The Wrap Up

Yesterday, we finished our look at the book of James. I know that we only actually looked at the first chapter, but we will look a little further into the book another time. The big ideas to pull out of what we've looked at are these:
Trials will come, but they are ultimately for our benefit as long as we are trying to become more like Jesus. Every trial will purify us if we will allow it.
Temptations will come. Satan uses our own sinful nature against us. We need to recognize that he is our enemy, but also recognize that we are not guiltless in our sin. Does he tempt us, trying to lead us astray? Definitely, but that doesn't mean that our sins just happen. They show up when we give our desires free rein.
We are not alone in any of this. God has promised us wisdom to endure trials and withstand temptation. Our spiritual family is there to help too. No matter what you face, know that we have all been tried and we have all been tempted. Whatever the result, know that you're not alone in that either. We all are in need of God's grace. Our church is a place to find love, hope and freedom, not a perfect place for perfect people.
James 1 finishes with a challenge. He tells us the way to the righteousness that God desires for us. That is to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Notice that none of those things are forbidden, but that they are to be controlled. Just as our desire leads to sin if it is not subjected to the Holy Spirit, our words can lead us away from the righteousness we've been called to. The way to prevent this is to plant the Word within us. He tells us not to be people who give God's Word a casual glance and don't give it another thought. He challenges us to be people who "look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom" so that we don't just hear it but we also put it into action.
If we're going to plant the Word in us, we need to take action. If you go to Lowe's and pick up some packets of seeds, the picture on the front gives you an idea of what you can expect. Wanting that to happen won't make the flowers grow. Thinking about how beautiful your garden will be won't make a beautiful garden. Until you open that packet, put the seeds in the ground and tend the garden it's unreasonable to expect anything resembling the picture on the front. Jesus showed us a perfect life - a life marked by passion, power and compassion. We all say we want that too. But it's just as unreasonable to expect Christ to be formed in us while we keep looking at his life and hoping it will happen to us.
Since the beginning of the year, God has been calling all of us to action. It's about time to open up the package and get to work.