Simply James 4 Part Three

The Sin of Omission.

We have been studying the Book of James Chapter 4, and we have learned that this one Chapter, of this one Book, by one man, James, is filled with lessons that every Child of God needs to learn. What is remarkable about James, is that even though he was the Brother of Jesus, he was a nonbeliever all the way up to the Resurrection. Then he became a Leader of the Church in Jerusalem, and a Pillar of Faith.

We have learned how we shall have whatsoever we ask God to supply us with, as long as we are living for Him. As long as we are doing His Will. He will not answer our Prayers if we are Praying for greed or lust. We have learned that once we become a Child of God, we are no longer OF the World, even though we are still in it. We have learned that the World will hate us, because it first hated Him. That we should not care. But be good and faithful servants of God Himself. We learned that we need to stop relying on ourselves and start relying on God. That if we humble ourselves, it is God who gives us the power and lifts us up. If we give up ourselves to God and allow God to work through us, we will be far better off in all things.

Then we learned that there is but one Way, Truth, and Life. One Judge, and we are not He. We learned that we should not Promise, but say what we mean and mean what we say. Yes is Yes and No is No, and all else is evil. We also learned that we should be anxious for nothing and take no thought of tomorrow. For tomorrow is NEVER a guarantee.

As we go through the Book of James, Chapter 4, we see that James is pretty much echoing Jesus Himself, and teaching us the ways of God, the way it can only be taught, by the lead of the Holy Spirit himself. Here is the entire Chapter again...

James 4:

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Now James's core message is simple. Faith without Works is dead. Religion for Religion sake is meaningless and a waste of time. His last lesson in this Chapter, of his letter to the twelve tribes, is this.

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

What does this mean? This means that it doesn't matter if you are in Church every time the door is open. It doesn't matter if you fast during Lent. It doesn't matter if you keep the Passover, or any other Traditions. It does not matter what you do, if you are not following The Father's plan, you are doing nothing.

You may be taking great pride in being "Holy" and "Faithful to the Faith." Or a good, "Insert Religion or Denomination here." But if you are not actually serving others, you are falling into a trap of the devil. Here is the way James puts it.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Now most of you know what Sin is. Do not Murder. Steal. Lie. Convent. Have no other God before God. Honor your Father and Mother. ETC. But do you know the Sin of Omission? When a "certain Lawyer" asked Him what to do to be saved, Jesus asked him how he read and understood Scripture. The Lawyer answered rightly. He said "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Jesus said well done. You already know what to do.

Understand that this Lawyer was telling the truth. He knew and understood the Scriptures. He was "Religious." He was, in his mind, "Righteous." But he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" He most likely was thinking that this means his fellow Religious folks. His own kind. But Jesus answered him this way.

Luke 10:

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

A Priest, and a Levite. Now all Priests were Levites, but all Levites were not Priests. However, Levites were assigned various duties in the Tabernacle. They assisted the Priests in preparing the Cereal Offerings, and care for the Courts and the Chambers of the Sanctuary. Later the Levites were involved in interpreting the Law and thus functioned as Teachers. So needless to say, both these where "Religious folks." They knew and followed the Law.

When they came upon one in true need, they passed him by. Perhaps they thought him unworthy? Perhaps they thought he got what he deserved. Perhaps they simply did not care. But when one came upon him that was not "Religious," he was the one, that showed the man compassion. He was the one, that truly met the man's needs. Jesus told the Lawyer to go and do likewise.

This next passage needs to be one that you, as a Child of God, take to heart, and fully understand. Jesus taught, that in the time of Judgement, you will be evaluated. In....

Matthew 25:

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

You see, Jesus makes it a point to explain that these folks, Justified by God, did these things without even taking thought. They did so because that was who they were. They were following God. Then Jesus said to them....

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then he turned to those on His left. He said this.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Now stop there for a second. just as a side note here. Notice these two points. Jesus said.."Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Then to the ones cursed, He said "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" Again, God condemns no one. It was ALWAYS God's intent to give us everlasting life with Him in Paradise. He never intended Hell to be for man. We condemn ourselves but rejecting God. Back to the message.

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Jesus also put it this way..One of the saddest and scariest passages of the Bible is this.

