I am grateful to have the lawn mower put back together. I pray You will help it to work correctly for a good long time. (Joel 2)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 2:28
Me: Good afternoon, Holy Spirit!
Holy Spirit: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: Seems that what I mind (φρονέω, phonetic: fron-eh’-o) is a litmus test of whether I am walking with You.
Definition: to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek or strive for; τά τίνος, to seek one’s interests or advantage; to be of one’s party, side with him.
Holy Spirit: Verses two and three are both using the word “law”, but they are showing a contrast between the Law delivered through Moses, which none could keep through human effort, and My work in the heart; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus − meaning the spiritual principles by which I Am working.
So, yes. The things that are occupying your mind are like a barometer, telling you whether you are intentionally giving Me charge of your heart and mind, or taking charge of them yourself.
Me: Thank You Holy Spirit! I do want You to be in charge! I love You!
Holy Spirit: You are welcome! It is always your choice! I love you!
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:16
I am grateful to be on the receiving end of Christ’s immeasurable gift of Himself on our behalf!
Me: Good morning, Holy Spirit!
Holy Spirit: Good morning, Jon!
Me: This scripture is a deep well. Other passages talking about fulness in relation to Jesus come to mind. (Thank You!)
For in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Colossians 2:9
God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Hebrews 1:1-3
Holy Spirit: These are pointing out that in Jesus, the original intent for man is perfectly manifest.
And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:26-27
John 1:16 spells out explicitly that in Him, all who will receive the gift of grace have that intent redeemed. Though not all have been renewed in it. Picture gifts presented, but unopened; understanding made available, but unconsidered; purpose commissioned, but unfulfilled; horizons unlimited, unseen.
Me: Help me, Holy Spirit to better fulfill my stewardship of this grace. Help me to lay down every weight that holds back, to banish every limiting lie that I have internalized!
Holy Spirit: That is precisely what I AM about. You have said that this is stewardship. That is true. See here:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8
And here:
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
I am grateful that You have redeemed those of us who have accepted your gift of salvation, that in our spirit we are all that the scripture says we are.
Keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
– Proverbs 23
Me: Good afternoon, Father!
Abba: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: Can you help me understand these references to the heart? How does the heart relate to the spirit, to the mind, our will, even our emotions? After all, we have the expression, “I love you with all my heart!” There seem to be lots of opinions out there. What do You say?
Abba: Here are some New Testament scriptures to look at to go with the proverbs you have quoted:
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4
So, you see, the heart contains the earnest (awareness) of the Spirit. Your born-again spirit is sealed (kept, preserved, protected) by My indwelling Spirit. You mentioned at the start the common understanding of emotions as being in the domain of the heart.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:5
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalm 139:23
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew 15:19
This verse in Hebrews 4 shows you two things. First, thoughts and Intents (plans, will, desires) are in the domain of the heart. Second, My word helps you sort these questions out.
Here is something else you might meditate on:
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Matthew 12:34
Even as My words tell you what is in My heart, so do yours.
Here is another example of My Heart:
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John 3:14-21
And one example concerning My Will:
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.
2 Peter 3:9
Me: Thank You Father! These are awesome assurances! I love You!
Abba: You are welcome! I love you!
Grapic mine. Needs more development, as it is hard to depict these relationships.
Nineth in a series about what the Bible says about health and healing.
This post is unchanged from my journal, with the exception of formatting and an added afterword. Also, some might wonder what the first part of Mark chapter five has to do with healing. Please bear with me, as I want us to look at the entirety of the chapter, for it is a treasure trove of revelation concerning healing from the beginning to the end.
I am grateful You have given us these detailed accounts of deliverance and healing!
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” 8 For he said unto him, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” 9 And he asked him, “What is thy name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, “Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. 14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
from Mark 5
Me: Good afternoon, Jesus!
Jesus: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: The secular culture dismisses these accounts of deliverance from demons as myth.
Jesus: Much of your culture – and not just the secular culture – dismisses Me.
Me: That doesn’t say much for our effectiveness as ambassadors for You.
Jesus: It has been that way from the beginning. I did give you free will. And I will remind you of Gideon. I had him reduce the many he had with him from his tribe down to three hundred to defeat the Midianites who were oppressing them. I wanted it to be clear that victory is Mine and it does not depend on the might of men.
Me: As I read Judges, it seems like Gideon started with 32,000.
