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The seed is the word of God (Luke 8.11).
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The seed is the word of God (Luke 8.11). |
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Pure Religion 19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 2.19-27 (NIV)
Do you consider yourself religious? Do you consider yourself moral? Do you consider yourself a devout Christian? If anyone is be a devout Christian, then he must show it by his actions and his words. Religious expression (Threskia in Greek) is an outward expression of spiritual devotion. It is imperative that all Christians live as they are called to live. “The greatest single cause of atheism today is Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, but walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” (DC Talk).
Many Christians are like the man who hear the word, the seed, but the words eat it up quickly. He forgets what he has heard. Such a man professes to be devout, but promotes their religion in vain, because actions always speak louder and longer than words. Therefore, it is imperative that Christian bridal their tongue, and be quick to listen and slow to speak, and slow to get angry. This is what an unbelieving world would find believable. We must be a witness when words are not enough—through our actions (Avalon).
To remember the word, we must intently focus on it, making it part of our thinking. Just like the Psalmist wrote, “I have treasured your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119.11). If any Christian sins, it is because he leaves his first love, Jesus Christ, and does not abide in him. He does not keep his commandments.
True religion expresses itself in true services. We must be willing to minister to those that are considered the lowest by society, just as children and women were in Christ’s day. We must be humble, as Jesus was humble (Philippians 2.5-8). Jesus was willing, to minister to women (Matthew 15.28) to children, (Mathew 19.14), to touch lepers (Matthew 8.3), and wash feet (John 13.14). This is what an unbelieving world can find believable.
True Religion shows itself in purity—purity from the world. If we are to be a witness when words are not enough, we must “be in the world, but not of the world” so that the world will take notice that we are different because we are Christian. They see our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in times of adversity (Galatians 5.22-23). And wonder where such character comes from. This is what a believing world can simply find believable.
Vol. 3, # 1 |
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