Tongues of Fire

Meditations in the Season of Lent

March 10, 2022

Tongues of Fire

Sometimes (our tongue) praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes (our tongue) curses those who have been made in the image of God.

James 3:9

Read: James 3:1-12

James makes the point that those who teach in the church are judged more strictly. (v.1) I think more people speaking in the church need to read this verse because we are held accountable for what we speak, and for what we write. I am very aware of this each time I sit down to write these daily meditations.

James presented what appears to be a hopeless condition. Our tongue is a flame of fire. “It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (v.6) We need to be aware of this because our tongue reveals whether we are still corrupted by the world. I think James wanted the church to recognize the dichotomy that is the reality of our life.

We are the beloved children of God, and the spirit of Christ is within us. However, our mortal life, apart from God, is still alive and well within us. Therefore, Saint Paul called us to deny the ways of our old self and make the choice to live by trusting in the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20)

We also need to be aware of Saint Paul’s encouragement:

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25a)

 

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (Romans 8: 1-2)

My Takeaway: We can make the choice to live our lives trusting in Jesus because he loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pausMy Takeaway:e and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Dead Faith

Meditations in the Season of Lent

March 9, 2022

Dead Faith

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James 2:18

Read: James 2:14-26

By faith, God creates His children anew: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17) The purpose of our new life in Christ is to prepare for the coming Kingdom of God. How? The Prophet Micah sums this up nicely: “. . . the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) Notice the imperatives: to do . . . to love . . . and to walk. . .

James made this same point by noting that if you have accepted what God is doing in Christ to give you new life, there will be evidence of your faith. Your faith does not earn your new life in Christ, but your good works are evidence that you do have faith in what God wants to do in you.

This church being mentored by James, when challenged about their ideas, pointed to their actions. They believed that their behavior said what they believed; it was an enactment of their Gospel message. A Bishop of the church said it this way:

“Beloved brethren…[we] are philosophers not in words, but in deeds;
we exhibit our wisdom not by our dress, but by truth;
we know virtues by their practice rather than through boasting of them;
we do not speak great things but we live them.”

Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, A.D. 256

My Takeaway: Why does James make such a big deal out of this? Because “nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.” (Ludwig Wittgenstein 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

You Will Be Judged

Meditations in the Season of Lent

March 8, 2022

You Will Be Judged

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.

James 1:12

Read: James 2:1-13

This passage is not often read in most mainline churches. There is just not much traction in today’s Christian culture for accountability. Sentimental notions that everyone is going to heaven when they die, or at least all the people we know, grips much of Christianity today. Our Sunday School class spent three weeks discussing this phrase in the Nicene Creed: “And he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead.” One of our takeaways was that the idea that God judges is not very popular these days. Even so, James is quite clear that God will judge our lives. Following verse 12, quoted above, James writes, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” (v.13)

We saw yesterday that we are to not let the world corrupt us. James uses different illustrations to reveal how easily it is to be corrupted by the world’s culture. James affirms that “it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” (v. 8, 9) James will mention adultery and murder in the following verses, but here he showed that something seemingly as innocuous as showing favoritism, is evidence of corruption.

My Takeaway: “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” (v. 12 NRSV) The Season of Lent is an opportunity for me to do a ‘gut-check’. Is what I believe about Christ Jesus aligned with how I am living my life?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

Pure Religion

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 7, 2022

Pure Religion

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James 1:27

Read: James 1:19-27

When I began with this series on the Book of James last Thursday, I noted James was concerned that the people in his church may be deceiving themselves that they were in a right relationship with God because their lifestyle did not differ substantially from the surrounding culture.

John Wesley struggled with this same issue. He saw people seemingly doing the right things: going to church; placing money in the offering plate; singing the hymns; etc. But, like James, he also saw that the way these people were living was not much different than the world around them. Wesley concluded these people were holding to a form of religion, but that their religion lacked the power to change lives. James’ conclusion was very similar.

We will see over the next two weeks that the Book of James is a lesson in practical Christianity and provides us an excellent opportunity to examine ourselves to see if we are seeking to have our lives changed through our faith in Jesus. James puts it this way:

“But don’t just listen to God’s word.

You must do what it says.

Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

(James 1:22) 

My Takeaway: Several pundits have noted recently that the partisan divide that is so prevalent in today’s political culture is also becoming prevalent in many churches. James’ imperative is vitally important to the Christian communities today: refuse to let the world corrupt you. Amen!