Jesus: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit. (Zechariah 4:6) Through Me, you can do all things. (Philippians 4:13) This is even as all I did as I walked the earth; what I did, I did only through the Father (John 5:30). Nevertheless, the way to life in Me is narrow, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14). I sent prophets to Israel, whom most ignored. They served other gods; they followed their own counsel. Today, is the same. I am not excusing those who do not attempt to carry My message. I am saying to you that is not all there is to it. Who carries My message more ably than I? How many cried, “Crucify him!” before Pilate? I tell you some among them listened to my teaching and ate of the bread that I provided.
Even those who saw the loosing of the demon-possessed man in the passage you included above from Mark 5 asked me to leave. Look what it says in verse 15. They saw what I did, and they were afraid. What do you think they were afraid of?
Me: I’m not sure, Jesus. I expect You allowed the demons to destroy the pigs that those people were not supposed to be eating anyway.
Jesus: Yes, that was a little unspoken commentary on their rebellious enterprise. Today is no different. Many who reject me do so on the fear that I will ask them to stop engaging in their own particular rebellion. Others reject me because some who imagine they represent Me do not know me (Matthew 7:23).
Me: I mentioned earlier that many discount these deliverance accounts and put the troubles of the man in the tombs under the heading of ill “mental health”. They will argue vociferously that mental health problems do not equate to demonic activity. I have certainly heard voices not normally belonging to the speaker, when they were “themselves”. I reckon we all have mental issues that need reconciliation, else we would not be told of the importance of “renewing our minds” (Romans 12:2).
Jesus: No health problems are of My making. Rather, the works of the devil. I came, in fact, to destroy those 1 John 3:8.
Me: Thank you Jesus! Thank You for talking with me about these things! I love You!
Jesus: You are welcome! I love you!
Afterword: The death of the pigs in the sea may have had more to do with the demons making them insane than the sea itself. Here is a link to an interesting youtube video about swimming pigs in the Bahamas. Sans demons, they seem to like it. This one has a different type of hitchhiker.
Featured photo of tombstones also from Pexels by KoolShooters.
Postscript 02/17/2023
Mark 5:1 mentioned the land of the Gadarenes (the land east of the Jordan and south of the Sea of Galilee given to the tribe of Gad – see Deuteronomy 3) and the Decapolis (a group of ten Hellenistic cities spread out on the eastern frontier of the Roman empire). Apparently in relation to this same episode with the demon-possessed man, Matthew mentioned the “Gergesenes”. Gergesa was further north on the eastern shore of the sea. This area is the only place on that side of the lake where a steep spur of the mountains thrust out near the water. The city of Gadara, on the other hand is about sixteen miles to the southeast. It may be that the word “Gadarenes” in Mark 5:1 is due to a transcription error in the text. Parallel Gospel study reference: Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs. (biblehub.com)
Oh Lord! When I consider the blessings that come from Your hand, I am overwhelmed at them. Each on its own is completely amazing. The sum of them is beyond words. Praise your Holy Name!
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and [e]stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
Me: Good morning Jesus!
Jesus: Good morning Jon!
Me: Your power in grace is unknown from any other source, for You are the source of all things and in You all things hold together:
And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
Col 1:17
Yet you have called us to walk with You in the power of the Spirit:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:12
Jesus:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:16-18
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:13
Me: In our world, Jesus, we have many(!) who claim to voice the truth who use their lips to project anything but the truth.
Jesus: That is one of the high reasons that the truth-revealing work of My Spirit is so critical to you (and to all who will believe).
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
Me: Jesus, why are so many deceived? They often seem all-in for the narrative of the current propaganda.
Jesus: I will give you two reasons in one passage from Jeremiah:
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 5:31
Do you see what it says about those (false) priests who use the (false) prophets to establish and maintain the power of their rule? This evil is pervasive, from pulpit to elected official, to appointed bureaucrat. Then, to your question of why the lies are so effective, because the people love to have it so. Need I explicitly point out that if your life is full of My Spirit, that He will not passively abide that which is false? He is Holy. There is no falsehood in Him, neither can lies persist where He is given due place, which is an act of the will.
Quench not the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16
Do not doubt that the lies of the enemy are fiery darts. Consider the purpose of fiery darts: to start a consuming blaze to destroy. By setting fire to the resources of the attacked, not only is their substance ruined, but they are diverted from pursuing the battle.
Me: That makes a lot of sense, Jesus! Thank you for leading through these nuggets of Truth! I love You!
I am grateful for getting some of the barn signs in the county down today. It was below freezing and windy, but I really enjoyed my Wife’s company and help.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1
Me: Good evening Jesus!
Jesus: Good evening, Jon!
Me: Thank You Jesus, for holding everything together.
