Today’s reading: James 2:18-3:18

'You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!' - James 2:19 ESV

Acknowledging something as true isn't biblical belief.

I can acknowledge that 43-year-old Tom Brady is a statistical anomaly and is good at football, but I am for sure not going to go out and buy his new Buccaneers jersey.

It probably isn't fair to go from talking about Tom Brady to bringing up a conversation about demons, but here we go.

The first part of this verse is dripping with sarcasm, and the second part is terrifying. The thought that a demon would know more about the fear of God than I do really bothers me. Darkness is well aware of the light's capabilities.

So, what should separate us from the demons? James says it is the activity of faith. It is the act of getting up every day and submitting our entire lives to Jesus. Like we discovered in yesterday's post, genuine faith in God is going to find its expression one way or another.

I love that the two examples James gives are a patriarch and a prostitute (vs 21, 25). Both Abraham and Rahab were obedient when it counted. Were they always obedient? Well, no. Abraham was a liar, and Rahab was... you know. Yet they found expression for their faith when it counted most, and it is reflected in their legacies.

Today’s reading: James 1:19-2:17

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” - James‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As you can already tell from our time reading James, he loves to talk about faith and action (works). He mentions “faith” 13 times in his little book and speaks of “works” 16 times.

In the original language (Greek), James is doing somewhat of tongue in cheek. The word used for “faith” is the word pistis. Volumes and volumes have written about this one word! Another way to translate it is as “trust” or “faithfulness.”

So faith, by itself, is defined as active. It is definitely not a passive word. All we have to do is re-read Hebrews 11 to see that faith is an activator and that it brings a level of constancy that is needed to sustain the Christian life.

Do we see needs around us? Meet them.

Do we see racism around us? Actively love those that look differently.

Are we tempted to shirk the poor to complement the rich? May we repent and look for ways to show mercy.

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Today's reading: James 1:1-18

'Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.' - James 1:18 ESV

We've all done things out of mere obligation. When we do, there isn't much passion behind our actions. Our bodies are going through the actions, but our hearts aren't quite activated. So we lumber forward, putting one dutiful foot in front of the other.

This may be how you think about God's disposition toward you, but it isn't in the least bit true. This verse in James shuts down that thought. The Greek word used for "will" here is boulomai, and it means "to desire to have or experience something, with the implication of some reasoned planning." (Louw/Nida)

Listen, God has eternally thought it through. He's made His decision. He wants you to be the part of his crop that He brags most about (the firstfruits). God hasn't made a haphazard mistake by choosing you. Instead, he has used his bedrock of truth to set your life upon. His love for you cannot be shaken from its place.

May this grace fall afresh on you today.

Today’s reading: Hebrews 13:1-25

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” - Hebrews‬ ‭13:15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ sacrifice was a setup for our salvation, and all that flows out of this regeneration is to be beautiful. We are now freed to offer sacrifices as an overflow, a response to the sweet saving.

SACRIFICE OF PRAISE // This is the only time this word appears in this way throughout the New Testament. Nida and Louw define it this way: “to speak of the excellence.” Regular praising should come naturally from our mouths! Sunday mornings, at work, when we are driving, working out, walking to class—it is appropriate at all times.

SACRIFICE OF GENEROSITY // Jesus met our greatest need. He saved our souls, gave us a new heart. Meeting the needs of others is an obvious response. What do you have in place to ensure you never forget to share?

Jesus has done the heavy lifting, and now we get to respond to his great work on the cross!

Today’s reading: Hebrews 12:14-29

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,” - Hebrews‬ ‭12:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I think we’ve all heard our phones declare, “You have reached your destination!” It is a relief to listen to these words, especially if we were wandering aimlessly for a while. Verses 22-25 is God reassuring these Hebrew Christians that all of their sufferings are a reminder of what they are now approaching. The detail provided is also helpful for us today.

Now approaching...

- Heavenly City (an illusion to Revelation 21)

- Thousands of angels, singing (they’ve been doing this since the beginning, Job 38:7)

- All of our Christian family (not yet fitted with resurrection bodies—to come later)

- God Himself (the Judge)

- Jesus and His blood (allowing us to approach God the Judge)

Our future is literally bright and will not lack for joy. The singing, the unity, the majestic presence of God—all will be made right.