Matthew 7:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Sad and scary yes. But when you understand what it means, Faith without Works is dead, then you can fully grasp the reason why Jesus teaches us this. If we are going through our daily lives, and we see someone in need, and we have the ability to help them, should we not?

It is good for you to be going to Church. It is good for you to keep the Sabbath. It is good for you to keep the Passover. To follow traditions. There is nothing wrong with any of it. But is there a Food Pantry in your town? Is there a Good Will outlet? Is there a person living under the bridge you cross everyday going to work or school? What are you doing to "Feed the hungry?" "Cloth the Naked?" "Give sight to the Blind?" What are you doing to actually serve God?

In...

Galatians 6:

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Jesus's, and in this case James's message, is crystal clear. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James made it simple to understand in....

James 2:

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Think about that. If you lose your Job, lose your home, are living in a tent, and you go to Church and say "I lost my Job, home, and live in a tent, I have no way to feed my family." Which helps you more? If the Pastor of that Church says "This is horrible, come let us Pray." Then sends you away. Or one that says, "That's horrible, come let us Pray. Meanwhile, come, stay here at the Church, or in my own home. Come here, eat.?" Of course, it is the Pastor that Prayed AND supplied the needs temporarily. So you, as a Child of God, should go and do likewise.

If you know someone is in need, and you have the means or the ability to do good towards them, and you do it not, God calls that Sin. The Sin of Omission. As Children of God, we need to concern ourselves with the needs of others. Should we keep traditions and attempt to be as close to God as possible. Of course, but He is more concerned with what we are doing for others. Remember, it is a Spiritual Law. The more you give out, the more you receive. The more you do for God, the more God will do for you. Be mindful, that you do not commit the Sin of Omission. One day, it may be you in need.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!

Simply James 4 Part Two

Part Two, One Way, Truth, and Life. Do not Judge. Speak plainly. Do not be anxious.

We are talking about the Book of James, Chapter 4. Last time we discussed how we shall have whatsoever we ask God to supply us with, as long as we are living for Him. As long as we are doing His Will. He will not answer our Prayers if we are Praying for greed or lust. If we are attempting to manipulate God, we will find Him silent.

We have learned that once we become a Child of God, we are no longer OF the World, even though we are still in it. We have learned that the World will hate us, because it first hated Him. That we should not care. But be good and faithful servants of God Himself.

We have learned that God will not accept those that are full of pride. That we need to stop relying on ourselves and start relying on God. That if we humble ourselves, it is God who gives us the power and lifts us up. If we give up ourselves to God and allow God to work through us, we will be far better off in all things.

Let's go back to...

James 4:

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

We left it off here...

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Simply put..

John 14:

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Do you know people, I do, who will go Church, sit in the pews, whisper to each other how this one or that one is dressed. How this one or that one got fired. How these other two are getting Divorced, ETC? They smile at them. Some even hug everyone. But they are sitting in judgement of others, while never taking thought of what they are in violation of. What Sin is in their lives? Remember what Jesus said about this sort of thing?

Luke 18:

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

You see, you may think someone is in deserving of damnation, but who are you to judge? Do you know their heart? Who are you to condemn?

Romans 8:

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Even God is not sitting there looking to condemn someone. He has arranged it so ALL can be forgiven, and find Salvation. Again, it's not God who condemns. We condemn ourselves. Just so there is no doubt to the fact, we are not to judge others, Jesus makes it crystal clear.

Matthew 7:

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

We are all Sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Yet? You will sit there and judge a Brother or Sister? Jesus calls those who does, hypocrites. Instead of sitting there judging them, why not get up, walk over, and ask if there is something they need? Why not say a Prayer for them? However, sit there and judge, you do so at your own risk. Remember "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Jesus told us that we should keep our speech simple. That we should allow our Yes to be Yes, and our No to be No.

Matthew 5:

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

I have always tried to follow this teaching. Ask my kids. If I say No, it is No. They have no need of, or at least they have little hope of this changing if they continuously ask. If I say Yes, it is Yes. A Guarantee. An absolute. If I tell my kids, we will go somewhere. We go. It does not matter if I feel like it when the time comes. It doesn't matter if I am called into work. It doesn't matter if we can afford it. We GO. Or if I say Yes to something. It is Yes. They know it to be true. They have no doubts.

