Week 10

Ladies:

If you are following along with this study and live close to Central Community Church, I want to encourage you to come on Wednesday night and join our small group. Nothing can replace the healing that takes place when hearts are shared. It is indescribable. If you do not have a place to go each week to grow in TRUTH and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, please come and join us. We would love for you to be there.

James 2: 14-26

Thank you Kelly for pinch hitting for me last week. It is comforting to know that you have me covered whenever I can’t make the meeting.

I will warn you up front ladies, verses 14-26 of James are straight-up convicting. These verses are point blank. This lesson is not about me pointing a finger or questioning anyone’s faith. It is not about making you feel guilty, but when we have completed this lesson, you will either leave here with the assurance that we are truly a born again Christian or we will leave here with major doubt about your salvation. What we have to make sure is that we get these truths in our hearts and begin today making them our life’s goal. The more I study James, the more painful this operation of cleaning out my insides becomes.

Should you be experiencing any doubt, now is the time to make a commitment to living your life for your Savior, Jesus Christ.

First of all I will be using the expression, a saving Faith in this teaching. This means believing that your faith in Jesus Christ is genuine (real) and it has saved you from spending eternity in Heaven. But in addition to that, your life (works) reflect equal evidence.


Title: Faith Without Works is DEAD

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? (righteous behavior that conforms to God’s Word. A doer of the Word is works!

That verse explains the word and works confusion back in Chapter 1! The faith that saves you will produce works of faith.

What evidence so you have in your life that you possess this saving faith?

In verse 14 what does Profit means (ophelos) n. – advantage (to increase something that contributes to or increases one’s well being.

In other words; What is the advantage…what benefit will there be…if you say you have faith but you don’t have works. You say (profess) that you are a Christian but you aren’t doing anything to show that you are.

Can faith alone save you?

Gal 2:16 …knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might me justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Paul says that the Works of the Law will not save you and that only faith in Christ will save you. (Romans 3:28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

He is saying that only saving faith (genuine) will transform a person’s life.

Paul sounds contradictory to what James is saying, but if you read Gal 6:9, 10 you will see that Paul says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Therefore, Paul and James agree that we are saved by faith, but works must follow. We are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

That is why we must pay special attention to

1 Cor 15:1-2 ..unless you have believed in vain.
That means: you may have an empty faith.

When I prayed the sinner’s pray in January 1989, I began going to church. But because of moves and more moving, I did not really connect with my saving faith until over six years later and then honestly I don’t think I truly understood my faith until I read the Bible from cover to cover two years ago. So that was many years of wondering whether or not I truly had a saving faith.


Gal 6:6-7 Let him that is taught in the Word share in all good (spiritually excellent things learned from the WORD) things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

John Calvin said: Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.

A saving faith is alive. An abandoned faith is dead!

How do you know then that you are saved? Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Bottom line: We cannot have our own way and still have a saving faith.

A woman who says she is a Christian doesn’t do as she pleases, she does as Christ pleases for her life.

Scripture teaches that salvation is not based on works but is a free gift, but it also teaches that God’s judgment is always on the basis of a man’s deeds!

Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. CHOICE – doer of good, doer of evil.

The works (deeds) of a saved man are not the basis of their salvation but the evidence of it.

What are the signs of a woman with a saving faith? John 13:34, 35 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Emphasis – Love one another.

You know I am peeling back the onion when I say that I have been too afraid (fear) of getting hurt by someone and protecting myself from hurt that I won’t love. But what I am doing is hurting others because of that wall I have created.

15 If a brother or sister is naked (undergarments only) and destitute (lacking, wanting) of daily food and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace (goodbye. Get out of here) be warmed (hope you stay warm), and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

We often say, “Let me know if I can do anything to help!” Or “call me and I’ll be right over”, or “I’ll pray for you”, as casual remarks hoping they really won’t call for help.

We really don’t want them to say they’ll take our help, do we. Because when they do we gripe about it and tell everybody how over extended we are because of all the needy people in our lives.

Or how often do we have an opportunity to help someone but don’t for fear (we have all kinds of fear) of the unknown, or it is just easier for someone else to do it.

17 Thus (so) also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (if you are not doing the Word, you are not genuinely saved and you are spiritually dead.

2 Pet 1:5-8 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (You will bear fruit…action…doer)

18 But someone will say, “you have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works!

If you truly have faith, it will be evident by your works.

19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble. (phrisso – shudder…cognizance of their appointed doom!

Do we tremble in reverence for God, Jesus our Savior?