“You will one day arrive at your destination.”

Today’s reading: Hebrews 11:32-40, 12:1-13

'Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.' - Hebrews 12:3 ESV

Reading our passage today, being from the United States, may cause us to feel disconnected from what has been the norm throughout the church's history. Our country provides the freedom to worship, for the most part, without fear of harm.

Yet we are the living legacy of Christians (and Jews) who suffered unthinkably at the hands of their oppressors. Even today, we know that millions of Christians worldwide live with the reality of putting their lives at risk to follow Jesus. All we have to do is spend five minutes on the Open Doors website to get a glimpse of what is still happening.

The writer of Hebrews flows from backs being ripped open, to the grandstands of heaven cheering us on, to the example of Jesus, and then considering it all as a helpful discipline. This may seem inconsiderate to us, but again, we don't really know what it's like to experience this kind of physical suffering.

We do know that God is moving us ALL forward, encouraging us to take "a new grip" and to "stand firm."

The Christian life is historically hard. Yet, at the same time, it is the best life, not only for now but also for all of eternity.

Today's reading: Hebrews 11:17-31

'By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.' - Hebrews 11:29 ESV

Death by drowning has to be one of the most fearful things to think about. Would we be willing to risk this fate by stepping out in faith if God commanded us to do so? The Israelites walked across on the dry land, through the Red Sea, with water walls on either side. Surely they had to wonder if the barricade would hold for all 1.5 million-ish of them to cross. God kept the waters at bay and allowed them to cross. Their faith had not been misplaced.

As we meander through Hebrews 11, we see people who did things by faith, causing them to take risks. Faith will always call us to take uncomfortable action. The Greek word used for faith throughout the New Testament is pistis, and it can also be translated as trust.

If we trust God enough to see us through, we need to believe he'll support as we step into an unknown/exciting space.

In these moments, if God doesn't come through, we will utterly fail.

Today’s reading: Hebrews 11:1-16

'But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.' - Hebrews 11:16 ESV

The word used for "ashamed" here is epaischynomai. Jesus used the same word in Mark 8:38 when he said, "Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

We know what it is like to be ashamed of association with someone else. Maybe we don't want some of our friends to know about another group with which we are close. Possibly you dated someone, and it went wrong, and it continues to be awkward when you run into them. Shame floods in with a simple glance.

When it comes to His children, His faithful ones, God doesn't shrink back when He thinks of us. He isn't worried about his reputation being weakened. If this is how you feel about Jesus, the feeling is promised to be reciprocated.

God is getting ready for us. Are we getting ready for Him?

Today’s reading: Hebrews 10:18-39

“let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” - Hebrews‬ ‭10:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse may not hold that much significance to us until we consider the reaction of those in the Bible that came into contact with God’s presence (or even an angel). Abram was overcome (Genesis 17:3). Samson’s parents fell face down (Judges 13:20). Ezekiel also fell on his face (Ezekiel 1:28). Daniel did the same (Daniel 8:17). A leper fell before Jesus as well (Luke 5:12). John fell as if dead (Revelation 1:17).

So, are you ready to stroll right into God’s presence with your sincere heart? Yeah, it makes me a little nervous as well to think about it.

Yet we have no reason to fear God’s presence. This isn’t because we’ve finally started to sin less often. It is all because of Jesus granting us access through his blood and resurrection!

Today’s reading: Hebrews 10:1-17

Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:5-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We actually have no record of Jesus saying these words, but we do have evidence of him living them. They are a quotation from Psalm 40:6-8, which is clearly about the Messiah.

The Father provided His Son with a body. That body would be nurtured as a baby and would offer healings to many. Ultimately, though, the will of God was not focusing on a temporary fix. The end-game was to see us receive (by faith) an eternal healing by the blood of that body.

Jesus also lived Psalm 40 as He submissively prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew what His body wanted to do, but His desire to do God’s will triumphed over the pull of His flesh.

May we take the example of our Savior to heart. May we be about our Father’s will over everything else.