No, the title of my blog is not some ominous way of telling you all about the special man in my life. This James, however, has completely changed and challenged everything about how I do life. This James lived in a very different time. This James died for that which he so strongly believed in.
This James was Jesus' brother.
It is well past my bedtime, but I have just completed the homework for Beth Moore's study on the book of James. I am bursting. The study is called "Mercy Triumphs," and I not only encourage, but I implore you to get your hands on this study and dig into the convicting and irreplaceable truths. Over the past seven weeks, God has done a great amount of surgery on me. As grotesque as that may sound, I can think of no other way to phrase it.
But this "surgery" has done a complete lift on my spiritual life, and it is one I could not be any more thankful for.
As I learned about the man James and read his very convicting epistle, there were a few things that stood out to me:
1) It wasn't until James stood at the empty tomb of Jesus that James realized that his half-brother was really who he said he was all along - the savior of the world. In one of the passages we read in Acts, it almost seemed as though James and the other siblings of Jesus mocked him. However, when James discovered the saving grace in the man he called brother, he took a hold of that truth and ran with it with all his might.
2) He knows how to tell it like it is. All of my closest friends are extremely blunt, and I love it. As I poured over the book of James, I found myself being reminded of so many practical yet imperative principles that were told in a very straight-forward manner. Do I watch my tongue? Do I let praise and cursing come out of my mouth? Do I believe that Jesus is who He says He is? Do I ask for the wisdom that can only come from God? Do I show favoritism? Do I extend the love of Christ to the orphan and the widow, to the homeless and the poor? Do I forget about my own will and surrender to the will of the one who knows best? Do I consider the source of my frustration? Do I consider it pure joy when I face trails of many kinds? The answer to all of these questions and so many more that James stirred within me is no, I don't always. However, you better believe I am making a conscious effort to try with all of my might. From the very begining of this study, Beth Moore challenged us to not just be "touched" by this series but to truly be "changed."
3) James lived out his faith. Over and over again, I was reminded that my faith without works is dead. I still hold to the standard that no work I could ever do will save me. I am saved by the grace of God alone. However, how could I have this life-changing experience and not want to walk it out? How could I not want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and dying world around me? James lived his life in the hot spot. Jerusalem was not a very friendly place to the Christian movement of the early church, but James knew his mission was to tell that Jewish community about Christ and the saving work He did on that cross. James eventually died for that cause. Do I have the kind of faith that James had?
This series is only just beginning to seep into the pores of my spiritual skin. However, I am reminded yet again that those words were not just written on a page 2,000 + years ago; they are living and active today. As I did this study, I almost felt like James was speaking right to me. I am so thankful that man penned those words.
I don't know if there is more to this post than just pure reflection. Let's face it though, if I would have tried to hand write it all in my journal, my hand may have fallen off due to cramping so thanks for letting me take up some space on the inter web.
I have also been challenged to really invite God into my Bible reading times. I know that may sound dumb, but I have found it so easy to get caught in the trap of routine. I wake up, read my four chapters, eat my cereal, and go to work. But do I really let myself be changed by what those words say?
As much as I truly appreciate Beth Moore and all she does and teaches, she is not with me every time I open the Word. However, the Holy Spirit is. As I delve into the words that so deeply apply to my life today, I want to be continually changed. I want to have the wisdom from above to receive what God wants me to learn. I don't want to just read black ink on a page; I want to be transformed by the writing God is continually etching on my heart.
This may officially be the most random (and not completely grammatically accurate) post I have ever written. However, I just had to write out these reflections. If nothing else, I challenge you to ask God to give you fresh eyes to read His word. I have read the book of James countless times. However, I have never had it hit me over the head in such a way as it did these last seven weeks. That is the cool thing about God and His word; there will always be something more we can get out of it.
Thanks for letting me ramble!
Love you guys.
In Him,
Em
