James 1:20
For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
This is James, the brother of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph - interesting to read the brother of Jesus speak of growing up across the dinner table from the Son of God.
9 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Evidently, Jesus traveled going to see people - for the benefit of God. Jesus was doer.
Looking into the perfect law? The Law of Liberty?
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
James has witnessed Jesus for decades.
Jesus is quick to hear, slow to speak. Slow to become angry. Not meek and mild. Jesus told us to be salt. Jesus was not perceiving Himself as Religious, but as pure and deliberate in the use of His Speech. Jesus is the Word with God. Never forgetting Who HE is. Blessing others in His Actions and pure Words.
Jesus is not boastful, using the Word of God as "It is Written" - not as "Religious Law" - using the Word of God to save the ones Jesus came to save - you and me.
Jesus saw Himself as a doer of God's plan - love in action. Loving Father God with all His Spirit.
Jesus' family did tease Jesus to go to the Festival and be boastful, but when Trouble came - they sought to bring Him home to them. Jesus is recorded as going home with His friends - disciples - to attend a wedding and see His Mother.
When we have anger at injustices in life - we remember:
The Exodus is the reminder - God cares very much about the lives of His Children on earth. Our Father God made a huge and sweeping statement - God longs for His Children to have Liberty. And Advantages.
We all can picture Israel as God's viewpoint, and yet God chose His Son to see this of the world. God's viewpoint is different than ours.
God Loves us. God seeks for each of us to know - He created us to be individuals. God loves us that much to write this Letter to you - His Child - to have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
Father God,
Help us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ to us personally. To fully know this love that surpasses knowledge.
Fill us the to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Today God calls us, the fullness of the earth and Heaven is His. He calls to us from Paradise - Today God's Begotten Son tells us He longs for our lives to be abundant. Today God would be a Father to us. Today we open our hearts to hear His Voice.
Today we come to share our confidence in Jesus Christ. Today, Father God, You are the same as yesterday and tomorrow in Your Love and Steadfast Promises to those who call upon You.
Today, as the Lord wills, we ask He guide us in the right thing to do.
Knowing Tomorrow, we still rely upon You Father God. And in expectation of Your Word - look for Your promises to us in Faith. God, You are Love. Let us lay down our hurts and have our hearts love. Love is of God.
Thank You, Father God, for James recording his love for His Brother - Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
2 comments:
Good Word
Thank you Marty for your encouragement!
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