Jesus: My plan requires it to hold together.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29
Do you think about the plans that I have for you?
Me: I wonder sometimes, Jesus, if my belief that I am on the path you want me on is fully under the guidance of the Spirit and not merely a product of inertia.
Jesus: It is not merely inertia. I promised the Spirit to guide you into all truth (John 16:13) and you have a heart to listen. I Am faithful to speak to those who have a heart to listen. I am faithful to speak to you.
Me: I cannot overstate what that promise means to me. I honestly don’t know how people who don’t know You get out of bed in the morning.
The opening passage talks about You as creator of thrones and powers, rulers and authorities. You must be disappointed in our current authorities and their dismissal of Your plan. No, more their dismissal of You.
Jesus: Yes, I Am disappointed whenever any chooses not to have a relationship with Me.
Me: Is it more rampant now?
Jesus: Sin is progressive. Small steps at first. Eventually rushing headlong to destruction.
Me: We have elected officials who refuse to fix a broken voting system, the foundation of our republic. They draw back from making changes when cheaters cry foul. I know you see all this. My tendency is to believe that many elections are swayed by antics such as the dead voting. Am I a conspiracy theorist?
Jesus: No, what you sense is the truth. Let me remind you that this too falls under the “all things” coverage of Romans 8:28 –
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Also, in every age there has been a remnant dedicated wholeheartedly to Me. It is the same now. You meet many of them. Remnants do not win elections. They do tread the path to life eternal.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check. Proverbs 29:11
BibleHub.com
Me: Hello Father!
Abba: Good afternoon, Jon!
Me: Father, what is the relationship between being foolish and being arrogant?
Abba: The scripture points out that “the fear of the Lord” is the beginning of Wisdom. (Wisdom is an antonym of foolishness.)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes (arrogant): fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel [1], and marrow [2] to thy bones.
Proverbs 3
Even as the umbilical sustained you in the womb, your connection to Me will sustain you in life. You did not create the umbilical connection before your birth. That is of My wisdom. You will not sustain yourself in life as I intend if you persist in your own strength.
Me: Thank You Father! I love You!
Abba: You are welcome! I love you!
[1] Literally, umbilical. Figuratively, the center of strength
I am grateful for the revelation that You love us; that You ARE love. This is direction in Deuteronomy, is only right.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Me: Good evening, Jesus!
Jesus: Good evening, Jon!
Me: Please forgive my frequent inattention and my various distractions from being consciously in Your presence. I am grateful to be in Your presence even if sometimes unconsciously.
Jesus: When I said that I would never leave you nor forsake you, I told you an eternal fact.
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:17-19
For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. 1 Samuel 12:22
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. 1 Kings 6:13
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10
For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37:28
For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.Psalm 94:14
It has ever been thus: I Am Faithful and True.
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
Me: Thank You Jesus! I love you! Thank You for holding Your own so securely!
Jesus, I am grateful for the things that You speak. They are truth and they are life!
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17
Me: I take great comfort in Your prayer for us. Would You help me with the significance of praying to keep us from the evil?
Jesus: Does the specific article surprise you? I want you to realize that evil is cohesive in that it represents all that has diverged from Me and My nature (and therefore My plan) according to the choice I Am giving man and had given the angels before man. The fact that the evil is manifested in myriad ways does not detract from its unified characteristic. [Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.]
To say it another way, I AM holy. All that are not in Me and I in them are unholy. [Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7, 26, 1 Peter 1:16]
Me: Thank You, Jesus! I love You! I am thankful that Your word is both true and sanctifying. Thank You for paying my ransom!
I am grateful for the gift of salvation, believing that You empower me to become more like You!
[For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8;
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10;
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12]
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. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
from James 2
Me: Good evening, Jesus!
Jesus: Good evening, Jon!
Me: I have read this passage out of James 2, thinking that James felt that works were preeminent in the life of the believing. That works are evidence, – a litmus test – as it were, of the fidelity of a disciple’s walk in You. It seemed to me to be an outpouring of a lifelong adherence to Judaism as it was practiced by the Pharisees in Jame’s time.
Jesus: Do not miss the earlier unmistakable reference that James made in verse 12:
“So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” Compare Galatians 5:1 to see what he was talking about:
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
James is simply exhorting to consider carefully whether your faith is placed in Me, resulting in a changed heart and changed works or in some idol (self is a common one) resulting in nothing. This is worth constant attention: are you in Me and I in you? If you are, the works will follow of themselves, as Mine do also. In fact, the works that will flow out of your life will be mine. You may walk in them freely.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
