as His Father in Heaven is perfect.
Paul dwells on the source of our faith.
James tells of the fruit of our faith.
Paul lays the foundation in Christ.
James builds the superstructure.
(“What the Bible is All About)
In light of our theme, “A New Mission: The Church,” the debate of faith and works can be very divisive. It is evident in today’s reading that the two cannot exist without each other. A friend recently told me a story about their 10 year old son asking, “If I can never be perfect like Jesus, then why do I have to try so hard to be good?” In essence this is the question that we are asking when we try to separate faith and works. The truth is that no, we can never be perfect like Jesus. And yes, we are saved by faith alone. So, why then do we try so hard to live out our faith? Gratitude.
It is because of our gratitude for Christ, God’s greatest gift, that we seek to live our lives in a way that is glorifying to God. We are not trying to earn our way into relationship with God, Christ did that for us. It is in response to all that He did for us, giving up His life, that we desire to know Him, please Him and reflect Him to this world. Faith without works is dead not because faith is not enough. Faith without works is dead because if I am not overwhelmed by the love of God in a way that propels me to live my life for Him then there is no way that I have truly experienced relationship with a perfect and loving Savior.
Works do not lead to faith, faith leads to works because of humble gratitude for the love that is poured out on us each day. As we meditate on the Word of God this summer, I pray that we will be overcome with gratitude for the gift of Christ and that we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to work out our faith in a way that is pleasing to God and glorifying to Him on this earth.
Love you all,
Kinsee
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