Here is something you should NEVER do. Trust me. NEVER promise God something you cannot deliver. When I first got Saved, I found myself with a day off. I was excited. I was on fire for God. I went out and put The Bible in my car. I got in. I Prayed to this effect. "God, I love you. I give you this day. Whatever and wherever you want me to go, and whatever you want me to do. I'm all yours." I got to the next town over and decided I would stop for coffee. Then I decided I would do this and that. I promised the day to God, I took it back.

So what happened? He took THREE from me. Long story short, my car died, I walked three miles home, and had to wait for a friend to come look at the car. After three days? I got my car back It turned out to be like a $6.00 fix. Don't promise God anything you can deliver. Trust me.

God tells us we should not do this with each other either. Simply say Yes and No. God also tells us that we should never worry about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Now let's really look at this. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow." Then "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

September 11, 2001, Tuesday, people got up. They had breakfast or coffee. They took their showers, got dressed, kissed their loved ones, went off to work. A mundane Tuesday. Just like all others. Wishing it was Friday. Thinking about "what's for dinner?" Making plans for their next day off.

8:46 a.m, a Jet flew right into the side of the World Trade Centers. 9:03 a.m, a second Jet flew into the side of the other Tower. 3000 plus people left this Earth on that day. 3000 plus people had no idea that it was the last time, they had breakfast or coffee. They took their showers, got dressed. The last time they kissed their loved ones, went off to work. A mundane Tuesday. Just like all others. Wishing it was Friday. Thinking about "what's for dinner?" Making plans for their next day off.

Will the world come to an end soon? Maybe. However, the world DID come to an end for 3000 plus people on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I could be sitting here right now, talking abo............ You could be sitting there right now rea........ Our loved ones left behind. Tomorrow is never promised. Today is a gift.

Jesus put it this way...

Luke 12:

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

If you really want to live by Faith, Jesus tells us this...

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

"But Pete, come on man. They have been talking about the end of the world since Bible times. Look, we are still here. This is all nonsense." Nope. Peter addressed this. As a matter of fact, he talked about people like you..

2 Peter 3:

2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Again, just because the end of the world doesn't happen tomorrow, doesn't mean that tomorrow may not be your last day. Or mine. Or a loved one of ours. Everyday, somewhere in the world, someone goes to sleep here, and wakes up in Heaven. Everyday.

This is why the Word tells us to be anxious for nothing. To convent nothing. Forget about what you will do when you are older. What if today is your last day?

Philippians 4:

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So to recap, today we learned that there is but one Way, Truth, and Life. One Judge, and we are not He. We learned that we should not Promise, but say what we mean and mean what we say. Yes is Yes and No is No, and all else is evil. We also learned that we should be anxious for nothing and take no thought of tomorrow. For tomorrow is NEVER a guarantee.

Next time we will wrap up James 4 with his last lesson. The Sin of Omission. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!

Simply James 4 Part One

Have you heard these sayings?

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,"

"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

" Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

Did you know that all these things are in one Chapter, in one Book, written by one man? James, Brother of Jesus, and what is said to be the oldest Book of the New Testament. Did you know that James was not even a believer until AFTER the Resurrection? James is a fascinating study in and of himself. Some places where it talks about him? Matthew 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" Mark 6:3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." John 7:3-5 "His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him."

He then became a head of the Church in Jerusalem following the Resurrection. Called a Pillar by Paul and one that extended his hand and authorized Paul to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:9 "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision."

This is yet another place that dispels the myth that Peter was the first Pope. Peter was the leader of the Jews. His job was to Preach the Gospel of Christ to the Jews. He wanted nothing to do with the Gentiles. Paul is the first Pope, if you will. Sanctioned and ordained by God Himself to Preach the Gospel of Christ to the non-Jews.

Now James's main foundational message is Faith without Works is dead. That we need to be more than hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. That Religion for Religion sake is pointless. Which is probably why I feel a bit of kinship with him.

There is so much wealth in just this one Chapter, we need to truly spend some time here. Here it is..

James 4:

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Let's look at this a bit more closely.

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Now you know the Scriptures...