20 But do you want to know, O foolish (you don’t understand) man, that faith without works is dead (the actual spiritual condition of an unsaved man).

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?

22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

Abraham’s offering of Isaac demonstrated the genuineness of his faith and thereby was justified (righteous…to be right before God)

Salvation is determined by faith alone (Eph 2:8, 9) and demonstrated by faithfulness to obey God’s will alone (Eph 2:10)

A fruit tree shows itself to be certain kind of tree by the fruit it produces.

True faith is demonstrated by the righteous (your obedience) life.

23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says (Gen 15:6) “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:1-5
And he was called the friend of God (because of his obedience)

2 Chron 20:7 Isaiah 41:8

24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Joshua 2:11

She showed her faith by her works. She jeopardized her own life by turning her back on her old life and on her own people. She said, “I am going to do something”, and that is exactly what we need to say. She believed God, so she got involved.

She got involved. We don’t like to get involved. It is too complicated. I’ll get hurt and … it is just too complicated. But James says, the more we say and the less we do is indicative of our saving faith.

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, (the lost are dead), so faith without works is dead.

Rotten roots means rotten fruit.

GOOD NEWS: Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

GOT TO PRESS!

Week 9

Joanie likes to say, “The teacher needs the lesson more than the student!” I guess this is why I get the next two weeks of James!

Let’s read James 2:1-13. (I would like to encourage you to write out each lesson’s verses, you’d be amazed how some things pop out at you when you read it in your own handwriting.)

Take a look at James 2:1: My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with {an attitude of} personal favoritism. (NAS)

My brethren, refers to all believers. We’ve seen that one before.

do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ

The word “hold” popped out at me. It means to consider, account. Are you thinking about your faith in the Lord Jesus and comparing it to another’s faith?

MH’s commentary says, “Christ’s being the Lord of glory should teach us not to respect Christians for any thing so much as their relation and conformity to Christ…In professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should not show respect to men, so as to cloud or lessen the glory of our glorious Lord:”

with {an attitude of} personal favoritism.

Favoritism: made accepted, similar to grace, but has nothing to do with grace. Favor is deserved or gained, grace is a free gift. If it’s personal favoritism, we’re using a standard of measure that may be out of kilter—our own. If we compare our faith to Mother Theresa, we consider her a faith giant. If we compare it to Brittney Spears, we feel oh so superior. Leviticus 19:15

Let’s read Luke 15:1-2. Who did Jesus hang with? Who needed to hear from Him? Who was grumbling?

Matthew 5:45-48 Let’s start with how we treat our fellow Christians. Did you know that the church is the most segregated place in the world on Sunday? Why is that?

What about all those denominations? Why do I feel uncomfortable walking into a cathedral for mass? Am I a religion snob? If they all agree that Jesus is the Lord of Glory, why do I not associate with very many Catholics?

Let’s read on: James 2:2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

For if a man comes into your assembly

Assembly-that doesn’t necessarily mean church. It does not specify worship. One commentary mentions a church business meeting such as income reporting, votes, discussion, judgment.

with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes

This denotes a rich man. A gold ring usually meant a signet ring—signing power for his family if you will. If you do a word study on gold ring and fine robes, you might also land on the following scripture: Luke 15:22, Genesis 41:42, Luke 23:11

and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

This normally describes the poor man. Someone just come in from the fields—directly from work maybe.

What about the rich and poor in spirit?
Do we look down on those who are not saved?
What about those in charge at the church, do we hold them in higher esteem than the ones who clean the kitchen or wipe the noses of our kids in Sunday school?
Why don’t we treat everyone special?

“It is not great men, nor worldly wealth, nor corrupt practices among professors themselves that must guide us, but the scriptures of truth.” Matthew Henry Commentary

and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,"

Footstool-under foot, a very low position. Matt 22:44 Reserved for enemies. ouch.

have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

Why so pious, oh my soul? We are guilty of partiality (a divided mind) as between the two strangers.

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world {to be} rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Luke 6:20

There is also the counter-productivity of such conspicuous partiality. As a matter of fact, the poor visitor at church is a hundred times more likely to become a Christian than the wealthy visitor; and it is a sin against the growth of the church to exhibit the kind of partiality that would tend to discourage the poor. - Coffman Commentaries

But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?

The Sadducees were big time oppressors of the poor. The Romans would look for anything to arrest a Christian.

Drag-- implies force, just one more excuse to drag a Christian into court to be persecuted.

Court-both the Jewish and Roman courts.

Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

Literally “which was called upon you”, the name in which you were baptized. The Gentiles and Jews blasphemed Christ’s name frequently.

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well.

Impossible to think that the “royal law” was Moses’ 10 commandments—because Moses was never a king. That’s why royal law is Jesus’ law: love the lord with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself.

Are we loving our neighbor as ourselves? Who is your neighbor?

Luke 10:27-38
Matthew 5:46-48

It is easy to like someone who likes you. But to like someone who doesn’t know you, even someone who doesn’t like you...That takes strength only God can supply!

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin {and} are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Are you loving your neighbor if you show partiality to another?

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all.

"Transgression of one precept of the Christian rule of faith is a breach of the whole, because it breaks fellowship with the object of faith." - Coffman Commentaries

Foye added, “God does not allow selective obedience.”

For He who said, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, "DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Snubbing the poor is equal in Christ’s eyes as murder. This is serious stuff. No more can we hold up a gauge and say, “At least I’m not as sinful as that other guy!”

All during this lesson I had a crystal goblet of water sitting on the table. There was a question on how does breaking one law break them all. I took a dropper and said, "If I were to take a drop of water from the toilet and let it fall into this goblet, it would ruin the whole glass full of water, right? So it is when we sin, when we break the royal law, we break fellowship with God. Breaking one of God's laws is like breaking them all, we're tainted. We must confess and ask to be washed clean again, or that chasm will remain between us and God. We need a Savior so badly!"

Another question came up about how we'll be asking forgiveness every day, all day...how long will God put up with that? Our Heavenly Father is patient, he'll keep forgiving as long as we keep asking. And Jesus is there to intercede on our behalf!

So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by {the} law of liberty.

The teachings of the Son of God are characterized by freedom. What a freedom we have! I'd rather be under God's law than under the slavery of sin. It's like the birds of the air--they have to obey the law of gravity, but they fly using that law. Why can't we fly spiritually? Our sin of favoritism keeps us grounded!

For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.

Matthew 6:14, Matthew 5:7

Mercy stands higher than the law as the guiding principle of God's relationship with men.

Micah 7:18, Romans 12:8

The one who is harsh and short with his neighbor, or else does not help him, he shall find God a hard and rough judge to him.

But the mercy of God in Christ towards us should produce mercy towards others, making us victors over discrimination and judgment. We don’t deserve this grace, so why not be a vessel of His mercy?

What did Jesus pray for? John 17:15-21

Can you think of someone who is very difficult to be around? What if you were to make that person your homework for this week? Try and see them as Jesus sees them. Try to see the hurt and frustration in their lives. See if you can lighten their load a bit this week.

In Christ,
Kelly

Week 8

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Doer means your entire personality should be of impeccable godly character.

Don’t just do something, following a bunch of rules…no it is your entire personality must be totally one-sided with no outside worldly influence.

Deceiving yourselves – mental straying, error in morals. Miscalculation. You who are content with only hearing the Word have made serious miscalculations.

Instead: Set yourself apart with the Word of Truth –Psalm 4:3

Greek word for doer – means performer

We must not only receive the word, but we have to obey it. You must have a deep desire to hear God speaking to you and an unquestionable willingness to do whatever He says.

The Bible must be translated into action. Every time you go to Scripture you are asking God to change you to become more like HIM.

If you profess to be a believer, your likeness to Jesus Christ should be increasing every day.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Set apart to be used by God. That’s you my friend. REJOICE!

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word – hearer (akroates) – one who hears but quickly forgets what he has heard. Your knowledge of the Bible does not lead to change.

Believers who hear the Word of God must receive it with a teachable spirit, applying it to their everyday lives. To hear and not obey is to be deceived.

It is easy to read the Bible casually or because of a sense of duty without being effected by what we have read.

and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

observing means to look carefully, not casually.

Natural face means how God made you…the face of your birth. Outer appearance. Going your own way.

A mirror reflects the perfect image of you. It shows every wrinkle, every blemish. The Word of God will do the same. It reveals or brings forth who you really are.

If you looked into the mirror and you had dirt (filth) on your face, you would wash your face immediately. You fix the problem.

When you see a flaw (sin) when you compare yourself to God’s Word, do you fix it or overlook it? The Word of God is a mirror that reveals what is wrong with you. Our sin.

Vs 24 for he observes (looks carefully) himself, goes away…(turns his back to) and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. (Your sinful nature is going to be revealed when you look carefully at yourself against the Word of God.

What will you do? Go away…turn your back? Say it is too hard to change?

