If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:26

Often when we here about people rejecting Christianity, they often cite that they had a bad “religious “ experience. We need to remember religion is not the same as having a relationship with Christ! Often religion is the development of man made rules and doctrine , most often don’t even reflect what is written in the Bible

There are a lot of people who are very devoted to their religion, however never had a Born Again experience with Christ. Jesus said unless you are Born Again, you wont see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3) its important to understand that no matter how religious you are, unless your Born Again you are not saved

As the scripture says “The mans religion is in vain” you can follow all the rules of your religion and be a devout follower. But unless you became Born Again, its all in vein. Truly its not about the works we do, but the works Jesus has already done for us!

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

Now with all that said, I’m not saying that religion is totally a bad thing. As the word religion really means “a set of beliefs” its only when you make your religion an idol over your Creator. “Pure Religion” as stated in scripture is when you are doing the will of our Father, as Jesus stated Love God and Love Your Neighbor

Pure religion is being the light of the world and salt of the Earth. Be careful how you practice your religion, as not to be a stumbling block for non believers. Remember become Born Again in Christ are your religion is all in vein, Amen!

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

We heard the old expression “if your going to talk the talk, then walk the walk”, this is what God is saying to us! Its one thing to hear the Word of God, its another thing to actually Do it. Its nice if somebody decides to go to Church, maybe they even profess to be a Christian, however if they don’t ever change or do what God tells them, they are deceiving themselves.

If somebody claimed to be a doctor, but never practiced medicine in their life, were they really a doctor? Or if somebody claimed to be a truck driver and never drove a truck in their life, are they actually a truck driver? Point is , if you claim to be a Christian, but never do anything Jesus told us to do, are you actually a Christian?

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. James 1:23-24

Some of you may ask, well how do I know if I’m a Christian then or not? Well honestly anyone who has answered the calling by Jesus, was never the same again! When you come to Jesus, your life is totally transformed, may not happen overnight, but over time you don’t even recognize who you were before

The scripture says, “Anyone who hears the Word of God, but doesn’t actually do it, is like someone who looks in the mirror and doesn’t even recognize themselves” Why? Because they are hypocritical, their walk doesn’t match their talk

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:25

The perfect Law of God is our mirror, when we look at it we can see our sinful nature. Then we recognize we need a Savior, Jesus Christ! Repent of your sins (Do), Follow Jesus (Do), Read your Bible (Do), Pray to God without ceasing (Do) Let the Holy Spirit teach and sanctify you (Do) Fellowship with other Christians (Do) Go make disciples of Christ (Do)

This is not a work based salvation, its evidence of your transformation in Christ, Amen!

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

One of the drawbacks of social media, is often we are slow to hear and quick to speak, which is the opposite of what God advises us to do. Often we get trapped in social media disputes that are fruitless and often cause more harm than good. What if we took Gods advice to be quick to hear and slow to speak?

Think about how different some situations would have gone, if you just held your tongue and kept your mouth shut. The problem is once we say something, we can never take it back. We can apologize however the words have already been spoken, and sometimes those words are ingrained in the others person mind for a long time

However all of this also leads to a confrontation. As the old saying goes, it take two to tangle. When we get in arguments they can quickly escalate, sometimes into violence. This is why God is advising us, slow down! Listen to the person first, even if you don’t agree with them. Try to process what they are saying, try to see if from their perspective. And be very slow to respond to them, if you respond at all. This will help you avoid unnecessary wrath in your life

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

Jesus said “The meek shall inherit the Earth” (Matthew 5:5) We need to learn to develop Meekness! This is something that doesn’t sound very appealing to the world. We live in a world that teaches us “Dog Eat Dog” and “Only the strong will survive” however this is the opposite of what God teaches us

Remember when Jesus was on trial, many times he just kept silent and allowed the Religious leaders and Pilate to make false accusations. We don’t always have to respond to everyone to satisfy them, think about what would satisfy God instead

