Catchy, right? I never have read the book of James with my eye on the Sermon on the Mount. My Holman Christian Standard Bible brought this to light and now I’m researching. It’s wild to see the influence Jesus’ words had on his brother James.
Thank you, Lord for revealing that to me today. I am encouraged to spend time in the words of God, wanting them to infiltrate my words throughout the day. I am convicted that too often my words are built on much less. I wonder if James realized the influence and movement in his mind, not towards his own thoughts, but towards the thoughts and truth of Jesus’ words.
Here’s an example…
““Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:10-12 NASB1995
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 NASB1995
Blessed, consider it all joy. Words that seem best suited to prefix , “when you have a quiet life” or “when you have money in the account” or “everyone is healthy”. Of course, it’s not. In the world’s eye, we hear these messages. In God’s eye, thru suffering and hardship, we inherit the kingdom of heaven. We develop endurance.
Now this is not jumping up and down, so excited for trials, rather it is an acceptance. It is a long view, searching the horizon. It is joy.
“Note: “Joy” is associated with life, e.g., 1Th 3:8, 9. Experiences of sorrow prepare for, and enlarge, the capacity for “joy,” e.g., Jhn 16:20; Rom 5:3, 4; 2Cr 7:4; 8:2; Hbr 10:34; Jam 1:2.” Vines Expository Dictionary
God’s eye is so different. Rejoice and be glad. Will be perfect and complete. This happens in time., over time, with time, becoming like Jesus. Let me remind you of the stories of Jesus. Turning tables? Killing the fig tree? Calling the religious leaders hypocrites? There’s more, but our lives lived out for Christ has many emotions. Many situations.
Friend, when the Spirit lives in us, when we know His word, we change. Count on it. I recently started stretching every morning. When i started I could not cross my legs, this morning..I could! Change is slow, small, but one day you will notice. You will see the influence of Christ in your response.
“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.”
Acts 4:13-14 NASB1995
May we be recognized “as having been with Jesus.” That His words, His love has changed us, infiltrated our very lives.
Much love.
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