Not for Beginners

Philippians 1:19-21

The book of James is not for the beginner in Christ, nor is it for the Easter or Christmas crowd, and it is certainly not for the faint at heart believer; it will mess with your heart.  If a pastor or teacher is not knowledgeable in the Scripture, this book can lead you down a wrong path of trying to help God in His work.  Often verse 18 is all people know about the book of James, “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.”  Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  Faith should produce action! And that is what Paul is stating in this letter to the church at Philippi, about his being imprisoned in chains.  He ends verse 18 in this way, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”  You might be a little shocked at what Paul calls deliverance!

Most Christians in the United States, read James 1:2-4, and equate these verses to having a flat on the freeway, or a bad hair day, and even then find it very difficult to, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” I know, because like you, I struggle in these areas of life.  Our Lord was very up front on the issue of trials in this life, Jesus said; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  My friend Carroll Ray Jr. who is basking in the presence of our Lord, often said, “Faith is acting like Jesus tells the truth.”  Is that not what the apostle Paul is doing?  Here is the rest of the story, in verses 20-21,  “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

When we entered into a relationship with Christ Jesus, we brought nothing with us, the old man died, and everyone who has a relationship with Christ, has two dates of birth, the physical and the spiritual.  The physical can be seen and though the old man died when you entered into Christ, the flesh is very much alive.  Steve McVey gives this insight into flesh; “Think of the flesh as your personal techniques for meeting your own personal needs apart from God.”  In fact Steve goes on to say; “Your flesh-life may not be defiant against God.  Walking after the flesh is simply relying on your ability instead of God’s resources.  Don’t think of the flesh as something that you naturally find repulsive.  It may be very attractive and even look spiritual.” 

You maybe wondering why the above paragraph is needed, if Paul’s focus was on his flesh and not on letting Christ do it all for and through him, he would never have worried about honoring Christ in both his life and his death.  Carroll Ray Jr. was right, it comes down to only one thing, “do I believe that Jesus tells the truth” and do I act it out by faith?  James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  No one is deceived when the deceiver is exposed; the word of God is the only thing that exposes the deceiver. 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice