Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
A Persevering Faith and Wisdom From
Above
Charles Abraham
St. John's MTC, NY
5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives
to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
I was recently at a business strategy seminar where the speaker spoke about focusing on the long view. That is the only way to ensure that your business will survive. It requires a deep understanding of who you are, what your purpose is, and what the ultimate goal is. I believe that this message is just as applicable for our life in general. In James 1:1-8, we see that James is exhibiting all of the above characteristics while firmly focusing on the “long view”.
The passage starts off with the introduction. James refers to himself as “a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Scholars believe that this James was the brother of Jesus and the leader of the council in Jerusalem. James clearly understood who he was, and what his purpose was – and this understanding is what drove his actions. As Matthew Henry said back in the 1700’s, we should “therefore not act as masters, but as ministers.” This letter of James was written to the twelve tribes that were dispersed abroad, and the main thrust of the letter was to encourage and instruct.
In this short passage, he tells his readers to persevere and endure. This message was sorely needed in the early years (in fact the letter of James was one of the first New Testament writings), as Christians faced unparalleled persecution. It was a time where many questioned their own beliefs, and were confused as to their future – to which James exhorted his readers to ask God for wisdom. When we look at where we are today, perhaps we are no longer in confusion, perhaps we no longer question. It is a dangerous place for us to be, because we might no longer be driven by our faith in Christ, but rather as James says “like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
James’ heart was seared with the memory of Christ, the message of salvation, and the burden to share the gospel with others. He warned that a Christian must display stability and consistency, and keep encouraged even in the most discouraging of situations. It is a difficult message, but one that needs to be heard by our generation. Today, can we look at our faith and say that it is stable? Do we live each day driven by our purpose as bond servants of Christ? Does our faith endure? Brothers and sisters let us take a moment today to meditate on this passage again.
I was recently at a business strategy seminar where the speaker spoke about focusing on the long view. That is the only way to ensure that your business will survive. It requires a deep understanding of who you are, what your purpose is, and what the ultimate goal is. I believe that this message is just as applicable for our life in general. In James 1:1-8, we see that James is exhibiting all of the above characteristics while firmly focusing on the “long view”.
The passage starts off with the introduction. James refers to himself as “a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. Scholars believe that this James was the brother of Jesus and the leader of the council in Jerusalem. James clearly understood who he was, and what his purpose was – and this understanding is what drove his actions. As Matthew Henry said back in the 1700’s, we should “therefore not act as masters, but as ministers.” This letter of James was written to the twelve tribes that were dispersed abroad, and the main thrust of the letter was to encourage and instruct.
In this short passage, he tells his readers to persevere and endure. This message was sorely needed in the early years (in fact the letter of James was one of the first New Testament writings), as Christians faced unparalleled persecution. It was a time where many questioned their own beliefs, and were confused as to their future – to which James exhorted his readers to ask God for wisdom. When we look at where we are today, perhaps we are no longer in confusion, perhaps we no longer question. It is a dangerous place for us to be, because we might no longer be driven by our faith in Christ, but rather as James says “like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
James’ heart was seared with the memory of Christ, the message of salvation, and the burden to share the gospel with others. He warned that a Christian must display stability and consistency, and keep encouraged even in the most discouraging of situations. It is a difficult message, but one that needs to be heard by our generation. Today, can we look at our faith and say that it is stable? Do we live each day driven by our purpose as bond servants of Christ? Does our faith endure? Brothers and sisters let us take a moment today to meditate on this passage again.
PRAYER
Father, we thank You for
Your many blessings. As we mediate upon Your Word, we ask for your wisdom. We
pray for those who are actively working for Your Kingdom, and we ask that you
strengthen us to boldly be Your bond servants. We also pray that we might persevere
and endure in the face of trial and tribulation. All this we ask in the name of
Jesus Christ, Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Let us not be driven and tossed by the wind; rather let our faith and God’s wisdom drive us forward, through persecution, enduring in all things, for the glory of our Savior. Let our hearts be seared with the message of salvation, and the burden to share the gospel with others.
Let us not be driven and tossed by the wind; rather let our faith and God’s wisdom drive us forward, through persecution, enduring in all things, for the glory of our Savior. Let our hearts be seared with the message of salvation, and the burden to share the gospel with others.