Matthew 7:

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

John 15:

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Mark 11:

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Does this mean that I can go out back of my House and Pray for a money tree with Hundred Dollar Bills for leaves, and I will be plucking my way to wealth tomorrow? Nope. Wait, does it not say "whatever you wish, and it will be done for you?" Then I want that money tree. It also says "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Who was Jesus talking to? His Disciples. God tells us, through His Word, that He will give to His Children anything that they ask, they shall receive. What should the Children of God ask for? To meet their needs? Nope. Jesus told us that our Father knows what we have need of before we do. No. As Children of God, we should ask for things that will be a blessing to us, but more importantly for us to be a blessing to others.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

This is a simple truth that is rarely taught. You cannot be part of the World and serve God at the same time. You simple can't. The World is flesh. God is Spirit. If you are OF the World, you are walking in the flesh. Remember, Romans 8 declares "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Jesus put it this way..

John 15:

18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

When you start receiving great praise and power by Man, it's time to look in the mirror. It's time to enter into the Word. It's time to Pray. As we have discussed many times, you can be a great "Insert Religion here" all you want to be. You may receive promotions and great praise by man for the teachings and keeping of man-made traditions. But are you actually following and teaching the Truth of God?

A little bit later, Jesus even told us that it would be worse than the World simply Hating us. He said this..

John 16:

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.

On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus actually Blessed those of us, that become persecuted, because of Him and His Word. He said this...

Matthew 5:

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Think about this. How did the Apostles of the Bible die? Well, James is said to have been thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his Faith in The Christ Jesus. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a Fuller's Club. Interesting side note. This is said to be the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the time of his temptation.

Peter was Crucified, per his request, upside down on an x shaped cross. He claimed he did not feel worthy to be Crucified the same way Jesus was. All were martyred with the exception of John, whom legend has it, was boiled in a basin of boiling oil, yet by the Grace of God survived and died of old age. Some were hung, some beheaded. Some tortured to death.

Truth is, becoming a Christian is not, all peaceful gliding through life. You will face trials and tribulations. People, some friends and even some family members, will pull away from you. Some may even end up hating you. In...

1 John 2:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

This is why The Word tells us over and over again, that once we receive the Spirit of Adoption, we become a new creature. We are no longer OF the World, even though we are still in it. We are now able, through the Spirit, to overcome the World and the things of it. As a Child of God, we in essence should count it a blessing when we find the World hating us. Jesus told us this would happen when we are faithful to God. Who would you rather have hating you? Man or God?

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Remember the Sermon on the Mount? It was all about being humble.

Matthew 5:

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

You see the Proud, are all about themselves. They take pleasure in their own accomplishments. They love to talk about themselves. They do everything they do, for self gain. They love the praise and admiration of others. Jesus talks about some Religious folks falling into this trap.

Matthew 6:

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

And continuing....

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

What Jesus is telling us here is do not be prideful, seeking acceptance and reward from man. If that is all you seek, that you shall be rewarded with. But become humble. Do not do things for your own gain. Serve the Lord your God. Serve God Himself. Allow Him to Justify you and more importantly, Glorify you.

So to recap so far. In James 4, we have learned we shall have whatsoever we ask God to supply us with, as long as we are living for Him. As long as we are doing His Will. He will not answer our Prayers if we are praying for greed or lust. If we are attempting to manipulate God, we will find Him silent.

We have learned that once we become a Child of God, we are no longer OF the World, even though we are still in it. We have learned that the World will hate us, because it first hated Him. That we should not care. But be good and faithful servants of God Himself.

We have learned that God will not accept those that are full of pride. That we need to stop relying on ourselves and start relying on God. That if we humble ourselves, God will lift us up. Moses was humble, God made him powerful and able to do the things he did. David was humble and through God, brought down a Giant and became King. Solomon the Wisest King ever. Peter humbled himself and walked on water, and even his shadow healed people. Saul became Paul. James, Jesus's own Brother, humbled himself and became a leader of the Church. Many more examples can be found all through the Word. What they all have in common is that they humbled themselves. They gave up themselves and allowed God to work through them.

Next time we will be talking about what James tells us about judging one another, the fact there is ONE way of Salvation and Righteousness, and the fact we should be a be anxious for nothing. Then we will wrap this all up with the Sin of Omission.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!