Read James 1:25. What does he say about the role of the law? James echoes the Psalms in calling God’s law perfect (Ps. 19:7) and a way of freedom (Ps. 119:45). But notice that the law in James cannot save us and certainly cannot cleanse us. It shows us God’s ideal, but it cannot make … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:22 again. The Greek says to be doers of the Word. How might the message have been different had James simply said, Do the word? James combines being and doing. He does not separate them, nor does he make one more important than the other. They are like two sides of the same … Continue reading –>
Someone once said this about his enemy: I see him every day-when I’m shaving. This is exactly what James wants us to recognize: our greatest enemy is ourselves. Salvation begins by seeing who we really are, not who we imagine ourselves to be. Read James 1:23-24. Who is described here, and what is the basic … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 1:23-24; Matt. 19:16-22; Luke 6:27-38; Rom. 8:2-4; Rom. 12:9-18; 2 Pet. 1:4. Memory Text: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Jean Francois Gravelet, better known as The Great Blondin, became famous for walking across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. … Continue reading –>
Juan Caicedo Solis The demons in Mirella struggled against the family members who took her to the Adventist church. During the struggle Mirella fainted. When the family tried to carry her limp body through the church door, they could feel a powerful force pushing them away. Inside the church the congregation prayed while deacons tried … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read about sin and the power to change in Ellen G. White, Repentance, Steps to Christ, pp. 23-36 and summarize the key points. The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the power of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, … Continue reading –>
One day at work many years ago, my boss crossed the line and really upset me. I felt I was being pressured beyond what I could endure. I was about to march into my boss’s office and spew out a series of un-Christlike words. Not that it is wrong to confront your boss when he … Continue reading –>
For the last two weeks I have been engaged in a war of wills with a family of squirrels. Those cute little creatures always scampering about my yard had now become my opponents. Unbeknownst to me these creatures had taken up residence in my house. My wife had suggested some time ago that there could … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:21. What role does the word have in what James is saying? This verse concludes all that has been said so far about faith and salvation. It is an appeal to put away all impurity and separate ourselves from wickedness. The command put away (RSV) is used seven out of nine times in … Continue reading –>
Introduction. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12. What does our love for God have to do with victory over temptation? Will we be tempted even if we love God supremely? Will we be … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:19-20. What important point is he making there? God’s Word is powerful. But so are human words. How often have we spoken words that later we wish we could take back? Unfortunately, just being aware of how hurtful wrong words can be, and how destructive anger is, does little to help us get … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: God provided everything to overcome sin. As we hide the Word in our hearts, we can overcome the temptation to sin… [Lesson Plan for Enduring Temptation October 13, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read James 1:12-14. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