Did you know that the Bible is the only book that has sold more copies than any other book, but it is the only book that is bought but seldom read.

Why is that? People want to be religious, but they don’t want to change.

Why are churches empty? Why don’t sinners want to go to church? Perhaps it is because the light of truth is blinding to those choosing to live in darkness.

Ever wonder why roaches scatter when the light is turned on? They are filth loving creatures and they prefer to remain in the dark. They are discovered when the light comes on.

Ever thought of yourself as a roach? I haven’t until this teaching.

This is saying that we cannot look casually at ourselves when we are comparing ourselves to the Word. We need to look carefully. God will not be mocked and we should not gamble with His mercy and grace.

Why do we make excuses not to study? Are we really too busy or are we afraid that the Word might reveal some of the fifth that we allow to remain in our lives.

Here again, God gives us a choice. Either choose to fix our flaws or turn our back to them and think that they have gone away.

Vs 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty (freedom in Christ) and continues in it,

In contrast to verse 24, we have to be the believer who looks into the word of God and practices it in his life. As you obey it, you find true freedom from your old human nature and your human thinking. WHO NEEDS THAT MESS. It never got us anywhere ever.

The perfect law of liberty is the law of love. Loving God and loving one’s neighbor sums up the Law (see Matt 26:36-40). But Christ’s love (Eph 3:17-19) frees us from our sins so we can truly love others (John 8:36-38); Gal 5:13).

What’s that mean? The Truth is the only thing that will set you free. We can have genuine freedom from sin. The Holy Spirit is in us and He will help us to change.

And is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed, in what he does. (remember what blessed meant? Receive gift/eternal rewards from God).

You don’t forget what you have read, rather you seek to live it out in daily practice. Your obedience brings blessings to your soul.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

First of all, we must know that Christianity is not a religion, it is a person and that person is Jesus Christ. That is your faith, not your religion.

People often asked the question, “What religion are you”? I usually answer, Christian. They look at me funny. I don’t know if that is the correct answer anymore. I will never be a part of a denomination because I believe denominations are not Biblical but have only caused barriers or dissention between Christians.

Verse 26 is very interesting. Because to the world, being religious is a good thing. Webster’s dictionary says: the service and worship of God...commitment to your God (faith).

Religious to the world means works. Singing in the choir, attending church on Sunday by obligation.

Religious in Latin meant that emphasis is put on external trappings, rituals, routines, formalities that were not followed sincerely.

Emphasis needs to be on internal godliness.

What we appear to be in the mirror, rather than what we really are inside is what we need to carefully observe.

Bridle is a metaphor which means to control or keep a tight reign on. Chalinagogeo – to lead, to hold in check, restrain…head gear used to control a horse.

Purity of heart is often revealed by speech (Matthew 12:36)

Tongue – an organ of speech Look up Job 5:21, Ps 34:13, Pro 10:31, Pro 15:4, Pro 21:23, James 3:5, 3:6, 3:8

But what part of every person’s body will be tamed when judgment day comes? Phil 2:10,11

That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

27 Pure and undefiled religion God wants us pure and undefiled. Pure means unmixed substance – free from contaminants! Confess Him today as your Lord, and mean it!

before God and the Father is this: to visit (comes from the Greek word usually translated bishop, a person who oversees people. (1 Tim 3:1) orphans and widows (were among the most needy classes in ancient societies) in their trouble,

Orphans and widows are those who cannot reciprocate in any way. Caring for them clearly demonstrates true, sacrificial Christian love. Simple outward practical actions are found in acts of grace and a walk that is totally opposite of the world.

and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (pure and undefiled)

We are to keep ourselves unspotted, free from the evil condition of the world, without moral blemish, and free from all defilement in the sight of God.

Are you ready to stop following your own desires and start following His Word? I am. Commit to spending more time listening for His voice and get ready for Him to change you from filth to purity.

We are not going to get it right … right away. And don’t beat yourself up because you can’t seem to get it right. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Can I be honest? I am the teacher, and I just lost my peace. I was not slow to anger, was very quick to speak and I was not listening for God to guide me through this parenting explosion.

Now you know why I am the teacher. The teacher needs the message the most.

This is one powerful book.

j

Week 7

Let’s start this lesson by backing up to read verse 18: Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. NJK

Remember back to last week what conception meant?

Vs 15 Conception – the joining or union of two

And what is the conception of sin? Sin – the desire of your old nature + temptation. Temptation alone is not sin.

