Title: Jesus-Centered Life (James 1:1-11)
Contents Jesus-centered life (James 1:1-11)
Jesus-Centered Life
about 1:1-11
The book of James has a lot to say about works of faith, that is, faith with works. If you think wrongly, it can be misunderstood as if faith is based on works. So, a religious reformer named Luther even downplayed the book of James as a straw epistle. However, it is unacceptable to evaluate the value of the book of James as inferior to any other Bible. Because the book of James gives us the same authority as other books in teaching and as a Bible, and is precious. In this text, James exhorts us to live a Christ-centered life. It is said that the life of a believer must be Christ-centered, and only when Christ becomes the center can a holy life and a godly life be possible. That is why even in the case of Paul, whether we live or die, eat or drink, we must do it for the glory of Christ. From the moment we become Christians, we do not live in us, but Jesus lives in us. Therefore, as Christians, our life itself must be centered on Christ, that is, Jesus.
If so, what should be the attitude of those who live Christ-centered life? In verses 2-4 of today's text, Christ-centered people say that when they face various trials, they should be completely happy.
Trials are painful and painful for everyone. But Christ-centered people should not grieve or despair over this, but instead rejoice. Because through trials we can draw closer to God. Paul says this in Romans 5:3-4. “Not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.” In order for a gem to become a good gem, it must be trained a lot to become a good gem. Likewise, since the jewel of faith can grow more beautifully through refinement and refinement, James tells us to be completely happy when we meet various trials.
A Christ-centered person should ask God for wisdom, but by faith.
When we ask like this, God answers all people without discrimination.
God says that He not only answers, He also gives generously. The word ‘fuhi’ is a combination of the meanings of ‘not stingy’ and ‘not reproaching’. Therefore, the meaning of these words is that God does not give according to our understanding, but in abundance and freedom. In this way, our God not only delights in the earnest prayers of the saints, but also answers the prayers of the saints most appropriately.
Now we must ask the saints with confidence that God will answer them and with faith that acknowledges God's power. We should not pray in a state of doubt that God may not answer. The Lord said this in Matthew 21:21. “Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and have no doubts, you can not only do these things that are done to the fig tree, but also say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea.”
When our members pray in faith with the assurance that the Lord will surely answer, works will happen. In the name of the Lord, I bless you that you will become blessed saints who live a Jesus-centered life through this faith-based prayer life.
A Christ-centered person is well aware of the circumstances of all things.
We have nothing to boast about because everything we have is given to us by the Lord. Also, our wealth and glory are like flowers of grass, so we have nothing to boast about.
However, foolish people think and believe that everything is done by their own power. However, you must know that once God uses his breath and blows it away, he is nothing. In Luke 12, a man harvests and fills his storehouse and says: “And I said to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; rest, eat, drink, and be merry.” Then God said, “You fool, tonight your soul will be retrieved, then whose will your preparations be?”
The problem with this man is that he did not know who the true owner was. We definitely need to know this. We must discover and realize that all of us come from God. This is the image of those who truly live a Jesus-centered life.
That is why the saints have a duty to seek the holy goal, the above. Also, those who are in Jesus Christ must confess that they have nothing to boast about except in the cross.
The saints should not boast of their academic background, talent, appearance, or wealth, but ‘become the saints who go to the goal in order to seize the things in front of them and pursue for the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We definitely need to know this. You must know that everything comes from the Lord. Now, we must become believers who live a Jesus-centered life by confessing that everything belongs to the Lord.
Dear saints, I pray that you will become those who fully appreciate the test as joy when faced with difficulties. I pray that you will become saints who seek wisdom but ask for it by faith. I pray that you will become holy saints of the blessed God who confess that God is the owner of everything. So, in the name of the Lord, I earnestly pray that all the blessed saints who enjoy the wonderful blessings of God will become.