Years ago, I posted a quote by a solid Christian author on Bible Love Note's Facebook page, and a woman misunderstood it.
She thought it was saying that Jesus doesn't give eternal life when it was saying just the opposite.
So she wrote an angry comment in all caps, "defending" Christ.
She's a good illustration of a problem many of us have at times when we:
- Don't listen.
- Jump to conclusions.
- Don't give others the benefit of the doubt.
- Ignore the facts.
- Mistakenly think we're being righteous.
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
Isn't it a blessing that the Bible understands our human hearts and speaks directly to them!
--------------
I encourage you to read these two 1-minute devotions about the same subject:
Name-Calling is for Losers
6 Christian Rules of Speech
------------
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
How well we are able to apply The Word of God in our lives, is a direct reflection of how close our walk is with him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder.
Thank you
ReplyDeleteAlthough people don't realize this but James was not talking to the body of Christ today... Read James 1:1; which tribe are you from?
ReplyDeleteI am aware of the beliefs you mention, but they are not accurate or Biblical. The book of James applies to all genuine believers in Christ. I pray God will free you from this false teaching.
DeleteGail is accurate in what she's saying. By the logic you're using, none of the epistles are for us today: Rom 1:7, 1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 1:1, Gal 1:2, Eph 1:1 so on and so on. And you couldn't use the argument of differentiating between the two ministries (Jew and gentile) because of Acts 15:6-12. Don't let yourself be deceived to justify ungodly behavior, take 2 Tim 3:16 to heart.
DeleteSo what are you really trying to say? Because what I am perceiving from your comment is that the New Testament only applies to the Christians 2000 years ago.
DeleteI agree with you kingengr. To the 12 tribes. To the Jews. Yes, but we gentiles can us this wise words from James. Although it's a letter to only the 12 Jewish tribes, and it's full of the law and such, there are things in the letter that we all can benefit. For example, My wife's friend wrote her a letter. Now it was directly to and for my wife. She gave it to me to read. Now there were things in there that could only apply to my wife, because it was written to her, but there were other things that her friend said that I could take to heart and apply. That's like our Bible, a package with letter addressed to different people, history, prophecy, etc. All you have to do is read the beginning of the letters to know who they were written to. Like Peter, who did he write to? Im with ya kingengr. Rightly dividing the Word of God.
DeleteI forgot, James 1:19-20 can apply to us all
DeleteDear Kingengr, So if this doesn't apply to me "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." I can not take time to listen? Mouth off before I have clarified an issue? Get really angry and uptight when people don't see things as I do? Is this what God wants, really, really wants? Just checking, eh.
DeleteBecause some of us didn't understand what love truly means. See 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.
ReplyDeleteYes,instead,it's true anger can change once feelings and behaviour unexpectedly,without realizing that you are already out of order.
ReplyDeleteJames was writing to the twelve tribes of the Jews who were scattered abroad, whether converted to Christianity or not. They were living out of Judea among the Gentiles for trade or commerce. At this time they were partly nomadic, partly sojourning, and partly resident in Asia, Greece, Egypt, and Italy. James 1:19 & 20 applies to Christians today as it was to Jewish Christians then.
ReplyDeleteDon't Christians ignore many parts of the Bible, eg the support for slavery and murder ? There are a lot of examples.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve,
DeleteThis title ("Don't Bother Me with the Facts") is tailor-made for you. You've obviously read some article by someone who makes accusations against the Bible without checking them out. It's easy to take things out of context and explain them incorrectly. The Bible supports neither slavery nor murder.
We dont want to escape the word of God, the word of God pointing us in all parts of his word..
ReplyDeleteGod is great
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that sometimes this gets even the most "mature" of us in our zeal to defend the word. A dear brother posted something just the other day on social media as a joke but because of a few words that are right now stirring up controversy, many of us "filled in the blanks" without slowing down and truly reading what the meme said. Sure enough, when we were "called on the carpet" we saw our mistake and sure enough, it was strictly done in humor, but boy, did it ever prove your point. I've been pastoring for decades and even today, I am STILL learning. May we never stop, those of us who love the Lord! Amen, GREAT and much needed article!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was helpful, Pastor Roland.
Delete