Opposite of sin is: Sinless…doing the Father’s will

Conception of will – The Father wills that all will be saved ..that no one should perish

Mathew 18:14 It is not the will of your Father who is in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

HIS WILL + YOUR WILL = a new birth

We are responsible for our choices, not God, not the enemy, not other people. We are.

Believing the Word … and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

When you are willing to come (your will) when you believe the Word of God and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior…that’s your new birth.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth, so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:22, 23

God chose to give you birth, but you had to choose God.

There must be that union. You + God = New Creation

Or

Your sin nature + temptation = sin

Your choice!

Verses 19-27 gives us practical (“possible” to practice) instructions as to how we can be firstfruits of His Creation, choosing God’s way and not sin. Our character should reflect God’s character because we are born again by the Word of Truth.

Who is the Word of Truth? And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 1 John 1:1

Let’s discuss these practical instructions that God’s Word teaches us. Want to be more Christ-like? Build Godly character? Follow along! But always remember to study God’s word in anticipation of what He is about to change in your life. READY?

19 So then my beloved brethren, (those of you who believe in Jesus as the Messiah)

let every man be swift (tachus) – speedy, quickness, to respond

to hear (to listen to, to be alert)

Hear what? The Word. You see, the Creator of the Universe wants to talk to you through the Holy Spirit that is in you. Did you know that you can read the Bible without every letting it speak to you? Hmmmm

Be ready to hear the Word of God. We have to be teachable by the Holy Spirit.

1 Kings 19:11, 12 …in a still, small voice. He is not going to yell to get our attention. We need to be alert and quiet. When you are talking all the time, you can’t hear. When you are being bombarded by the world’s loud voice, you cannot hear the still, small voice.

Be swift to hear. We are not listening. Why? Because we are listening to the world.

slow to speak (pseudologos) *Is being too talkative a sin? Perhaps if you talked less, we would listen more!

"slow" means cautious – take care what you say. Less talk, more listening. Guard your conversations.

Ref: Prov 10:19

"speak" – to utter words. Believers are to eagerly pursue every opportunity to know God’s word before you speak/teach/preach.

Psalm 119:11 – Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.

It is you that must make it your own personal relationship.

Remember, it is not my responsibility to make you holy or happy. Only you can do that. It is crucial for you to study the Word for yourself and not just take everything I say as the inerrant Word. I error, not intentionally, and I commit to teaching what I feel God has taught me. But I am human and I will not always be “right on” target. I am learning too.

You might have heard this as a joke, but God gave you two ears and one mouth so that you would listen to Him twice as much as you talk to Him! (asking for things)!

slow to wrath - greek meaning (deep internal resentment and rejection of God’s word.

That’s interesting.

So what is wrong with anger? Refer to these verses: Matt 5:21-24, 38-48, 6:14-15, 7:1-5

20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God

Wrath – anger never produces righteousness. There is no place in righteous (a godly character) living for an angry spirit.

Righteousness – faithfulness – believers are brought into a right relationship with God. This righteousness is unattainable by obedience to any law, any merit by man…only faith in Christ. The man who trusts in Christ becomes “the righteousness” of God in Him.

What kinds of things make God angry? Proverbs 6:16-19, Exo 4:1-17, 32:7-14 Deut 1:26-36, Zech 1:2-4, Mark 3:1-6

Our anger should be the same as God’s anger.

2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

21 Therefore, lay aside – apotithemi – to put off from oneself – every weight

all filthiness – rhuparia – dirt, filth – moral defilement (impure – to render unholy, unclean) , filthiness of the flesh, wrong behavior – spiritual, mental, and physical

and overflow of wickedness – evil, morally bad, naughtiness, malice

original meaning – ear wax – anything that impedes the believer’s spiritual hearing!

Overflow means – too much, surplus, abundance

and receive with meekness – condition of the mind and heart, humble

You must have a meek, humble, teachable spirit

Titus 3:2 Christians are charged to show “all meekness” toward all men for meekness becomes God’s elect – Col 3:2

Meekness: inwrought (embroidered in the soul) grace of the soul. Gentle, submissive, enduring injury with patience and without resentment – mild.

3rd beatitude – Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is not weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit.

Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

the implanted (emphutos) word which is able to save your soul. – rooted – the word of God is the rooted word – it should root itself in our hearts.

The implanted Word is able to save your soul. It saves you from eternity in hell and hell on earth.

{Hi this is Kelly. We stopped the study here because it was late, we will continue with James 1:22-27 this week. Stay tuned!}