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True Faith: A Study in JamesSample

True Faith: A Study in James

DAY 4 OF 5

What does it say?

Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. The Lord comes near to those who submit to Him and lifts up those who humble themselves.

What does it mean?

Jewish believers were being persecuted for their faith, but they faced another danger by allowing their hearts to be polluted by envy and wicked desires. James told them clearly that believers who live for things of the world align themselves against God. Trying to fulfill their own desires at any cost had opened a window for quarrels, slander, and boasting among God’s people! But God offers a solution for the polluted heart: grace. God promised to lift up those who humble themselves by repenting, submitting to Him, resisting the devil, and depending on Him for the future.

How should I respond?

The modern church has suffered far more from battles within its walls than from attacks from without. Church wars begin when believers fail to protect their hearts from ungodly influences. Christians cannot live for worldly fulfillment and claim devotion to God; they must choose one or the other. What evidence indicates that your heart has been polluted by the world’s ideas: gossip, pride, or a feud with another believer? The first step to a clean heart is humbly submitting to God and forsaking anything that gets in the way of complete allegiance to Christ. Will you rely on His grace today?

Scripture

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About this Plan

True Faith: A Study in James

Written by Jesus’ brother, the book of James is a practical guide to living a Christ-centered life. James encourages his readers to remain steadfast in a trial, tame the tongue, and humble themselves before the Lord. The practicality of the letter reminds us that true faith is seen in a life marked by faithful works.

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