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Word of Our God Will Stand Forever

Meditations in the Season of Lent 

March 4, 2022

The Word of Our God Will Stand Forever

In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

James 1:18 (NRSV)

Read: James 1:9-18

James packs much instruction into this short passage. Invoking the principles of the Kingdom Jesus taught, such as the last shall be first, James contrasts the rich and the poor to make the point we find our true purpose as the children of God, not in achieving wealth and fame in the world’s culture.

James believed cherishing the values of the Kingdom will help us avoid being lured away from God by our sinful desires. He makes the strong case that God does not tempt us; we can handle that all on our own. When James emphasizes the fidelity of God, we are reminded that God will lead us and give us wisdom as we learned yesterday, but God will not tempt us, lie to us, or shame us on a guilt trip to get us to follow him.

James used the powerful words in Isaiah 40:7-8 to stress that God’s primary way of relating to his children is through his word:

  The grass withers, the flower fades,

    when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;

    surely the people are grass.

 The grass withers, the flower fades;

    but the word of our God will stand forever.

My Takeaway: Implicit in referring to us as ‘first fruits’ (v.18) is the truth there are more fruits to come. This is accomplished when we bring others to Christ, and when we fully cooperate with God in his work to form Christ in us. (See Philippians 1:6, 13, Colossians 1:26-28)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Faith and Endurance

Meditations in the Season of Lent

March 3, 2022

Faith and Endurance

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

James 1:2

Read: James 1:1-8

Last year we read about the Apostle Paul as we worked our way through the Book of Acts. We also read five of Paul’s letters. Paul had very high expectations for himself and for the followers of Jesus. He was unwavering in his appeal for the church to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. He also invited the church to go deep into the heart of God with their spirituality. If Paul was in the Marine Corp, he would be the Chaplain.

James, if he was in the Marines, would be the Drill Instructor. James goes straight to the bottom line. As we read through this epistle, we will see James was concerned that the moral conduct of some people in the church was no different than the rest of their culture. James was concerned that these people may be deceiving themselves that they were in a right relationship with God, and he doesn’t hesitate to call them out.

James’ style of cutting to the chase is revealed in today’s opening passage. Here James gives us two aphorisms that he will develop more fully in later chapters. The first is an encouragement to consider it an opportunity for great joy when troubles of any kind come our way. Why? Because it is an opportunity for spiritual growth as we trust God more fully with our lives. (James will expand on this theme in 2:14-26)

The second is an encouragement to ask God for wisdom. This aphorism will be expanded in 3:13 – 4:10, but here, like a Drill Instructor, James provides a sharp warning: “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver.” (v.6)

Taken together, James’ encouragement to consider troubles an opportunity for joy, and asking for wisdom with faith in God alone, reveal that seeking the life in Christ as our way of life is hard work. This is like the single-minded devotion to God I noted in Luke 9 and 10.

My Takeaway: Goals for my Lenten journey will be gaining more awareness of my response to troubles or obstacles I encounter and learning to discern whether I am fully trusting in God.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Ash Wednesday - Our Cry of Repentance

Meditations in the Season of Lent

March 2, 2022

Ash Wednesday

Our Cry of Repentance

Psalm 51:7- 10 - Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. The season of Lent calls us to set aside time for fasting and prayer to focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

According to Britannica.com, Lent has been observed since apostolic times, though the practice was not formalized until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Christian scholars note that Lent became more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. Most agree that by the end of the fourth century, the 40-day period of Easter preparation known as Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises.

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Heavenly Father, have mercy on us. We confess our sins to you. We have fallen short of your glory and without your mercy and grace, we have no hope. Help us, by your Holy Spirit, to receive your conviction of our sin, and lead us to truly repent for our sin. As we enter this Lenten season, we are sustained by the words of Jesus, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Father, we are willing to enter the wilderness of this Lenten season because we know Easter is coming! Death has no sting, no victory, because of Jesus! Glory and honor and praise to His name! Thank you for rescuing us from sin and death. Help us keep both the weight and the joy of this season in our hearts as we move through the next several weeks. Help us bear the good fruit of your Spirit.

Father, for many of us, this season is symbolized by the mark of ashes on our forehead. Thank you that those ashes do not symbolize our ultimate reality. From dust, we were formed, but our bodies, our spirits, ourselves, await beautiful redemption and the restoration of all things. Help us to long and look forward to that day, and let it come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

My Takeaway: The night is dark, but there is a Light which has overcome the darkness. He is the Light of the World - he will illuminate your pathway. Place your trust in him.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.