So next time your involved in a conversation, whether in person or on social media, be quick to hear and slow to speak. This will help you avoid unnecessary confrontations and stay in peace with Christ Amen!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

What every Atheist and non believer don’t realize, is every good gift they have in life, came from God. Love is from God, therefor without God their marriage would not be possible. Children are from God, therefor without God, they wouldn’t have children. Even those who reject God, he still showers his gifts on them as Jesus said “ The rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45)

Therefor when we think about eternity, life without Jesus would mean total removal and separation from , not only God, but all these gifts that he has given us also. There is no Love in Hell, there is No Peace in Hell, because there is no God in Hell

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18

Not only did God give us these gifts here now on Earth, but he gave us the ultimate gift of Eternal Life through his Son Jesus Christ. When the Bible talks about the firstfruits, that’s what its talking about the resurrection.

Because of what Christ has done for us on the cross and defeated sin and death, we will be raised at the resurrection in our immortal bodies as the firstfruits to God. Notice it says because of Gods own will, meaning God loved us before we loved him. He chose to save us and die for us, when you realize this you understand the amazing love and gifts God has given to us!

Think about the gifts you have today in your life, remember to Thank God because every good gift from above , Amen!

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

Often when we are going through temptations, we don’t consider ourselves to be blessed. Think about what your going through with this Pandemic, everyone has suffered something in some way. God is asking you to endure this temptation , put your faith and trust in Him, and you will receive the Crown of Life

Now when we talk about these things, many might not be interested in a Crown of Life. This is because you don’t have a eternal perspective, you are only looking at things from a temporal perspective. Eternity is a long time to be wrong, put your faith in the one who offers eternal life, Jesus Christ!

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James 1:13-14

Often we like to blame God for our sin, we when people fall into the temptations of alcohol or sexual immorality, they will say “God made me this way” However this is a lie from Hell, God actually says the opposite. Whenever you are tempted it did not come from God, it comes from Satan and the sinful nature of your flesh. Blaming God for your sin wont work on judgement day!

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15

So how can we avoid sin? Well God tells us Sin begins in your mind. We imagine or fantasize about a sin, this is where we need to put a stop to it! When we allow Sin to be planted in our minds, eventually it overcomes us and then it produces the physical act of sin. This is why we should avoid things that will infiltrate our minds with perverse things such as music, movies, pornography ect

Focus your eyes and mind on Christ! This is why a strong prayer life is essential for fighting these spiritual battles, to empower you mind to kill these temptations and avoid sin. Endure the temptations of this world and you will receive the Crown of Life through Jesus Christ! Amen!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3

As were all going through this trial of the pandemic, you might ask how can we find joy in this? How can we find joy in trials and temptations? Because God is working on you to mold you for eternity! You see we look around the world and see death and despair, but that’s because were looking from a temporal perspective

We need to focus on an eternal perspective, focus on Gods eternal Kingdom to come, focus on Christ. When we understand and realize this is a fallen world under the curse of sin, its not a surprise to us that a pandemic like this would happen

But we can use this moment to strengthen our faith in Christ. Cling to God in all your needs, not anything of this world because its all temporal. Your money may be gone, your health may be gone, but Jesus victory on the cross is forever! Instead of letting this time destroy you, allow it to strengthen your faith in God

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:4-5

Many things have been taken away from us during this time, however we should still feel complete because we abide in Christ. As the scripture said “Wanting Nothing”, nothing can replace the fellowship of God and His love and mercy that he demonstrated to us

Now I know what your thinking, how can I comprehend any of this? Well the scripture says next “If you lack wisdom or understanding, ask God” What a simple concept yet how many fail to turn to God during times of confusion and turmoil?

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 6-7

However when we come to Jesus, we should come with true faith. We shouldn’t come to Christ, as if he were a genie looking to answer your demands. Come to him as the Risen Savior, the one who has defeated sin and death.

Anyone who comes to him with lack of faith shouldn’t expect anything from him. This faith is developed and endured during the trials and temptations of life, cling to Jesus and you will lack nothing!