“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV). Glory is the recognition, honor, or renown due to a person. So, when Paul writes, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), it means our actions fall short of giving God the glory, not because we tried and it was not good enough, but because we did not justly give God what we were able. “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory” (Proverbs 25:27). Only the “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) is truly valuable, since it comes from God. Growth in grace and understanding of why Christ should be praised is our essential purpose for existing. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2Peter 3:18). Father, keep us from taking your glory. Enable us to walk humbly. Help us to understand You better, so we can give You heartfelt praise, for You are worthy. Teach us understanding of You, so our praise of You comes not from empty understanding or forced emotion. Cause us to be surprised and encouraged, for You alone are the reason for endless praise. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.
Sin Defined
Does Better Understanding Build Better Faith?
Better understanding does build better faith. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” (Luke 12:48 KJV). When do we have enough understanding to believe God? The LORD knew that Gideon was not guilty of the sin of unbelief though he put out the fleece for a sign (Judges 6). Zacharias did not believe the angel’s announcement about the coming birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:20), so God struck him mute. We have enough understanding when we know what we should do. For “him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 KJV). We need to practice arriving at a forthright conclusion and acting on it. The best course is straightforward.
James 4 Commentary
Practical Christian Wisdom from the New Testament Book of James
Warning Against Worldliness (James 4:1-12)
Verse 1: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (James 4:1 NIV).
The Epistle of James was simply a letter from a first century apostle, yet it is a profound statement of divine truth concerning the very nature of ALL human conflict. James reasonably addresses “fights and quarrels” (James 4:1 NIV) within the church. James asks the question, “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” (4:1 NIV), then he gives the answer, “Don’t they come from your desires [Greek, hēdonē, pleasures] that battle within you?” (4:1 NIV). Notice that James places the blame for war on “desires that battle within you” (4:1 NIV). The same Greek word for “desires” (4:1 NIV), Jesus used to explain why some respond to the Word of God and others don’t. “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures [Greek, hēdonē], and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV). Again, neither James nor Jesus claimed sin to be the reason for war, conflict, or not receiving the truth of the Word of God. Instead, the simple “desires that battle within you” (James 4:1 NIV) are sufficient to cause us to go to war or neglect God’s truth. In other words, we do not sin because we are sinners, but we commit sin because we allow the desires that battle within us to master and control us. “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24 NIV). Observation: The solution to not sinning is not merely possessing the Holy Spirit, but allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us, i.e., walking in the Spirit (Romans 8).
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We Need A Miracle 